Compensated pistol in close quarters?

[bucktracker]

I own two compensated glocks a 20 (10MM) +32 (357sig) that I carry fruequently.
After watching the best defense where Rob explained tactics regarding car jacking and shooting through the drivers side window I thought about what a flash in the face from a compensated weapon would feel like.  I hadn't considered tight quarter shooting prior to purchasing the weapons, and those type of scenerios seem plausable and most likely.
Should I get rid of those guns for carry use? Would loss of night vision result, even with a tactical light and low flash propellents, more so than a non-compensated pistol?

PS: what is your primary carry gun

[ellis4538]

You might think about replacement barrels instead.  Selling and or trading is an option.

Richard

[TAB]

At night it can also blind you for a short period of time.

[SigShooter]

Try shooting your carry guns  and rounds in the dark if possible. I mostly use an indoor range for pistol work and lighting is about half way between daylight and night time. Since I don't have the power to change the lighting, I evaluate my carry loads for muzzle flash in medium light. But since the lighting is consistent, I can shoot multiple loads and compare them for muzzle flash.

I use Speer Gold Dots (124gn. 9mm +P) in a Sig P229 which produces an acceptable amount muzzle flash. I'd love absolutely zero muzzle flash, but that's just not going to happen with a load worth sending to a BG. I'm actually more worried about being blinded by a reflection of my Surefire flashlight than I am of being blinded by muzzle flash with my current load.

[Fatman]

Try shooting your carry guns  and rounds in the dark if possible. I mostly use an indoor range for pistol work and lighting is about half way between daylight and night time. Since I don't have the power to change the lighting, I evaluate my carry loads for muzzle flash in medium light. But since the lighting is consistent, I can shoot multiple loads and compare them for muzzle flash.

I use Speer Gold Dots (124gn. 9mm +P) in a Sig P229 which produces an acceptable amount muzzle flash. I'd love absolutely zero muzzle flash, but that's just not going to happen with a load worth sending to a BG. I'm actually more worried about being blinded by a reflection of my Surefire flashlight than I am of being blinded by muzzle flash with my current load.

Sig, have you tried Hornady TAPs? Seemed to have almost no flash when I fired them. Box of 9mm should be about 17 bucks.

As to the original question, a compensated pistols are not really designed for SD work. Yes, it will cause more visible flash and will add more noise also.  Flash in the face in close quarters is also a possibility. Fire from the hip in ultra close situations would not be pleasant... 

[Sponsor]

[Rob Pincus]

Good question....

1. I've seen lots and lots of people shoot fast without the compensation. So, I think its role in a carry gun is overplayed.
2. I think the flash issue is overplayed as well.

Those thing said, the realities of potential injuries and distraction (especially when shooting at contact distances as can very plausibly happen) advise AGAINST compensated guns for defensive purposes.

The replacement barrel is a good option for those of you who are reconsidering guns you already own!

-RJP

[John McCreery]

I have not fired a compensated pistol fom a close retention position but am guessing the gases could burn you or possibly set clothing on fire.  I did burn myself once with a beretta shooting out of a SUL position.  Ouch!

[Gossamer]

Personaly I have found that most wheelguns seem to have a larger muzzle blast than a compensated auto. I am not sure if that is because of the B/C gap or whether I am just more sensitive to it? My beloved K-frame .38 special wheelguns have a much more pronounced muzzle flash at night than my XD or Kimber 1911 in .45ACP.

Go shoot and find out what effect it might have on you, just please be safe (eye and ear protection). I am not a big fan of changing what works unless there is very good reason to do so.

And in answer to your last question here in IL we lack a CCW law or open carry so I can carry nothing. That being said my Kimber Warrior 1911 and a Remington 1875 replica in .45LC come with me when my family goes camping/traveling.

[bucktracker]

Great input from everyone, I have the oppurtunity to shoot in low light and will give it a try.
As for the compensated pistol I'll leave those for fun only, and consider a new defense gun(s)
(dont tell the wifey)

[Rob Pincus]

Goss,

Keep in mind that we are not solely concerned with the size of the blast in the case of contact shooting, it is also the direction of that blast.

-RJP