Disclosed is a firearm configuration for a handgun. The firearm configuration is designed to reduce the recoil forces encountered by a user upon firing the weapon. It further includes a recoil plate that absorbs forces generated by the slide during firing. Recoil forces are reduced by lowering the firearm's center of mass and by aligning a recoiling mass with the user's arm and trigger finger. The firearm configuration further includes a locking block which prevents rotational and lateral movement of the barrel upon firing.