Maybe because of perceived recoil, rather than real recoil. The Glock's slide is very heavy, I think 80% of the gun's weight. I've tried a Browning Hi-Power too, and though it's heavier, I think it has more recoil than the Glock. I have the model 17, and the recoil is very manageable with the hottest handloads. For instance, a gas-operated shotgun has the same amount of recoil as a pump, but it's stretched out over a longer time period.