Ported? Why? Why not?

[sturtyboy]

Greetings Everyone,
I sure enjoy the Forum...I'm a Newbie last month.
I was reading another post tonight...early this morning...(it's hot, can't sleep). A guy was asking for advise purchasing one of two 29's, one with a port and one without a port. There were other details too...but not pertinent to my question here.

Many responded negatively towards porting and some positively.

I purchased a Magnaport Combat Custom 29-2, 2.5" awhile ago. It is the only one I've seen on the market. I thought it would be a great packing side arm. I have a CCW but it's too heavy to haul around concealed for me. It's the only ported gun I have and the only one I have ever fired. I've compared the felt recoil with other 6" 29's I own and I think the porting has definitely improved its recoil and handling. I shoot both DA and SA, factory to heavy loads most of the time. I chronographed its performance and was very satisfied. I don't have another 2.5" .44 mag to compare it with... there hard to find and I would say there is no suspected loss in velocity.
The only...drawback I can think of is (and not a drawback to me, actually a benefit) some pressure blowing out the top sides of the barrel. Which I also think adds some advantage similar to the function a compensator/muzzle brake would have. Now keep in mind, there's pressure coming out the sides as well, not to mention a whole bunch out the front.

So my question is ...why the responses "I wouldn't own a ported gun" Is it just preference, or are there real frustrations with ported guns?

What experiences have you had?

Here's my 29-2 Magnaport

Thanks for your responses.

 

[fixitfred]

Pretty Piece

The fact that you actually chronographed a ported snub is admirable. I get frustrated when people say what velocities they're getting when they read it off a piece of paper not knowing how far off they may be.

Back to business. I suspect you would notice the difference between it ported and not ported if you could compare them side by side. You probably would be glad it is ported.

I don't have any ported guns and don't plan to. I currently shoot Hi-Tek coated bullets and the ports may allow flame cutting of the base and lead the barrel. Ported guns also are louder to the shooter and add more flash which I might enjoy but increasing the flash at night is not a good thing.

I don't own any 44 mag shorter than 7-1/2" I'm not a big snub nose guy. There are a lot of fans though. I started thinking I may want a 454 Ruger Alaskan someday as ridiculous as I think it is. I may even have it ported.

You said something that is curious: "Which I also think adds some advantage similar to the function a compensator/muzzle brake would have. " The purpose of the porting is to reduce recoil/muzzle lift.

It's not on my list but I think you have a great gun. Opinions vary and the only one that really counts is yours. You seem to be happy and other than the disadvantages I listed I think you'll be very happy with your gun.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

No porting for me. Period.
Reason.
Increased noise-flash.

 

[vonn]

I only have one and don't shoot it much because it is LOUD! Four inch 586 Performance Center factory ported,it is accurate and shootable but don't really feel or see an improvement over my standard 586.

 

[jack the toad]

All my observations are not scientific and only my opinion, but are actual experiences, not from someone else's posting, etc.
I've never chronoed for comparison a ported version against a non-comped model, but a small velocity loss makes sense. Similar to a closed breech having slightly higher velocity compared to a cylinder gap model. I imagine any difference will be negligible.
I have compared similar semi-auto handgun/long gun models, both with and without comps for flash signature after dark. Depending on (some low-flash signature) ammo results were a noted difference when observing from the side but negligible from behind while firing, with more blast upward and outward depending on brake style.
I've never been recoil sensitive and fast follow-up shots have not been a problem (don't shoot competitively) so any recoil limiting device isn't needed. The reason I don't prefer any brake, comp, port on my firearms and seems to be the biggest trade off, is noise. Once again non-scientific, without any kind of meter. On the range with hearing protection it's a non-issue but in the field, on the street or in an enclosed structure, etc. it could make a difference.

 

[Faulkner]

I only have one and don't shoot it much because it is LOUD! Four inch 586 Performance Center factory ported,it is accurate and shootable but don't really feel or see an improvement over my standard 586.

Ten years or so back I tested some ported semi-autos for consideration as duty weapons at the sheriff's department. We were looking to see if it would help those who were sensitive to the recoil of the .40 S&W. The ported guns did indeed seem to dampen the felt recoil and muzzle flip somewhat, but the noise was horrific. Especially in a closed space application such as shooting from inside a patrol car or a small room.

We determined to reject them for duty use because of the that, but otherwise we had no other issues with ported handguns.

 

[Brian41]

I've had a couple Taurus ported guns. One a 608 with about 5-6 inch barrel and a .41 mag snub. I also have a 3 inch 629 and 24 to somewhat compare them too.
I don't think there is that much difference in recoil between ported and not to be worth the extra muzzle blast. But I don't mind recoil so much either with a gun with proper grips.
My opinion is ported guns are okay but I wouldn't pay to have it done on a gun or go out of my way to buy another.

 

[islamoradamark]

when i shoot ported or non ported pistol s and muzzle break rifles or shotguns i wear ear plugs

 

[phonejack]

I had a 44 mag ported a long time ago. Quickly learned that it worked best with full power loads.which meant more noise and flash. Medium or low powered loads-no benefits at all. I decided it was a waste of money and effort.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a mag-na-ported 28-2 4" Never messed with crony for that. I have shot very hot 180 gr ammo and the perceived recoil was like light wad cutters from my 64 pencil barrel! I have other mag-na-ported hand guns and rifles, Tat system isn't about reduced recoil (although there is quite a bit) it is about the muzzle staying on target. I have a contender barrel, a 12" hunter with TC's muzzle brake, that reduces recoil! The mag-na-ported 300 Win Mag rifle I have was fires offhand at 100 yards, got a 3/4" group with 200gr Federal Premium (don't know if the eyes are up to that now days. My Flagg's 264 Win Mag, is from the 1960's, The stock style caused extreme muzzle clime, from prone & bi-pod about 14". mag-na-porting took that down to flat recoil, and the felt recoil increased, but I don't have a scar above my eye like my brother (the previous owner).

Porting on SD guns runs into twilight and darkness problems with blinding muzzle flash, especially from a 2.5" 44 mag with full house loads. And the Ruger Alaskan would be worse, However that first shot will have alot of meaning! Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

Porting is ok if you like it..........

I just don't understand why duck hunters have their shotguns ported..................

when they have a dog sitting next to them.

Now if they have "Muffs" on the dog, no big thing.

 

[sturtyboy]

Thanks for all the honest responses. Some really good observations.

One thing I noticed as well as some of you was the muzzle flash and the increased noise. And a .44 mag tends to have both. My 2.5" has more, especially with it being ported. I can see a draw back if it were in a low light situation too. And some of my admiration comes from the challenges of large bore, short barrel, muzzle flash and the like. It's that male thing I guess.

This little 29-2, 2.5" is fun for rapid DA. It is noisy and being a .44 and a 2.5" produces a flash anyway. It does get attention.

Guns are loud and noticeable aren't they?

 

[M1A]

My 4" 629-1 is Magna ported. Had it done before I picked it up. Back then a chronograph was rarely seen.
I really don't care if the bullet is going a bit faster or slower, loud, or breathes fire.
The pistol is more controllable than a non ported 29.

 

[Laketime]

I think the real reason is the altering of a factory spec gun.30 years ago a used ported gun sold for more than an original gun.Now the other way around.Also back then nobody wore a set of Factory wood on their guns,now their the cats back side.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I have two Performance Center revolvers (an F-Comp and a 640 Carry-Comp) that have S&W's Power Port. (This is a single port ahead of the front sight in the top of the barrel.)

Compared to other similar revolvers I've owned or fired, I believe the Power Port definitely reduces felt recoil. Plus there is another benefit: If I ever have to use the F-Comp for self-defense, and miss my target, the huge flash and loud report will scare him to death!

 

[rwsmith]

Barrel for nothing much....

In addition to the other negative comments I think the last inch or so of a ported barrel hardly acts as a barrel but more similar to an additional barrel/cylinder gap. To me it's just cool factor to have a ported barrel in that it looks a seriously bad firearm, but I don't need cool factor.

 

[Kinman]

I got an amazing deal on a family members 629 Mountain Revolver, when he told me what he wanted his brother in law later commented that he had never seen anyone pull out his wallet and have the money on the table faster in his life. I was looking for a short barrelled .44 magnum for packing in bear country and this one fit the bill perfectly. I took it to the range a couple of days later and right off the bat knew I had to get rid of those round butt rubber grips, I wrote asked John Culinga if he could make a pair of square butt target grips for a round butt frame, he gave me an affirmative and I ordered them up, couldn't be any happier as that grip always fit my hand on any N-framed Smith better than anything. That problem solved I noticed that it did solve the fit but with full house magnum loads and the possibility that someone else may be firing it I started checking into porting. I fired a couple of ported .44's and realized the reduced recoil, although the heavy increase on noise. I ended up sending it off to Mag-na-port for a quad job and took it to the range to try it out, there is a very noticeable decrease in felt recoil, its not what you would call pleasant by any means but then I never intended to shoot it for enjoyment, it is a strictly self defense weapon and I load it to maximum velocities of 2400 and push 250gr jacketed lead bullets. I try not to shoot it at the range when others are there because it is ridiculusly loud and would appreciate it if others shooting their ported .338 Lapua magnums with follow suite. At the range I can easily keep six shots in the 6" black at 15 yards, 25 is a bit of a stretch for me without alot of practice and as I mentioned it is not all that pleasant to shoot. It is suprisingly accurate for first time users, I tell them it shoots where you point it, just aim for the center of the target and most people that have any pistol experience can put the first or second shot pretty well in the center of the target at 10-15 yards. My nephew has told me that he will "knee cap" any other family member that gets their hands on "his" pistol if something should happen to me, it was actually through his family that it came down to me, I've promised it to him.
So I guess that my answer on whether to port or not to port in a round a bout way. Noone likes to be in the vicinity when it goes off so from that stand point be forewarned, I usually double up with plugs and ear muffs as it is LOUD. But when realized for its ultimate purpose it doesn't matter how much velocity you are loosing or ultimately how loud it is...when I want to accomplish its task all I care about it being able to hit what I'm shooting at very hard and accurately. I usually load up a couple hundred rounds for it a year and every other month or so take it down to the range for an early morning session when folks aren't around, of course I usually have to have enough ammo for the range officer and groundskeeper who both love shooting the darn thing.

 

[Skeet 028]

Have had 2 ported handguns over the years. One was a 4 inch 500 S&W. Sucker was loud but fairly easy to shoot. Bought if very cheaply from a guy that it just scared the Crapo out of. But it was just way too heavy to carry seriously even in bear country. Sold it. The other I have had for a short time..3 months. It is a 29-2 4 inch magna ported. Loud also but again an easy shooter. It ain't pretty as it had been(electroless?) nickeled in a kinda gray color in the past. price was right as they say and I bought it. Took the factory targets off and put a set of Pachmayrs on it. Perfect for bear country. I shoot lead and jacketed through it and can say after retrieving some fired cast bullets they are not flame cut. But now I mostly shoot gas check bullets in it. Mainly cause I have a bunch. But I will shoot the 429 421 plain based bullet through it.. Oh I have chrono'd this 29 and a 29-3 3inch and the ported gun averages 30 FPS higher. Same loads from same batch. Not much higher but some

 

[luangtom]

I will never own another ported handgun. I had one, once, but got rid of it as soon as I could after a night-shoot. It has far too much noise for close -quarters and far too much flash to save night-vision. The blast from the ports in close shooting was enough to blow my cap off. Never again.

 

[chief38]

IMHO the only thing Porting is good for is the Company that is making the money doing it.

Too noisy

Velocity loss

More crevices to clean

Another part to catch on something

Too much flash

Devalues the gun (IMHO)

NOT FOR ME!