[1][2] The magazine primarily offers reviews on firearms, ammunition, knives, and shooting gear; as well as gunsmithing tips, historical articles, gun collecting, self-defense and automobiles.

Each issue contains a few featured articles and personality profiles of people in the firearms industry as well as press releases of new products.

[1][3] Susannah Breslin of Forbes wrote that, "RECOIL is more Maxim than your dad's Guns & Ammo" with regard to the magazine's photography and subject matter.

[2] RECOIL debuted in January 2012 as a quarterly magazine and by December 2012 became bi-monthly.

[4] In 2015, RECOIL won “Best Outdoor Sports & Recreation Magazine” at the 64th Annual Western Publishing Association "Maggie Awards" for its July issue.