Bear1142

Bill, I think it's based on their Limited classification. Erik

If they let me in, I'll be there. I may even get to squad with Benny and his (supposedly) gimp ankle. (I think it's a ploy to fake us out!) Erik

Billski, There are comps with back angle ports already in use. Bushmaster's Y-comp, TTI eliminator comp, and Z-M's comp. Recently, I used a TTI eliminator comp on a 308 DPMS rifle at the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-gun in Heavy Metal (It worked quite well.) Ohh, and if this thread isn't confusing enough. I haven't even started with my ideas for mass/momentum cancellation comps or active cancellation designs. Erik

WOW! I go away for a day and look what happens. Thanks for all of the thoughts and replies. Let's make some clarifications to help move this along. First, I used the term "Compensator" as a general term that covers both compensators and muzzle brakes. I appreciate that the terms have different definitions, but I think a blend of both terms is our ultimate goal. Our first priority is keeping the gun flat. Regardless of how fast the shooter is, if the gun isn't level and back on target, we can't fire the second shot. Once we have achieved our goal of keeping the gun flat (compensated) we want to use any/all of the remaining gases to pull the gun forward or make it soft (brake.) Now, by its very nature, a compensator will also give you some "brake" qualities when the gases hit the baffles before the gas changes direction, but this is not its ultimate goal. So assuming our first priority is keeping the gun flat and our second is making it soft, let's use the term "Compensator" to encompass this goal. Second, lets reduce as many variables as possible and keep the discussions centered around the actual design of the compensator. The more variables we introduce the harder it will be to focus on the design aspect. I understand there are many other variables that can influence either positively or negatively the handling characteristics of the gun (size, weight, springs, powders, bullet weights, grip strength, etc), but I want to focus the discussion on strictly the design aspect (if this is possible), with the goal of producing the best design absent all the other factors. Third, I intentionally included rifle compensators in the question because I wanted to see how the design would be affected by a substantially larger volume of gas. Due to the limited volume of gas available, pistol compensators designs are 90% compensator and 10% brake (arbitrary numbers), while rifle compensators seem to have more of a 50/50 or 60/40 breakdown towards being muzzle brakes first. I personally think most of the rifle comp designs have the wrong emphasis and are designed wrong, but they still are quite effective because a rifle cartridge has such a larger volume of gas available that it makes up for the poor design (with some other factors like the weight of the rifle, etc.) So how does the larger volume of gas available affect the design? Fourth, and no one has touched upon this yet, is the thrusting aspect of the gases. What role does this have? For example, if a baffle is 90 degrees perpendicular to the bore axis, then our gases hit the baffle and make a 90 turn and we have some effect on the gun. What if the baffle, instead of 90 degrees is only 65 degrees with a 25 degree back angle. Now the gas not only hits the baffle and changes direction, but the gas itself is now vectored at such an angle to increase the compensated effect, similar to the "thrust vectoring" technology used by the F-22 Raptor to significantly increase its manuverability. This concepts seems to only apply to rifle compensators as pistols don't seem to generate enough gas volume to effectively use this concept. So, with these clarifications in mind, lets run with it. Erik

Okay, I've been working on this for quite some time but I'm having some trouble reasoning it out. With respect to compensator design (rifle and pistol), should the chambers on the compensator decrease size or increase in size as they get further away from the muzzle? I understand that with respect to gas flow, there is an inverse relationship between gas volume and gas pressure. As your pressure goes down, you need more gas volume to maintain the same gas flow. How does chamber size affect this? Should your chambers increase or decrease in size to maintain your gas flow? Erik

I'm giving my Sig a try this year. Great ergonomics, utterly reliable, and quite accurate. I've also noticed my Sig's on the circuit this year. I think they are starting to get a following. Erik

Bullets forward. I like to keep my reload techniques the same whether its for a pistol or a rifle. Erik

Trying to impress the other firearms instructors with my "It's important to be ambidextrious" speech, I decided to qualify with my weak shoulder on the shotgun slug qualification course. Rem. 870+ Full Power slugs+ a healthy dose of male bravado= Greenish/purpleish, bruised shoulder that I couldn't raise for a week. But I've still got my pride. (Red Foreman voice on/ "Dumbass" / Red Foreman voice off) Erik

A new rifle comp is about the hit the market. Stay tuned. Erik

"....or we will bring justice to you." Erik

Very nice setup. Nice clean lines. It should serve you very well. Erik

Richard, Unfortunately, you have no real good choices in the 62gr. bullet weights. I'm assuming your rifle has a 1/9 twist rate. The 69 grainers are your best bet for a more accurate/economical bullet. I've had excellent results with Sierra and Nosler, and both of them are available in bulk packs. Erik

I have short fingers so I use a short/flat trigger combination. The short trigger allows me to get my trigger finger on the trigger face at a perpendicular angle so I don't push the front end of the pistol. The flat face allows me some unintentional deviation in where I place the pad of my finger on the trigger face, while still getting the same "feel" on the trigger. Erik

Rich, I've never been a big fan of two optics on the rifle. I like low-powered variables. There are several new ones on the market that do quite well. The Meopta 1-4x is becoming very popular and the Mueller 1-4x scope is supposed to be released very soon. The new 1-4x Night Force scope has finally hit the market is it is superb, although it costs about the same as a TA-11. If money isn't a concern, then the Schmidt & Bender short dot scope is awesome. All of the scopes have a true 1x reticle. Check them out when you get a chance. The Brownells mags are very good. I wouldn't worry about replacing the springs unless/until you start having problems with them. I would definitely recommend the ISMI springs & Magpul follower combination on any rebuilds. Don't worry about the 45 rounders. They can be a PITA to get running. Just rebuild your 40's and you'll be good. Welcome home. Erik

Outerlimits, Dump the second optic and get a good low-powered variable. It will work well at any distance and you won't have to cant your rifle to shoot the short range targets. It will also lighten up your setup a little bit. Erik

norbs007, The new Magpul stock is very nice, but unless you're having problems getting a proper cheek weld, I would not use one on a competition rifle. They are a little heavier and they help balance out a precision rifle setup, but as Cactus Tactical noted, they are quite expensive. I would spend the extra money on ammo and get in some more practice. Erik

Benny does outstanding work that is in high demand. The reason his website is "limited" is because he's building guns and winning 3-gun matches, not taking pictures. He knows what works and what doesn't. Give Benny a call, you won't be disappointed. Erik

These are excellent magazines. I wouldn't hesitate to use them. Erik

Rich, Actually, 8mm is way cheaper and I don't need a tripod. The bipod will do just fine. Who needs to be accurate? This is the original "spray n pray" setup. Can you imagine a JP Tank brake on that thing? Loud, but sweet! Erik

Not yet. Still saving up for the MG-42. Rate of fire- 1,800 rpm!!! Can I hear a "Get sum!" Erik

I seem to have found a mixture of medicines that seem to be working. I'm using Sudafed (the good stuff they keep behind the counter) chased with an overdose of Nyquil and enought nasel spray to fog up a small car. Seems to be working...so far. Erik

JFD, Run the mags with 19 and be happy. You aren't going to lose a match because another guy got one more round in his magazine than you. Your mags will probably be more reliable over a longer period of time. I only run 18 in my SV 40 mags. During the last four years, I've had one magazine related malfunction when I didn't clean one of my mags after it got dropped in some sand. I've had the same ISMI springs in the mags for the last four years. Stick with 19 and enjoy the confidence that reliable magazines will bring you. Erik

Thor, I sent you a PM regarding your request. Erik

Has anyone received a confirmation yet? Just checking as I haven't heard anything. Erik

Ugh! I hate Pollen and all of the other crap that gives you allergies. I never had allergies until I moved to Atlanta. Then I find out that Northern Georgia is one of the worst places in the Country for developing allergies. Anyone know what is the most powerful sinus decongestant you can get over the counter? Erik