I found a revolver that I have been looking for locally, it is one that I have been seeking for a long time.
The only problem is that it is magnaported. It is a 44 special, 3 inch, 624.
Does this really help on a pistol?
Are there any cons to these?
Anyone own one? Just looking for input.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I don't live all that far from Mag Na Port, and I have had a few rifles done, along with one handgun. I will say that I believe that having it done on a handgun is a waste of time. Ken Kelly does great work, make no mistake about that, and is a darn nice guy too. I just haven't been able to tell any difference in muzzle rise or felt recoil on a handgun, (and I have shot a bunch that were Mag Na Ported) with one exception. I had it done on a Ruger SRH, and it did help that one, but I had him do the four port system. I believe the two port system is a complete waste of time and money.

Having it done on a collectable like any 24/624 is a shame, and decreases the value of these fine guns. Most everyone who buys one, wants it to be original.

What you have to ask yourself is, does it bother me? Do I care about resale? Looks (which aren't that bad, but it doesn't help either), and do I want the extra noise, especially from a 3" barrel? It's up to you my friend.

Just my opinion, but you did ask.

cobra,
I have a 5" 629 which is magnaported. With the 44mag it does help with muzzle rise but I'm not sure how much it would help on a 3" 44spl. The only downside on mine is with heavy shooting of lead bullets a little residue tends to build up on the ports and sight ramp. Just a little extra effort to clean. I probably wouldn't port a 44spl myself or pay extra for one that has been ported. Usually anything not original calls for a discount, but as a shooter, if the price is right, I wouldn't let it stop me from buying.

Good luck,

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PTLAPTA!

Thank you for the reply.
So, it does raise the noise level of the firearm?
I wish that it was not ported, but this is the first one that I have found locally and the price is right, but now I am really pondering the purchase.

On the second reply, I did notice that there is a build up of residue in the ports.

Anytime a gun is ported, it is louder to all standing beside it, and even to the shooter. Lead will definately build up around the ports, and a .44 special is right at home with lead bullets. If the price is right, and you don't mind the ports, buy it. If you feel that, after the initial rush of having a new gun wears off, you may be disappointed with the ports, pass on it. Another will come along. We have had quite a few here in the classifieds lately. hey be more than what you are looking at, but then again, they are mint, and unported.

That's absolutely true, it typically lowers the value. Some guns were sent to Mag-na-port by S&W and Lew Horton for porting (It's a proprietary process) and those may sell on par or higher than non-ported guns (if you can document it).

If you can get it at a discount and you want one, go for it.

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"I also cook."

I had Mag Na Port do a 681 years ago. I sold it. Too noisy and at night they are very flashy.

I shot a ported 4" 629. Sounded like the Concord took off in a small room and you couldn't have put the fireball in a 55 gal drum!

A rifle maybe but a hand gun no way , unless you want to hear loud noises , an harder to clean up , I see no reason to have one , but its your choise ,I could never see the reason behind it outher than its diff on the recoil , go for it if you want , i pass on them

I have a SRH and had it ported and Hoagies added. Now it recoils like a 357. I've hunted with it and my hot 44 mag loads and am completely satisfied with the results. I have small hands and feel recoil more than the average guy but my modifications made the gun a pleasure to shoot.

My 625-6 Mountain Gun in 45 Colt was Magna Ported as part of a special run by S&W. It shoots great and doesn't bother me in the least. While the 45 Colt doesn't actually need it, the fact that it was didn't cause me to re-think buying it or keeping the revolver. If you like the one you're looking at, go ahead and get it.

I bought a used 4" m29 a few years ago that is mag na ported. I paid about 1/3 less for it than a comparable unported gun. It is probably my favorite gun to shoot. .44 mag isn't fun (to me) but .44 sp feels very little different than .38sp in a 4" k-frame. I suspect mine had a mag na port "action job" as the trigger pull is smoother than any other I've experienced. I'd buy mine again in a heartbeat! No collectible but great home/motor home self defense gun.

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SWCA #1917

Personally I wouldn't care to own a ported gun if it were going to be used for self-defense. There's just too much chance you'll need to fire it held close in to your body, and you could end up with was face full of hot gas.

Porting works better with higher pressure cartridges, and .44 spl. definately isn't high pressure. I don't shoot lead bullets, but this thread has taught me that lead and ports don't mix. Thank you guys! I'll keep running jacketed in my 5" 629. It has twin ports and a full underlug barrel. It's much more shootable than when it had a 6" halflug barrel.

Years ago I bought a 57. Shot it a couple of times. Sent it off to Larry Kelly for magnaporting, action job (which is still top notch), and the hard chrome plating. I really wanted a SS 41 mag which wasn't available at the time. I will never regret it. I spent more money on the mods than the gun. He did the action job and then hard chromed them for life of the gun. Way better gun. The felt recoil is noticeably different. It is a 6" barrel so conceilabilty is not a factor. (great shooter). I have better guns for that. Still have the original docs to go with the gun.

I have a ported 3" 629 in .44 mag, and a ported speed six 2 3/4" in .357mag.They make a lot of noise.It does make a difference in the recoil.I would not personally have it done, mine came that way.

I have a very nice 629 with mag-na-port as bought new from S&W. The warmer the load the more I like the porting. HOWEVER----- THIS IS NOT FOR A CLOSE QUARTERS CARRY HANDGUN!!! fLAME AND GASSES ESCAPE AND FLY UP AT THE CHEST AND NECK. OUCH! That flame does not last but an instant but will get your attention.

I had a M-19 6 in. ported about 35 yrs ago, it shoots great but I don't think it makes much difference. I have another 6 in. M-19 that is not ported and shooting them side by side the improvement is minimal at best.

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blkhand

A Bud of mine had a Ruger Super Blackhawk. His was standard, mine was magna-ported. Mine was more pleasent to shoot, but not by much.......easy to compair..

For personal defence, I wouldn't want it..

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Regards,
Windjammer

I found a model 29 with a 8 inch barrel in mint condition and for a good price, but noticed it had the magnaports (or whatever they are called).
I opted not to buy it.

Waaaayyyy back when I was in law enforcement I carried a 4 inch Python as a duty weapon. Had it Armoloyed, Magna-ported, and a Reeves Jungkind action job. In hindsight the only thing I would do different is drop the Magna-port. Just did not notice any difference in recoil and as I found out the fireworks will blind you for a few seconds if you have cause to shoot in the dark. My 2 cents worth.

recoil and i will sacriface the small velocity loss and the build up of some residue around the ports ( just one more place to clean and if you shoot under 100 rds in a handgun its not real bad ) to get the qiucker " back on target " response of the ported arm.

i have a ruger sp101 that has been hyper-ported and it does make a difference.
and YES there have been tests to substaniate the muzzle is held down and gun is quite a bit more manageble for the one that is ported over the non-ported gun.

however...... the porting is usually more effective with the magnum revolver rounds and the heavier caliber auto rounds . usually 44 special, 38 caliper and 9mm dont need to be ported.
but if it is a VERY small lightweight carry gun, it just might help some.

Recoil is subjective at best, and tests don't prove squat for real world feel imparted to individual shooters. I have fired many ported guns like I mentioned earlier, including to identical 29's, side by side, one mine, the other my next door neighbors. Neither one of us could tell any difference in felt recoil, and we are both long time shooters.

The Mag Na Port will hurt the value of the gun in question in the OP's original post, and that can't be disputed.

i had a 629 trail boss 3 inch 44 mag, the key word is had! way too loud! i would rather be kicked, you cant always take the time to put in ear plugs

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

I have an early Dan Wesson .44 Mag. that came with 2 barrels, one ported, one not. I didn't really notice less recoil with the ported barrel, but I really noticed more muzzle blast. I can deal with the recoil more than the blast. Especially, if it were a defense or hunting gun where I wouldn't have ear protection.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

I have several Magna-Ported firearms, and I like them. I do believe Magna-Porting does reduce recoil, and muzzle flip.
This is from Magna-Ports web site:
Mag-na-port International--The Mag-na-port Process: Handgun Porting
The Mag-na-port Process: Handgun Porting


The growth of handgun related sports has let to various options for recoil and muzzle lift reduction. Today Mag-na-port offers the traditional revolver porting, rifle porting, dual trapezoidal porting, and quadporting. The variety of handgun porting allows the shooter an option best suited for thier needs.
Handgun recoil, more specifically felt recoil is perceived differently by individual shooters. The less experienced shooter will be more aware of the lessening of felt recoil in a gun that has been Mag-na-ported. The degree of change in a handgun's shooting characteristics, subsequent to Mag-na-porting, depends upon many factors: barrel length, weight and to mention the most critical, load.
Traditional Mag-na-porting of a handgun consists of two trapezoidal ports cut into the barrel approximately 1/2 inch from the muzzle. These ports are placed at approximately 35 to 45 degree angles. For the shooter this translates into a reduction of perceived recoil of 15 to 20%!


Rifle style Mag-na-porting consists of two traditional trapezoidal ports and two oval ports cut into the sides of the barrel. This style of porting is available on barrels of 7 1/2 inches or longer and recommended for the handgun hunter and larger calibers. The side ports help by providing additional reduction in recoil and aid in barrel stability.
Dual Trapezoidal Mag-na-porting is designed for shooters using shorter barrels with a minimum length of 3 inches. This style of porting provides greater relief from muzzle lift. Using two trapezoidal ports on each side of the barrel, the primary focus of gas dissipation helps reduce the muzzle lift. Extremely effective on the snub nose magnum revolvers.
Quadport is designed especially for the 2 1/2 inch S & W barrels or shorter SP 101's to help control the upward pressure on these light weight firearms. Consisting of two small oval ports cut into the barrel, this style of porting was designed exclusively for the short barreled revolvers popular for close range shooting.
The Mag-na-port process does not, in itself, alter a handgun's accuracy. The improvement comes from the shooter's being more comfortable, and able to return the gun to a firing position more quickly because of softer recoil. It is this characteristic that is responsible for the popularity of Mag-na-porting amongst law enforcement personnel and competitive shooters.
A number of chronograph tests have been conducted over the years. It has been proven, time and again, that Mag-na-porting does not influence velocities to any meaningful extent. Whatever your particular interest, the experts agree Mag-na-porting will improve your shooting, and make it more enjoyable.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I have guns that are magnaported and guns that aren't. I wouldn't avoid buying a gun I was looking for just because it was ported but I probably wouldn't have it ported if it wasn't already done.
It seems to cut down on muzzle rise but I can't really tell if there's less recoil or not.
The S&W Power port design works better.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

Thanks for all the responses. I am really glad that I posted this question. It has helped me out a lot, and from the replies, several others as well. Very good information here.
I went and looked at the revolver again today. The price is 600.00, and I could not talk him down.
I really want one of these, and have been looking for awhile.
I guess that I am getting desperate for one.
I told him that I would let him know.
After reading all the responses, I am leaning toward waiting for one that is not ported.
In the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, this is not listed as ever coming from the factory with the porting, so I have to assume that it is after market, which stated in some of the replies that it lowers the price.
I have to make a decision in the next day or so.

Before you see it again, look around to see what a nice unported one will run you.
I don't keep up with the prices on those.
Base your choice on price and all that's been mentioned before as well as how you feel about the gun.
Best wishes.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

Thank you Joni, I will do that.

I have a 6" M629 and a 4 5/8" Ruger Tomahawk SBH that are both Mag-Na-Ported.
Maybe it's just mental, but I think they both recoil and jump less with the ports.
They're both for the woods so I don't worry about sound or flash.
Interesting that many see the MNP as lessening value, for me they increase it.

My 6 inch m-25 is Magnaported. I bought it used and now it has become my favorite bowling pin revolver. I think it really helps me get back on the pins quicker. I’m pretty cheap so I would not pay to have it done but on a gun whose purpose is speed shooting it is helpful.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

Back in the early 70s, I sent a S&W 29 to Larry Kelly to have it cut to 5", action job, hard chrome, and magnaported -- I shot that gun a bunch, and ended up trading it off, much to my regret.

Currently have a Magnaported 6" Freedom Arms .475 LB that I bought used -- one of my favorites. Also have a 4" S&W 329 that is NOT ported. My daughter says the unported 329 is much louder than the ported .475.

Recently picked up a second 6" Freedom Arms .475. It is exactly the same as the aforementioned ported version. With the exact same load, exact same front sight, exact same rear sight setting (bottomed out), exact same hold, the ported gun shoots to a lower point of impact vs. the unported gun. Some evidence suggests that ported guns show a loss in velocity, so the faster unported gun should shoot lower -- but it doesn't. I know, no matter how much the same guns are, they are different.

Here are some snippets from an article by Paco Kelly (no relation to Larry Kelly of Magnaport fame), who has actually used a magnaported firearm to defend his life.

"44 magnums has been in and out of my life. A model 29 S&W that was custom rebuilt by Larry Kelly of Mag-Na-Port fame in the late 1970s save my life one dark and deadly night on a bayou bridge in Louisiana. Kelly had cut the barrel to three plus inches, round butted the grips to the K-Frame round butt size and fitted it with neoprene grips of the times...slicked and tuned and timed and of course mag-na-ported. When it was fired at night it was like the electric company lighting the night..................

My main carry gun was of course, my famous and somewhat infamous, S&W mod.29 44 magnum...cut to three inch barrel, and Mag-N-Ported, with the grip cut to the Mod. 19 round butt. I carried it in an upside down shoulder holster...it was fast to get into action, extremely powerful...and for me put the stories I hear about muzzle flash blinding you at night, and recoil making the second shot take too long, and a lot of other stuff I read...just that for me B.S. and untried magazine material.

I never had any of those problems....I fired it in several night time situations without the dreaded "blindness" from muzzle flash....it saved my life in a car one terrible night when I fired it twice...with no recoil slowness problems or blindness. The two individuals that could testify to that directly, unfortunately for them, are too busy reaping their reward for misspent lives in another world, to answer any questions.

Not that the baby beast didn’t give off a horrible roar and a good deal of muzzle flash. It did! But the flash was always too short in time, to blind. And the muzzle blast I found, was great because it scared the hell out of my adversaries. My ammo was Winchester’s famous commercial loading that had a gilded lead Keith type 240 grain bullet doing about 1100 fps from the short barrel. Like a big fist with a 640 lb punch!"

Special Handguns

Read the whole article, I think you'll like it.

I wouldn't let porting deter me from buying a gun I wanted, but probably wouldn't have it done to a gun I already owned -- except maybe that 329.

FWIW,

Paul

Paul105 - I will check the article out.

roundgunner - What model is the last one in the photo - 45acp.

It is a 625-10. 2 inch titanium/unobtainium. Performance Center. Night sights. Kicks like a mule,carrys real nice. i have a Milt sparks VMII holster for it too.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

roundgunner - I like it