Those of you who do not understand the C models , please read.
C” Your Way To Better Shooting
Many inexperienced persons have concerns about the “C” models which cause irrational fears about their use for everyday CCW / LEO.
I'm also often concerned about the responses to these questions. Much of this misinformation seems to be based on heresay and not real-world experience.
Yet, for me and everyone who has long-term experience with “C” models, they offer significant advantages over their non-ported brethren.
My seven years use of a G17C has convinced me (and my many skecptical friends) that "C" models are ideally suited for CCW.
So thought I'd share. Hope you find it useful.
“C” Your Way To Better Shooting
First of all, some facts: Glock C models ex-factory have ported barrels, not compensated barrels. I believe the “C” thing is a misnomer and used because the “C” designation simply sounded better that “P”…telling someone about ”my new Glock 17P” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Compensators are a weighted device hung-on to the front of the barrel. It changes the center of gravity of the firearm in an attempt to help reduce the upward rotational effect of recoil when fired.
Ports are holes cut into the barrel, somewhere near the muzzle. These holes vary in number, size and location. Some ports are said to be internal, that is, within the barrel / slide assembly (which also means the slide must also have cut-outs for the vented gas to escape).
Other types of ports are said to be external. That is, the holes are at the muzzle of a barrel that extends beyond the barrel / slide assembl
OK so far? Cool.
Now, as you may have noticed in Pic. 2 above, Glock offers two variations of internal porting - one set of ports on center-line top of the barrel / slide, and twin ports either side of the center line.
Top center-line ports are only offered on the .40 S&W 24C and the 9mm 18C. These guns are considered, in turn, competition / Special Ops, Special Ops duty. They are not considered to be general CCW / LEO firearms and, in the case of the G18 / C, not even generally available to the private citizen. At this point I don’t feel further discussion about these guns are necessary, except where comparison of the porting position may warrant.
Twin-ported barrel / slide guns ARE generally available as “C” variations to a wide assortment of Glocks – and really now bring us to the main points for discussion.
Lets start with something everyone agrees: Glock C models offer reduced recoil. The degree of this reduction varies from caliber to caliber and person to person – but it is reduced. This reduced recoil allows faster follow-up shots. No argument from anyone there.
Now on to some of the concerns about Glock C models.
#1. In a defensive shooting situation, the upward flash from the twin ports will severely compromise your night vision. False.
This comes from a combination of people’s intuitive understanding of how a bright flash of light affects night vision, as well as this pic which is used for advertising the “C” models. OK, now stay with me – there are a couple of things here that need to be addressed.
When firing a non-ported gun at night, the shooter will see a fireball exit the muzzle of the gun. Now the intensity of this fireball is determined by the quality of the powder in the ammunition. This fireball is behind the front sight and, depending on the intensity of the light, will affect to some greater or lesser degree your ability to see the front sight after the initial shot / flash. This fireball is also in front of your target, and again, will affect your ability to see the target after the initial shot / flash.
With the “C” models, the flash looks like a 'V' - up and out to either side of your front sight, leaving it plainly visible after the shot. There may also be some amount of flash from the muzzle, but it is negligible.
Today’s high quality defensive ammo has very low flash. For defensive purposes, your gun should be loaded with this type of ammo. In a defensive shooting situation the Glock C models will enable you to better see your front sight / target for more accurate follow-up shots.
So, how come the photo? They enhanced it so you could see where the ports vent the gasses – in daylight you see nothing at all, even with the cheapest of ammo. At night, with good ammo, the flash of the light blue flame (like the flame from your gas stove) is barely visible.
#2. In a close-up / retention position defensive shooting situation, the upward flash from the twin ports will blow debris and / or burn your skin / face…etc. Within the realm of possibility, but can be mitigated.
Even when using a non-ported semi-auto pistol in a close-up / retention position, the gun should be canted so that the top of the slide is away from your body. This is to minimize the possibility of the slide getting caught on clothing and causing a malfunction. With a ported SA, this canting of the gun away from your body will also direct the vented gas away from your face or other body parts.
Further, Glock specifically advises that only jacketed bullets should be used. The presence of the copper jacket will reduce the possibility of any debris from the ports.
Finally, numerous tests by myself and many other “C” models owners show that Glock C models can be safely fired as close as 6 inches away from your skin without any harmful singes or burns. Sure you’ll feel a blast of air – but that is not confined to “C” models only. You’ll feel that with ANY pistol.
Using the proper grip technique for ANY semi-auto pistol mitigates against any possible harmful effect of using a Glock C model in a close-up / retention position.
#3. The ports cause a reduction in bullet velocity. Fact, but inconsequential.
The decrease in velocity has been repeatedly tested and found to be between 3-5% loss. When using high quality defensive JHP ammo, I consider this to be inconsequential. So 1,281 ft./sec drops to 1,217 ft./sec. (a 5% drop). No big deal, when you consider what you gain in controllability and night visibility.
#4. You shouldn’t shoot a “C” model in an enclosed area because the ports cause a louder noise than normal. Fact, but a non-issue.
The effect of the normal sound level of a gunshot is reduced by your body’s reflexive defensive mechanism that automatically shuts down your hearing in a high-adrenalin defensive shooting situation. This has been shown in countless anecdotal reports by persons in high-stress situations and many clinical studies. Besides, even if your hearing didn’t shut down, your hearing would be significantly affected anyway by the ‘normal’ dB level of a gunshot. The 10-15% increased dB level of the gunshot from a “C” model wouldn’t matter much more.
If you’re shooting in a enclosed area and not in a defensive situation you should be wearing ear protection!!!
#5. The front sight is easily fouled / blackened by unburned powder from the ports.
Yeah, right. After maybe 1,000 rounds of cheap ammo with low-grade, high-fouling powder. And even then, it’s easily cleaned off in one itsy, bitsy, little swipe of your thumb. A non-issue.
So there you have it. The concerns are either myths, non-issues or can be mitigated by proper selection of ammo and training (which is applicable for ANY semi-auto firearm used for defensive purposes).
Glock C models offer reduced recoil, faster follow-up shots, and improved front sight / target visibility in low / no light conditions.
I hope this helps you to “C” what you’ve been missing.
Stay safe,
And, No. I'm not a Glock Rep. Just a guy who like to the record set straight.
