Compensated Glocks

[Honor Bound]

I've owned quite a few Glocks but never any compensated models.

I'm more of a believer in the primary use of my guns is for self defense. If the same gun is well suited for competition, then that's a bonus.

So a friend just bought his first semi-auto handgun. It's a G21C. He plans to use it for home defense.

I understand the theory behind the ports in the barrel and the slide that release gas to counter act the muzzle flip caused by recoil.

The consequence of this, seems to me, would have two negative effects in a self defense scenario, 1- the vertical flash between your eyes and your target, and 2- the reduced pressure in the barrel, which would yield slower bullet velocities.

I would love to hear some comments from those with experience with compensated Glocks.

How effective is the "compensation" in regards to felt recoil?

How much is the shooters ability to stay on target affected, especially at night, by the vertical flash?

How are the bullet velocities affected?

And the money question...

Can my friend buy a normal, non compensated barrel, drop it in and his gun will shoot like a normal G21?

Please feel free to comment on anything else that I may be missing in this discussion.

Thanks for your input.

HB

[relichunter]

Can my friend buy a normal, non compensated barrel, drop it in and his gun will shoot like a normal G21?


HB

Yes you can change the barrel.

I had a 19c for a while. The only plus I experienced was that it was easier to stay on target during rapid fire ( and it looked cool).

The negatives that I perceived were: Louder report for the shooter, slide got dirtier, and under some conditions like a breeze there seemed to be more particulate getting in my face.

[asmo]

Compensated Glocks (or any gun) are cool -- until you shoot them at night. Then everyone puts in a real barrel. ;)

[henpecked]

If your shooting into the wind all the burnt powder will blow back into your eyes.
Loud and dirtier as relichunter said

[kidicarus13]

Or if you're shooting at point blank range from the hip, unburnt powder and possibly bullet particles have can stipple your face.

[Honor Bound]

Thanks everyone for the input. Good info that I'll pass on.

Burnt powder in the face does not sound fun.