Clark Compensated Barrel...Legalities?

[bandsaw]

So this is sort of a mixed question.

First, does anyone have any experience with the Clark Customs compensated barrels for the 1911 (NOT bushing comp)? Some people say comps work well, some say they're worthless and light loads would be better (if I loaded my own rounds). Reviews from anyone that has actually used compensated barrels would be awesome.

Second, I just read on Brownells that the barrel has threads (which I assume is how the comp is attached).

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=11291/pid=5009/Product/_45_Comp_Kit

If the comp is threaded to the end of the barrel, are the legalities the same as any other threaded barrel? Would I have to get the comp pinned before I install it onto my 1911? If its more hassle than it's worth, i'll just pick up the next thing on my wishlist...M&P 9mm

Any help is appreciated.

[Adehtla]

It's not illegal to have a threaded barrel. You only run in to problems if you put it in a gun. If you pin the comp on the barrel and them make it "permanent", you're good to go.

[duc748bip]

I had to send my slide to clark and they pin and welded the comp for me. When I got the slide back. I still need to have ot fitted.

[Adehtla]

You could just do what I'm doing... I got a barrel that's 0.5" longer than OEM to set-screw-mount a custom designed comp. No threaded barrel, no problem.

The comps (yes, multiple) should be done this weekend. The it's off to the range to see which design works best.

[bandsaw]

I had to send my slide to clark and they pin and welded the comp for me. When I got the slide back. I still need to have ot fitted.

That's kind of a bummer to hear. Drop-in just became drop-in-pinned-then-fitted.

What exactly do you mean by fitted?

[bandsaw]

You could just do what I'm doing... I got a barrel that's 0.5" longer than OEM to set-screw-mount a custom designed comp. No threaded barrel, no problem.

The comps (yes, multiple) should be done this weekend. The it's off to the range to see which design works best.

Wow, who's cutting the comps for you? Not sure exactly what your set screw design looks like, but it seems like it would loosen up after a few rounds. I do like that idea though! I'm really interested to see how much a comp actually reduces the felt recoil of standard and hot loads.

[Adehtla]

Wow, who's cutting the comps for you? Not sure exactly what your set screw design looks like, but it seems like it would loosen up after a few rounds. I do like that idea though! I'm really interested to see how much a comp actually reduces the felt recoil of standard and hot loads.

ken2040 is CNC them for me. I've seen one commercially available comp that uses a set-screw design, but for the life of I can't remember how I found it. I figure if there is an issue with the set-screws loosing enough for the comp to slide off, I'll have Ken mill a channel the width of a set-screw across the under-side of the barrel so the screw is trapped instead of just riding the outside of the barrel.

I'll be posting up pictures and such once it's all done and tested.

[redcliff]

[bandsaw]

ken2040 is CNC them for me. I've seen one commercially available comp that uses a set-screw design, but for the life of I can't remember how I found it. I figure if there is an issue with the set-screws loosing enough for the comp to slide off, I'll have Ken mill a channel the width of a set-screw across the under-side of the barrel so the screw is trapped instead of just riding the outside of the barrel.

I'll be posting up pictures and such once it's all done and tested.

Outstanding! I would love to see some photos once completed.

I recently visited my dad and he had a new toy to show me. He takes me over to the garage, and low and behold, he has a full CNC setup taking over part of his garage. So, if your setup works well, I just might have to go your route.

Thanks for the help.

[B Strong]

My .02

Unless you're using a piece for a dedicated competition gun, and are using light loads, comps are useless.

IOn a serious piece, a comp'd gun will be louder to the shooter, and muzzle flash will be incresed.

Tired 'em, tested 'em, moved on.

The whole issue becomes truely problematic with CA AW pistol law.

A welded comp on a pistol that uses a bushing means you'll have to cut the comp off if you want to take the slide off the pistol.

[bandsaw]

If i'm not mistaken, suppressors have a standard thread pitch that does not match the thread of the Clark barrel...so technically, it could not accept the such items.

Im not sure what the legal stance is, but I get what you're saying about the red-loctite. There would ( technically ) be no difference between the Walther barrel nut and the Clark comped barrel if i were to loctite the compensator. Neither is made to accept offending items. The semi-permanent route seems a little risky though.

[bandsaw]

My .02

Unless you're using a piece for a dedicated competition gun, and are using light loads, comps are useless.

IOn a serious piece, a comp'd gun will be louder to the shooter, and muzzle flash will be incresed.

Tired 'em, tested 'em, moved on.

The whole issue becomes truely problematic with CA AW pistol law.

A welded comp on a pistol that uses a bushing means you'll have to cut the comp off if you want to take the slide off the pistol.

The compensated barrel in question is, just that, a barrel. Removing if it were pinned and welded would not be an issue on a 1911...but, I think you're right. This might be more hassle than its worth. I don't think muzzle flash and sound will be an issue to me, but $ and the time to make it legal does not make it worth it.

[redcliff]

I used a few compensated 1911's back in the day. I personaly liked em and won quite a few trophies using em. I will say though that the ones we used on .45acp's were heavier than the one the OP is considerring; I think a lot of their effectiveness was due more to the weight and increased sight radius than the porting effect on the relatively low pressure .45acp round.

All of ours were high-temp silver solderred on as you didn't want one trying to unscrew off the barrel once properly fitted.

Here's one of mine, my favorite one is off getting refurbished. This is an early 80's design built by local pistolsmith Larry Mears.

[bandsaw]

I used a few compensated 1911's back in the day. I personaly liked em and won quite a few trophies using em. I will say though that the ones we used on .45acp's were heavier than the one the OP is considerring; I think a lot of their effectiveness was due more to the weight and increased sight radius than the porting effect on the relatively low pressure .45acp round.

All of ours were high-temp silver solderred on as you didn't want one trying to unscrew off the barrel once properly fitted.

Here's one of mine, my favorite one is off getting refurbished. This is an early 80's design built by local pistolsmith Larry Mears.

Thats pretty sweet looking. Is that an extra long guild rod?

I've read a few places where people were saying that hot rounds with a slower powder burn would work best with a comped .45...I plan on reloading, just not anytime soon. So i would be using standard 230gr FMJ ammo. Percentage wise, how much lower would the felt recoil be?

[ke6guj]

If i'm not mistaken, suppressors have a standard thread pitch that does not match the thread of the Clark barrel...so technically, it could not accept the such items.

There is no "standard thread pitch" for all suppressors, and some suppressors are even sold with interchangable bushings for "nonstandard" pitches. I would not try claiming that having a detachable-mag'ed semi-automatic pistol with something like a 1/2"-29 threaded barrel as not being an AW.