IT DOES NOT REDUCE RECOIL OVER TIME. [b]In reality ALL AR's (and maybe other guns too) become slightly more stable over time.[/b] This simulates your character getting used to the "push" of the recoil. It's just another small touch Bungie added to make the[i] gunplay so smooth and shiny. [/i] Persistence only makes your bullets fire in a tighter spread, allowing for superior hipfire accuracy (YEAH it comes with free makeshift hipfire perk) and more reliable ranged ADS fire.