I saw a Smith pre-lock 60-10 with 3 inch barrel with mim hammer and trigger, so a transitional gun...lol. It has 4 magna ports, 2 per side of the barrel, professionally done, that someone is selling and I'm looking for advice as I'm not sure if the magna-port is good or bad as I never owned a magnaport gun. I like the small package for carry, no lock, 3 inch, 357 mag, sights adjust but need experienced feedback on the magnaportimg. Asking price is 5 Benjamin's....no box, but minty from what I saw.

It would be a very good price for an unmodified gun. There isn't a lot of middle ground with opinions on ported revolvers; some would see it as adding value, and others wouldn't buy the gun at any price because of it.

If you are able to fire it before buying that may make your mind up; it may make a difference in recoil with full .357 loads but that is probably the last round you would want to use regularly in this gun. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'm big enough to handle the gun without the magnaport but I also know magna-port does reduce recoil for follow up shots and magnaport costs a few hundred and is different so that peaks my interest. I have also read the flash on a personal defense gun can be a negative with magnaport. Hmmm. Prelock and local is nice, but Xmas is near... Lol

Sorry, I don't have any advice at all, but your thread interests me as I have a 60-12 that I bought with the box a little over a year ago, and it is a pre-lock but with MIM parts similar to the revolver you are considering. Please let us know what you decide. Good luck.

For collecting/investing purposes I'd skip the magna ported 60-10. But you say the purpose is to shoot it, carry it, generally use it so I wouldn't let the magna porting bother me. Mine is not ported but I certainly like the 3 inch barrel. I've use ported revolvers (357 and others) and frankly can't tell much difference. A muzzle break on a 300 RUM is helpful, porting on a 3 inch 357 less so, in my opinion anyway. At $500 I wouldn't hesitate too long as it seems an attractive price to me. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

If is to be a shooter I would purchase it with the ports.

Thanks gents. I wish I could try it but can't before buying, but I'm sure I could move it if I don't like it. Too many wants.... Lol I do enjoy 3 inch j frames as they conceal well and are shoot able.

The porting makes this revolver a no go to me.

Type of situation. Yes you can make faster follow up shots due to decreased/re-directed FELT recoil, but the increased noise/flash is significant. Any 3" 357 shot indoors without ear protection is something you will not want to do twice, a ported is even worse. At that price if you don't like it, I THINK you could have a hard time getting your money back. I had a ported 3" sp 101 and liked it, but would not dream of firing even a 38 special out of it without ear protection. If the condition is real good and it calls to you, GET IT. Look at all the other garbage we waste $ on.

I have been shooting ported firearms for many decades




The flash issue is HUGELY exaggerated by the Internet. Mostly because the folks that complain about it have fired their revolvers with hand loaded ammunition or white/green/yellow box bargain ammo or foreign ammo or ammo from the little boutique companies. Almost none of these contain flash suppressant because they want to save money.



Premium Self Defense ammunition from the major manufacturers contains flash suppressant and the true experience is totally different. If you were closer to South Florida, I would let you try a couple. Let the Forum know more specificly where you are and you might find a member in your area with one



As to sound, yes the sound does get redirected as well. At the range, in a shooting stall (especially a covered one) the muzzle bark is noticeably increased. Having had the need to discharge a 357 Magnum without hearing protection in a small room and also 45ACP +P from inside a car without hearing protection. I can tell you that I never heard the shots. I have no memory of them at all.

The deal sounds good. I would buy it as a shooter for that price

I'd haggle and bring it home. But For the record. Minty is a word to describe a flavor not a Gun. .

I've been reloading for some time and never heard of ANYONE using a flash suppressant, is it already in canister powders? What's it called and where can I get some?

On hold will post pics once picked up.

I just couldn't stay out of this one. Porting presented an itch that I felt compelled to scratch.

I have a Magna-ported 60-15 that I fired before and after porting. I also have a 3' 629 Commemorative, of S&W's tenure, that was ported from the factory. I also have a 6" 629 Classic power port. Porting does reduce muzzle flip to some degree. How useful it may be is a personal judgment call.

The 60-15 has a trigger guard that is just too small for my X-Large meat hook. It leaves my trigger finger bleeding, between the nail and the first knuckle , after 10 to 15 full house rounds. The 3" 629 is a favorite with 44 specials or magnums.

As to muzzle flash, that is also a highly personal thing. I rarely notice muzzle flash in the daylight. The most noticeable to me are the 629's with full house loads. I cannot recall noticing muzzle flash from a .357 or smaller caliber during daylight.

I Have only fired a 4" model 14-2 and a 5906 at night. That was during night qualification and I quickly learned to use the muzzle flash as a strobe light, to verify exactly where my sights were aligned, when each shot was fired. I have never understood the concern over muzzle flash, but to each his or her own.

Here it is all! Picked up my lay away...

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