In this study, a dynamic analysis of the reciprocating compression mechanism considering viscous friction force of a piston used in small refrigeration compressors is performed. The length of cylinder in this class of compressors is shortening to diminish the frictional losses of the piston-cylinder system. So, the contacting length between piston and cylinder liner is in variable with the rotating crank angle around the BDC of the reciprocating piston. In the problem formulation of the compression mechanism dynamics, the change in bearing length of the piston and all corresponding viscous forces and moments are considered in order to determine the trajectories of piston and crankshaft. The piston orbits for viscous friction model and Coulomb friction model were used to compare the effect of the friction forces of piston on the dynamic trajectories of piston. To investigate the effect of friction force acting on the piston for the dynamic characteristics of crankshaft, comparison of the crankshaft loci is given in both viscous model and Coulomb model. Results show that the viscous friction force of piston must be considered in calculating for the accurate dynamic characteristics of the reciprocating compression mechanism.