7 Best Pistol Compensators
Here are the 7 best pistol compensators to reduce muzzle rise. For pistol red dot sight shooters, this is a great addon!
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For Handguns
Strike Industries Mass Driver - Best Recoil Reduction
Caliber: 9mm
Thread Pitch: 1/2X28
Weight: 6.7oz
Length: 35.85mm
This new counter mass compensator (MDC) creates an equal and opposite reaction when the bullet exits the barrel. The best part is that it doesn't require a threaded barrel, and currently available for Glock pistols. (See other Glock compensator on our site)
Reduces Muzzle Climb - Compensator acts as a counterbalance to keep front sight as flat as possible to get back on target fast
Easy Install - Legal in all 50 states, swap out the stock guide rod, tighten the comp - You're good to go!
Faster Dot Acquisition - Less muzzle climb means reacquiring the red dot faster > faster follow up shots
No Barrel Attachment - The comp mounts independently of the barrel to eliminate any negative effect of reliable slide cycling (No cycling impact)
Works With Non-Threaded Barrel - No need to purchase aftermarket threaded barrel - Huge savings
Pros
- Very innovative design, first of its kind
- Forward counterweight system reduces recoil impulse
Cons
- No threaded barrel required
- A bit heavy
Killer Innovations Velocity - Best Barrel Locking
Caliber: 9mm
Thread Pitch: 1/2X28
Weight: 1.9 - 2.1oz
Length: 36.8mm
The Velocity Compensator has the best mounting system beyond just applying barrel thread torque.
Never Get Lose - Threaded locking ring holds the comp tight against the barrel to prevent tilt or shift
Flush Fit - The comp shoulders against the Killer Innovation Glock barrel with perfect timing on the threads. No recoil will shake the comp off axis.
Perfect Bore Alignment - Equal air gap eliminates uneven gas expel to ensure bullet accuracy and muzzle climb reduction
No Tools Required - Install without tools. No torque wrench needed. Just tighten the locking ring.
Recommend using 13lb spring to function correctly (Do not use wire spring on G19)
Pros
- Very light
- Locking ring prevents compensator tilt
Cons
- 9mm only for now
Griffin Armament Micro - Best For CCW
Caliber: 9mm
Thread Pitch: 1/2X28
Weight:
Length:
The Griffin Armament Micro works on many 1/2X28 pitch threaded barrels right out of the stock. This means no proprietary barrel is needed, and it runs flawlessly with most stock guns without messing with recoil springs.
No Timing Alignment Required - 3 built in ports without the need to time it perfectly while torquing it down on the barrel
Increases Split Time - Faster follow up shots while maintaining small shot group sizes
Conceal Carry Size - It's the same length as a thread protector, and it's low profile that clears the muzzle through most conceal carry holsters
No Blinding - Muzzle flash doesn't blind the shooter in low light
Easy Install - Use a flat wrench and torque to 8 ft lb to secure the comp
Recommend using 13lb spring to function correctly (Do not use wire spring on G19)
Pros
- Similar size as a thread protector
- Very short
- Fits through most open ended holsters
Cons
- No timing alignment required
Primary Machine - Best For The Money
Caliber: 9mm
Thread Pitch: 1/2X28
Length:
Primary Machine offers tons of compensators for many popular gun models like Glock, CZ, Sig P320 and others.
This design is similar to the KKM Precision, but has more options for other handguns. It performs the same as KKM or ZEV at a great price point. (KKM requires barrel purchase to go with the comp)
Roland Special Look - This particular design closely matches the Roland special setup if you desire
Hostler Compatible - Fits through any open ended holster
No Extruding Screws - Hidden setscrews on the underside of the compensator
Pros
- Very simple design
Cons
- Not compatible with conversion barrels
- Recoil spring fine tune required
- Held on by set screws
Agency Arms 417 Dual Port - Slick Look
Caliber: 9mm
Thread Pitch: 1/2X28
Length:
This is a two chamber design with 2 vertical gas ports and 2 side venting ports. What's special among other is that the front iron sight can be mounted on the comp instead of the slide for slightly longer sight radius.
For Glocks - Works for Glock 17, 19 and 34
Works With Hotter 9mm Loads - Slide cycles with 115gr bullet, but it also works better with heavier charged ammo
Pros
- Very slick design
- Front sight post can be installed on the comp
- Work with most standard 115 gr 9mm
Cons
- Not compatible with conversion barrels
- Recoil spring fine tune required
- Held on by set screws
Faxon EXOS - Best Flush Fit For Most Slides
Caliber: 9mm
Thread Pitch: 1/2X28
Weight: 0.8 oz
Length: 27.94mm
This is a similar compensator like the KKM or the Primary Machine, but it's large top gas port and angled side venting ports make a huge performance difference. It's the little things that matter, and Faxon EXOS made it happen.
Deflect Gas Upward - Angled side gas ports reduces muzzle flip even more while improving reliability
Flat Shooting - Way less muzzle rise than non-compensator 9mm.
Fast RDS Follow Up - Red dot centers right back to the shooter's field of view after each shot
Pros
- Works with most threaded 9mm barrels
- Works for many popular gun models
- Super lightweight
Cons
- Set screws can get loose
- Timing alignment required
The Radian Afterburner Micro is a slick compact design that requires the Radian's RAMJET match-grade barrel for Glock 19 pistol.
50 States Legal - No threaded barrel required
G19 To G17 Length - Chamfered edges help with smooth holstering (Fits G17 size holster)
No Tilt, Fully Locked In - Afterburner Micro Locks on RAMJET's proprietary INTRA-LOK mounting system that perfectly times the compensator as it locks down onto the V-shaped muzzle front
Rugged Built - It uses hardened 17-4 stainless steel, and it provides about 40% recoil reduction when using standard 115 gr 9mm ammo
Pros
- Legal in all 50 states (Still double check)
- Perfect mounting system without timing
Cons
- RAMJET barrel required
- Only for Glock for now
FAQ
Does Ammo Type Affect Compensator Performance?
It's important to understand that recoil and muzzle climb will feel different using different ammo type.
Standard ammunition work with most compensators on the market. There are many variables that affect compensator performance such as caliber, load, barrel length and shooter's overall grip.
Compensator will significantly reduce muzzle climb when using hotter loads (+P) and other self defense rounds.
It's important to test run different ammo types to find what works for you. The same compensated gun the shooter run with standard ball ammo, may perform differently with personal defense rounds.
Does Compensator Help Reduce Muzzle Climb And Faster Red Dot Acquisition?
Compensator definitely reduces muzzle climb, but not completely.
The key phrase here is "It only mitigates muzzle climb, but NOT completely". The shooter still has to apply good pistol shooting fundamentals to make accurate shots.
An experienced red dot sight shooter can experience faster follow up shots and reacquire the dot faster when the slide cycling action stays flat.
A large window red dot sight on a compensated handgun is a completely different shooting experience!
Should Competition Shooters Use Compensator?
Competition pistol shooters should absolutely use compensator on their race gun to keep their gun recoil action flat and reduce split time.
Compensator technology has been around for a long time throughout history for rifles, tanks, machine guns and other big caliber weapon systems.
Does Added Compensator Fit Existing Holster?
Most open ended holster will fit a pistol with compensator as long as the comp clears and the profile of the comp closely matches the slide shape.
Added compensator will increase the overall length of the gun. A subcompact gun with a compensator generally extends the length to a full-size gun.
For example, A Glock 19 with a comp turns into a Glock 34 length pistol.
Do You Need A Threaded Barrel For A Compensator?
Yes, threaded barrel is required to mount a pistol compensator.
However, there are some slick barrel designs out there that don't feature threads. The compensator is already a part of the barrel profile such as the Agency NOC, STI Staccato XC, Trinity Nevada and many more.
There are tons of threaded barrels you can buy on the market, and you can check them out here
*Be aware, some states prohibit the sales of threaded barrel, and this is where buyers can look at other innovative designs such as the Radian AFTERBURNER + RAMJET or the Agency NOC.
