Palette's Product Review: Red Lion Precision Muzzle Compensator

Last month, I received some merchandise from Red Lion Precision for my Kel-Tec Sub-2000. As a review of all them (front sight, muzzle compensator, rail system) would be too much for a single article, I've broken it up into a series. This article will be about the Red Lion Precision Muzzlecomp with Teeth ($20.00).

Choices

As I mentioned last week, there are options when it comes to adapters; the most expensive is the one I have. The teeth are not sharp, so there is no danger of accidentally injuring yourself with them; instead, they provide a pointed but blunt striking surface, useful for breaking glass and/or the heads of an assailant who gets too close. 

There is also a non-toothy version for $15.00, should you just want muzzle compensation without melee fighting ability. 

Additionally, there are non-compensator adapters that can be bought for only $9.00. 

Installation

Installation of the muzzle compensator is easy; as described in my previous RLP post, the real difficulty lies in having to remove the plastic Kel-Tec sight. Once that is done, just slide the muzzlecomp over the barrel and tighten the front sight around it.

Performance

There are two factors to judge: "Are the teeth worthwhile?" and "Does this compensate against muzzle rise?"

Teeth:

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to be poked with one of these, especially in my face. I didn't test this on another living being, though, and I hope you will forgive me this oversight.

On the other hand, it breaks untempered glass rather easily. I'm not sure how hard it would be to break tempered glass (like windows), but it shouldn't take more than 3-4 hits.

Muzzle Compensation:

This is the part of the review where I get a bit sad and have to say that I didn't notice a whit of difference in muzzle rise when shooting with the compensator.

In fact, I went so far as to remove the compensator entirely, shoot 50 rounds of 115gr. FMJ ammunition, and then put the muzzlecomp back on to shoot another 50. I honestly did not see any improvement after putting it back on, nor did I notice any change in either the loudness of the report or the brightness of the muzzle flash... and I was shooting in an indoor range, too.


My Rating: C

Most of this rating is due to the fact that:

1. Hey, if you install the front sight (which I recommend) you need an adapter anyway;
2. If you get an adapter, it might as well do something;
3. The teeth are good at breaking glass and, presumably, assailants. 

I would give a lower rating (a D*) to the plain-face adapter, as it has no secondary purpose. Since the primary function of this muzzlecomp didn't actually function, I can't recommend you buy that one. You'd be better off just getting the $9 adapter instead, which does exactly as much as the plain-face and is cheaper by $6. 

The muzzlecomp with teeth, however, at least has utility. Is it $20 worth of utility? That's up to you, but I don't think it is. 

* I did not give it an F because, at the very least, it adapts the sight to the barrel.

Obligatory FTC Disclaimer:  I received this product for free. I was not paid or otherwise compensated in return for giving it a good review, which should be obvious as I did not give it a very good review.