i have a S&W 629 4' got it new and in 2007 (the same hardware store my father got his model 28 4' in the early 70 ) and i LOVE it it has never had problems and i have sent over 1500 rounds thru it. I am wondering what kind of modification i can do to it to make it a little better like
1. mag-na-port dose it make it better ?
2. target trigger (wider trigger)
3. something more you suggest
I cary it as my primary gun for everything ( hunting and driving thru Memphis the only bed companion except for my Lady ) and i am interested in you all expert opinion .
Thanks /Users/michael/Desktop/P1010002.JPG

i have a S&W 629 4' got it new and in 2007 (the same hardware store my father got his model 28 4' in the early 70 ) and i LOVE it it has never had problems and i have sent over 1500 rounds thru it. I am wondering what kind of modification i can do to it to make it a little better like
1. mag-na-port dose it make it better ?
2. target trigger (wider trigger)
3. something more you suggest
I cary it as my primary gun for everything ( hunting and driving thru Memphis the only bed companion except for my Lady ) and i am interested in you all expert opinion .
Thanks /Users/michael/Desktop/P1010002.JPG

Michael
I am by no means an expert, but since you asked, here is my $ .02. If you are extremely sensitive to recoil, then have it Magna Ported. Personally, I think it detracts from the overall look of the gun and believe it subracts from the value, if you ever choose to sell it. As far as the trigger goes, some like the wider ones, some do not. If I had anything done, it probably would be a revolver action package from Smith. You can find the details on their website. Welcome to the forum.

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jj

I have had a few guns Mag-na-ported, and fired many more. I couldn't tell any difference in recoil with any of them, unless they had the four port system (Two on either side of the front sight, two smaller ones dead center top to bottom, behind and below the two next to the sight.)I had that done on a few rifles and my Super Redhawk I had back then. That system does keep the muzzle down, but it doesn't do anything for actual recoil, only perceived recoil which I guess is technically what counts. It tends to make the gun come straight back instead of rolling up. The standard two port system is a waste of time in my opinion. I believe that those who are convinced it works, are trying to believe it, to justify the cost and ruining the resale value of their guns.
Just my opinion, but it is at least based on real life experiences.

Thanks for the info and $.02

Some years ago, the NRA did a "Blind" shooting test where shooters closed their eyes and fired
Magna-ported .44s and non-ported. The perception was that no difference in recoil occurred.

IIRC, the Magna-ported guns with eyes open were "more distracting" because of the upward flash and
noise.

I've had several of my 44 magnums magnaported.
I now consider that a total waste of the money it cost and nothing good has come of it.
If recoil is bothering you I would suggest a better set of grips of the gun. Grips that fit your hand properly will do more to control recoil than anything else I've found. (except lighter loads)
The best suggestion I have is to have a set of Herrett's Jordan Trooper stocks made for your gun. They'll be made to fit your had. Once I found out how nice they work I had to have them for all the guns that have any amount of recoil and a few others as well.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I only presently own one Magna-Ported gun, an 8 3/8" 629, but I've owned a couple of others and shot lots of them over the years. Here's my read:
1.)They do not reduce recoil much at all, although the difference can be felt. (Unless an expansion chamber is cut at the same time, then they work pretty well.)
2.)The longer the barrel, the more good they do.
3.)They do reduce muzzle flip perceptibly, on the 4-port models, quite a lot.
4.)Any purported "flash distraction" is mostly myth, since flash from the ports begins a fair distance above and away from the line of sight; i.e., you'll be looking under the flash, not at it, when you shoot.
5.) They are not worth what they cost, unless an expansion chamber is cut into the bore at the same time, and then the cost goes up, so I'd save the money for ammo.

Say "NO!" to wide triggers on any gun to be used for anything but bullseye shooting. Wide triggers suck for DA use.

Joni's grip suggestion is good. I have Herrett Ropers on my 8 3/8" 629, and they work well. For any expended .44 mag. work with any of my 629s, I switch to Pachmayrs. My hands are too small to use any version of Jordan Troopers.

I'd suggest you might consider a "Combat Trigger"(Smooth face and 3/8" width) for your gun and a good tune-up. The Factory still offers the Triggers and does an outstanding job of tuning for a reasonable price.

I've had a number of guns "Ported" but not by Mag-na-port but I have fired a few gun that were done by them. 38-44HD45 covered it pretty well. The longer the barrel the more area that can be ported and I think this is a plus.

The Porting I had done was done by an old Gunsmith who had worked for Weatherby and I was told he helped develop the "porting" used on the .460 Weatherby Magnum rifles. The porting he did really did work well. Unfortunately, the process he used seems to have died with him. One fine day I'll get around to doing some photographs of the Ruger #3 that I have in .45-70 Government. I used to fire 3 rounds from this gun and then set it aside for a while and go do something more comfortable, like smashing my Thumbs with a Sledge hammer. The day I got the gun back from George I took it to the Range and only had the 9 rounds in the 'Stock Carrier' and found myself firing all 9 with all 9 going into one ragged hole at 100 yards!!!

I'd stick with the tune-up and the replacement Trigger.

Ok i am in europe and am writing to you all after midnight and i made a big BU Bu I HAVE A S&W MODEL 620 4' 357 MAG 7 SHOT NOT A 629 4' ( i wood love to have a model 29 one day ) but thank you all for input and opinions

It's okay, I still don't recommend having it ported.
Go with a nice set of grips. They can always be taken off, porting isn't removable.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

the recoil of the 357 never bothered me so ,it is like having a cadillac and fusing it burns to much gas if you have it you can handle it( maybe in 10 -20 i am going to say a different thing ). I have look for different grips and got a set of original S&W target grips but they where for the sq but and i did sum modifying and got them to fit and they where little better then the Houge to me i have been to Herrett's (thanks to a earlier post and joni-lynn )and like the Ropers and have printed out the order form and am trying to gat my dad to let me trays his hand to get a set for his Model 60 snuby .
The Combat trigger do one of you have a pic of it? To get the tune-up i just send it to S&W and say ?
Thanks you all
michael

Except in my 340PD I don't find the 357 to have that much recoil. What it does have is muzzle blast.
I get headaches very easily and there are days when I can't be anywhere near a 357 when it goes off or my head will make it's feeble attempt at exploding.
I use ear plugs and ear muffs quite often and the blast from a 357 feels like being smacked in the forehead by something solid.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

the only thing whet the 357 is if you are in a creek bottom you must have ear plug, and my cat runs when he hers the snap of the holster open

1 more thing can i have S&W set my 620 to except the moon clips i have the speed loaders but they ned a lot of practice and it looks moon clips are faster.

I think for a moonclip conversion you'll need to send it elsewhere.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

do you now where ?
thanks once more.

MODIFICATIONS SHOULD DEPEND ON WHAT YOU ENVISION THE PRIMARY USE OF THE WEAPON TO BE.

As a retired LEO I have quite a few S&W revolvers that have been Magna Ported. My observations are that it does NOT reduce recoil to any noticable exstent. What it doies do on a 4" or 5" revolver is reduce muzzle rise/flip and help get the sights back down and lined up.

If you think combat, it's not a bad idea. On the other hand it smokes up the front sight and getting the lead and copper deposited on the top of the barrel without scratching the barrel is nearly impossible.

Target triggers work great for target work and slow deliberate single action fire. They aren't nearly as nice for fast double action in a combat situation. All my revolvers that are designed as carry/combat weapons have smooth combat triggers installed. Less wear and tear on your trigger finger and they also allow your finger to slide across the trigger face, rather than dragging the revolver towards you like grooved triggers do.

Sights vary predicated on use. "N" frames that are going to be used for hunting or carrying in the field have Call Gold beads on a Patridge blade. It is easier to line up in adverse light and shows up better with a dark background. The blade is a non issue if a fast smooth draw isn't an issue. If it's going to be a combat/duty weapon it has Baughman ramp front sight usually with an insert. Most of mine are lime green rather than red. Red just shows as black in low light.

I'd spend money on the action and trigger before anything else follwed by a set of grips that truley fit and help spread recoil.

It really really depends on the PRIMARY purpose for the revolver. Design it around that and live with that is f it's not ideal for other purposes/functions.

The other alternatives is simply own enough S&Ws so they each can be set up for a designed purpose. Then you don't have to make compromises.

RWT

AMEN
i agree and by what you and every one let me now i am going to set it you for Combat not that i am evil but i am going to stop the evil from getting me and the ones i love and may it never come to that but i am going to be reedy .
to the action when i send it to S&W what shod i tell them "make my action better "?or do i tell them to do the combat Revolver package and a combat trigger
thanks

it is 02:36 my spelling is no good so good night

I have never been a big fan of porting handguns. for one its ugly and takes away from the beauty, 2, it usually seems to make them louder, 3 it gets dirty around the barrel and sights, and last but not least, people who have their guns ported seem to think they are worth more and attempt to sell them for a ridiculous price when infact they are usually worth less.

Visit the Smith website and look at what is available in the revolvers ection of gunsmithing services. I do not think they will
machine the cylinder for moonclips. For that try: www.tkcustom.com

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jj

I have a springfield P9 that is ported. I ended up putting a second barrel in it that is not ported. Thus I can swap barrels and see the difference between porting and not ported.

EVERYONE that has shot the gun with ports and no ports agree that ports make a difference. It may not matter with a revolver, but in a properly set up semi auto ports make a noticeable difference with a high pressure gun.

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SWCA 1646

Rightwinger: I ported those that were designed to be duty weapons and/or combat weapons. What it looks like, even the mess or noise is/was less of an issue than getting the gun back down and the sights lines up and the next round down range.

It is certainly not for the average revolver shooter and probably doesn't offer enough to be worth the time, trouble or cost.

On the other hand I sinmply viewed them as a part of my working outfit. So revolvers that were be carried for combat were set up for combat and the cost, looks and re-sale simply were not part of the equasion.

It's sort of like the buckaroos that work for me riding saddles that cost $3000-$5000+ which even today is nearly half a years wages. If it's your job and something you do, all day, everyday the cost isn't an issue.

I have nearly every revolver I ever carried as a duty weapon and the few I sold, were sold to fellow officers who liked/wanted the modifications and were willing to pay for them.

Respectfully

Ross W Thomas

Aother downside with almost any sort of porting and also applies to a lot of external muzzle brakes: it makes the sound a LOT louder. You may not realize the difference if you are wearing ear muffs, and sometimes its more apparent to those standing to the side of your position.

Night sights !!!

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