AC Compressor lags car

[HDane]

I picked up a 2004 WRX last October with about 56000 miles on. No complaints - it's amazing to drive. I've never owned a WRX or a turbocharged car in general, so I'm unsure of something.

Now that the weather is starting to pick up, naturally, I'm using the AC. I've noticed that whenever the compressor kicks on, the car "skips" or sputters, almost like a misfire. It's VERY noticeable if I'm accelerating at the time. It's definitely the AC starting up; I experimented a bit by turning it on and off - having it off, accelerating, and then turning it on. Big hiccup.

Is this normal?

EDIT: No mods.

[KHP]

I do feel a slight hesitation in my car when running below boost when the AC compressor kicks in. It's most likely the increased load on the engine. My car does not skip or sputter though. My uncle's car (not a Subaru) had a AC compressor clutch failure and when his AC engaged it would almost stall the engine when its sitting at idle.

[mudferret]

It's normal to feel that loss. Not a ton of internal rotating mass in a 4 cylinder engine, so any additional load is felt quick. I only need AC for ~3 months a year (600 miles north of US border), and I never turn it on for that reason, car just doesn't feel as snappy.

[HDane]

I suppose it's not that it doesn't feel as quick, it's just there's a noticeable jerk which seems to be amplified when accelerating.

So.. normal?

[mudferret]

Normal, so long as it isn't violent in nature.

[KHP]

Oops! I also forgot to add that it's normal like the above. ^^^

[Anub1s]

Definitely normal.