Compensated Handguns- How is accuracy affected

[Rei40c]

While not specific to reloading my question does pertain to powder burning and it seems if anyone would know you guys are the ones. I've never owned a compensator so forgive the dumb questions. I've always been told that in order for any loading to have ideal accuracy the muzzle must be as uniform as possible with no chips on the crown at all. I've read this is because the burning powder needs to vent evenly around the bullet as it exits the muzzle.

So wouldn't this completely ruin that? This is just an example, but it could be any compensator. Example: https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=1095&CAT=313 It seems to me these things would not only vent gases unevenly but in intentionally uneven directions, such as upwards to control recoil.

I'm totally confused how these are often used by competitive who presumably value accuracy more than most. So what am I missing? Do these reduce accuracy? and if not, why not? Because it seems to me based on what I've read it should.

Thanks,

 

[Paul B]

I have one for the 1911's and it did improve accuracy slightly. It replaced the bussing on the 1911 and did help reduce recoil by a small amount as well. I removed it because 99 99/100 percent of my shooting is with cast bullets and it would gun up with bullet lube and end up jamming after a while, say 200 to 300 rounds.
I don't think it would be a problem if threaded onto a barrel but with no experience with one done that way, is give it a try. it'll either work or not work. I don't think it will affect accuracy as the muzzle crown would be unaffected if I understand it correctly.
Paul B.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Regarding the crown, what you said is true. If gas is released on one side and the bullet is still being supported by the barrel on the other side ,by even an unmeasurable amount , accuracy will be affected. With a compensator the crown is
before the compensators vents and the bore through the compensator is larger than the bullet. As long as the alignment of the guns bore and the compensators bore are in exact alignment and the vents in the compensator are balanced,i.e. in the exact plane ,location and size and opposite from the other side, the compensator will have little affect on accuracy. Obviously being made to a high level of precision is very
Important. That said, no two compensators will act the same just as no two guns of the same make and caliber will shoot exactly the same. So your question is not one that can be answered with a definite answer.
To be sure we are comparing apples to apples, a compensator is attached to the muzzle, a gun that has cuts in the barrel before the crown is vented not compensated. Two completely different things but intended to accomplish the same thing.

 

[contender]

Well, I've shot several compensated handguns that were built for competition. Accuracy was not any problem,, as they were all accurate. Chuck is correct,,, in that the comps are installed in such a way as to allow the bullet to exit the muzzle before the gases are vented by the comp. In the USPSA game,,, controlling the upward muzzle movement is one of the main reasons a comp is used, as it allows faster follow up shots. I've actually shot some of them in rapid fire,,, and had the muzzle actually push downward.

 

[Rei40c]

Extremely informative thanks all. It's just something I couldn't wrap my head around for the longest time. I think part of it was my lack of understanding of how it attaches to the muzzle and what's going on internally on the parts you can't seeing how it secures to the muzzle. For some reason I had the idea it was making contact with the crown. Maybe it would be obvious seeing on in person but I've never even had one in my hand. I'm considering buying one for a pistol I own.

As far as what you guys said about no two compensators being alike, and no two guns for that matter. I can easily see how if you really wanted to tune a gun in perfectly without bottoming out like Contender described where the muzzle is actually recoiling downwards, you could be talking thousands of dollars and a lot of time and money.

It seems a good balance and great shooting gun should be possible with the right loading, compensator, barrel length & weight. I'd love to have such a gun which is why I asked the question in the first place. But thinking more about it I'm doubting if I really want to make the money investment. I'm thinking- $125 for the threaded barrel, another $80 for the comp. I'll need a proper pistol to start as a base for the project. Perhaps one of the new Glock MOS with a Burris Fastfire, for an optic..$800. Another $200 testing and finding the right ammo with the perfect recoil characteristics. . .

$800 pistol+
$200 optic +
$125 barrel +
$80 comp +
$ ~$200ish Ammo +

And I'm probably forgetting something. :D One day perhaps. Thanks again for the explanations it straightened my thinking out on comps a bit.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Yup!

 

[contender]

Actually,,, comped guns are not as likely to push the gun downward as much unless you fire several rounds rapidly. And getting one built isn't hard either. Check out the USPSA,,, competition. Open class guns. They are the ones with comps. Most are built on a 1911 design. And yes,,, some are built on Glocks too. It's fun to have a gun discharge,,, and not see it rise for a fast second shot. You can really call your shots with one.