A compact recoil management system having a buffer tube; an external recoil spring positioned within the internal buffer tube cavity; a buffer having a buffer extension portion, a buffer body portion, a first buffer shoulder, a second buffer shoulder, and a buffer head portion; an end cap that extends from the buffer head portion; a spacer that is slidable along at least a portion of the buffer body portion, and wherein the spacer is slidable within an internal cavity of the buffer tube; an internal recoil spring that is positioned along at least a portion of the buffer body portion, between the buffer head portion and the spacer; and a buffer head attached or coupled to the buffer extension portion.