Anyone use a comp on your .45?

I just picked up a Wilson comp for my Range Officer that replaces the barrel bushing. It took a lot of time to fit it but it now fits better than my Kart bushing does. I don't shoot in any organized competitions so I am not sure if they are legal for BE or not. I only shoot BE and bowling pins at a local range for fun. Just curious to see if anyone else is using one and how you like it?

The only smith I know of that used a comp was Bob Marvel. He had good luck with them. I know Ruby Fox used one on the gun Bob built for her back in the early 90's.

Not sure about being legal or not, most only really work with max loads unless designed specifically for lighter loads.  

Might be a little loud on a covered line, I'd probably ask to be moved if I were next to you.


- Dave

I experimented with one in the late 80's.  Mine was similar in design to the one Clark used on his pin guns.  You might like it for bowling pin use where the loads needed to clear a pin off the table are pretty hot.  My conclusion for bullseye was pretty much as everybody had said beforehand....You won't get much recoil reduction on our already light loads.

Ruby Fox used a Marvel-built 38 Super.  
Comps are legal in bullseye (NRA Conventional Pistol).
Don't believe the 45 generates enough pressure to gain any benefit by using a compensator in bullseye unless perhaps using maximum loads which probably defeats the purpose.
The 38 Super works very well with a compensator.  Great for action pistol disciplines in order to make power factors.
The only issue seems to be finding a suitable load for bullseye to obtain maximum accuracy as well as take advantage of a compensator. No more difficult than finding an accurate load for any gun, tho.
The 38 Super is also loud and deflects considerable pressure up or sideways depending on the compensator design.  Like standing next to someone shooting a 357 Sig.

Dr.Don wrote:I experimented with one in the late 80's.  Mine was similar in design to the one Clark used on his pin guns.  You might like it for bowling pin use where the loads needed to clear a pin off the table are pretty hot.  My conclusion for bullseye was pretty much as everybody had said beforehand....You won't get much recoil reduction on our already light loads.

Would there be any benefits with a compensated 9mm Range Officer?  I understand from previous posts that the 9mm needs greater velocity (hotter loads) than a .45 to achieve good accuracy.

Ruby's pistol was a .45 Marvel. I'm absolutely positive on that. I was on All Reserve Pistol Team with her when she shot it. She shot exactly 2650 with it in San Diego and broke womens national record in the process. I've held the pistol and remember when she got it from Bob Marvel. She later shot the current 2660 record with it.
Jon

A 7" Mag na Ported barrel in a 5" slide didnt seem to help with target loads in   45 acp rapid fire for me.

243winxb wrote:A 7" Mag na Ported barrel in a 5" slide didnt seem to help with target loads in   45 acp rapid fire for me.

I bought a Commander w/ an inch of brl in front of the slide and also ported. It seemed to reduce the recoil somewhat w/ hard ball and full power reloads. My WC loads shot very well in it but recoil wasn't affected with the midrange loads. Eventually removed the extra brl length for carry purposes. It now belongs to one of my sons.

Ron Habegger