I’m with you on the value of simulators, to a point. I’ve used them, although I’m sure the ones we used before I retired are sort of quaint by now. They did simulate recoil through an air pressure system, and magazine changes and stoppage drills were included. I’ll assume the current version is even better.
However, keep in mind that had they had simulators in 1939, the US military would have put our Soldiers, Sailors and Marines thousands of hours of simulated trench warfare, battleship engagements and cavalry charges.
Technology is awesome, but the real problem is to overcome the human tendency to train for the last war and not the next one.
In terms of recreation, shooting is my primary hobby. I fire over 200 rounds a day, almost every day, not counting a lot of dry fire and a lot of air pistol/rifle. I rarely meet someone who can shoot as accurately as I do in competition. Put me in a tactical shooting class, and a whole lot of people who have been through similar training will be much better than I am. However, no matter how limited my tactical training might be, I'll be much better in a tactical shooting class than someone with no training in any kind of shooting. Even if we're training for the last war, some skills will carry over in a similar manner.