Well that's not so .I have a 23c and a gen 2 17c.I also know several of my friends that have ported Glocks. I have fired at least 2000 rounds out of the 23c and nothing has gotten in my eyes or burned me anywhere. The blasts do not go strait up, they go out in 45 degree angles ,UP and AWAY from the body.So does the shield. I have also fired the Glock in close quarter drills with my arm tucked tightly to my body . Now I will add that of course I had on shooting safety glasses ( I'm not stupid) . But I felt nothing any different than shooting any other firearm in the same manner. The muzzle blast of my S&W 4516 is a lot worse.In my opinion the porting helps with getting off faster 2nd and 3rd shots keeping them on target.