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Are compensators worth it on pistols? Login/Join 
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Picture of cooger
posted
I guess these are the next big thing for handguns. I’ve seen factory comps and people adding aftermarket ones to guns. Anyone with experience with them care to share your thoughts? Having no experience with them I’m wondering if it’s worth getting on my next purchase.
 
Posts: 1579 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: December 05, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of myrottiety
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My 365XL is off at these guys getting ported. https://curatedarms.com/produc...lide-window-service/

I've seen a ton of videos of guys shooting them. They shoot SUPER flat. I'd think 2nd in line from the reviews I've seen is the Radian Ramjet/Comp. Appears to shoot pretty flat as well.

But this will be my first comped/ported pistol. But I'll report back.




Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.
 
Posts: 9130 | Location: Woodstock, GA | Registered: August 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Oriental Redneck
Picture of 12131
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quote:
Are compensators worth it on pistols?

Just my opinion, yes/probably for competition guns but definitely no on a carry/self defense gun.


Q






 
Posts: 30978 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: September 04, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
E tan e epi tas
Picture of cslinger
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In my opinion only, I have found most of them to offer a bit more recoil control/less muzzle flip at speed but at the cost of being much louder and shooting some gas/flash up. In general I don't like them on a defensive pistol. Again this is a personal thing.

One example that comes to mind is adding a radian ramjet on the end of a Glock 43X, you've just made the Glock 43X a Glock 48 and while the ramjet might perform a bit better then the 48, the cons outweigh the pros for me personally and I'd rather just use a stock 48.

For range, competition, pure fun, etc. etc. absolutely. Also keep in mind that my position on them as a practical aid is limited by my shooting ability which is mediocre at best so I probably just cannot eek out everything possible from them so grain of salt and all that.


Take Care, Shoot Safe,
Chris
 
Posts: 8643 | Location: On the water | Registered: July 25, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Ice age heat wave,
cant complain.
Picture of MikeGLI
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quote:
Originally posted by cslinger:


One example that comes to mind is adding a radian ramjet on the end of a Glock 43X, you've just made the Glock 43X a Glock 48 and while the ramjet might perform a bit better then the 48, the cons outweigh the pros for me personally and I'd rather just use a stock 48.



I have first hand experience with something similar. I had a 43X with PMM comp. I didnt notice a massive difference when I shot that side by side my other 43X. Then I shot the 48 and it just shot better for me.

43x Comp is now in someone elses safe.

I suppose they work on some guns, but I'm guessing the devil to be in the details.




NRA Life Member
Steak: Rare. Coffee: Black. Bourbon: Neat.
 
Posts: 10046 | Location: Orlando, Florida | Registered: July 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Fighting the good fight
Picture of RogueJSK
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I don't have a ton of experience with handgun comps, but none of the various ones I've tried have "wowed" me. The difference appears minimal, at the cost of noticeably increased flash/muzzle report. But I admit that none of it was serious scientific testing, or done on a timer. So just anecdotal personal impressions.

Whereas there are some rifle compensators that have made a significant difference in felt recoil and keeping the muzzle on track. Likely a result of the difference in gas volume and the size of the compensators, with larger rifle comps with more gas going through them having more of an effect than smaller handgun comps with less.

It's further exacerbated by the often greater cost of handgun comp setups compared to rifle comps, along with sometimes needing to try different recoil springs to get them to run well with your specific chosen ammo.

All adds up to make handgun comps not worth it to me. At least right now. Though I'm keeping an open mind and admit that maybe I just haven't tried the right one on the right gun yet.

(Though, for example, I've tried the Radian Afterburner that some folks rave about, and which the internet gun community seems to think is a top tier handgun comp. Might be a case of internet marketing/propaganda, or might just be that it is the best of the marginally effective handgun comps.)
 
Posts: 35205 | Location: Northwest Arkansas | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
E tan e epi tas
Picture of cslinger
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quote:
Whereas there are some rifle compensators that have made a significant difference in felt recoil and keeping the muzzle on track. Likely a result of the difference in gas volume and the size of the compensators. Larger rifle comps with more gas going through them will have more of an effect than smaller handgun comps with less.


Rifles are a whole different animal. I have absolutely run rifles with brakes/comps that make a noticeable difference, again at the cost of sound/blast signature but they make enough of a difference to matter so to speak, IMO.

Again.......shitty shooter.....so grain of salt. Frown

Truth be told though, I have kind of wanted to try the Hellcat Pro Comp as I have a Hellcat Pro I really like and there is always that little part of my brain that is thinking. "You like the Hellcat pro but its not the easiest gun you've ever shot, I wonder if the comp version......"

Suddenly I have a new gun in the safe and I am missing a bunch of money and I have no memory of what happened. Razz


Take Care, Shoot Safe,
Chris
 
Posts: 8643 | Location: On the water | Registered: July 25, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The local dealer is flogging the Romulus with short single chamber compensator.
I could not tell much if any difference from my old Colt 1991A1.

Maybe a small hideout like the Hellcat would make some difference.

I had thought of having my lightweight SA ported through barrel and slide but don't know if it would be worth the expense.
 
Posts: 3488 | Location: Florence, Alabama, USA | Registered: July 05, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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