Are Comp Ports Wasted on .22 Pistols?

[SGW Gunsmith]

I've been experimenting with compensator porting on .22 Long Rifle chambered pistols, off and on, since 1993. A couple of things that I've sorta discovered, for my own concern and knowledge, is that YES, there is enough expanding gas behind a High-Velocity .22 Long Rifle bullet whereby that gas can be put to some use.
The BEST use of that expanding gas, at least as to what I've found, lies in where and how those ports are located above the gas collecting chamber and as to what diameter is most useful to jet that gas upward to counter-act some amount of muzzle flip. This Ruger Mark II pistol is the "crash-test dummy" that I've been using for all of my testing. The muzzle brake has a gas collection chamber that I bored out leaving a side wall thickness of the compensator at 1/16 inch, there are four 1/8 diameter ports at top-dead-center and then four 1/8 diameter ports at 45° on each side of the TDC row and spaced accordingly:



This compensator is screwed onto the muzzle end of the barrel, though I doubt you will be able to find the joint.

To seek proof that the venting gas is indeed jetting up and out of those ports forcefully, I first wrapped one layer of painters tape around the muzzle to cover up the ports, and then fired one CCI Mini-Mag, for effect:




I sorta figured some gas would come out, so then I wrapped two layers of tape in the same manner:

Again, the tape wrap was blown to smithereens. Next attempt involved four wraps of tape, to see if the jetting gases could get through those four wraps. No sweat:



All right, the tape doesn't seem to cause any resistance to the expanding gases coming out the ports, so I then tried a playing card wrapped around the brake, along with four wraps of painters tape:




Well, the whole wrapped affair was blown off the muzzle, again, by the expanding gasses. So, I did learn something here.
#1) Yes, there is some expanding gasses from a .22 Long Rifle CCI Mini-Mag round that will work with a properly ported muzzle compensator.
#2) The ports will work much more effectively when positioned where they'll do the best job. That's in a position where they will help to counteract muzzle flip, on top of the muzzle brake. Ports that go all the way around the compensator work more against one another than they help. And large slots in the side of the compensators don't really do much to quell muzzle flip.
I look at this sorta like water coming straight out of a garden hose, not much pressure involved. Now, once an adjustable nozzle is screwed onto that garden hose and the exiting water is constricted to a smaller diameter, that's where we get pressure and force involved.

 

[1942bull]

Interesting and makes sense to me.

 

[Rule3]

OK, gas goes out the ports as they should but how much was accuracy and flip improved??

I have several Ruger MII's with heavy stainless barrels, they do not move(flip) a whole lot as is.

Maybe on the lighter type guns.??

 

[nofendertom]

I had a Volquartson comp on my Ruger Mkll Government---don't know if it was the comp or just the weight but it worked very well---almost no muzzle rise.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

OK, gas goes out the ports as they should but how much was accuracy and flip improved??

I have several Ruger MII's with heavy stainless barrels, they do not move(flip) a whole lot as is.

Maybe on the lighter type guns.??

Obviously, you missed the whole point completely. No mention on my part concerning improved "accuracy" , and the expanding gas jetting upward helps to improve with quicker recovery for the next target acquisition. Muzzle flip, is there to some extent, even on my Ruger Mark II with the 10-inch barrel, which was proven in my Ransom Rest to be there:



Must be why some speed shooting events discern classes between no compensators, and those with compensators. Whatever the explanation involves and results involved are, there will be some who just can't grasp the end result unless they do some testing and experimenting of their own. Have you ever done any actual testing yourself? If you have, please post your actual results.

 

[Rembrandt]

While I have done no testing to verify the theory, suspect there is some basis to support it. Smith & Wesson (possibly High Standard also) felt there was something to gained especially in the rapid fire events. Wonder if the comp didn't help as much as they hoped and that's why weights were added.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

While I have done no testing to verify the theory, suspect there is some basis to support it. Smith & Wesson (possibly High Standard also) felt there was something to gained especially in the rapid fire events. Wonder if the comp didn't help as much as they hoped and that's why weights were added.

Good point. Ruger offered a compensator back in the day for their early Mark I Tapered barrel target version, with quite a large opening in the top of the compensator. My theory involves getting the venting gasses to become constricted to the point where they are forced out of smaller holes at the top of the compensator to actually "jet" those gasses upward with a bit more force than offered with a large gap. I was experimenting to cause a more restricted venting process over what some of the other compensators offer, and in the area where they should be more beneficial. I'm pretty satisfied with the end result.
I certainly do agree though, that those weights will indeed work to help restrict muzzle flip.

I have quite a few Ruger Mark pistols that have Target (Bull) barrels and ALL have been set-up in my Ransom Rest with the barrel allowed to freely move upward during firing:








All of the muzzles rise up, to SOME extent, when fired while held in the Ransom Rest. Muzzle rise is by no means exactly the same with all the various barrel lengths, but it does happen, to some extent, with all of my Ruger Mark pistols, as tested.

 

[Jim Watson]

But how much help is it at NRA and SCSA rate of fire?

ISU Rapid Fire with the specialized short shooters was a different proposition. The last of the breed, the Hammerli 230 ducted higher pressure gas from just in front of the chamber to muzzle exhaust ports for the maximum effect.

Narrowing the ports for more "jet effect" than the Ruger and Smith open top 45 deg comps should be balanced against the restriction throwing more gas out the muzzle end. Racegun builders give compensator port size and baffle spacing a lot of consideration.

I had a High Standard "Space Gun" with its odd looking compensator and could not tell a difference except as a dirt catcher.

 

[243winxb]

Colt M16A1carbine- The pressure hits the "mushroom" & moves the gun forward. The other vent pushed the barrel down on m16 carbine on full auto. This type should work well on a 22 LR pistol?

I liked the standard Colt m16 flash hider better. Let the gun bounce off the shoulder, less muzzle rise.

RUGER-Had holes drilled into barrel* right in front of the receiver/chamber on a Mk1 5.5" heavy barrel for ISU rapid fire back in the 60s. Was almost recoilless, but flash & noise level was bad. Holes were tapped for plugs to return to normal use. 2 guns were made this way. Would love to know where they are now?

Bought the High Standard 22 short kit to try. Was ok, but not like the real ISU rapid fire guns.

 

[Jim Watson]

A lot of the shortshooters had those barrel holes. They served not only to reduce muzzle lift, they also allowed tuning for different ammo. One guy assembled his own out of High Standard parts and drilled a row of holes in the barrel. He said it would function on CB shorts with all holes plugged.

 

[243winxb]

I was using 22 lr standard velocity in the ported Ruger MK1.

Sure lowered the velocity. The early chronograph with the then new sky screens, had a knop to turn to get 4 numbers. A chart had the velocity listed.

 

[Jim Watson]

I may still have one of those stashed somewhere.
Skyscreens but octal millisecond by Y-N knob.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’m amazed you still have cards from the Rivera Hotel... they closed that about 5 or 6 years ago. (It was the first “high rise” casino on the strip back in the day!)

I have three Bull Barrel Rugers, I don’t know how much muzzle flip a comp would reduce on the 6.5” Mk III and 10” Mk IV versions as they’re pretty nose heavy. The other is a 5.5” upper for my Mk IV lower, it or my 4 3/4” Standard Ruger would probably see more of a benefit.

Have you tried it with hyper velocity ammo? I wonder if those would show less muzzle rise from the action of the comp?

Great work by the way, that gun looks fantastic .

Stay safe.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I’m amazed you still have cards from the Rivera Hotel... they closed that about 5 or 6 years ago. (It was the first “high rise” casino on the strip back in the day!)

I have three Bull Barrel Rugers, I don’t know how much muzzle flip a comp would reduce on the 6.5” Mk III and 10” Mk IV versions as they’re pretty nose heavy. The other is a 5.5” upper for my Mk IV lower, it or my 4 3/4” Standard Ruger would probably see more of a benefit.

Have you tried it with hyper velocity ammo? I wonder if those would show less muzzle rise from the action of the comp?

Great work by the way, that gun looks fantastic .

Stay safe.

Hey "Eagle Eye", Thanks for your input. Yes, I still have a couple of the decks of cards from the Riviera Hotel, and I use those normally to mix two-part epoxies when doing wood gunstock and grip repairs. Just the right size for doing that.
No, I haven't tried any of the higher velocity, or hyper velocity .22 rimfire in this pistol, but I do believe, as you mention, the higher velocity would work, much like the muzzle brake does for .38 Super ammunition. Hyper velocity is not recommended for use in Ruger Mark pistols. The "recoil impulse energy" is too much for the bolt stop pin at the top of the mainspring housing assembly to put up with. Velocitors at 1435 FPS might be tolerable, but I haven't tried those.

Another thing I've not tried, and that's chrongraphing the velocities to see how much bullet speed is lost due to the ports. That's a very good idea that I'll try this spring. I don't use the above pistol for bullseye shooting competition, only for speed shooting bowling pins and steel plates, so accuracy at the distances involved and on the size of the targets presented, like bowling pins, 6,8 & 10 inch steel plates, doesn't need to be "minute of mouse scrotum". Reducing muzzle flip, to ANY degree, is/was my goal, if only to recover a bit more quickly to acquire the next target and if that shaves off some amount of time for my scores...............that's GREAT!

My practice plates are out back of my shop, and I use my PACT timer to see if age is getting involved with my speed:

 

[243winxb]

how much bullet speed is lost due to the ports.

Very little when ports are at the muzzle, i would guess. Let use know.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I'm thinking, and hoping, you're correct on that. Been mulling over your description of how those holes were drilled(?) close to the front edge of the receiver. Gotta wonder how the drill cut through and into the bore without leaving a burr in the bore that would be prone to shaving lead off the lead bullets bearing surface. Would be interesting to know how that was done. If it were possible to fashion a carbon EDM cylinder to burn through, much like how slots are done at Mag-Na-Port, then there would be no burr in the rifling.
Interesting stuff to ponder.

 

[243winxb]

Cerrosafe chamber casting alloy filled the barrel where it was getting drilled. The first gun was drilled to deep, as the plugs to close the ports could be turned in to far. Plugs had to be flush with the outside of the barrel, so bullets didnt hit the plugs.

The 2nd gun, the plugs could only go so far, then stopped.
With plugs in, vents closed, lead would build up in the holes, inside the barrel. On firing the first shell, the lead was blown out the opened ports. No difference in accuracy with plugs installed.

I saw an article in a gun magazine where it was done to a High Standard. So i have my gunsmith do the Ruger for me. Then a customer wanted one, then there were 2.

 

[nofendertom]

SGW Gunsmith---Years ago Jack Weigand used to offer this service on J frame Smiths. Gemini Customs offers it now. I drilled 5 holes down the length of the barrel on
a Smith Model 25-2. I then made a cratex mini drum and cleaned out the holes. I ran a cotton swab down the holes to make sure I got rid of any burrs. Accuracy was the same
as before the modification. Shot this gun in local club matches and plate shoots for years.

 

[a2x4bbl]

Beautiful work . I have made many pistol comps and they all work to me . I have a Mark 2 with 10 inch barrel , it’s overdue for a Comp .

 

[Demi-human]

I have a Tandem Kross compensator on my MKIII. It absolutely does reduce muzzle climb in that 22LR pistol, even with the bigger orifices.
I am faster at our informal plate races with the compensator than without it. It’s not just for looking cool, although it does.

 

[243winxb]

When shooting Precision pistol/Bullseye timed & rapid, always did better with the short heavy barrels. Ruger 5.5" heavy, S&W M41, High Standard Victor & High Standard 5.5"

I even tried the High Standard compensator on the 7 1/4" . Better for slow fire, because of the sight radius? But my highest slow fire score was with the S&W M41 5.5"

Always fun to try new things. Less recoil, muzzle rise, is always a good think.

 

[doubleh]

This one has proven to be very effective. A small 12 year old girl shoots it pretty good. Standing behind her shoulder it's easy to see the gas exit the top of the comp. When shooting it myself I never notice it. It's a TandemKross Game Changer Pro and it's much better at taming muzzle flip than the Game Changer that it replaced.



This one is just as effective although it's on heavier gun. It's from Taylor Tactical.

 

[Patocazador]

"Are Comp Ports Wasted on .22 Pistols?"

Yes!

 

[Demi-human]

"Are Comp Ports Wasted on .22 Pistols?"

Yes!

! Considering all the humans who might use one?

(Not the same as training.Sorry.)

 

[barnetmill]

While I have done no testing to verify the theory, suspect there is some basis to support it. Smith & Wesson (possibly High Standard also) felt there was something to gained especially in the rapid fire events. Wonder if the comp didn't help as much as they hoped and that's why weights were added.

View attachment 985545

Wts may have another function besides to counteract muzzle flip.