Why Does A Gun Recoil When A Bullet Is Fired?

My gun recoils when I fire a bullet. I mean it gives a kick in the backward direction. Why does this happen?

You may think it’s one of the DP-12 shotgun problems, but that’s not correct.

This post answers your question ‘ why does a gun recoil when a bullet is fired” It also lists safety measures to keep an eye on when holding your firearm.

Why does a gun recoil when a bullet is fired?

Most people relate the recoil process of a gun with Newton’s Third Law. But I’d like to merge it with the Law of Conservation of Momentum.

Newton’s Third Law states that an equal and opposite reaction accompanies every action. A bullet gains momentum in a forward direction, pushing you backward.

The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that a body remains constant unless an external force hits the object.

The net momentum in the whole system is zero before firing. But a bullet gains momentum after firing, accelerating forward because of an explosion inside the gun.

The net momentum is no longer zero.

There’s an equal momentum in the opposite direction on the gun after firing.

A gun recoils after firing because of a change in momentum

You must observe safety measures to avoid missing the target or causing accidents when handling your firearm.

Top 5 rules of gun safety

While at the shooting range or anywhere handling your firearm, gun safety comes first. Below are the safety measures to consider.

Point the muzzle in a safe direction

This is the most basic and essential safety rule. Restricting pointing the muzzle at only what we intend to shoot could ensure no firearm accidents.

Always ensure your gun is pointing in a safe direction, even when uploading or offloading it. No unwanted injury will occur if you observe where your muzzle’s pointing.

A safe direction refers to where the bullet can’t harm anyone. Pointing the muzzle upwards or downwards, depending on the occasion, guarantees this safety.

Unload your firearm when not in use

You should separate your firearm and ammunition unless in the field or in a demanding situation requiring you to use your gun.

You should also keep children and unauthorized adults from accessing your firearm or ammunition.

Unload your gun after shooting. It’s not safe to bring it to your car or home while loaded. 

When receiving a gun, never assume it’s not loaded. Always check the chamber, receiver, and magazine to be sure.

Be cautious not to rely on your gun’s “safety”

Treat every gun with caution to avoid falling victim to unforeseen accidents. 

The safety in your gun is a mechanical device that may fail at any time. You may also think it’s off when it’s on!

Keep off the trigger unless you need to shoot because the safety can easily disappoint you. Firing with the safety on can contribute to an automatic shooting after releasing the safety.

Identify your target and what is behind it

Once fired, there’s no going back! Firing controls where the bullet will move and what it’ll hit out of your hands.

Improper targeting can easily contribute to damage. Don’t shoot until you’re sure what you want to strike and what lies behind it. 

Know your gun’s power to estimate the distance its bullet can get.

A 22-short bullet can travel beyond 1¼ miles. A high-velocity cartridge like 30-06 can fire a shot past 3 miles. Shotgun pellets travel over 500 yards, while shotgun slugs travel beyond half a mile.

Familiarize with the mechanical handling techniques of your firearm

Understand your firearm specifications because guns differ according to their mechanical features. 

Take a thorough observation of a gun’s loading and unloading rules, carrying and handling measures, and general gun handling regulations.

When using a handgun, you may consider carrying a hammer down in an empty chamber. 

A hammer is helpful for older single-action revolvers but equally applies to some double-action revolvers or semiautomatic pistols. 

Always refer to your gun’s manual or contact the manufacturer for a free copy if you’ve misplaced it.

Why does a gun recoil upwards?

You may have realized that your gun recoils upwards after firing.

After shooting, your gun experiences a horizontal force that goes parallel to the barrel’s axis. 

But a barrel rotation about your grip occurs because you’re holding the gun below the barrel. The rotation makes your gun recoil upwards.