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As Applied to All Fire Arms For the Control of Recoil, Jump and Accurate Projectile Delivery
RESEARCH work with proper instruments revealed the fact that only a small proportion of the recoil and jump effect in high powered guns was due to the reaction of the energy imparted to the projectile, the greater percentage of recoil and jump lying in the forward drive of the gas blast reacting on the gun.
In the United States service rifle, the Springfield, with a muzzle velocity of 2770 foot seconds, it was found in the laboratory that the reaction of the energy imparted to the bullet accounted for only 25% of the recoil, the balance of 75% being due to the forward drive of the gas.
Analysis of existing devices for the utilization of this gas power in control of recoil and jump demonstrated that the existing and conflicting power factors in the muzzle blast were not understood, and in consequence these devices were not enough efficient to warrant their adoption. Further, the most efficient of these devices introduced decided disadvantages, which were sufficient in themselves to prevent their use.
The Compensator as finally perfected gives practically full control of the power of the muzzle blast, and permits the force to be utilized in any desired direction. It is a function of the powder charge, and in consequence, the higher power of the gun the greater the gas blast available and the greater the percentage of reduction of recoil and jump.
As shown on the ballistic pendulum, and special recoil cradle, with the Springfield cartridge above referred to, the reduction in foot pound recoil with a maximum Compensator is 62%. As 75% only is possible, the Compensator for this gun is therefore 82.6% efficient, an exceedingly high efficiency in the use of any power.
With a low powered gun such as the 105 mm. howitzer, with its heavy projectile and light powder charge, the reduction in kinetic energy of recoil as shown at the official proving ground is 25%. Its efficiency here will be understood from the fact that the average forward gas velocity of this gun without the Compensator is 3700 foot seconds, with the Compensator it is about 700 foot seconds, which checks very...