Long slide versus compensator

[AbitNutz]

I'm not exactly sure how to post this question...

All things being equal, on a higher pressure cartridge, like a 45 Super. Do you think that a ported (Magnaport) long slide 1911 is more/less reliable than the same bottom end but now with a standard length slide but with a compensator? Which system do you think is more effective/less muzzle flip? 

The reason I ask is that I am having a lot better luck/reliability with a Para hi-cap long slide that I put together than several comped guns I have. Is it just me? Or are comped guns more difficult to get right? 

If, for whatever reason, the ported long slide is more reliable, how do you think it compares with a comped gun as far as overall performance? Velocity? Muzzle flip? Weight? I'm not sure what else...

 

 

[kneelingatlas]

Ports are not nearly as effective as a decent comp

[superdude]

With barrels of equal length, the ported barrel will have reduced velocity.

The effectiveness of ports depends on how many there are and where they are located. The effectiveness of a compensator depends on how many chambers (and probably their size).

You might find this article of interest: http://www.shootingtimes.com/gunsmithing/recoil-reduction-ports-vs-compensator/

[AbitNutz]

It's true, in barrels of equal length the ported barrel will be down a little on velocity. However, the comped gun will need to be longer, no? If you have a 6" barreled long slide with ports, wouldn't it be the same length, more or less, as a 5" barreled pistol plus the comp? The comp does't add any velocity, right? So at this point, we're actually comparing the velocities of a 5" comped barrel to that of a 6" ported barrel. 

So in reality, in total length, when comparing a comped barrel/slide and a ported barrel/slide the length and velocity should be a wash, yes?...I hope I'm explaining myself well enough. The truth is though that a 6" ported barrel as done by Mag-Na-Port, will actually have greater velocity than a 5" comped barrel by an average of about 55 fps. At least that's how the two pistols I have compare at across my LabRadar. 

It's looking to me like the comped gun has a bit less muzzle flip but the long slide seems to be more reliable and isn't as picky about ammo...at least that's what I'm running into. 

 

[superdude]

What caliber are the comped guns you've shot in the past that you're referring to?

 

A 45 caliber comped gun is a different animal than a 9mm/38 caliber comped gun.  The 45, shooting those big, heavy bullets, generates a stronger recoil impulse than the mid-caliber guns. I have a 45 comped top end with a 3-chamber comp and it's easy to get it to run compared to a 38 super.

[zzt]

Assuming your load makes enough gas to properly work everything,  poppels make the gun shoot flatter and a multi-chambered comp make the gun shoot softer.  You can also combine them, but you need more gas to work both to the max.  I prefer a combination of the two.  That being said, if your comp design and load match, you can get a dead flat shooting gun using a comp only.  If you are only going to do one for 45Super, do the comp.