Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:
Assuming you do not have a problem with a comp on a carry gun, which makes for the better gun?  Or is the difference so little that it does not really matter?

For background, I have a 43X with Ramjet as my carry gun. I do notice that the comp changes POI quite a bit between range and carry ammo. It seems that my standard pressure JHP has enough gas to drive the comp and shift POI about 4" lower at 20 yards compared to FMJ.

I have been considering a 48 COA as a replacement.  Maybe it is just me getting bored and wanting another gun.

Originally Posted By sandspider500:
That's interesting.

How does the gas move the point of impact if the bullet has left the barrel before the gas "drives" the comp?

Originally Posted By sandspider500:


That's interesting.

How does the gas move the point of impact if the bullet has left the barrel before the gas "drives" the comp?

Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:
I found this website. I do not have their comp but it may provide some useful information.

https://www.tyrantcnc.com/blog/uni-comp-vs-threaded-comps-installation-poi-shift-and-blast

Any comp will change the muzzle impulse and typically shift POI. Expect:

Small, predictable POI shifts with integrated uni-comps because they are engineered into the barrel/slide geometry.

Variable POI shifts with threaded comps if timing or concentricity is off; when mounted correctly, they can produce comparable POI stability.

Vertical shifts are most common; lateral shifts often point to asymmetric mounting or misalignment.



1. Will any compensator change my point of impact?
Yes. Redirecting gas alters muzzle impulse and commonly shifts POI. Proper timing and concentric mounting minimize magnitude and variability

Originally Posted By sandspider500:



First, understand that the link you provided is trying to sell you something.

Watch this video, even though the frame rate is extremely amazing already, you can put it even slower at .25x playback. Watch the short recoil pistols.

Understand that the bullet leaves the barrel within .06-.100" of rearward slide barrel travel. If you have some calipers, open them up to .06", if not, go get a tape measure and look at 1/16th of an inch. Want to visualize .100"? Take 2 dimes stacked together, that's .100".

Try and detect any up or down movement of the muzzle on all of them by zooming in to the front sight.

Now watch the revolvers and do the same, especially the light short barreled 410/45.

There's a reason why revolvers have very tall front sights and auto pistols do not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-R-D_v0udk

Now watch this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvvxm1DPBJ4

Now you can see what changing  a barrel will do. Go from one barrel, to another, and you may have to adjust your sights.

Look for more ransom rest videos you'll find that changing from 124gr fmj to a jhp, will change the poi, no comp involved.

Do those that get their slide and barrel ported with a bunch of holes have to change to shorter front sights?

How much gas can the mighty 9mm cartridge produce with 5-8gr of powder?

Originally Posted By Spiffums:
Isn't there always going to a marked different in POI between cheap FMJ fodder and quality JHP ammo?  There isn't much matching ammo Target/Duty out there anymore I don't think. I think Speer Lawman was supposed to match up with some of the Speer duty loads.

Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:


Oh, so this wasnt an actual question. This was a "gotcha".  I was trying to be helpful. Sounds like you already know everything.  Probably no need for further discussion.

I get a POI shift with my duty ammo as opposed to to FMJ. That's measurable.  I dont need to debate you on that.  I think the comp helps and it may cause POI shift or may not. I do not care the reason.


Now, 48 vs 43X with comp was the question.

Originally Posted By sandspider500:



No gotcha here.

I'd say get the 48, so you have it.

The 43 with the comp will have less recoil due to the shorter barrel giving less velocity and the added weight of the ramjet barrel and comp adding about an ounce, and also the redirection of the gas, that would have otherwise added to the recoil. I think the 48 slide and barrel weigh 2 ounces more than an oem 43x. But the added barrel length would give more velocity which would give more recoil.

Maybe try and find a different practice ammo that gives you the same results on target as your carry ammo

Originally Posted By Marksman14:
Curious what level of accuracy you all are getting versus OEM barrels in these…..

Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:


So I am not a bullseye shooter but I am quite competent.  I am an LE firearms instructor, if that means anything (does not really mean a lot lol, but in LE circles it does).

The Radian barrel has been more than accurate enough for me. It is not holding me back. I can generally keep a 2" group off hand at 20 yards with a red dot. 25 yards i expect 3".  

This is the same for me with the G19 Gen 5 with OEM barrel.

A good shooter might have a more informed opinion but that is my observation. I shoot weekly and only shoot my 43X and 19 for pistol. So I am quite familiar with them.

Originally Posted By Marksman14:


I appreciate any info at this point.

Also LE instructor here, and to be honest, some of the better shooters I interact with hold that title.

I've had absolutely horrible luck with the shorter radian setups.  I zero MRDS's at 15 yards, and I have yet to come across a 43x or 48 that won't do an inch or better at that distance with good duty ammunition.  I've tried a few 43x radian setups, and again, from a rest, group sizes are at least double, and in one case, four times what the OEM barrel could do.  

Put the factory barrel back in, and groups are fine.

Massive bummer, because my god do they shoot nice with that setup.  Either I have terrible luck, or there's something else going on.  I wish I knew if it was a simple tolerance stacking issue, or something else.  We're no longer recommending them where I work, where as we have approved them for 19's and 17's.

Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:


You know I never tried the OEM barrel on this pistol. Maybe I should pop it back in and compare. The one thing I did note was a marked change in POI with my duty load.

Otherwise I have been content from an accuracy and reliability standpoint.  It could certainly be that I would increase my accuracy with the OEM barrel. I do not currently have the data to say one way or another.

It does feel like it would decrease all variables if I just went 48.

Originally Posted By Marksman14:


I appreciate any info at this point.

Also LE instructor here, and to be honest, some of the better shooters I interact with hold that title.

I've had absolutely horrible luck with the shorter radian setups.  I zero MRDS's at 15 yards, and I have yet to come across a 43x or 48 that won't do an inch or better at that distance with good duty ammunition.  I've tried a few 43x radian setups, and again, from a rest, group sizes are at least double, and in one case, four times what the OEM barrel could do.  

Put the factory barrel back in, and groups are fine.

Massive bummer, because my god do they shoot nice with that setup.  Either I have terrible luck, or there's something else going on.  I wish I knew if it was a simple tolerance stacking issue, or something else.  We're no longer recommending them where I work, where as we have approved them for 19's and 17's.

Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:


Your post had me thinking.  So I went to the range today with the OEM barrel in.  You know, I had succumbed to the marketing that the Radian barrel was more accurate.  I think you're right though.  My groups were a bit tighter overall.  Or at least that was my perception.  At the very least I can say the Radian barrel was not more accurate.  Now, I'll say that I'm not sand bagging.  I was shooting off-hand, like I always do, but I think the OEM barrel was tighter.  Not significantly, but it's there.  What I can say is that the POI shift I found between duty and JHP was not there with the OEM barrel.  The POI was largely the same.  I'm sure there was some difference, but not enough to be statistically significant, even as demanding as I can be at times.

One thing I will say is that I believe Radian specifically says not to use plated bullets.  Apparently the ports can shave some of the jacket off causing issues, and likely causing accuracy issues.  I believe that's the case.  Someone can feel free to correct me - I'm not the expert here.  I have been mainly shooting Blazer and Magtech, which I believe are plated.  So this shift in POI and possibly lesser degree of accuracy can be attributed to me as the user if that's the case.

Overall though, I think I will stick with the OEM barrel.  I'm not worried about POI shift or anything else that way.  The recoil mitigation isn't significant with the Radian either, so there's that.

I rented (free) a 48 from the range and I like the softer recoil impulse there versus the stock 43X.  Again, it's not dramatic.  It doesn't really matter all that much.

Overall, I probably should've just gone with a 48 and maybe will when I can find a blue label.

Originally Posted By Marksman14:


FYI law weapons ordered my COA 43x blue label.  Very easy to work with and the cost was amazing.

Originally Posted By WilsonCQB1911:


You really are near by!  I was thinking of doing Primary Arms and shipping it in for transfer.  I went by Midwest Guns and they didnt have any in stock.