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There are many areas of study in handling shotgun recoil. The proper stance, leaning into the shotgun, is the first step. If you don’t grip the shotgun properly and keep the stock hard into the shoulder while leaning into the shotgun, nothing else will help.
However, even so, shotguns kick and kick a lot, and hard, with defense loads and heavy field loads. There are several answers. Reducing the payload isn’t an option. While reduced recoil loads are still effective, I don’t wish to reduce the payload itself; velocity may be reduced for some uses.
I use standard #00 buckshot for home and area defense. Some of these loads are effective to approximately 25 yards. Federal’s Flite Wad loads maintain a consistent pattern and deliver a hard hit. In most instances, I have found that a single load of double-ought buckshot is sufficient.
Just the same, we don’t go about armed with a single-shot shotgun, and I like the Savage Renegauge Security automatic shotgun. I am not willing to compromise wound potential. Some deploy the ineffective mini shells in their shotguns.
These aberrations are unreliable even in purpose-designed shotguns intended to feed these stubby shells. The pattern is less impressive compared to 2 ¾-inch shells. Those with a mixed load of different sizes shot throw the load all over the paper. To put it simply, I have no use for them. And of course they will not operate any self loading shotgun.
The Shotgun
Shotguns are fired largely by feel. You track the target, move smoothly, squeeze the trigger, and fire.
A stock that fits the shoulder and body well is essential. Some use AR or AK-type and bullpup-type shotguns. I may only conclude that they don’t understand shotguns. These firearms demand the shotgun be aimed as carefully as a rifle.
They are limited in usefulness. If you disagree, shoot a 3Gun match with your alternate shotgun and get back to me.
All this said, the shotgun kicks it must as it throws a heavy payload. Let’s examine some factors that may help control recoil.
Woox Stocks
Shotgun stocks are a funny thing. As an example, I own an old utility shotgun, a Savage 20-gauge, with a nice recoil pad. This single-shot shotgun is a joy to fire and use. It is fine for a walk in the woods.
An Ithaca 410 has a straight stock that simply kicks despite the gun’s weight, and it is a 410! Let’s look at one of the best examples of proper stock design. The Woox stock is beautifully made. Fit and finish is superb. But behind the looks is one of the most intelligent designs for shotgun stocks.
Woox raw materials are selected for their grain and then given a fine finish that results in a presentation-grade finish. The Woox stock is easily mounted to the receiver, in this case, a Mossberg 500. The action demands an adaptor to mate to the receiver as the stock angle is different from that of the factory shotgun. The Woox stock features a Microcell recoil pad. This is beneficial.
Another improvement over factory stocks is the ability to set the length of pull properly. Simply remove the provided spacers to achieve the best fit for shoulder-to-trigger manipulation. I added a Woox stock to a Mossberg 500. The 500 is reliable and sometimes available at bargain prices in the pawn shop. The result was a severely upgraded shotgun. Recoil is modest, and the shotgun handles better due to the superior grip angle.
The butt stock isn’t the whole show. The Woox forend is ergonomically designed to offer good reach and leverage when racking the action. The forend is designed to prevent your hand from slipping. Water, perspiration, or oil, no matter what, you have a firm grip.
The Gladiatore forend also features M Lok rails for a combat light. The Gladiator combination is highly recommended.
Falcon Strike Recoil Reducer
The FalconStrike recoil reducer is easily installed. Remove the existing butt plate and install the FalconStrike unit’s mounting plate with two screws. (The FalconStrike is also available for rifles, including the AR-15.)
The rubber portion is rolled back over the hydraulic unit. Two tabs are opened as the actual FalconStrike unit is pressed into the butt plate. Close the flipper taps, and this secures the device in place. Roll the rubber pad back over the unit. The device is nicely made, and the pad itself is comfortable. FalconStrike claims a recoil reduction of up to 80 percent. That is a lot, but the action, borrowed from the aerospace industry, is very well designed.
Recoil causes soreness and fatigue that reduces your shooting time, and if she “kicks like a mule,” flinching can mess with your accuracy. This is why we created FalconStrike. FalconStrike utilizes patented hydraulic dampening technology borrowed from the aerospace industry—which converts recoil energy (up to 80%) into heat—that is then absorbed and distributed evenly at the point of contact (your shoulder).
FalconStrike mounts quickly and easily to your Shotgun or Hunting Rifle’s buttstock with only two screws. Less recoil means more time shooting, faster follow-up shots, and less flinching for more accuracy.
Final Thoughts
To the best of my ability, all the claims are true. Certainly, the claims concerning easy installation and workmanship are accurate.
I installed the FalconStrike on a Mossberg 500 12-gauge pump. A pump action isn’t nearly as efficient as an automatic in harnessing recoil energy, so this was a good test. I also briefly tested the device on a 1960s Colt automatic 12-gauge. The Colt already had a broken stock and the lessened thump was comfortable. The verdict? It is difficult to gauge the extra comfort. Any relief from a shotgun’s pounding is good.
My shoulder tells me that the difference is around fifty percent less momentum. Mileage may vary. The greatest value is found in the harder kicking loads. A full-power loading or a Magnum load, say a 12-pellet Magnum load, becomes much easier to handle. My shotgun isn’t strictly a defensive piece.
There are two barrels, including an 18.5 barrel with choke tubes and a 28-inch ribbed sporting barrel. A day in the field with game loads is tiring, to say the least. The FalconStrike helps a great deal. I am considering setting up an automatic shotgun with the FalconStrike for home defense.
The point is- we could certainly stand to fire a few shells if needed. However, to master the piece, we need more practice. Practice sessions are more comfortable with less recoil. The reason shotguns are underutilized and not used as they should be is because of recoil. Folks are scared of recoil or at least shy away from it. I don’t blame them. The Woox stock is a great improvement. The FalconStrike is as well.
An overlooked option for controlling recoil is the choke tube. TruGlo offers a choke tube with a built-in muzzle brake.
So does Avian X. These two options are good choices for a chore that wasn’t the original intent- personal defense.
Every option helps, and these two tools work well. Don’t let the shotgun beat you up. Take control of recoil impulse and make it work in your favor.
200 bucks for a Falcon Strike recoil thingy? So I should ditch my Limbsaver which cost under 40 bucks??? All righty then🙄
Can generally get 80% of whatever upgrade you want relatively cheaply especially after decades of Amazon and gimmicks dying and the more useful ideas being incorporated. The remaining 20% of improvement tends to cost a lot more when/if it works.
Seems like a fail not to mention of the push/pull technique to managing shotgun recoil.
Proper technique simply goes without saying. That is how the shotgun is fired. This only goes so far.
former w w No comparison in effectiveness- limbsiver is good for the price, but not nearly as effective as FalconStrike.
No mention of a ported barrel or choke to dampen recoil.
Also no mention of the Blackhawk Knoxx® SpecOps Gen III™ Stock with Recoil Suppression Technology. This stock has an adjustable length of pull and allows the receiver to slide backward against springs in the buttstock. The effect is like shooting a semi-auto in terms of recoil.
BASHer I am very surprised? Did you actually read the article or look at the images? Ported choke not only mentioned the last two images are excellent shots of two different ported chokes.
My mistake. No excuse.
I appreciate that you respond to comments.
One good application of the mini shell that I have found is the slugs. For a lot of applications traditional slugs are dramatically over powered. For those applications trading excess power and recoil for increased magazine capacity and reduced recoil is a good exchange. Also useful as a teaching aid to work new/smaller stature individuals up to full power loads.
Read near the bottom re choke/ported/compensated as to the second thing neat but probably not for me with a shotgun for hopefully a lot of years.
A big part of the value of the Knoxx stock is the length of pull adjusts like an AR. For a gun that has multiple users it can be an important attribute.
Hadn’t considered that, but looking at it again yeah would make sense. At the moment I am the only one in the house that uses a shotgun……….or a rifle above 22 caliber. Would need to move the shell card somewhere else but not a too difficult issue for later.
Just put on 2 inches of bubble wrap and save some money.
This author is opiniated, and his opinions seem the result of experience more than just thought or google-ing. I agree with him and these tips will keep me shooting heavy kicking guns
Semi-auto shotguns that use an inertia-based blowback system (a lot of Benellis, some Brownings, a few others) need the receiver to stay stationary relative to bolt travel to operate reliably.
A buttpad that’s too soft or springy let’s the receiver partially move back with the bolt and may cause those shotties to short-cycle.
I wanted to echo one of the comments from commenter BASHer …
Regarding shotgun Mini-shells, the options with slugs are a fine choice for inside-the-home defensive scenarios, assuming that they cycle reliably (which may be anything but guaranteed).
Personally, I would like to see someone make a 28 gauge shotgun optimized for home defense–and shells with slugs which have muzzle velocities around 1300 feet-per-second. That would be the ultimate home defense shotgun platform for people who do not want 12 gauge recoil. Note that a 28 gauge shotgun has a bore diameter of 0.55 inches, meaning that it would be a .55 caliber firearm. If that launched something like 230 grain slugs at 1300 feet-per-second, that would be an extremely effective stopper for human attackers at inside-the-home distances. And that shotgun platform would achieve that ability with drastically less recoil than 12 gauge shotgun platforms.
Warm 44 magnum load energy at .55 caliber with soft lead……… yeah liking this idea for terminal effects.
No room for assumption in personal defense. These mini shells DO NOT feed reliably. They will not cycle any self loader. This is proven, and not worth another second’s consideration. In the outdated single shot and double barrel, only, can you count on them.
Lets deal with reality- the 28 gauge would not be purchased, we have the .410.
Even the 16 gauge has little choice other than game loads, it is not popular enough for the investment. I have to deal with reality. Training and teaching and simple ethics compel this.
Realistically 16 28 and even 20 are for reloading and of those you can get cheap/effective press options for all but 28 gauge which will likely end up being some form of MEC instead of Lee.
I use a custom clamp on muzzle break from Will Machine. It tames an 18.5″ 12 ga. 870 to a lot like a 20 ga. or less. The only limitation is no sabot use. They are expensive anyway.