Firearm muzzle devices are more popular than ever. Suppressors, brakes, flash hiders, and compensators are increasingly prevalent as technology evolves and shooters discover their benefits. The Radian Weapons Afterburner Micro-Compensator is among the most exciting of these products. Combined with Radian’s Ramjet ported barrel, the combination becomes a game-changer for handgun recoil reduction and increased shooting performance.
The Radian Afterburner + Ramjet
Radian currently makes the Afterburner + Ramjet combination for Sig Sauer, Glock, and Shadow Systems pistols. The company’s site also lists Walther PDP compatibility, but no products are available. This may be a future endeavor, but I was unable to confirm this before my deadline. My Afterburner + Ramjet fits the Sig Sauer P365XL, which is my primary carry gun.
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The company’s goal was to create an industry-leading micro-compensator system for concealed carry. They identified six design requirements to accomplish that goal:
- It had to be a half-inch or less in length so that an Afterburner + Ramjet-equipped Glock 19 could fit in a Glock 17 holster.
- 100 percent-reliable cycling with a stock spring weight, when running 115-grain 9mm ammo.
- The ability to quickly remove the compensator for cleaning.
- A 100 percent secure mounting system without using thread locker.
- Legal in all 50 states.
- It must lead the industry in recoil reduction.
Radian met those requirements, but how does the final product perform?
Micro-Compensator and Ported Barrel Features
The Afterburner micro-comp is machined from stainless steel and features the company’s “Radianite” coating. The Ramjet ported barrel is machined from hardened 416R stainless steel and also has the Radianite coating.
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Radian says this combo provides “low friction, high hardness, and high corrosion resistance, making overall durability and erosion from muzzle blast a non-issue.”
To meet the secure mounting requirement, Radian developed the patented INTRA-LOK system. It features a simple tapered locking screw, which interfaces with an angled groove on the barrel’s underside. This properly times the comp as it locks down onto the upper barrel at the muzzle.
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My Afterburner measures 9/16 of an inch, which is close enough to a half-inch to not matter. It was easy to install. Simply remove the factory barrel, insert the Radian Ramjet barrel, reassemble the pistol, and attach the Afterburner comp as directed.
Radian includes the proper Torx bit for the taper screw. I was a bit skeptical that it would hold, but it’s been rock solid through numerous range trips and countless carry excursions.
Radian says the P365XL or P365-XMACRO Afterburner + Ramjet will fit all P365-FUSE holsters. The regular P365 version fits P365XL holsters. I found that my Afterburner + Ramjet-equipped P365XL fits the Safariland INCOG X and Tenicor VELO 5 holsters I already have. So, that works great for me.
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Afterburner + Ramjet Performance
I’ve been running and carrying my Afterburner + Ramjet-equipped Sig for several months now. Radian’s website says the combo reduces felt recoil by up to 44 percent. They even have a video showing how they reached that number. I have no way to recreate that number, but I can say that it feels right to me.
My Sig’s recoil was never bad to begin with, at least to me. But the Afterburner + Ramjet combo makes it noticeably lighter, especially in terms of muzzle flip.
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The Ramjet barrel has two large side ports to vent the gas, which is then redirected upward by the two equally large Afterburner compensator ports. The obvious result is a flatter shooting pistol with less recoil. And less recoil generally means greater accuracy, especially with follow-up shots.
The added length hasn’t affected how I carry or handle my pistol, especially with the two holsters I already use. It does cut down on my holster choices, since I have several, but I can easily remove it if I feel the need.
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The extra weight is negligible, and I honestly don’t notice it. The Ramjet barrel’s flutes help with that. There’s been no downside to installing it on my pistol, but the upside is quite significant.
Parting Shots
I first encountered the Radian Afterburner + Ramjet at TriggrCon 2024. Mine arrived in February of 2025, and I have been running it ever since. I have no plans to remove it, barring some pressing holster requirement. It would only be temporary even then. I really like this product and shoot better with it than I do without it. It’s really that simple. And Radian is a proven, quality brand.
I haven’t had it long enough to judge long-term durability, but as I said, there’s been no real downside so far. But the performance has been very good indeed. If you’re looking for an extra edge for your Sig Sauer, Glock, or Shadow Systems pistol, the Radian Afterburner + Ramjet might be the next great thing.
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