One of the biggest challenges that both new shooters and shooters with less hand strength (older shooters and, often, women) have is managing recoil.
Just think back to when you first started pistol shooting. If you’re like many people, you had some challenges as you worked to both prevent ejection issues and get back on target quickly for the next shot, and these are the types of reasons that recoil reduction technologies were created to address.
Now, recoil reduction methods for pistols generally use two different methods. One method is to create ports in the pistol’s slide to eject gas out of the slide through those holes. The other method is to attach a compensator to the end of the barrel which uses baffles and ports to help to prevent muzzle lift and recoil challenges.
There is, however, one other type of recoil management system that is much less common. This method uses an internal piston as part of a gas-delayed blowback system to manage recoil and is used by Heckler & Koch and Walther. A writer describes it as “using gas pressure from the ignited cartridge by directing it through a small port in the barrel in front of the chamber to slow down and delay the rearward motion of the slide.” Unlike other ported systems, though, the CCP M2 doesn’t vent the gasses out of holes in the top or sides of the slide towards the end of the slide.
Walther calls this technology Softcoil, and Norman Turner lists Walther’s CCP M2 .380 as his choice for best pistol of 2025. Turner writes,
The CCP M2 handgun series points in this direction, and the model we are looking at comes in .380 ACP.
While all of Walther’s handguns are stylishly designed, the CCP range is felt to be the most ergonomic and comfortable. This fact, along with the .380 ACP ammo used, ensures a pleasurable, easy shooting experience.
Turner continues:
This Concealed Carry Pistol (CCP) is the first polymer pistol to come with Softcoil gas technology. Such technology works to enhance your shooting experience through significantly reduced felt recoil.
Another bonus comes from the slide functionality, which affords ease of use regardless of your hand strength.
Regular cleaning and maintenance of any weapon you own should be classed as ‘best practice.’ In this respect, the CCP M2 .380 Auto makes life easy. It offers tool-less takedown, and the fixed barrel design means ease of cleaning and maintenance is yours.
You can see the CCP M2 in action in the video below.
Now, should you get a Walther CCP M2 for your next pistol purchase? Obviously, that depends on your specific needs (with its MSRP, budget shouldn’t be the issue).
If you’re in the market for an everyday carry pistol with recoil management for smoother shooting, this pistol may be one to consider.