compensator has no place in SD handgun

[chances R]

Well that's my thought anyway, especially in 9mm.  Increases noise especially under a roof, building, car, etc.  Increases muzzle flash.  If added on, increases barrel length.  Increased liklihood of malfunction.  Increases debris and need for cleaning.  Especially a concern if shooting from retention which may be likely in SD situations.  This can result in hot gasses in face, possibly metal debris from lead or jacketed bullets.  A likely decrease in velocity and even moreso in short barreled firearms.  Well that's just for starters and given the rather minimal recoil produced by 9mm.....unneccessary.  

[deerslayer]

24 minutes ago, chances R said:

Well that's my thought anyway, especially in 9mm.  Increases noise especially under a roof, building, car, etc.  Increases muzzle flash.  If added on, increases barrel length.  Increased liklihood of malfunction.  Increases debris and need for cleaning.  Especially a concern if shooting from retention which may be likely in SD situations.  This can result in hot gasses in face, possibly metal debris from lead or jacketed bullets.  A likely decrease in velocity and even moreso in short barreled firearms.  Well that's just for starters and given the rather minimal recoil produced by 9mm.....unneccessary.  

Agreed.  I shot a friend’s comped G48 last weekend and the meager gain in control was offset by the LOUD report.  I think most people who claim it’s a huge gain probably just need to fix their grip.  

[BHunted]

But, but, but, but, they look sooooo neat!  

[ohell]

absolutely hate them unless i need it to time a hot round like 460 Rowland.   marketing for the win because people are buying the stuff.   

[Alleycat72]

I'm not a fan of all the cuts in slides either. Great way to get a bunch of junk in the gun. I know the argument about keeping the gun clean, but I've also had an unintentional ejection from a little boat in a angry river. On a competition gun, I say go for it all. 

[A.J. Holst]

12 minutes ago, ohell said:

marketing for the win because people are buying the stuff

Add this, modify that and poof, you'll shoot better!

Same message, different spin.

This message ain't so sexy:

Get a qualify firearm, holster, belt and ammo, invest in a bit of quality training and poof, you'll shoot better.

[Alleycat72]

17 minutes ago, A.J. Holst said:

Add this, modify that and poof, you'll shoot better!

Same message, different spin.

This message ain't so sexy:

Get a qualify firearm, holster, belt and ammo, invest in a bit of quality training and poof, you'll shoot better.

I just tried out a new holster and you can accidentally activate the mag release. Something you won't realize until you draw the firearm. Two minutes with a file and it was fixed. Test everything. 

[JustEd]

Comps are for competition 

Well and the uninformed who think adding stuff will make them shoot better without really shooting their defensive weapon

 

 

[papa61]

does a factory ported 357 count? or are we talking about autos only? 
Also, do you count muzzle brakes as compensators? Flash hiders? (yeah I have an AR pistol)
I think we're painting with a wide brush here. Just my opinion. But I do agree in principle, the tacticool stuff is overdone and SD pistols should be as simple as possible. Mag funnels, slide cuts, comps. All fine in competition when one's life is not on the line. I have a light on my nightstand pistol but wouldn't carry that way. No optics on my defense arms either. (sorry)

[BHunted]

You know, it's more than just muzzle flip and crap like that. It's also a way of removing or distributing weight.
I've seen people bitch, "oh that gun is too heavy, mine is 1.5 ounces lighter", with all the additional features, they'd be heavier...  and still: they look sooooo neat! 

[et45]

But you get style points and likes on FB and Instagram

[reiver]

Fair points. But if it's mounted to the barrel or rail, it will act as a standoff device.

Don't listen to me...

Edited November 30 by reiver

[DocHawk]

9 hours ago, reiver said:

Fair points. But if it's mounted to the barrel or rail, it will act as a standoff device.

Incorrect. Go ahead and push on your barrel mounted comp and see what happens at the breech. Yes, old school rail mounted standoffs work, but no modern compensators are configured that way.

[Alleycat72]

39 minutes ago, DocHawk said:

Incorrect. Go ahead and push on your barrel mounted comp and see what happens at the breech. Yes, old school rail mounted standoffs work, but no modern compensators are configured that way.

Please do it unloaded.  

[papa61]

Just to be clear, I don't want any add ons on my carry piece. I even prefer fixed sights, no optics, on lights, no comp. Slide cuts maybe, but only factory original. I'm not against some minor internal work, feed ramp, sear. But in a self defense situation one wants the simplest most reliable firearm with no mods to keep the ambulance chasers at bay. And of course,,,work as intended.

[JustEd]

3 hours ago, papa61 said:

Just to be clear, I don't want any add ons on my carry piece. I even prefer fixed sights, no optics, on lights, no comp. Slide cuts maybe, but only factory original. I'm not against some minor internal work, feed ramp, sear. But in a self defense situation one wants the simplest most reliable firearm with no mods to keep the ambulance chasers at bay. And of course,,,work as intended.

Think we agree on much..

Would sum it up as -- What looks cool is not always the best thing in the real world.

[Choatecav]

I'm actually surprised that this thread has so much discussion.  Seems obvious to me that a spartan and stripped down version for your EDC would be a must.  

But, I realize that opinions are like elbows..... everyone has one or two.  

[papa61]

17 minutes ago, Choatecav said:

I'm actually surprised that this thread has so much discussion.  Seems obvious to me that a spartan and stripped down version for your EDC would be a must.  

But, I realize that opinions are like elbows..... everyone has one or two.  

I think it's good for the newer shooters. Those of us who've been around a while tend to get into the newest, best thing and wind up at the range with some wild ones that are really race guns. The manufacturers love to sell more so they promote them. Can't blame them, they have to sell enough to make a profit on the tool up.

Just as an example, I have a new "need" in the Kimber 2K11. I wouldn't EDC it but it would most assuredly see range time along with "yeah it's the baddest thing out now" or something like that. Now it's not comped but it is cut, funneled, adjustable target or optic sighted, two toned, light triggered. I don't compete, I don't need a compensator, but new people don't know they don't need a comp for a carry pistol. 

As far as opinions, I don't think a carry pistol needs optics. That's my elbow's worth.

[reiver]

12 hours ago, DocHawk said:

Incorrect. Go ahead and push on your barrel mounted comp and see what happens at the breech. Yes, old school rail mounted standoffs work, but no modern compensators are configured that way.

You're right... I don't have a comp to check but as soon as I read your reply I thought about the tilting/moving barrel.

[deerslayer]

As a competitive shooter, I may be guilty of having a carry gun or two with a little race gun DNA, but I draw the line at comps.  On the other hand, my race guns are more reliable than some folks’ carry guns.