Does anybody know anything about this subject? and does it work. Because I am looking for an S&W 629 and ran across one with Mag-Na-Port recoil-reducing porting. and I wasn’t quite sure what it was can anyone provide a answer

It doesn't really do much to reduce the recoil, but it does redirect it and make things more controllable -- more straight back than up-and-back. Plenty of folks like it -- plenty don't. I can take it or leave it. Essentially, shaped ports cut in the barrel on either side of the front sight vent some of the gas up.

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Pisgah

is this somthing tat alot of people do and does it affect the value?

It's an expensive alteration. I know I'd love to have a magnaported gun but haven't found a good deal at the right time just yet.

Having shot both competition compensated pistols (which do really keep the muzzle down and facilitate quick follow-up shots) and mag-na-ported .44 mag revolvers, I wouldn't give 12 cents to have a hunting revolver mag-na-ported. The mag-na-port is loud and not particularly effective for recoil.

My grandaughter can shoot a .44 magnum hunting revolver without distress, and any normal person who can't is holding it wrong.
Just my personal opinion.

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Science plus Art

I have fired a few revolvers that have had the Mag-na-port cuts and I for one am not a fan. I would think that because the gases are escaping prior to leaving the full length of the barrel, some velocity would be lost. I would also think it would devalue a revolver.

When I see a gun such as a Browning Superposed shotgun with similar cuts and holes on the side of the barrels I can tell you that IF it sells at all, it goes for half of what it would have had it NOT been ported.

Bottom line here is what you like. Personally, - - NOT my cup of tea!

Chief38

IMO it lowers the value.

Speaking from personal experience, I can assure you it is an well-done modification but I cannot say it delivers a truly noticeable difference. I had my 629 Classic Magnaported shortly after I purchased the pistol but it was my first big bore and I even used a shooting glove at first. As I recall, the expectation was a 10 to 15% reduction in felt recoil and I believe I was pleased at the time and I noticed a difference or at least convinced myself there was a difference.

Now, many years later, I adore big bores and I cannot tell you the last time I saw that shooting glove and I have a couple of pistols that far exceed 44 Magnum energy. I say go ahead and score one already ported or get one and send it to Magnaport if you like. Granted, purists will consider it to have dropped the value of the pistol but there are many who seek that feature so it is really up to you.

I cannot say I am sorry I had mine ported but I can tell you I wold not be inclined to port another one. That being said, I would not hesitate to purchase a ported pistol unless its major purpose for me was self-defense.

~Harvester

Here's a picture of a Mod 29-3 with magnaport. It was like that when I bought it. My opinion is it is a quality company doing quality work. I do feel it will reduce the muzzle flip and apparent felt recoil maybe 20%. Unless you shoot a lot of really hot loads, you may not appreciate it.

You see the trapezoidal cut, made by EDM and there is one on either side of the front sight.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Mag-Na-Port, as a gun smithing shop, is probably one of the best. Those ports on the barrel amounts to an expensive form of vandalism. Some like them, some don't. I paid to have them built one with the ports and hated it.

When I was researching the topic, I came to the conclusion that the advantages of a ported revo were negligible and to ME not worth the extra money.

It may reduce recoil, but it will also reduce your ability to sell it. I know alot of people that will never buy a ported gun, just like those that will never buy a lock gun.

As a defensive gun , I would never own a compensated or Magnaported gun as the blast can affect your ability to re aquire your target in certain lighting conditions. I also worried about having any part of my body near the ported barrel if having to shoot from the hip or shooting in a less optimal position.

I had Magnaport do three conversions for me, two 629's and a 625 (still being worked on) and I could'nt be happier with their work. I had them do the Mini Combat Conversion to all three but had them delete the porting that was offered in the package.

I will never get out of them what I have in them even without the porting but that is not my intention, these are heirloom guns that will stay in the family.

As to value -- collector value, yes, it will reduce the value substantially, unless it came from the factory already ported. Shooter value -- depends on who is buying. Some folks love Magnaporting; others hate it. I would at least try to use it as a reason to negotiate a lower price, although I would not absolutely refuse a gun that had it.

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Pisgah

I think it's Jerry Miculek's "Ultimate Revolver" video that shows him shooting a magnaported and non magnaported small .357 back to back. The muzzle rise reduction with the magnaporting is right there to see. Most people never get to shoot the "same" gun back to back with and without magnaporting to make an ojective comparison. The extra muzzle blast from the ported gun also muddies the comparison.

well I went back in to look at it again but sombody go it already. But on the bright side I did learn some new things.

Thanks all.

on my skeet gun mag-na-port is awesome. great company to deal with. i would never own a ported handgun, unless the barrel is longer than 6". short barreled guns don't benefit from porting. if you are ever going to carry the gun, porting will blind you at the first shot if its low light. if you can shoot thru the flames... good luck!

I did a swap and ended up with a 5.5" 625 that was "factory" Mag-Na-Ported. I thought, a 625?? A 629 maybe.... Well to be honest, I haven't fired it yet so I can't report on the recoil reduction - if any. I too always wondered about the real effect on recoil from porting. I know an expert EDM man in Clarkdale, AZ, Tom Aston, who developed a system similar to the Magnaport. He swears by porting and is one of the best gunsmiths (and highly skilled shooter) I've ever met. He built my Colt 70 Series for action pistol shooting. Best shooting pistol I've ever owned. So, I guess I can't say one way or 't'other. If it helps on a .44 Mag, I say great. Not sure why S&W offered it on a 5.5" .45ACP revolver.... H.

I have owned two ported 629s. The first one that I had was a Performance Center 3" 629 with a large oval port in front of the front sight. That gun felt to me like it had less muzzle rise than my non-ported 3" 629.
I have a 4" 629 with a Mag-na-port (one port on each side of the barrel) barrel and I can not tell any difference in how it shoots and how my 4" non-ported 629 shoots.
The reason that some barrels have more than one port on each side of the barrel (or a large oval port in front of the front sight) may have something to do with the amount of porting (opening size) necessary to make a difference.
At the time that I bought the 4" Mag-na-ported gun, it cost a lot less than the price being asked for several non-ported 4" 629s. My experience has been that "altered" guns do not sell for as much as a non-altered guns (unless the buyer really likes the altered feature).
Mark