Why Are Compensated Pistols Popular? :: Guns.com

SGT (Join to see)
Well, the elimination of muzzle flip and perceived recoil are high if not at the top of the list BUT... to answer your question, I think that younger folks and in particular action movie buffs do it to copy some "cool dude" on the screen. In other words, I believe aesthetics account for an ever increasing number.

Polymer frame guns need all the help they can get, because there isn't enough mass (weight) in the frame to absorb the energy, which is why almost all of my carry guns have alloy frames.

Shooting competitive handgun competition for accuracy, and speed in the late 80's and 90's, with a compensator, it does, and in theory, reduce recoil rise, and or, get back on target faster.
"I Think"
I didn't have time to be thinking, if or what, in my shooting at the time, all my attention was on my movement, aiming, and reloads.
After my shoot, I didn't have time to do the math and critique, let alone write it down somewhere.
As you approach the bench, all that mattered was the time read out, and even at that, all you would know was if, you were slower of faster than the shooters before you.

Only, until the match was over, then and only then , you'll know if your shooting was to what time, as well as your accuracy results, to all the other shooters.
You either won or lost the match, so what?
If you lost, then get on the range more, and get better at movement and shooting more accurately.
If you won, good luck at the next match with other good shooters.

But with all that said, I've shot handguns without a compensator, for time and accuracy too, and won some, and lost some match's.
The results were, with time on the range, and with a lot of practice, I've achieved the same results. A quick time, and with good accuracy to win the event.

So, is shooting with a compensator get you faster, and accurate at the events, Yes and No.
Does, shooting without a compensator get you faster, and accurate at the events, Yes and No.

What does get you faster, and more accurate at the events is, "More time practicing on the range with your firearm."

Picture is of my Caspian 1911, with and without a compensator, and it does still shoot the same with or without. Either in 38 super or 9mm.
It just comes down to the shooter. "AMEN! Brothers and Sister"