I only started collecting/accumulating Smiths a year ago after I found this Forum. Since then I have been on a tear.

One of the first revolvers that got my attention were the 3" barrel lengths. I realized pretty soon that I was getting a number of them with ported barrels.

So now I am thinking about building a mini-collection. The ported barrels are so maligned they might be easier to find...yes no?

I have, so far...

66-6 3" C comp PC
19-7 3" F comp PC
586-? 3" C comp PC
629-? 3" C comp PC

What is there to add?

I found out that there is a model 67-5 7 67-7 ported. I might search for one. Who needs a ported .38 caliber? I'd expected to find them on larger caliber models.

I don't want one of each iteration. One per model would be good enough.

Suggestions please. Smiths only of course.

Comps and ports are kinda different things, at least to me. Is it comps you're after? Both?

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Kernel, It is the ported barrel that I am looking at. This morning there is a 19-4 4" Nickel ported on Armslist. Terrible picture, aftermarket stocks, poor finish etc, but was there a factory run of ported 19-4 4"?

BTW what kind of factory Comps are there besides those that are also ported? It is a little confusing there.

I believe they may have made a 640 Carry Comp with a 3" barrel. The one I just purchased only has the 2-1/8" barrel.

There is also a 681 3" from the Performance Center. They came with the quad porting.

They only made 300, so they might be hard to track down....

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On the Oak Savannah

To me a "comp" implies some type of expansion chamber, and an opening at the end of the barrel to vector the gas jet. A "port" is a opening along the length of the barrel, normally near the end, and no expansion chamber. The two words are often used interchangeably, so not everyone follows my definition. For example, S&W's "Power Port" to me looks like a comp.

That said, S&W has released guns with both features. They've used Mag-na-porting, and I believe they send guns out of house for this process. I've seen two-port and four-port Mag-na-porting that I believe to be "factory". Many more guns were Mag-na-ported after they left S&W by distributors, like Lew Horton, RSR, and others. Making it possible to buy a new gun at retail, with porting, but it not technically be "factory". Then there's a third set of guns that were Mag-na-ported by individuals after they were purchased at retail.

Telling these three types apart can be difficult, because they all appear identical. After all, the work on all three was done by the same company: Mag-na-port. To tell them apart you need a copy of the SCSW, information from forums such as this one, and what ever other information you can gather. S&W's own web site can be very helpful on recent guns. An original box end label is invaluable. Knowing the product code can unlock the mystery. A Roy Jink's letter is definitive.

As far as a factory Mag-na-ported M19, it's possible but I've never seen one. I have a dozen S&W revolvers in my s/n collection that I believe were factory ported. It's a small sample, but none are nickel. My sense is Mag-na-porting a nickel gun would have unique challenges, since the cuts in the barrel would also be cuts in the nickel coating which could result in chipping or flaking at the cut interface.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Some owners of Airweight J-frames like ported barrels, including the retired LEO who owns and operates my favorite LGS. He carried a Magna-Ported 642 at one time, as I recall.

In a steel .38 Special I can't see the point.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I agree, a steel .38 Special doesn't need a ported barrel. The reason I don't port my Airweights is that (1) it probably makes them too loud but, whether it does or not, (2) I don't want those hot gases near my face and J-frames are just that - near your face.

***GRJ***

my 1994 S&W model 686-4PP, product code 104272, came from the factory ported.................

Attached Images

	S&W 686-4PP left side.jpg (228.3 KB, 27 views)
	S&W 686-4PP ported.jpg (69.4 KB, 29 views)

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There's nowt so queer as folk

OP: I suspect you are correct that ported or comped S&W revolvers have a more restricted market and price and might therefore make a nifty niche collection.

For example: the market for ported firearms doesn't include me.

The smaller market means reduced demand: ergo relatively lower prices.

You are also likely to find that ported revolvers have been used less (and may be in better condition due to lack of use) than their non ported brothers because ported revolvers are relatively unpleasant to shoot and so discourage much use.

Just my opinion and speculation, of course.