Comps???

[Billy The Kid]

What's the deal with compensators that replace the barrel bushing on 1911 style pistols? Do they really make any practical difference other than adding weight to the gun to soak up recoil better?

 

[Dragoon]

Combined with the right slow burning powder they most certainly do. Watch a compensated pistol fire (better still, watch one on video in slow motion) and the muzzle flip is virtually eliminated. I've even seen some that work so well that they push the muzzle down below horizontal.......

 

[prproulx]

Combined with the right slow burning powder they most certainly do. Watch a compensated pistol fire (better still, watch one on video in slow motion) and the muzzle flip is virtually eliminated. I've even seen some that work so well that they push the muzzle down below horizontal.......

I have always wondered what they do to muzzle velocity?

 

[EdGCNM]

A ported gun has the cuts in the barrel before the muzzle. Since gas is vented through the ports before the bullet exits the barrel, the muzzle velocity of the bullet is reduced.

A compensated gun has the cuts in the compensator, after the muzzle. Since the bullet has already left the barrel, muzzle velocity is not affected.

In both cases the effect is most noticeable in guns with lots of oomph. Although a .45ACP will benefit modestly from porting or a compensator, a cartridge like 38 Super can be compensated or ported most effectively.

 

[Billy The Kid]

In both cases the effect is most noticeable in guns with lots of oomph. Although a .45ACP will benefit modestly from porting or a compensator, a cartridge like 38 Super can be compensated or ported most effectively.

So are the comps that replace the barrel bushing universal or caliber specific?