A recoil system for a self-loading firearm has a rear mount, a capture element connected to the rear mount with a floor surface and guide rod, a first spring encompassing the guide rod with a rear end abutting the floor surface, a first sleeve defining a bore encompassing the first spring with a forward end abutting a forward end of the first spring, a second spring receiving the first sleeve with a rear end abutting a rear portion of the first sleeve, a second sleeve defining a bore encompassing the second spring with a forward end abutting a forward end of the second spring, a third spring receiving the second sleeve with a rear end abutting a rear portion of the second sleeve, and a bolt carrier having a rear face abutting a forward end of the third spring and an opening receiving a forward end of the second sleeve.