Abstract: A constant-pressure hydraulic shock-absorbing device suitable for use as a recoil brake in a weapon system. By use of a piston that decreases in diameter as the applied force increases, a constant resistive force independent of the applied force is obtained. The varying diameter of the piston creates a varying aperture for the displacement of fluid by the piston, thus varying the resistive force. This results in minimum travel and/or minimum/maximum force transmitted through the shock absorber for a given applied energy.