Don't know much about them. Never handled or shot a pistol with one. Does it make THAT much of a difference and if so is it worth spending the extra $500+ on a fitted threaded barrel + device?


Does it affect reloads as in is there a noticeable difference in performance/grouping of a particular recipe in a threaded barrel with the compensator on vs off? Does the point of impact change like it does with a suppressor?


I'm sure this may vary by barrel manufacturer but is it standard practice to send in the entire pistol to get a barrel fitted or will they allow just the slide?


Lastly, is there anything else I should be aware of that I didn't know or think to ask?

A good compensator will reduce recoil and muzzle rise.

Never knew anybody to flip-flop with a compensator on and off, I consider it a permanent installation.

Depending on the gun, you can have a barrel with compensator installed in your gun or you can buy a "drop-in". The things that replace the barrel bushing on a 1911 are not very effective except as they add weight. I don't know how well the slotted slides on some SIGs work.

A compensator is a definite "loudener" the deflected gas increases the muzzle blast.

quote:

Originally posted by Hildur:
...is it worth spending the extra $500+ on a fitted threaded barrel + device?

What are you considering that costs $500+? Something like a Radian Ramjet+Afterburner barrel & comp combo for Glocks costs $400 and is considered one of the most expensive compensator options.

I love a comp.

I have a Clark that I got off eBay for $150 on my 1911.

And my Czechate is just bad ass with one.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Watson:


Never knew anybody to flip-flop with a compensator on and off, I consider it a permanent installation.

See? I thought it could be taken on and off at will (if fixed how do you remove the barrel for cleaning)? I figured some people might want to switch between running the compensator and a suppressor.

quote:

What are you considering that costs $500+? Something like a Radian Ramjet+Afterburner barrel & comp combo for Glocks costs $400 and is considered one of the most expensive compensator options.

Staccato offers a service to hand fit a DLC coated threaded barrel to an existing pistol. I believe their service (that includes the barrel and round trip shipping) starts at $650.

I have a comp that is from a Sig P220 Sport. It fits my P220ST.
I find little difference in recoil with it and without it.
I also have a factory installed comp on my S&W 460 mag. It recoils plenty even with it. Since it came that way I again don't know how much effect it has but I feel it contributes to reducing recoil.
My Freedom Arms 454 Casull has a Magnaported comp milled into the barrel, again, I bought it with the comp already cut into the barrel.
A comp equipped 14 in. 30/30 T/C Contender barrel I own also does not allow me to see the difference since its part of the barrel.
All these guns are for target shooting.In that capacity I would rather have them all (except P220 Sport Comp.) than not have them.
Non of the "heavy hitters" is so punishing that I don't want to shoot them, I might owe that to the comps.

The only pistol I have noticed that the comp works really well on, (as much as I have experience with comped guns) but after renting a Sig P365 Macro Comp, it made me a believer. I was amazed at how much of a difference it made compared to the standard model, so much so, that I just finished putting one together.

I have a PMM threaded comp on a 509T, but I have yet to shoot it, so I can't comment on that one. I lost the thread protector and got the comp on the cheap, so I figured why not. It screws to the barrel and is shimmed in place. It took a lot to get it on there and seems very secure compared to other brands out there.

The biggest problem I have with some comps, other than the price, is how they attach to the gun. Some attach via the guide rod, the barrel itself or a combination of other things. The ones that only attach with a screw to the barrel make me a little leery. I like the look of the P320 Spectre with the comp but on a full sized gun, I don't know what benefit it offers.

quote:

Originally posted by Hildur:
See? I thought it could be taken on and off at will (if fixed how do you remove the barrel for cleaning)? I figured some people might want to switch between running the compensator and a suppressor.

My Clark is a screw and glue threaded comp, but it comes right out like a regular barrel. The bushing is just a part of the assembly.

The CZ just screws right off and is held fast by the spring guide rod.

I happened upon a used barrel that had one mounted for a Desert Eagle in 50AE.

Thought it made a small difference until I shot a few rounds with a camera mounted and set on slo-mo.

I was able to swap barrels (stock/comp/ported) at the time and the comp barrel won out every time in felt recoil and second shot placement.

The stock barrel was sold for more than what I had in the comp barrel, and the ported barrel wasn't mine.

I don't think it would make a '$500 difference' if you are using a 9mm or 45 Auto.

I have some P365s. They are mostly mix and match with what I want to carry that day.

With/without optic, standard grip, XL grip, Wilson grip, light no light.

One slide is compensated with a compensated barrel.

I find the grip makes more of a difference than the compensator.

I've owned two pistols with comps.

First up is my self customized 1987 Colt 1911 MKIV Series 80. I picked up a 400 Cor-Bon conversion barrel (Accu-Match) from the same 1997 SHOT show where Peter Pi introduced the round. Something was wrong with it so being local, I came out to Cor-Bon in Sturgis, SD where Terry Murbach inspected things, found the chamber improperly machined, and interceded with the manufacturer to make things right with a new barrel. But they shipped me their upgraded unit with a compensator unlike the standard barrel I originally bought. Shoots great!

The pistol also is fitted with a Bar-Sto 45ACP barrel.



My other was a 1986 Taurus PT99AF I lightly customized. Bought it new that year while stationed in Northern California. I liked it better than the Beretta because the safety was on the frame, not the slide, and like a 1911 could be carried cocked 'n locked. Over the years it proved to be solidly reliable.
The armorer for the Napa, CA police department told me they had experimented with a unit marketed by Beretta but found an equally performing less expensive Bushing-Compensator from Accu-Systems which he recommended to me. It ramped the muzzle tightly in the same position as the gun cycled eliminating the slight "slop" in the design. I acquired one and found the pistol was amazingly accurate with it installed. Sold the pistol in 2022 and the new owner says he loves it and carries it on the job.

I’m testing a Parker Mountain Machine comp on my Glock 48.

So far, I really like it. It was $300 or so for the new barrel and comp. Drop in other than timing the comp with shims. It’s a semi permanent install and no big to clean the gun with it still installed.

It is more blasty but flatter shooting.

meh for me

I have a Faxon threaded barrel and comp on my Glock 45. Can't really tell if my times are lower or not. Seems to be the same.

I also have a Staccato XC with the built-in comp. Shoots flatter than my P but it's probably the weight.

Both with Winchester NATO spec 9mm ammo.

I don't compete, so it's a non-issue for me.

I haven't taken my Glock 45 apart to clean in over a year. I probably should. I just lock the slide back, spray some brake cleaner down the barrel and run a bore snake through it.