TexasCHLforum.com

A compensated pistol will, in principle have both less muzzle rise and less free recoil than an identical, NON-compensated pistol; this comes at the expense of increased muzzle blast.

The effect is most noticeable where the powder charge and muzzle pressure are both relatively high; the compensator will not produce a very noticeable effect when the powder charge is relatively small.

A typical 9mm P load will have between 4 and 8 grains of powder - I consider this to be a small powder charge. (By contrast, a 125 JHP .357 may contain 15 or more grains of powder.)

I see no real value in a compensated 9mm P pistol.

I shot a rented 19 and 19C side by side at the range before buying my G19. I could not tell any difference, and since the C model was just a tad more expensive I went with the "normal" one.

But reading HankB's reply makes me think my test was really useless, since I was shooting the range's ammo and not "carry ammo".

IMHO, 9x19 isn't a big-kickin' round to begin with, so for self-defense purposes I think the downside of increased muzzle flash outweighs any minor improvement in recoil control.

I shoot competition with a compensated Glock 34. It is provably faster on follow up shots. In a match, seconds count.

Biggest disadvantage to the "C" model would be night time muzzle flash. Even though it may slightly reduce recoil, if you ever have to use your firearm at night the resulting flash can cause "spotting" in your eyes thus making it harder to see and locate a target. Nice for practice shooting, but I would never carry a compensated piece for everyday carry.

I can't compare experience with the 19 against the 19C.. but I have a Glock 23 as well as a Springfield xD 9mm compensated.. so, my xD is ported, my Glock isn't.. and the biggest difference at the range was the bang! Everyone there said that my ported 9mm was louder than any 9mm that they have ever heard. It was louder than my 40 cal. I was surprised to hear that.

Also, with the compensated barrel, I got burned by a little powder a few times.. I guess it happens, nothing serious. Almost as bad as a shell casing flying down my tucked-in shirt.

Like they said, C model isn't good for personal defense, especially in a dark house at night the muzzle flash and spent gases through the ports may hinder your ability to focus in on a second shot.

I concur, leave the compensated pistols to the competition shooters, stick with a standard barrel/model for personal defense. You don't need to be distracted by all that extra muzzle flash in a high-stress situation.

I can't comment on the use of a compensator for a 9mm. I can say it works well on the .40 as I have shot the 22 and 22C side by side. I used a 22C as a duty weapon for several years.

I really wanted to say more about the muzzle flash problem. I practice with the 22C during the day and at night and have never had a problem with the muzzle flash bothering me. Add a little stress (we use timing pressure to add some, but it is nothing like the real thing) and you will almost never see the flash at all. When I first got the 22C, I tried it on an indoor range with vertical lane dividers. In that situation, I noticed the gas and unburnt powder coming off the divider back in my face, which was a little disconcerting. That was the only problem I have had with one.

To be fair, I have had a lot of night practice over the years, and quite a bit was with 357 revolvers, so muzzle flash is something I am used to and may adjust for automatically.

Also, in a real stress situation, I can say I focused so much on the threat that I never even heard the round go off or saw the muzzle blast, and that was with the revolver. But we all handle stress differently. Some close out sounds or sights and some get more sensitive to each. Until it happens to you, you won't really be able to know for sure. I mentioned using timing pressure to add a little stress, but there is nothing like looking down the muzzle of some other guy's pistol. It is different.

Try not to get a "C" model. This is a carry gun, true in a stress situation you may or may not be affected by the muzzle flash. BUT, in a CQB situation you could be affected by the hot gas and unburnt powder coming out of the comp. and straight up into your face. Just something to consider.