Lets start some fist fights. Comp vs non Comp for carry what do you carry ? Why do you prefer one to the other ?

[Hindsight]

Set yours up however you will actually carry it & you have tested and proven it's reliability. The rest is personal preference.

I have comps on many of my pistols these days because they reduce muzzle flip. For most folks this will transfer into faster and more accurate follow up shots, but as many have said, it will be louder, especially indoors, so there is a tradeoff. How much louder is it actually at your ear compared to a non comped barrel? No idea, I'd rather not shoot either of them without ear pro if I don't have to.

Ported barrels seem a bit louder to me than comped barrels, but that's just my subjective opinion with no factual data to back it up.

I'm fairly well used to the extra concussion now, so that part doesn't really bother me.

Shooting in competitions being in close proximity to comped guns when folks are shooting is only mildly different (outdoors). The micro 9's are a good bit louder with more concussion than the full size counterparts as well. My P365 (3.1" barrel) even felt louder to me than my G43X with Ramjet for example. But, again, no factual data to back it up, just how it felt when shooting.

If we’re talking the same barrel length and gun just a different between ports and a comp, yah, ports tend to be a bit louder just because they’re located that tiny bit closer to you/your ears (depending on the port style - V, lucky 7, inline, chunk port, etc).

And the same thing with shorter barrel lengths - less distance for the gases and concussion to come back at you.

 

[Skilly]

I mean, the Macro is one of the most popular EDCs on the market. Not a traditional comp but a comp nonetheless. Its my first choice for EDC, followed by a Macro sized form factor P365 with a regular slide and radian ramjet. And rounding that out with an MR920 with a Radian Ramjet too.

 

[waxtutor]

I voted non-comp because I don’t own a comped gun. Don’t see any advantage for a carry gun. I’m planning to do some steel challenge stuff this fall, maybe a comped setup for competition is in my future.

How often is upward blast a problem?

Depends entirely on the gun. I have a p365 x macro comp that doesn't blast you and I carry confidently. And I have a hellcat pro comp that blasts you in the face and blows gas all over the dot window lol.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Yeah but with almost all defensive shootings being within let's say 10 yards it doesn't matter lol

Most defensive shootings can be avoided by situational awareness, so why carry a gun at all?

I've been to the range, more times than I can count. I regularly see folks that can barely hit the paper at 5 yards, let alone 10. This is with zero pressure or time urgency of any kind and not drawing from a holster, in ideal conditions... with no one attacking. How well do you think those folks are going to do when there is immense pressure on top of infinite variables that you could possibly never know.

How many bullets does it take to stop someone that is absolutely determined to end you? Could be 1, could be 20.

Don't make assumptions based on best case scenarios. Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. I'll take a firearm that is easier to shoot at any yard distance every day of the week.

 

[Gawernator]

Most defensive shootings can be avoided by situational awareness, so why carry a gun at all?

I've been to the range, more times than I can count. I regularly see folks that can barely hit the paper at 5 yards, let alone 10. This is with zero pressure or time urgency of any kind and not drawing from a holster, in ideal conditions... with no one attacking. How well do you think those folks are going to do when there is immense pressure on top of infinite variables that you could possibly never know.

How many bullets does it take to stop someone that is absolutely determined to end you? Could be 1, could be 20.

Don't make assumptions based on best case scenarios. Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. I'll take a firearm that is easier to shoot at any yard distance every day of the week.

I'm not worried about them lol. I'd rather not be burned plus they don't sell them ported

 

[Brandon Breeze]

If we’re talking the same barrel length and gun just a different between ports and a comp, yah, ports tend to be a bit louder just because they’re located that tiny bit closer to you/your ears (depending on the port style - V, lucky 7, inline, chunk port, etc).

And the same thing with shorter barrel lengths - less distance for the gases and concussion to come back at you.

I would venture to say ports are louder because they are venting gasses behind a projectile that is "sealed" to the barrel, so the gasses should be exiting under more pressure, whereas comps the gasses are being redirected as the projectile has already left the barrel, so the gasses can also move forward around the projectile in addition to upward. Ports gasses will primarily be venting upward while until the projectile leaves the barrel.

My G34 with Ported Barrel feels louder than my P365 with a comp'd barrel for example, even though those ports are technically slightly further away from my dome. Again, all hypothesis based on when I feel when shooting these side by side and no factual data to back it up.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

I'm not worried about them lol. I'd rather not be burned plus they don't sell them ported

Burned by what?

I've shot from retention with comps quite a bit and have not been burned.

Only having one ported barrel, I prefer comps. Many platforms have aftermarket availability of comps of some type these days, if yours doesn't maybe you chose the wrong platform

 

[Gawernator]

Burned by what?

I've shot from retention with comps quite a bit and have not been burned.

Only having one ported barrel, I prefer comps. Many platforms have aftermarket availability of comps of some type these days, if yours doesn't maybe you chose the wrong platform

I think both the P2000SK and PDP Compact are great CCW's. Burned by the gas. There's just not enough positive to outweigh the negatives for a defense gun

 

[Brandon Breeze]

I think both the P2000SK and PDP Compact are great CCW's. Burned by the gas. There's just not enough positive to outweigh the negatives for a defense gun

If getting burned by gases from a compensator or ported barrel were a common issue, we'd be hearing about it constantly from law enforcement, instructors, competitive shooters, and the millions of rounds fired through compensated pistols every year.

Is it possible under some very specific circumstances? Sure. Almost anything is possible. But "possible" and "likely enough to drive equipment choices" aren't the same thing.

I've shot compensated guns from retention quite a bit and haven't experienced burns or adverse effects. That doesn't prove it can never happen, but it does suggest it's not the widespread problem some make it out to be.

At the end of the day, every carry setup is a compromise. I prefer a gun that's faster and easier for me to shoot accurately with less input, because accurate hits are what actually solve the problem (most of the time). If someone values avoiding the small chance of getting some gas or debris on them more than the reduction in muzzle rise, that's a perfectly valid choice too. As I said in my OP, carry the setup that you will carry every day, that is better than the setup you don't, for whatever reason.

 

[Gawernator]

If getting burned by gases from a compensator or ported barrel were a common issue, we'd be hearing about it constantly from law enforcement, instructors, competitive shooters, and the millions of rounds fired through compensated pistols every year.

Is it possible under some very specific circumstances? Sure. Almost anything is possible. But "possible" and "likely enough to drive equipment choices" aren't the same thing.

I've shot compensated guns from retention quite a bit and haven't experienced burns or adverse effects. That doesn't prove it can never happen, but it does suggest it's not the widespread problem some make it out to be.

At the end of the day, every carry setup is a compromise. I prefer a gun that's faster and easier for me to shoot accurately with less input, because accurate hits are what actually solve the problem (most of the time). If someone values avoiding the small chance of getting some gas or debris on them more than the reduction in muzzle rise, that's a perfectly valid choice too. As I said in my OP, carry the setup that you will carry every day, that is better than the setup you don't, for whatever reason.

Reliability for me. With ported you get:

• More blast, flash, and concussion, especially indoors, in vehicles, or in low light.
• Hot gas and debris vent upward. That is unpleasant during close-retention shooting or from compressed positions.
• The front sight and optic window get dirtier faster.
• It adds another variable with ammunition reliability and bullet construction.
• The performance gain on a compact 9mm is real, but usually modest compared with grip, recoil spring setup, and training.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

Reliability for me. With ported you get:

• More blast, flash, and concussion, especially indoors, in vehicles, or in low light.
• Hot gas and debris vent upward. That is unpleasant during close-retention shooting or from compressed positions.
• The front sight and optic window get dirtier faster.
• It adds another variable with ammunition reliability and bullet construction.
• The performance gain on a compact 9mm is real, but usually modest compared with grip, recoil spring setup, and training.

Most of those are fair points, but they're tradeoffs rather than deal breakers.

Yes, you'll generally get more blast and concussion. Yes, you'll get more carbon on the front sight or optic (with ports, comps are negligible). And yes, every modification should be thoroughly tested for reliability before it's carried. I'd never recommend bolting a comp onto a pistol and trusting my life to it without proving it runs with my carry ammo.

Where I disagree is on the value proposition. Even if the reduction in muzzle rise is modest, it's still a measurable improvement. I think of something like the Aim Surplus JTT here. If it helps get the sights or dot back on target faster and make more accurate follow-up shots, that's a legitimate benefit. Ramjets on the other hand are more than a modest improvement, they provide a dramatic improvement in muzzle flip reduction with the same input. Every single person I had done a back to back test with one is absolutely blown away.

Training is absolutely a big factor, but equipment still matters. A compensator doesn't replace skill, it complements it. You can train to control recoil better, but physics doesn't stop applying because you've practiced. If two equally skilled shooters are using otherwise identical pistols and one has less muzzle rise, the shooter with less muzzle rise has an advantage, for many it will be a significant advantage.

At the end of the day, we all accept compromises. Some people prioritize absolute simplicity. I prioritize shootability, provided the pistol has proven reliable with my carry ammo.

 

[Gawernator]

Most of those are fair points, but they're tradeoffs rather than deal breakers.

Yes, you'll generally get more blast and concussion. Yes, you'll get more carbon on the front sight or optic (with ports, comps are negligible). And yes, every modification should be thoroughly tested for reliability before it's carried. I'd never recommend bolting a comp onto a pistol and trusting my life to it without proving it runs with my carry ammo.

Where I disagree is on the value proposition. Even if the reduction in muzzle rise is modest, it's still a measurable improvement. I think of something like the Aim Surplus JTT here. If it helps get the sights or dot back on target faster and make more accurate follow-up shots, that's a legitimate benefit. Ramjets on the other hand are more than a modest improvement, they provide a dramatic improvement in muzzle flip reduction with the same input. Every single person I had done a back to back test with one is absolutely blown away.

Training is absolutely a big factor, but equipment still matters. A compensator doesn't replace skill, it complements it. You can train to control recoil better, but physics doesn't stop applying because you've practiced. If two equally skilled shooters are using otherwise identical pistols and one has less muzzle rise, the shooter with less muzzle rise has an advantage, for many it will be a significant advantage.

At the end of the day, we all accept compromises. Some people prioritize absolute simplicity. I prioritize shootability, provided the pistol has proven reliable with my carry ammo.

Well I sure hope the bad guys aren't master level competition shooters with ported and comp'd 2011's... lmao

 

[Hindsight]

I actually like comps/ports for easier one handed or weak side shooting drills. Without that support hand contact my follow-up shots are a lot less well controlled/returning the gun is slower and less predictable and I sure as heck don't practice weak side only shooting as much as I should.

 

[donmatteo]

I have 1 comp and 2 non-comp on my CCW.

If you have no issue at the range with a comp, it's not going to be different as a CCW.

 

[adrkwan]

I have both on my CCW. The comp requires a bit more testing with defense ammo but both seem to be fine. I train with both so I am inclined to turn it 90 degrees when shooting from retention to avoid a face full of gas.

 

[ikeo1]

Well I sure hope the bad guys aren't master level competition shooters with ported and comp'd 2011's... lmao

They don't need to be master level. Your average D or C level shooter will benefit. The radian ramjet for glocks and sigs are a prime example. Many people are doing it now so they shoot near flat so you don't need the same grip that you normally would.

My radian ramjet on the 9mm is a good example. Maybe one of these days I'll do a video comparison but the difference is material. You won't get burned and doesn't really have any negative impact IMHO. It's great for women who want something a little softer or older gents with lower muscle mass. Even if your normal strength, you'll shoot flatter so follow up shots are more stable and its super fun.

I just got a new camera, so perhaps I'll do some video on it. Just picked up the DJI Osmo 4P so the slow mo should be nice.

I think having one of each and getting to know the difference is nice, if I were only able to have one, i would want something where you could adjust it. You're a gear guy, so modding and going back to stock is always fun to compare against.

 

[Enthused]

Comp/ports are for the range.

 

[Gawernator]

They don't need to be master level. Your average D or C level shooter will benefit. The radian ramjet for glocks and sigs are a prime example. Many people are doing it now so they shoot near flat so you don't need the same grip that you normally would.

My radian ramjet on the 9mm is a good example. Maybe one of these days I'll do a video comparison but the difference is material. You won't get burned and doesn't really have any negative impact IMHO. It's great for women who want something a little softer or older gents with lower muscle mass. Even if your normal strength, you'll shoot flatter so follow up shots are more stable and its super fun.

I just got a new camera, so perhaps I'll do some video on it. Just picked up the DJI Osmo 4P so the slow mo should be nice.

I think having one of each and getting to know the difference is nice, if I were only able to have one, i would want something where you could adjust it. You're a gear guy, so modding and going back to stock is always fun to compare against. It's fun.

It would be cool to have a model like that for sure.

 

[drinktothat421]

Edc a Xmacro comp to feel above average

 

[donmatteo]

Comp/ports are for the range.