Can I handle the recoil of any of these rifles?

Question

Ok, im 5 5'
112 LBS
15 years old
Never shot a rifle.

Kar98
Mosin Nagant
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine

Answer 1

Like H said the 22 is the best place to start. The recoil of a m-1 carbine is negliable. There are special low powered loads made for the 7.62x54 Mosin. You are tall enough to have a good fit with any of them. There is a pad called a PAST recoil shield you can wear on you shoulder to reduce recoil. There is another concern besides discomfort in starting with a heavy rifle you might develope a flinch. It is much easier to hit the target if your eyes are open when you touch off a round.

Answer 2

I am 14 years old, and I am 5'10'', and about 185 pounds. I have a sporterized k98 in 8mm mauser. The military rounds that I shoot are comparable to 30-06 and after 6 shots, my shoulder started to get black and blue. As for the Mosin, it fires a slightly smaller round than the k98 and should be controlable. As for the M1 Garand, it fires a 30-06, the recoil is still there, but is definitely softened by the gas operated, semi-auto cycling. And last, the M1 carbine can be handled by anyone, it fires the little .30 Carbine and only has about 3.5 pounds of recoil. Although, I am sort of wondering, being that you have never shot a rifle, why you don't start with a .22 LR. Good Luck, shooting is very fun.

Answer 3

I'd say the .243 Winchester. If it's legal in your state, and he's still a really good shot, and you found some really heavy bullets at least 75 grain, you might could go with the .223. But I'd hesitate to actually recommend that. Get a .243 with a decent stock and a good size barrel (24 inches if you can find it) and it will weigh enough that it basically won't kick at all. A 20 gauge sure kicks less than a 12, but it kicks more than a .30-30 so I wouldn't consider that. And whoever said get him a .270, are you smoking crack? If a .30-30 is too much recoil then a .270 sure would be.

Answer 4

My wife is 5'2" and about 115. She has shot all these rifles, as I own all of them. From a bench, using sandbags.

The felt recoil is strongest to lightest in this order:

Mosin Carbines M38, M44, M59, etc. 7.62x54r
Mosin 91/30 rifle 7.62x54r
Kar98k 8mm
M1 Garand 30.06
M1 Carbine 30cal carbine

The fist four are full powered rifle rounds....the carbine is actually a pistol-like round.

The Garand, being gas operated and heavy, feels less recoil.

Try and start shooting powerful rounds seated on a firm bench using bags. An inexpensive slip on butt pad, sold at Walmart and many other places, helps cushion the shoulder a lot.

Answer 5

I was shooting a 20 guage at 11 yrs old, I shot Granddad's old Longtom 10 gauge as well at that age. it kicked, but thats part of it..
The Kahr98, Mosin have substantial recoil. the M1 Carbine is a 9mm cartridge on steroids. Not too bad.

What is your intent? burning paper or dropping critters?
At 15 for a hunting rifle, I'd opt for a 308.. I was a 120 lbs until I was a senior in HS. You get used to the recoil or you can put a Limbsaver recoil pad on your weapon of choice.

We got a limbsaver for my daughter's shotgun as she was getting a pretty beat up shoulder from trap shooting.

Answer 6

The M1 carbine should be a snap. The others were not designed for comfort, but they were designed for somebody about 5'8" and 140 lbs., so you'll be reasonably close on the fit, though plenty of soldiers had trouble learning to shoot them well. Form will be important, and that's why the usual recommendation is to start with a 22 rimfire, to drill in proper form to the point of its being automatic.

Answer 7

Well, I'm 16 and I found the Mosin Nagant's recoil managable although it was considerable! (as was the report!) It seemed to me it was similar to a 12 ga. shotgun with birdshot (not buck shot) As for the others, i have never shot any of those! I would say that the Mosin is deffinately NOT for someone new to rifles, but after a while it shouldn't be to bad!
(No, you don't need to start with some .22 lr thing, it's basicly a bb gun as far as recoil and sound goes!)

Answer 8

Heck, your kid sister could shoot all of those rifles.

Granted the old Mossy ****** and the Mausere K98 might shaker her a little, but not much.

Be confident, and follow the advise others in this thread have given about holding the rifle securely to your shoulder. Pulling the trigger without that stock against your shoulder is a quick way to get a bloody nose.

Enjoy your trip to the range.

Doc

Answer 9

Yes. Start with the M-1 US Carbine which has the least recoil. Better yet, since you've never fired a gun, start with a .22.

H

Answer 10

you should start small so you dont develop the bad habit of anticipating the shot and pulling the rifle. and you dont need a huge rifle. the size of rifle you need will depend on what you are shooting.