Recoil is measured in ft-lbs, or less commonly, J (joules), which means that it is a unit of force.
Let’s take a step back to high school physics for a moment (this is relevant to shooting, we promise).
F=ma. Do you remember that? It’s an equation that gives the value of force (F), calculated using the product of two variables, mass (m) and acceleration (a).
Therefore, the two variables you need to consider when calculating felt recoil are mass and acceleration.
That is any gun part that moves and has mass (that is, any gun part) impacts felt recoil. (So does the bullet’s mass, but that’s a part of the equation we won’t be looking at here.)
There are two components of mass with any semi-automatic firearm. These are reciprocating mass and static mass.
Our X1 Glock slides are designed to have a lower reciprocating mass, thereby counteracting recoil, without you needing to make any adjustments in terms of what ammo you shoot, or installing muzzle devices like compensators.
Here’s what you know.
What Is Reciprocating Mass?
To keep things as simple as possible, reciprocating mass in a handgun is any part that moves during the cycling of the action.
This includes, to a small degree, the barrel, and the main contributor to reciprocating mass, the slide and all components attached to it, such as optics, sights, extractors, and so on and so forth.
Unsurprisingly, the mass of the slide itself is the main determinant of reciprocating mass.
Why Does It Matter?
The greater the reciprocating mass of the firearm, the greater will be the effect of felt recoil. This is because, in addition to shouldering (figuratively, in this case) the mass and acceleration of the bullet, you must in part also shoulder the mass and acceleration of the moving parts of the action.
This is one of the main selling points of our X1 Glock 19 slides.
How Our X1 Glock 19 Slides Affect Cycling and Recoil
Our X1 Glock 19 slides (all generations) feature CNC-machined windows that significantly lower reciprocating mass, as compared with OEM slides.
This, in turn, lowers the force of felt recoil, assuming all other variables are held constant. As a result of the lower felt recoil, it may be possible for you to make faster, more accurate follow up shots.
The lower reciprocating mass, for what it’s worth, also results in faster, snappier cycling, which some users appreciate. It also positively affects overall handling.
Another thing – though it has more to do with accuracy and barrel life, not with recoil – is that the cut-outs on these Glock 19 slides also aid in barrel heat dissipation.
This keeps the barrel cooler, which results in greater accuracy during periods of high sustained fire, and helps reduce barrel wear, too.
A Note on Static Mass
Something important to note here is that reciprocating mass is just one aspect of overall mass, and it has the opposite effect on felt recoil.
While a higher reciprocating mass will result in more felt recoil (all else being equal) a higher static mass – the mass of all the components of the platform that don’t move during cycling – results in lower recoil.
This is because static mass actually helps to absorb some of the force of felt recoil. Therefore, while a lighter Glock 19 slide can reduce felt recoil, a heavier barrel, guide rod, or frame (for instance) can lower it.
Other Recoil-Reducing Measures
Upgrading your Glock 19 slide to an X1 from NineX19 is just one thing you can do to reduce recoil in your G19. there are several other things you can do, too:
- Replace the polymer guide rod with a heavier one (such as a tungsten guide rod). This will add mass overall, specifically near the muzzle, helping to stabilize the gun and absorb recoil.
- Shoot lighter loads. When you’re shopping for ammo, look at muzzle energy. Measured in ft-lbs or J (just like recoil), the lower the muzzle energy produced by a round, the lower the felt recoil will be.
- Install a compensator. A compensator is a special muzzle device that changes how gasses are distributed at the muzzle. Most compensators not only reduce felt recoil but also counteract muzzle flip, keeping your sights on target for faster, more accurate follow-up shots. Quality compensators can reduce felt recoil by close to 50% without adversely affecting shot power.
Shop Glock 19 Slides at NineX19
Want more information on our Glock 19 slides before you buy? Check out our full collection via the previous link, which also includes Glock ported barrel and slide combos. You can also get in touch with us directly if you have any questions about specifications or compatibility. We will be more than happy to help.
