Why are ported revolvers so bad?

I've owned several ported revolvers over the last 35+ years. From .38spl, - 44mag. They were all done by Mag-na-port International. I recomend it. (I'm not affiliated with them in anyway)



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Mag-na-port International, Inc.

The Mag-na-port concept, so far as inventor-developer Larry Kelly is concerned, was born of necessity.


Kelly, a handgun hunter since the late '50s, found the punishment meted out by his .44 Ruger Blackhawk was detracting from the fun of shooting, and the extreme muzzle lift was adversely affecting the accuracy and speed of a second shot.
By 1965, the concept of trapezoidal ports cut into the muzzle by Electrical Discharge Machining procedures, had evolved. The theory was based on Kelly's years of EDM experience in general, and work done on fuel control valves for spacecraft on the Apollo project.
In 1969 Apollo EDM was formed, but only a small part of the new company's business was gun related. After a slow beginning, Kelly's efforts were finally recognized by the firearms press, and by 1973 demand for Mag-na-porting seemed to warrant a fulltime effort.
In 1974, after a year in Fraser, Michigan where Kelly operated the Mag-na-port shop as part of a small retail store, the Company moved to Mount Clemens. Since then, the Company has ported tens of thousands of firearms, ranging from .22LR target pistols to .460 Weatherby Magnums.
In 1983 Mag-na-port Arms, Inc, with additional franchises in Australia and New Zealand, became Mag-na-port International, Inc., and moved into a larger and more modern plant at 41302 Executive Drive, Harrison Twp., Michigan 48045-3448.

The Mag-na-port Process

Mag-na-port introduced the combat mini conversion before the snub nose revolver became available. This MNP custom is still extremely popular. Mag-na-porting is accomplished with Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), a surgically precise method of removing metal. Dielectric oil is flooded over the area of the barrel that is to be "cut," and an electrode. When voltage is applied, the oil is ionized, which establishes a continuous flow of electrons between the electrodes and the barrel...an electrical arc. It is the electron flow which does actual "machining" of the trapezoidal ports.
The patented Mag-na-port process assures the gun owner of a smooth incision of exact dimension. There is no damage to the metal surrounding the ports; no machining marks, as would be the case subsequent to a drilling operation. The finish is similarly protected, as it is blended into the metal exposed by the erosion process during the EDM operation.
[SIZE=+1]It should be noted that Mag-na-porting a firearm:[/SIZE]

• does NOT reduce velocity
• does NOT affect inherent accuracy
• does NOT raise noise level

[SIZE=+1]Mag-na-porting:[/SIZE]

• DOES reduce muzzle lift
• DOES reduce perceived recoil
• DOES increase the value of a firearm

Not exactly the same, but I have a Springfield 1911 PDP Defender. Entry level IPSC gun. Commander size slide with the comp mounted on the end, target sights, descent trigger, two tone...very nice, very accurate.

While trying to shoot loads for accuracy/groups, I noticed a problem. When firing, the gas coming out of the comp gave a little extra shock or puff of pressure on my face, and combined with the extra flash, this made me squint, then blink, then eventually flinch. Not good for concentrating. Not debris, or enough wind to blow my hair back, just enough to distract me. And that is why I don't like them.

Yes they work, and if that's all I ever shot, prolly wouldn't bother me.

Nothing wrong with ported guns....

I just don't care for them myself. I could justify it with a longer barreled pistol, like a muzzle brake on a rifle but on shorter barrels they just take an inch off the barrel length. Now if that little sacrifice of barrel would be balanced out by better recovery and accuracy. I'd go for it. But I haven't shot enough ported guns to decided if that works or not.

The internet experts lack of real world experience and misinformation is truly amazing.

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Those who continue to go off on the mantra of:

Porting is a BAD idea on a SD gun and no respected trainer thinks it's a good idea - ad nauseam; ad nauseam;

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need to have gwpercle's above comment tattooed on their foreheads for they, and their "respected trainers" obviously haven't a clue to what they are talking about!

I HAVE owned and shot still and own and shoot a number of ported handguns including my off the farm EDC S&W M&P 40 PC -Ported.


To continually rant about the "dangers of shooting a ported pistol from retention" only manifest to those who ACTUALLY have trigger time with with such handguns that those making those claims have ABSOLUTELY NO REAL EXPERIENCE!

I've been busy lately and haven't had time to shoot the PC Ported a much as I should have but with almost 2,000 rounds through it (about 1,500 with the RMR) and all but about 100 with cast bullets, which certainly throw more debris than jacket bullets, from various shooting positions I can say that it's a bunch of baloney to go on about the dangers of shooting a ported pistol "from retention".

As Harry Callahan used to say, "A man's got to know his limitations" and those who go around in a fog with no clue to situational awareness may need to be concerned with "firing from retention".

Personally there is no threat going to get close enough to me that I need to be concerned about it.
However, if I experience a brief lapse in situational awareness and the need should arise to "fire from retention" I'm not concerned about it because, I'VE BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

The same goes for the "the flash will blind you in low light" claim by those who haven't really shot a ported handgun in low light.
It's completely baloney.
Again, I'VE BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

Are they dirtier and require more clean up, especially when using cast bullets?
Absolutely!


Do ported handguns allow faster / more accurate follow up shots?
My personal experience says - for me - a resounding YES!


Shoot what you like but don't make baloney claims that you can't support form ACTUAL personal experience and expect those of us who have ACTUAL experience to buy in to it.

James

I don't think ported barrels are bad at all out of a revolver.
I have a Taurus 85 snubby with the gold accents & a ported barrel & its in my carry rotation. I have shot it many times & simulated different firing positions & scenarios and I've never had a problem with gasses hitting my face .
You will however loose some muzzle velocity with a ported barrel & they are a little harder to clean.
Also I feel I have much faster follow up shots.

reddog81 said:

I've never shot a ported gun but I think the negative is that the hot gases are being directed back at the shooter rather than out the barrel. Yes, it will make the recoil less, but is it worth having hot gases and possibly other debris - unburnt gun powder or specks of lead sent back at your face?

I'd jump at the chance to shoot the same gun back to back with one being ported and the other being a regular barrel just to experience the difference in person.

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I have a 3" double-Magnaported 629. I also have a 4" 29. There is a significant improvement by the 4 slit ports, both in direction and magnitude of recoil. Neither gases nor debris of any sort are directed at my face. I have never felt either on my face or hands or any other part of my body.

I agree that it would be good to test two side by side. For many years my recollection was that the 29 and 629 were similar in recoil, despite the 629's shorter barrel. Then, more recently, I tested the two side by side, with several kinds of ammo tried in both pistols. As stated above, the improvement was significant.

Stop by some time.

Cal44 said:

At least on my gun, the porting directs the gas upward.

I've never noticed stuff coming back at my face.

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The argument I have heard from gunfighting professionals is that if you fall on your back good chance you will involentarally pull the trigger and takeout both eyes from the hot gasses. Maybe not far fetched.

Zipdog said:

The argument I have heard from gunfighting professionals is that if you fall on your back good chance you will involentarally pull the trigger and takeout both eyes from the hot gasses. Maybe not far fetched.

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IMO that argument is really reaching for a reason. I would think the involuntary reaction would be to extend the arms to try and break the fall and probably lose the gun in the process. Even if the gun is retained the firearm should be away from the eyes. If the trigger is pulled at some point in this mishap I think the bullet would be more a problem than hot gas.

Lew Horton Custom 629

Magnaport is worth every sent on this little beast!

i like this one...cause its mine.....

S&W model 686-4PP, .357 magnum, product code 104272.....

A little port never hurt anyone. I sure like my 629-4 PowerPort.

Zipdog said:

The argument I have heard from gunfighting professionals is that if you fall on your back good chance you will involentarally pull the trigger and takeout both eyes from the hot gasses. Maybe not far fetched.

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WHAAAAAAAAAT

Zipdog said:

The argument I have heard from gunfighting professionals is that if you fall on your back good chance you will involentarally pull the trigger and takeout both eyes from the hot gasses. Maybe not far fetched.

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There is such a thing as a "gunfighting professional?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA . . . . !

Zipdog said:

The argument I have heard from gunfighting professionals is that if you fall on your back good chance you will involentarally pull the trigger and takeout both eyes from the hot gasses. Maybe not far fetched.

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No, if you fall on your back you will tear your shirt or jacket 11" above the belt line and either break your strong-side pinky finger or skin the heel of your strong-side hand. Even if you did involuntarily pull the trigger, you would endanger only your strong-side eye, unless you were using an isosceles hold. And why do you think all the serious professional gunfighters use Oakleys? They are prepared for exactly the fall-on-your-back-and-involuntarily-pull-the-trigger scenario described. Since I would fall on my back only if I were attempting a Weaver stance, and wear glasses anyway, I'm not worried about my ported 629.

I had my 629-1 Magna ported decades ago. I shot IPSC style side matches with six reloads. Though I could not really feel a change in felt recoil, I found target acquisition much improved. I have never considered resale value of any importance.

I've owned one, a stainless Ruger SB. I perceived less recoil than my un-ported SB, but regardless, I hated that square trigger guard!

I wouldn't port a gun on purpose, however, porting wouldn't keep me from buying a gun I wanted.

Cal44 said:

So why so negative on porting?

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You cannot shoot revolvers for more than about 5 minutes without having some blast come back on you from the barrel/cylinder gap. If it can happen from there, then it is only a matter of time until hot gases or hot particles come out the slots or gas ports straight up into your eyes (if shooting from the hip), or back into your eyes (it can happen even with glasses on your face).

Porting is dangerous, makes the gun louder, and makes the gun ugly.

I cannot speak for anyone else, but that is why I am negative on porting.

Oh, and because, like FLGRs in 1911, I really do not think it does much for you.

Besides, why cut slots or holes in a perfectly good barrel?

saemetric said:

Many are ported by distributors by Magnaport as special runs, like this RSR Wholesale Model 629 with football Combats from 1983. Also came with polished trigger and action work. Bought it new.

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Oh my grips! Nice grips!

What!!????? LOL

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6dWDFcoFFs[/ame]