Shooter-System Performance Variability as a Function of Recoil Dynamics

Objective: The goal of this study was to quantify shooter performance relative to subtle variations in recoil energy. Background: Marksmanship performance remains undefined for subtle distinctions in weapon recoil energy across common small-arms platforms. Method: Weapons were customized using multiple components and ammunition types. Firing scenarios were designed to examine the effect of recoil energy on shooter timing and accuracy. Results: The results suggest that recoil condition does not affect timing during firing sequences designed to elicit differences in timed-fire performance. Recoil condition did, however, influence shot placement, with accuracy decreasing as the energy associated with firing increased. Subjective recoil estimations were quantified according to relative magnitude and spatial distribution of perceived energy transferred at shooter-weapon surface contact locations. Conclusion: The absence of differences in time to engage may be reflective of resistance to recoil-induced point-of-aim deviation based on experience. Distinctions in performance were revealed despite subtle differences in recoil energy between conditions. An instrument that may be sensitive to shooter perception of subtle differences in recoil energy during firing was also developed. Application: The findings inform performance expectations for small-arms systems relative to recoil energy levels transferred to the shooter during dynamic firing events.