Can a compensator affect accuracy?

[pepperbelly]

Can a comp affect the accuracy of a .22lr fired from a 5.5" barrelled Ruger MkII?
I plan on checking some different ammo for accuracy and wondered if removing my comp might make a difference. I will try both with and without it.
Has anyone tested this?

Jim

[yar]

It will if the bullet is striking the comp.

[jmorris]

or if it leads up. I haven't seen any difference on the few guns I've got with comps that can be removed, with the exception of one rifle with the BOSS comp, but thats a little different.

[Ghost Walker]

It's conceivable that barrel harmonics in a centerfire rifle might be affected; but, with a short barreled 22 caliber pistol? Absolutely not!







I regularly shoot an S&W Model 41 with a 7 1/2" compensated barrel. It's more accurate than I am. ;)

[Sunray]

Why would you put a compensator on a .22? Comps are for reducing felt recoil and muzzle jump. A .22 has neither.

[pepperbelly]

I use my pistol in falling plate matches as well as bullseye.
A .22 does have muzzle flip, and this comp reduces it considerably. I fired it with and without the comp and the difference is surprising. My Ruger MkII has a 5.5" bull barrel. I have no idea what a comp will do on a longer barrel.

Jim

[Jim Watson]

The only way to know is to shoot the gun both ways. There was a lot of debate on the subject 50 years ago, which is probably why High Standard and S&W made their muzzle brakes readily removable.

[Hoser]

I put a suppressor on my Lilja barreled 10/22 and noticed that the ammount of occasional flyers was cut in about half.

Suppressors act just like comps/muzzle brakes. My 22 that I use for steel matches is threaded for one.