A recoil control mechanism for a weapon which fires a projectile which is characterised by the generation of a forward counterforce to the rearward recoil simultaneously with absorption of rearward recoil force upon initiation of propoulsion of the projectile. The forward counterforce is generated by propelling a first mass forwardly upon firing the projectile and substantially simultaneously propelling a second mass rearwardly for absorbing some of the recoil force. In one mechanism (10), the first mass may be the weapon's barrel (12) and the second mass its breach block (14). Expaning gases (36) from detonation of propellant in cartridge (24) enter a reaction volume (28) between the barrel (12) and breech block (14). These gases drive barrel (12) forwardly against force transmission spring (16) to impose a forward counterforce on the weapon's frame (18). Substantially simultaneously recoil from detonation of cartridge (22) together with the gasses (36) in reaction volume (28) drive breech block (14) rearwardly against force absorbing spring (20).