An apparatus implementable on a pistol includes a compensator and a guide rod. The guide rod has a front distal end and a rear distal end opposite the front distal end. The compensator includes a muzzle brake having a recoil-reduction device, a first through hole and a second through hole. When the compensator is implemented on the pistol: (a) the recoil-reduction device redirects propellant gases to counter a recoil force upon firing of a round of ammunition by the pistol; (b) the first through hole is aligned with a barrel of the pistol to allow firing of the round of ammunition, and (c) the second through hole receives the front distal end of the guide rod therein such that an interface between the guide rod, the muzzle brake and a slide of the pistol is keyed to prevent rotation of the guide rod.