The recoil compensator uses a two piece design that allows for convenient indexing of the vent channels relative to the barrel, while securely mounting the compensator to the threaded end of a barrel. The recoil compensator consists of a muzzle brake and a jam nut. The muzzle brake turns onto the threaded end of the barrel and the jam nut is operatively threaded onto the body of the muzzle brake so that it can be tightened about the muzzle brake and the barrel to securely lock the muzzle brake to the barrel once properly indexed relative to the barrel. The jam nut has an annular flange that overlies the body of the muzzle brake to provide a clean aesthetic appearance of the recoil compensator.