Shooting
Recoil
Also known as: kick
The rearward force you feel when a gun fires, a reaction to the bullet and gases being driven forward (Newton's third law).
Recoil is the backward push the shooter feels as the firearm launches the bullet and propellant gases forward. Its felt intensity depends on the gun's weight, the cartridge's power, the action type, and stock/grip design — a heavy gun in a soft caliber barely nudges, while a light gun in a magnum can sting.
Managing recoil improves accuracy and follow-up speed. Heavier guns, recoil pads, muzzle brakes, suppressors, and gas-operated actions all soften the impulse. New shooters often do best starting with mild cartridges like .22 LR or 9mm to build good fundamentals before stepping up.