The Glock 20 may not be as popular as the G19, but it still has a loyal following. And, with that said, there are applications for the G20 where the G19 just doesn’t make the grade.
For instance, just consider stopping power. The 9mm Luger simply can’t hold a candle to the 10mm Auto.
That makes the G20 the preferred one for serious stopping power. As an example, it makes a great bear gun for anglers and campers in the west.
It also means the G20 kicks like a mule, to the point that some shooters have issues shooting it confidently and accurately.
Now, there is one Glock 20 accessory that can change that paradigm. It’s a compensator, and if you have a G20 without one, it’s time to change that.
Here’s what to know.
About 10mm Auto and Recoil
The reason for the necessity of this Glock 20 accessory actually has to do with the cartridge, and not so much with the gun.
The 10mm Auto cartridge is commonly loaded with bullets that weigh between 155 and 180 grains.
It produces anywhere between 600 and 700 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, and 10 to 12 ft-lbs of recoil energy.
Doesn’t sound so bad, until you bring in the 9mm Luger for comparison. Much smaller, it is commonly loaded with bullets in the 115 to 124 grain class.
This much smaller cartridge produces between 300 and 500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and 4 to 8 ft-lbs of recoil energy.
That’s about half as much as the 10mm Auto on one end, and as little as a third on the far end. That’s a massive difference. It means a high-powered 10mm Auto can kick with three times the force of a 9mm.
Is it, objectively, a hard-kicking cartridge? Not really. There are far more powerful recoil-inducing cartridges out there, even for handguns.
But for your average shooter, that’s not nothing, especially if that person is coming off of a light round like 9mm, .22, or .38, it’s a big difference.
Even the .45 ACP produces less recoil energy, and that’s much bigger than the 9mm. Usually scores for the .45 ACP hover around 7 to 8 ft-lbs (though they can be higher).
This fairly high number for felt recoil is what makes a compensator a must-have Glock 20 accessory.
The Benefits of a Glock Compensator
If you’re not familiar, a compensator is a muzzle device, somewhat similar to a muzzle brake (they’re more common on rifles) that changes the manner in which gasses disperse or are ported at the muzzle.
In this particular case, our Glock compensators port the gasses upwards at the muzzle. This results in a net force downward on the muzzle of the gun.
As a result, recoil is significantly abated, and in no small measure. One of our compensators has the potential to reduce recoil by 50% or more, all else being equal.
So let’s say your 10mm Auto round puts out 10 ft-lbs of energy. With one of our Glock compensators, you can bring that figure down to close to 5 ft-lbs.
That’s right around where 9mm sits. So imagine this: with one of these compensators, you can get the stopping power and handling of a G20 with the recoil of a G19.
To put it plainly, that’s not nothing.
Of course, there are other benefits of installing one of these Glock compensators, too.
Since they push the muzzle of the gun down, they don’t just slash recoil, they also help diminish muzzle flip. That means your sights stay trained on target for faster reacquisition and potentially faster and more accurate follow-up shots.
And, since they’re available in multiple colors, they let you add some personality to the gun too.
Is There Anything Else You Can Do to Cut Recoil?
This is not the only Glock 20 accessory (or part) that can help you cut recoil. Here are some other things you can do.
- Upgrade the slide: If you install a new G20 slide that is lighter or has cutouts, you can decrease the reciprocating mass of the gun. This in turn will result in faster, snappier cycling and has the potential to reduce recoil.
- Install a heavier guide rod: It won’t make a huge difference with a cartridge this powerful, but upgrading your guide rod can put more mass near the muzzle, weigh it down, and help counteract recoil. The stock Glock guide rod is polymer; a steel, or even better, a tungsten guide rod, can help cut recoil.
- Shoot lighter loads: The next time you’re shopping for 10mm Auto ammo, look at the box for a figure called muzzle energy. The lower that number is, the less recoil the round will produce. If that’s not on the box, go by bullet weight. All else being equal, the lighter the bullet, the less recoil it will produce.
- Improve your grip: This is arguably the most important thing you can do to cut back on felt recoil. Make sure you’re holding the gun high on the frame and maximizing surface area contact with the gun, with both hands. Also, bend your knees slightly and lean into it to help your body mass absorb some of the recoil.
Other Beneficial Glock 20 Accessories?
While a compensator is the most important Glock 20 accessory we sell on our site that can help counteract recoil, there are other helpful accessories we offer for this model, including:
- Glock magwells that can help cut time between reloads.
- Extended mag releases that can speed up mag drops.
- Slide and base plates that can add color and personality to the gun.
- And holsters, weapon lights, and optics.
Check them out in our full collection of Glock 20 accessories via the previous link.
Upgrade Your Glock 20 Today
Ready to turn the page on a new era of lower recoil and more enjoyable, more confident shooting? Upgrade your G20 according to what we’ve outlined here and if you have any questions about compatibility, get in touch with us at 833-980-0333 and we’ll be glad to help.
The post Why a Compensator Is a Must-Have Glock 20 Accessory appeared first on Anarchy Outdoors Nation.