A firearm includes a receiver for housing a trigger mechanism. The receiver is attached to a firearm barrel, and the receiver includes a bolt carrier that is configured to reciprocate therein. The firearm includes a recoil spring that has a first end and a second end, and the first end interfaces with the bolt carrier. The recoil spring further includes a dampened portion positioned between the first and second ends. The dampened portion has a plurality of dead spring coils. The firearm also includes a spring retainer that is configured to retain the recoil spring within the firearm.