The invention discloses a hand-held firearm with a barrel assembly (2, 18, 36, & 54) moving back and forth essentially in or opposite the direction the weapon is fired in between a forward and a rear stop (44, 48, & 50) on or in a frame or grip assembly (12). A breech assembly (6 & 32) that moves back and forth essentially in the same direction as the barrel assembly between a forward and closed position and a rear and open position, moving out of the closed position and into the open position against the force of a closure spring (16) and, at the end of its return stroke, the frame or grip assembly or a component (64 or 64') resting off it. A buffering spring (66) tensions the barrel assembly toward the forward stop (44 or 50) and buffers its contact with the rear stop (44 or 48). The closure spring (16) and the buffering spring (66) are correlated to ensure that the breech assembly will strike the frame or grip assembly or the component supported off it essentially at the instant the barrel assembly comes into contact with the forward stop.