Damping down .32 Walther recoil

[Alex L]

Has anyone experimented with damping down the recoil in an old model Walther .32?
I have no problem with the load. It is accurate, and ejecting well. The holes are cut cleanly.
However, my wrist is not as strong as it used to be.
I heard that, a little while ago, some guys experimented with the recoil spring, and another experiment with a rubber buffer behind the slide.
Has anyone done any modifications like this to their Centre fire gun? I would appreciate it if someone can give me some ideas and/or suggestions. I don't want to buy a new,modified, barrel.
Thank you.
Regards, Alex.

[Rover]

Sorry, I just can't believe you can't handle the recoil of a .32. Work out a bit (try some 16oz. curls).

[pistol champ]

I shoot a Pardini HP in 32acp it has a built in recoil reduction system so recoil is hard to feel. You might want to try one out. Plus we all need an excuse to buy another toy.

[deadeyedick]

Plus we all need an excuse to buy another toy.

Good thinking !

[Dr. Jim]

You do know that the barrel shroud of the Walther Expert series has the same type of recoil damping as the Pardini. Ten years ago I turned down my ancient Walther barrels and installed the Expert shrouds. Worked well. A friend for years used a coiled up piece of rubber sheet as a buffer. Both things work but may need a good bit of fiddling to get them right.

Dr Jim

[SamEEE]

Has anyone experimented with damping down the recoil in an old model Walther .32?
I have no problem with the load. It is accurate, and ejecting well. The holes are cut cleanly.
However, my wrist is not as strong as it used to be.
I heard that, a little while ago, some guys experimented with the recoil spring, and another experiment with a rubber buffer behind the slide.
Has anyone done any modifications like this to their Centre fire gun? I would appreciate it if someone can give me some ideas and/or suggestions. I don't want to buy a new,modified, barrel.
Thank you.
Regards, Alex.

I pack a GSP .32, it's a bit of a brute.

Perhaps a question of ergonomics as much as anything. The GSP has an upright grip with a high bore axis - old skool kool. Also old skool recoil torque.
I have not got a lot to add here, except perhaps you could try a Pardini HP which has a bit more rake to the grip, and a lower bore axis.
Or maybe you could attempt to shift your hand in the grip into a more ergonomic position - old GSP grips suck.

On the subject of buffers. No first hand experience here.
Buffer poked in the back of the upper might tame some of the recoil too. I have also heard of people drilling and tapping the back of the bolt and adding a buffer there. Not for me.

[JamesH]

You do know that the barrel shroud of the Walther Expert series has the same type of recoil damping as the Pardini. Ten years ago I turned down my ancient Walther barrels and installed the Expert shrouds. Worked well. A friend for years used a coiled up piece of rubber sheet as a buffer. Both things work but may need a good bit of fiddling to get them right.

Dr Jim

The old model Pardini also had an internal recoil buffer, the new model has a piston and stack of O-rings built into the slide.
I would think these have much more effect in taking out the peak 'snap' of the recoil than the barrel system.