It's kicks left and right, I tested it, didn't like the recoil pattern, so I'm glad I got counterbalance..... My old malok had braced frame and rangefinder, the recoil was consistent and easy, it's gone now, infused into my dragon.... I don't need braced frame, my accuracy on all maps, even bannerfall is great and I can land three bursts successfully. Why should I spec up for braced frame when I can easily control the recoil with smallbore and counterbalance, while having extra bursts in the mag, more accuracy, and less damage fall off lol