If you get a good handgun, that has a little heft with it, recoil is far from an issue. I recently got a 460S&W from the performance center, and I was astonished to find it recoils less than my Mod29-2 44 mag. But it hasa break on it and wieghs twice as much. Taking out all this week but not optimistic. I haven't seen a deer since Monday.