To compensate or not to compensate

[IAM Rand]

No, I am not talking about getting a larger caliber to compensate for what ever I may be lacking in the manhood department. I am talking about getting a screw on compensator for an M&P.

I guess I will start this out with more of a general question, as far as type of pistol, it could be a 1.0, 2.0, or a 2.0 Metal but, it will be in the M&P line. From what I am seeing in general online, it does work. If you recommend a compensator, what kind and why (ease of installation/better reduction in muzzle flip/all of the above or something else). Also, is it a factory barrel or did you get a new threaded barrel?

I guess a part 2 of this would be if you don't recommend a compensator, why?

My reason for even going down this road is that a friend has his PC 5" ported and says it is the best this he has ever carried. This got me thinking that maybe adding a screw on compensator might add a little when it comes to faster follow-ups.

 

[0849]

So far I have had two pistols that were ported. My current 9mm Shield PC seems to be a very comfortable shooter, I think may, at least in part due to the porting, and the porting seems to have no detrimental effect, and I think, while admittedly very subjectively, a bit quicker for follow up shots. On the other hand, a few years back I had a 45 Recon and while it was a nice looking and nice shooting semi auto, it only took a few rounds down range for the gasses from the ports to totaly blacken the white dot on the front sight, even with extremely clean burning quality ammo. While some shooters do not prefer white dots, I like to be able to use a white dot on the front sight so the porting on the Recon was a deal breaker for me. I think S&W just did a better job of positioning the ports on the Shield PC, I can shoot the Shield PC quite a bit at the range and no problem with the gasses from the ports effecting the front sight. Not sure if my sharing my experiences helps with your question, but just my $ .02 in case it may be helpful.

 

[Echo40]

Last year, I got a Performance Center M&P40 Shield 1.0 on sale with the intent to use it as a carry gun. Problem was, my entire supply of Blazer Brass .40 S&W FMJ had a warning on the box stating not to use it in ported barrels, so I found a cheap factory blemished Lone Wolf Threaded Barrel online and outfitted my Shield with it so that I could shoot my supply of range ammo through it.
From there, I figured that as long as I have a threaded barrel, I might as well get something to attach to it, just for the heck of it. So I started looking into Compensators and Linear Compensators piqued my interest due to their supposed ability to reduce muzzle blast/report by redirecting it straight forward rather than out the sides like an ordinary Compensator does.

I bought a Kaw Valley Precision Linear Compensator and threaded it onto my Shield.

I didn't expect it to work anywhere near as well as advertised, if at all, but much to my surprise, it did. I actually shot the first magazine without earpro, just to see how well it would work, and was able to carry out a conversation with my brother afterwards in an ordinary tone of voice with nothing more than a slight bit of ringing in my ears. Obviously, it's no suppressor, you still have to wear earpro, but it's definitely quieter than it is otherwise.

In addition, it reduced recoil, or at least altered its characteristics so that it felt more like a shove than a snap. Muzzle blast/flash was notably reduced as well.

It's definitely worth looking into.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

The SS barrel on my M&P 40 PC C.O.R.E. (1.0) is a Royal PITA to clean...!

I even bought an aftermarket threaded barrel to avoid the mess: personally, I never really saw (or felt?) much of a difference, but it is not really a carry gun for me.

Cheers!

 

[hardluk1]

IAM Rand I have a m&p 2.0 pc ported 5" 40sw do the bargain price and I honestly can't feel any difference compared to my early 1.0 4.25" m&p 40 I have . Have not shot it over my chronograph yet to see how it compares .

I wanted the longer sight radius of the 5" and can still carry it . I have no interest in a compensated pistol .

 

[Dino1]

Compensater

I only own one pistol that is ported, it is a RIA BBR in .45ACP with a 3.1" barrel. The porting on this gun actually works very well. The pistol is about the same size as my .40 Shield and has way better control of muzzle flip. This is my winter carry gun it holds 10+1 with factory mag and I have a modified Warthog mag that holds 13+1. For it's size it is on the heavy side but a very fine shooter for a CCW.

 

[WR Moore]

The item described in post 3 was originally designed to funnel muzzle blast/flash forward. The primary use was to keep entry teams armed with MSRs from blasting each other with flames and particulates and reduce the blast they might feel. On shotguns, something similar is sometimes used for door breaching.

Once upon a time I designed and built compensators. The effects generally are largely depending upon the volume and pressure of the gas behind the bullet. More gas/higher pressure = more effective. In a lot of cases, the primary benefit is from hanging a weight on the end of the barrel.

Downsides: cost, longer length of the handgun, weight, having to clean the cotton picking thing (lead bullets shed particulates that build up and should be removed, some ammo makers don't want you using their plated bullet ammo in ported barrels), depending upon design, you may now see flames in low light situations that you didn't see before, depending upon shooting position you might damage your clothing/self.

Depending upon caliber, you'd probably be better off spending the money on practice ammo and/or training. That said, I did see a significant difference with a 1911 when using a comped slide assembly and the specialized ammo to maximize compensation effect (you couldn't/can't buy that ammo over the counter).

 

[sotexas]

Added length, don't need to carry it

 

[OldGoat]

Compensators/porting make sense on high pressure/velocity type firearms like military arms, high power rifles, etc. Compensators and/or porting on personal firearms - handguns, hunting & target shotguns, & many rifles - are just expen$ive gimmicks and serve little or no advantages except to those who $ell them. That said, if a shooter "thinks" they are advantageous and offer perceived recoil reduction or just look "cool" then they might be worth the co$t. You pays your money and make your choice.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Have ended up with two Performance Center M&P Shields with the 3.1" barrels, both have the ported barrels & slides, one is a 9mm Plus, the other a 40 S&W caliber with the 6/7 round magazines
I have two other 9mm Shields an optics ready Plus & a M2.0 in a 1.0 frame as I put the rough texture M2.0 frame on the 40 PC Shield
Could put one of the extra 9mm barrels from the other two 9mm Shields in the ported 9mm Shield but see no need to do so

 

[alou]

I have a 2.0 with a dual port Agency comp. I shot it side by side with a 2.0 without comp and didn't notice a difference. Neither did the owner of the non comped 2.0. But under slow motion video, I could see a slight reduction in flip. I think in order to have a wow effect, you will have to use a lighter recoil spring with the comp.

 

[IAM Rand]

I wasn't looking to have a port job done on my pistol. Looking more for the add on. I have come to realize that going to the add on route is going to cost $$. Money for a threaded barrel and then the add on compensator.

I practice often so it is not accuracy that is an issue, just looking for an edge and thought that a comp might help. The post about Kaw Valley is interesting though, Never really looked at it helping with reduction is the blast.