Subjectively speaking, the recoil impulse is spread out over a longer time than an HK, or so it seems. I can shoot 1000 rounds in a FAL in one day and not be flinching towards the end. After all, it is a heavy rifle in standard trim. I have one example with an Entreprize brake that seems espeicially mild. My 118 pound daughter seems to like it OK, although she enjoys the AR much more.