The Benefits of a Good Recoil Pad

The Benefits of a Good Recoil Pad

Essentially, recoil pads are pieces of rubber, foam, leather or neoprene that attach to the buttstock of a rifle or shotgun. They provide a buffer between the gun stock and shooter's shoulder to ease felt recoil and improve shooting comfort. A quality recoil pad will also reduce the wear and tear on your gun and allow you to shoot longer.

The benefits of a good recoil pad are obvious--they help reduce pain, fatigue and soreness on the shoulder after shooting. They also reduce the jarring effect of the gun’s kickback and enhance overall performance by improving accuracy, stability and control. Whether you’re using the shotgun for target practice, clays or hunting, a good recoil pad will make your experience much more enjoyable.

Some of the most important considerations for choosing a recoil pad are the materials it is made from and its thickness. There are a wide range of recoil pads available on the market, and many of them will work well for the shooter’s needs. However, it is important to be aware that some of the cheaper pads are not as durable as others. A low-quality pad will need to be replaced frequently and will cost the shooter more money over time than a high-quality recoil pad.

In addition to reducing the impact of felt recoil, the right recoil pad can also reduce the amount of gun vibration transferred through the stock. Vibrations can cause the shooter to lose their stance or form and create discomfort and soreness. A quality recoil pad will reduce the amount of vibrations transmitted through the stock and into the shooter’s shoulder, allowing the shooter to remain in control and accurate after each shot.

A good recoil pad will also increase the lifespan of a shotgun or rifle. The material used in a good recoil pad is durable and will not wear down or degrade over time. In addition, the thickness of a recoil pad is important because too little padding will not adequately reduce felt recoil while too much padding can throw off the shooter’s stance and accuracy.

The Griffin & Howe Gunsmithing shop offers a variety of recoil pads that are suitable for use on most shotguns and rifles with wood or synthetic stocks. We offer Purdey-style leather recoil pads that start with rubber butt pads and spacers, then are hand wrapped in the finest pig belly leather. This type of recoil pad will arrive a little over size and can be ground down with a belt sander to perfectly fit the stock, ensuring a snug and secure attachment.

We also offer a slip over recoil pad that is easy to use--simply slide it onto the stock of your shotgun or rifle. It is designed to fit most synthetic and wooden stocks from manufacturers like Remington, Ruger, Benelli, Browning and more. The AirTech Slip-On is a versatile option that offers significant recoil reduction and improved stability and control. It’s the perfect choice for a beginner or anyone looking to reduce felt recoil without altering the stock of their shotgun or rifle.