I am seeking advice from those that have had experience with AR 15 Carbine’s and modifying the recoil. It’s not too bad, but I am a fairly thin and toned person, so after a magazine or so it tends to make my shoulder hurt. Yes, I know to check my stance and such to help, but I like to shoot mainly from a standing or upright position. So, I really want to find a VERY good way to help with recoil so I can enjoy shooting more.
I was told the first check out Recoil Buffers and a “Tuned Buffer Spring” made for AR 15 carbines. But I wasn’t sure how that would effect my factory parts in my Colt 6920 SOCOM MK II rifle? Do those parts effect the way it shoots in terms of effectiveness of bullets and such? Just don’t much about those parts as I am new to this rifle platform.
Next, I was told a good recoil pad to fit on my stock would be good. But I have found ones that slip on or snap on, not screw in. My stock has a small screw in the bottom and a larger empty hole at the top. I assume there is a thin piece of plastic that removes and you screw the recoil pad in there for those type. However, I have mainly found just snap-on and slip-on types. The brand I was told a lot of people like are “Limbsaver” and to try one of those.
Make sure you’re holding your rifle tightly against your shoulder, the tighter it is, the less the recoil hurts. Also make sure you’re leaning forward into the rifle as you shoot.
The Vltor A5, and a B5 Bravo or SOPMOD stock, would work well.
I had no idea the AR could cause shoulder pain. I am a small guy too, and have no problem with it, though I have no shot with a factory carbine stock in a long time, so that is probably the difference here.
Maybe move the stock in (towards center mass) from your armpit an inch or 2. Also, it helps immensely to not use a bladed stance, but more of a MMA stance with both feet perpendicular to the target. maybe watch some YOutube of Travis Haley, Rangetime and Mrgunsandgear to see their technique.
If you are using a scope maybe your cheek weld is not correct which would cause your shoulder placement incorrect. I see a lot of guys that have their scopes to low which makes them “squeeze” their head down to look through the eye piece.
Get a stock with a rubber butt pad. Then find a reputable person that can teach you proper technique. After that it is a matter of shooting the weapon on a regular basis. You definitely want this to be an enjoyable experience and becoming sensitive to recoil can induce all kinds of issues in your base shooting fundamentals.
Are there whiz bang things that can soften the impact of this weapon platform? Yes there is and I build them quite often. But as F2S has mentioned, at this point in your learning curve, base fundamentals will prove more beneficial. This is after all a light recoiling rifle from the factory and learning good technique would also prepare you for other harder hitting weapons if you ever decide to progress that route in the future.
I was going to say the same thing. Carbine gassed 16" barrels are almost always overgassed, which leads to more recoil. An adjustable gas block can help quite a bit.
Have you shot other rifles, ones that have a decent recoil? If not, maybe doing that will encourage you to change your technique (or re-eval your pain threshold).
I had a LTC c/o recoil after sighting in his M-16… While wearing his IOTV. Pretty sure that,like him, you’re doing t wrong. I shoot with the stock just medial to the coracoid… That’s the knobby bump at the front of your shoulder. Try not to rest it on your collarbone too much either. Shooting vest will help, but so will a thick kitchen sponge if you’re bench shooting.
If you have the option to change, perhaps a middy or rifle length gas system would also improve things.
I agree with the technique over gear philosophy. I have seen many small framed individuals shoot some pretty hefty recoiling hardware and not complain too much. Not that big if a frame myself, just an aging recoil junkie from my misguided youth. Work with the weapon you have, and learn how to manipulate properly with training.
Start with software, then if it’s still bothering you, go with hardware.
New here I sold my rock river a year ago now have a colt on order .
That said my old rock river had no recoil to speak of . Why would the
Colt ? Mid vs carbine even so it can’t be that bad …I would think.
I didn’t have a recoil problem but it was over gassed. I used a Sprinco Blue tactical spring and an H2 buffer and it smoothed right out lessening the recoil. After I added the Battle comp and it stays flat with very little recoil.
This. I used to shoot boxes of 12 ga slugs and 00 and 000buck back when I was 135#, and never bruised. Proper form will ease all your pain. The only mark an ar should leave is the meat tenderizer pattern from an m4 stock if your shirtless. I think the biggest thing people do to cause bruising is chicken winging and putting the stock on the bone.