I purchased a 686-5 with a barrel ported just in-front of the front sight about 15 years ago. I have shot thousands of rounds through her and always wondered if there would be a noticeable performance differences between the ported barrel and non ported barrel of the same length.

Yesterday I got lucky, a law enforcement outfit traded in their "obsolete" 686 -5s with the same barrel length, 5&7/8" but not ported for some of the new mother of plastic stuff. I picked up one with a little surface wear but well cared for for a good price. So far I have only had time to shoot several hundred rounds through them and have noticed no significant difference in performance accuracy or recoil.

I intend to shoot some 100 yard groups through them at 88 yards and compare accuracy and anything else I notice in the near future.

I was wondering if anyone else has made any comparison studies between the ported vrs non ported 586's. Any information will be welcome.