The Red Dot Optic is becoming more mainstream for self-defense and carry but haven’t read much about carrying pistols with compensators. There are a lot of pistol compensators on the market but it seems they are not making much headway in concealed carry.

The reason I ask is I have a Glock 43X. I have moded it with Shield Arms 15 round magazines and a flat face trigger. The right compensator will give me about the slide length of the Glock48 making holster selections easier. The main reason of course is reducing the recoil particularly with hot self-defense ammunition. The final result will be a Glock 19 on a diet.

Since S&W offers similar pistols I imagine there is interest in this also.

Any user feedback will be appreciated.

Well, there's comps and then there's comps. REAL compensators are threaded onto or in some other way attached to the barrel. Quasi-comps are mounted to slide noses, or even the goofy notion of frame mounted with the idea of blowing some gas upward towards heaven just before the fun begins and slide unlocks.

On locked breech handguns, compensators - also known as muzzle brakes, work by delaying slide unlocking. They work thusly: As the bullet drives through the bore, friction holds the barrel, and therefore slide fully forward and locked. All stress to open the action is carried in shear by the locking lug(s). The bullet uncorks the barrel, enters the compensator baffles which are little more than bullet diameter size. Expanding gasses eject into the comp, impact the baffle surfaces, further pushing forward on the comp/barrel, and therefore slide, before being swirled up and out - usually the top. Ejection of high pressure gas does two things. It acts like a thruster to push the muzzle down, and diverts "energy" lateral to the bore axis which reduces thrust against the breach face. When the bullet leaves the comp, the reciprocating mass is now free to fully unlock and cycle. A garden-variety pistol comp, attached to the right caliber, can easily reduce recoil energy by 50% or more.

Comps mounted to slides and frames are of negligible benefit, not generally worth the money and added, non-reciprocating mass of the gun. The reason is because once the bullet leaves the cozy confines of the bore, where frictional interface is maintain the locked up status, the slide begins to unlock. A frame mounted comp such as those recently popular to bolt on Glocks can possibly redirect a limited amount of gas just before the slide unlocks, but because they do nothing to delay slide unlocking, the benefit is dubious - but don't let my assertion dissuade you from the marketing.

Bushing comps such as those found on 1911s have two deficiencies: They're not mounted to the barrel and can do nothing to delay slide unlock, and their oversized bore with minimal baffling (if any) is of less value than just the added mass alone.

So your first requirement to a comp is to have the appropriate threaded barrel, onto which the appropriate comp is threaded and secured. With that done, your gun can run a lighter reaction spring which lessens muzzle jump and felt recoil over and above the significant reduction in recoil due to gas diversion. Of course, part of what makes comps effective is powder type and charge. Larger charges of slow-burning powders maximize the effectiveness of of the comp, and unless you load your own ammo - I call it, "Loading to the comp," you have no way of knowing which performance ammo will work best, especially since most 9mm ammo is designed to be all it can be from short barrels (these days).

So, with all that out of the way, if you can find a threaded barrel for your 43X, expect to add at least an inch of length for a single-chamber comp. Done right, you'll definitely end up with a softer-shooting gun.

Unfortunately I doubt most barrel makers are making threaded barrels for everything Glock comes up with, which generally means you'll find threaded barrels for G19s, but probably not for G43Xs.

As for the visual impact of a comp'd gun firing under low-light conditions, well, having seen plenty of comp'd and NON-comp'd guns fired in dark rooms, the difference comes down to internet mythology often quoted as anecdotal fact.

I would use fluted ammo, like Norma's NXD, rather than modify my EDC more.

Fluted ammo will give you the G17 large caliber effectiveness with smaller caliber felt recoil out of your G43X.

Bill Wilson uses it in his SFX9. He must like the fluted ammo for personal defense, because Wilson Combat bought Lehigh and is building a plant in Texas.

No. First of all, compensators and muzzle breaks are NOT the same thing. Second, the purpose of compensators on handguns is NOT to delay the opening of the breech.

No, you don't understand how the Browning locked breech mechanism works. The slide and barrel HAVE TO start moving back RIGHT from the start. The whole point of the mechanism is keeping the breech locked while the slide and barrel are already moving back.

An effective compensator will most certainly add muzzle flash right where you are looking at, even though this might not make all that much of a difference in real world situations as many handgun/ammo combinations typically used for self defense will have significant muzzle flash even without a compensator. But here's a simple suggestion: Get your hands on a nice S&W 627 V-Comp or 629 V-Comp, they come with both a comp and a regular muzzle attachement. Now shoot some hot .357 Mag / .44 Mag loads with the comp and without the comp, the room doesn't even have to be dark. Wow, right?

My issue with comps/barrel portting on carry guns is the potential for shooting from compromised/entangled positions in a self-defense situation. All of those hot gasses coming out 90* from the bullet path may end up somewhere you don't want them.

My range experience in low light informs me that comps/ports definitely increase flash at night, but it's not a major issue with the low-flash powders in most modern defensive ammo.

I've been carrying this 1911 Officer's Model with a Nowlin carry comp since the early 1990s. It makes quite a bit of difference in felt recoil. I've also never noticed increased flash in low-light conditions, but this is driven more by the ammo itself. Some ammo will flash, and others won't.

Attached Images

Colt Officers.jpg (180.5 KB, 30 views)

As someone who actually owns and has shot a carry gun with a Compensator, I'm going to say no...


Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P40 Shield 1.0 customized with an AlphaWolf Threaded Fluted Barrel fitted with a Kaw Valley Precision Linear Compensator

As you can see, any substantial Compensator is going to add considerable OAL to your EDC Pistol, thus making it more difficult to Concealed Carry comfortably.
In addition, while their most certainly is a benefit to shooting with a Compensator, it dampens recoil, which is helpful on a lightweight .40 caliber pistol like the M&P Shield, and a Linear Compensator has the additional benefit of redirecting the sound away from the shooter, but the added weight sort of defeats the purpose of carrying a lightweight pistol in the first place.

That being said, you could always buy a cheap threaded barrel and compensator, then try it for yourself.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I am against putting anything at all on a CCW/EDC pistol.

I want the smallest most concealable package that I can shoot well. I don't want extra weight, size and bulk. I do not want special holsters to carry them in either. Comps also increase noise, especially in a home and can also cause temporary blindness for a few seconds. NOT a good thing in a defensive situation where follow up shots might be needed.

Compensators are unnecessary if you can shoot the pistol well - if not, change pistols or calibers.

Lasers and flashlights give away your position - especially at night. A bad guy would more than likely shoot at the light source - your chest and or face is probably right behind that light source! Self defense shootings take place mostly at very close distances - no need for a laser IMO. Electronic devises are another thing to maintain, break, malfunction. I subscribe to the K.I.S.S. method.

Although lasers, tacticool flashlights and comps are all the rage now, unless you are part o L/E SWAT team, Navy Seal team or similar, I see little practical need for them as civilians. And...... while it shouldn't be that way, I doubt that any pistol attachments would help you in a court of law!

Mod it how you like it. Most posts like this contain a lot of personal opinions without any factual information. Lots of people have been regurgitating something they read in a magazine when they have zero actual information or experience.

For sure the fact that a compensated or ported pistol will cause blindness, Ed problems, loss of appetite, hair loss etc…. The new powders especially with the flash suppression material make t a moot point anyway.

Everybody and their brother makes 43 x holster, so that’s a moot point for using the comp.

I have run several pistols with comps, and ported models. They aren’t just for a sexy look! A good comp will help you manage recoil, but it has to be hotter ammo to get the comped pistol to run reliably.

Just buy some non +p 147 or 135 grain loads and you won’t need a comp. Or comp it if you wish.

Regards, Rick Gibbs

Actually no, the newest generation of micro comps add VERY little to the overall length/bulk of the weapon and do work.

I’ve shot a lot of big boar ammo without any form compensator: primarily 45acp. I’ve also shot 45acp in guns with compensators.

I don’t find the compensated guns any more pleasant to shoot than uncompensated guns. They don’t noticeably reduce recoil or muzzle flip as measured by my speed on everything from single shots from the leather to the El Presidente drill.

I do find them extremely loud, particularly for the folks to the side of the gun. Muzzle flash in low light conditions is very distracting and can blind the shooter for long enough to interfere with follow up shots.

The extra length of the gun required for a compensator slows the presentation may require a different holster and even a different presentation (eg cross draw instead of strong side).

I’ve no use for them.

In general I am in the “no, just don’t do it” category when it comes to compensators on concealed carry handguns. I am also anti-muzzle brake in general when it comes to long guns, unless there are very compelling reasons.

That said, there are situations where the downsides of a compensator are offset by the benefits.

For example, when I want to carry a small, and slim semi auto handgun, I carry a Kimber Micro 9. It’s small, light, slim and easy to conceal, and has decent terminal performance with 124 Sig V-crown bullets. But it’s not a free lunch as follow up shots are significantly slower than with a larger, heavier handgun.

That’s what led me to pick up another Micro 9 with a compensator. The threaded barrel is .3” longer which isn’t a lot but helps a bit with velocity compared to the 3.15” barrel on the regular Micro 9. It’s also 19.2 oz empty compared to 15.6 oz empty, which doesn’t make it less comfortable to carry but does help tame the recoil, even before the compensator comes into play.

The addition of the compensator, along with the 3.6 of of extra weight and the more effective grips makes it much better in terms of follow up shots.

Consequently, under the right conditions, it’s a good choice. However, it still has the downsides of directing more muzzle flash upwards into your line of sight and directs muzzle blast upwards toward you when fired from a close in retention position.

Here's an interesting article on ported barrels I got in my Armory Life e-mail today. In this case they took two of the same model 9mm 1911s and had one ported and the other original. Then tested them side by side. Interesting stuff.
PORTED BARRELS: ARE THEY WORTH THE EFFORT?

Just for the record: I'm opposed to adding extra do-hickies on my carry guns. I like to keep things simple.

Mantra:

Repeat three times, close your eyes, and do it over.

Red dots - no.

Compensators or muzzle brakes - no.

Just do it the way of the late, great Nancy Reagan - just say no.

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Come and take it!!

Wow, with some of the responses I'm seeing, I'm surprised some of you guys have moved beyond single action revolvers.

"Don't give me any of those new-fangled double action revolvers. You know what could go wrong with that stuff."

Very good post. There are a few similar ones. Nothing wrong with being practical minded.

Such an outlook won't go well with the upgraders, newschoolers, gimcrackers, YouTubers, etc. but they may do just fine with their shooting skills and the add-on contrivances.

get a ported G19C and have the slide milled for your red dot. Done. And be sure to use ammo that uses flash suppressed powder.

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NRA RSO

Everyone is of course entitled to their own opinion.

50 years ago when semi auto were becoming more common and reliable I'm sure the argument was the same against them.

80 years before that I'm sure the argument was the same when the cartridge was making inroads against ball and cap.

40 years before that I'm sure the argument was the same against revolvers vs single or double barrel pistols.

In the end you do you. Me, I wear a gun for a living and I'm willing to change and adopt new technology if it will give me the edge.

I started with worn out raggedly 1911s in the Corps, then in law enforcement Beretta 92s, Smith 4506, Glock 22 when taclights became available, 1911s and now a Smith MP Pro Core with RDS and light. Do I believe it give me an edge? YES, and yes I'm betting my life on my equipment.

Couldn't agree more.

Glock 19C, get the slide milled for your red dot. Done.

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NRA RSO

Update;

I ordered a Suarez Street Comp today. They state it will be the same length as the Glock 48. It is in stock and on sale for $34.99.

Next up is choosing a threaded barrel.

I won't quote because it's been done enough. But I'm 100 % there with chief38. Self defense weapons don't need any tacticool stuff to hang up, weight you down or print big.

Glock 43's are designed for concealed carry. As a geezer who carried on duty, off duty and retired for fifty years now, I believe that concealed means exactly that. Total surprise is a distinct advantage. Shooting while still in a pocket is the biggest surprise of all. DAO revolvers while ancient technology do have their place. Don't try that with your tacticool tool.