Whether you’re building a brand new gun from scratch using a 3D printed or Polymer 80 frame, or you already have a Glock 19 and want to spice it up a little bit, a compensator is one accessory you will want to include.

What is a Compensator (for Glocks)?

A compensator is an accessory added to the barrel of a gun that reduces recoil and helps improve accuracy by redirecting expelled gasses upward. The upward expelled gas compensates for the recoil and minimizes it, thus the name compensator.

The result is less felt recoil each time you pull the trigger. This allows the firer to get back on target quicker and more accurately, resulting in faster follow-up shots and tighter shot groups.

How Does a Compensator Work?

Think Newton’s Third Law of Motion. Need a refresher on your physics? Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

In a compensator, the gas created by the combustion of the gunpowder is forced out of vents on the top of the compensator placed at the end of the barrel. 

The force that the gas generates leaving the vents upward creates an equal and opposite force downward. That downward force that is created helps to compensate or minimize, the recoil felt when the slide slams to the rear during firing.

Top Five Glock 19 Compensators

The Glock 19 is one of the most common pistols on the market today. Because they are so popular, they have an almost endless supply of aftermarket accessories available.

Here is a list of the top five compensators available for the Glock 19.

Strike Industries Gen 4 Standard Mass Driver Compensator

If you’re looking for a compensator that you can use without a threaded barrel, look no further. The Strike Industries Gen 4 Standard Mass Driver Compensator is the best compensator available that doesn’t require a threaded barrel.

One of the best aspects of the Strike Industries Gen 4 is that it’s legal in all 50 states. That’s a huge plus if you live in a communist state like California or New York. 

The Strike Industries Gen 4 is made of precision-crafted CNC-machined aluminum. In the package, you will find the compensator main body, a recoil spring, a guide rod, a guide rod fitment washer, a guide rod head, and an internal spring.

Installation is relatively easy, and you can also find a plethora of YouTube videos to guide you through the process.

The Strike Industries Gen 4 is compatible with most open-bottomed holsters.

Wasatch Arms Glock 19 Compensator

The Wasatch Arms is another compensator that doesn’t require a threaded barrel. This is good if you aren’t quite ready to commit a couple of hundred dollars for a new barrel, or if you want to switch back and forth between compensator and non-compensator. 

One key feature of the Wasatch Arms Glock 19 Compensator is that it is rail-mounted for quick and easy installation.

This also means that you can remove it just as quickly. It even includes several different additional rails for accessories, since it installs on the gun’s rail system. 

With the Wasatch Arms Glock 19 Compensator installed, you can expect a 60-80% decrease in recoil, resulting in faster follow-up shots and tighter shot groups. 

If you’re looking for maximum performance upgrades with minimal installation, check out the Wasatch Arms Glock 19 Compensator.

Agency Arms, LLC 417 Compensator

Now we begin to look at threaded barrel compensators. There are several applications for threaded barrels, most notably compensators and suppressors. The most common threading for threaded pistol barrels is 1/2×28. 

The Agency Arms 417 Compensator is a great all-around compensator that fits the G17, G19, and G34 models. It provides excellent muzzle control, better accuracy, and added recoil control with dual top vents and dual side vents. 

It’s made of machined 7075 aluminum for long life and comes in two finishes, black or gold. 

The Agency Arms 417 Compensator works with the factory recoil spring in your Glock and even comes with a place for your Glock front sight. This allows you to extend the sight radius, giving you still better accuracy.

Griffin Armament Compact Micro Carry Compensator

The smallest, most lightweight compensator on this list is the Griffin Armament compact Micro Carry Compensator.

As the name implies, this compensator is especially useful for compact concealed carry pistols, although it will fit any 9mm firearm with a 1/2×28 threaded barrel. 

The universal fit means that the Griffin Armament Subcompact MCC can be used interchangeably between firearms.

The compensator is simple to install. It’s as easy as unscrewing the lid of a soda bottle. 

Despite its diminutive size, the Griffin Armament Subcompact MCC can still deliver recoil reduction and better accuracy than non-compensated firearms. 

Herrington Arms HC9C 3.0 Compensator for G17/G19/G26

Last but certainly not least on our list is the Herrington Arms HC9C. This compensator is also small, although not as small as the Griffin Armament. The HC9C measures less than one inch in length. It attaches to any 1/2×28 threaded 9mm barrel. 

It is made of 6061 high-durable aluminum and comes in a black anodized or FDE cerakote finish. The HC9C has one large top vent and two side vents, allowing maximum recoil compensation.

This compensator may look the sharpest on your gun out of all the comps we’ve reviewed today. The Herrington Glock compensator is made for the G17/G19. And with a “no questions asked” 100% lifetime guarantee, you can rest assured that it will last as long as your Glock.

Conclusion

If you are looking to give yourself a bit more accuracy on the range, adding a compensator to your Glock pistol is the way to go.

Heck, even if you want to add a little bit of flair, the compensator will definitely give your Glock 19 or Polymer 80 pistol a nice pop.

Which compensator is your favorite to put on a G19? Are you team threaded or non-threaded barrel?

Let us know in the comments down below!