Recoil difference between a compensated barrel and a flanged barrel

In for the knowledge, been wanting to try a carry comp or flanged pistol myself!

 

I had a Nowlin "Carry Comp" on a Lightweight Commander (.45 ACP of course) that John Sr. put togther 30 yrs. ago.
OAL was same as a 5" gun.
In spite of the limited gas pressure, the comp did work fairly well.

I have a Wilson "Carry Comp", or whatever, that's an Officer sized frame gun. It's OK, the Nowlin was the better gun.

 

A flanged barrel is just more weight up front, which may help some with muzzle flip.

A comp controls gas, which far better controls recoil.

For sure, the right style comp will give more recoil control.

 

Are these two options mutually exclusive? I would imagine doing both will give you the best reduction possible.

 

Depending how you look at the two styles of comp's...I would say they are separate.

The thread-on style, sure, has some weight on the end of the barrel, but not really that much.

The build-in comps like STI and now NHC wouldn't really add weight as it is taking the place of some of the slide.

 

I know you asked about a .45, but I have a S&W 586 L comp in .357. I’ve shot it back to back with its larger N frame brother. IMHO the comp makes a difference, less recoil.



Perhaps a NHC Firehawk is in your future?

 

I think it needs to be said. Comps and heavy barrels generally do not reduce recoil. They reduce perceived recoil and muzzle flip.

I have a good amount of comped and bull and coned barrels. Comps make a big difference, the bigger the comp the bigger the reduction in muzzle flip. Also using a powder that produces more gas makes the comp work more efficiently.

I have a 6” 10mm with a bull barrel that has been turned down to accept an EGW 5 chamber 7 port cone comp. It shoots laughably flat, almost like a 9mm powderpuff load, almost 22mag.