In the Guns & Ammo January 2025 issue, James Tarr has an important article on compensators and red dot sights. He indicates that compensators have become more popular because of the popularity of red dots. The reduction of muzzle flip allows for easier re-acquisition of the red dot. However, he also indicates that even pros with compensated race guns sometimes have trouble picking up the red dot—a phenomenon he describes as “The IPSC Wobble.” He further points out that +P loads with lighter bullets see more recoil [muzzle flip] reduction than slower, heavier bullets.
Unfortunately, this is a case where gear dramatically increases training requirements. In my experience, most ordinary civilians new to firearms don’t train or practice enough for general proficiency with a double-action revolver, much less a semi-automatic pistol with a red dot and comp. Red dots are extremely sensitive to grip. With the wrong grip, it isn’t easy to find the dot. Throw in a lot of stress and a defensive reaction, and your chances of having a less-than-perfect grip are high. Another critical factor that should be considered is that an ordinary civilian should purchase ammunition with flash-suppressed powder when using a comp for low-light encounters.
What do our crime statistics say? Well, defensive gun use (DGU) statistics show that around 80% of the time, DGUs happen in the home or on the property of the home. Furthermore, the firearm is not discharged around 80% of the time. When civilians discharge a firearm in a DGU, research by Claude Werner shows that an average of two shots are fired at a distance of arm’s length. In short, red dots and comps may cause more problems in these situations and solve none.