Kick Back at Recoil With FalconStrike Hydraulic Recoil Pad
Last updated: April 30, 2020 · Originally published: September 25, 2019
There are two kinds of shooters in this world: the ones who hate recoil, and liars. Whichever category you fall into, FalconStrike USA has just introduced an entirely new kind of solution to your hard-kickin’ shootin’ iron, a revolutionary hydraulic recoil pad. This technology originally made its debut in the aerospace industry, but it works every bit as well here at sea level. So if you spend much time shooting break-action 12-gauges (or anything else that rattles your teeth), this might just be the technology you’ve been waiting for while you tend your bruises.
FalconStrike’s hydraulic dampening technology works to match your body shape that contours the shoulder when the gun is fired. The elastic bladder contains a high-performance shock absorber for maximum energy reduction, which the company says results in: 80% less recoil energy; 35% less muzzle lift, 25% less peak force, and 35% less rockback. Notice that muzzle lift stat? Your follow-through–and thus, your accuracy–is about to improve.
“Most shooters struggle with the punishing effects of recoil so we’ve created a recoil reduction pad that utilizes hydraulic dampening technology borrowed from the aerospace industry that dramatically reduces recoil to give shooters greater accuracy, less flinching and more shooting endurance,” says Martin Gaudet, President of FalconStrike USA.
With FalconStrike, you get enhanced recoil energy reduction through hydraulic dampening without the cost and expense of installing a muzzle brake or the limited results from a rubber-only pad. FalconStrike advises that installation is easy, just: 1. select your model, 2. attach base plate, and 3. shoot with more comfort. The MSRP is $187, but FalconStrike stands behind their product with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Visit falconstrikeusa.com for more information, or to purchase.
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I have a couple of questions – is this a universal pad, one that will fit all sizes of stocks of both shotguns and rifles and where do I get one at a better price than what I read in the article?
It isn’t a universal pad–you have to select what kind of gun you have at the time of purchase. However, they make them for both shotguns and rifles. As far as the pricing…well, I don’t know. This is brand-new tech, so it’s unlikely the price will drop right away. Your best bet would be to contact your local gun dealer and see if they can get a better price. The MSRP is just “manufacturer’s suggested price,” so frequently dealers (who pay a much lower wholesale price, usually) will be able to get you a lower retail price.
If you have ever installed a recoil pad before you know about having to grind it to the profile of the butt of the stock. It is a dirty job with rubber crumbs flying everywhere, and if you cut too deep on the toe of the pad, (the lower edge of the stock when you shoulder it), it looks like hell and there is no fixing that. This pad is different because you measure the profile of the butt so you only need to install it – no grinding rubber and no mistakes. This pad makes installation super easy.
Add to that the fact this actually absorbs the recoil energy instead of simply transferring it to your shoulder, and shooting 12 gauge buck and slugs can actually be fun, or shooting any heavy recoiling caliber for that matter. This will negate the old saying about, “it hurts on both ends”, and can actually improve your shot placement by eliminating anticipation and flinch.
I have installed other recoil mitigating systems in shotguns and rifles since 1980, and most don’t really produce effective reduction in recoil. This includes the aluminum tubes with mercury in them, and even mechanical systems that are basically a shock absorber like on your car that is attached to the pad and extends it, which necessitates cutting the butt short to maintain length of pull. Most of these things are 1, expensive, and 2, not that effective. Even the sorbothane polymer pads are not that great because mechanically the best they do is delay the punch, it still comes but fractions of a second later. There is another system for shotguns that uses springs inside the stock but again it is simply delaying the inevitable and not reducing it.
This is a new technology answer to an age old problem and it looks easy to install and the science and engineering behind it are sound. I have an 870 with a rifled slug barrel that is going to get one of these because at my age it is very unpleasant to shoot with the famous “P” brand polymer pad on it.
This comment is so excellent I kind of want to add it to the article. (No sarcasm at all!)