Why are ported revolvers so bad?

Cal44 · Jul 14, 2016

So many times I read negative comments made about ported guns.

Even comments like "I will never own a ported gun"

My only ported gun is a 2.5" 629. I mostly shoot specials, but sometimes magnum.

The porting seems to make it more shootable.

Sure there is a lot of muzzle flash, but there would be with or without porting.

So why so negative on porting?

Muss Muggins · Jul 14, 2016

I'm not exactly negative on porting, but I just don't see the point. I've fired ported and unported (is that a word?) versions of the same revolvers and semi-auto's, and the recoil and muzzle flip differences are negligible to me. And I think they're ugly . . .

reddog81 · Jul 14, 2016

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.

H Richard · Jul 14, 2016

The only "porting" I think does anything worthwhile is the compensators on the 1911's made for speed shooting, (IPSC, USPSA, Steel Challenge, etc), which help keep the muzzle rise under control and reduce shot to shot time. I have a Mod 29-3 (full lug 6") and have never felt it really did very much. Possibly kept muzzle flip down some. It was ported when I bought it, and I wouldn't spend the money to ever have it done.

Jingles · Jul 14, 2016

Some love them; some loathe them. I have owned several, although the only ones I kept are a couple of Contender barrels. I never found much difference with or without, except for the aforementioned Contenders when shooting very hot loads.

Typical cons you hear are they are dirty and hard to clean, louder, and have a considerable muzzle flash. Dirty; maybe, but you still have to clean your guns, right? Loud; well, that's what ear protection is for. Muzzle flash; I didn't find that to be an issue.

Pros? Reduced recoil; maybe in long barrels with hot loads, but not shorter barrel lengths with standard loads. Reduced muzzle rise; same as recoil. Does keep the muzzle down with hot loads.

The only other con I can think of is it may limit your resale options because for some having porting would be a deal breaker.

BAM-BAM · Jul 14, 2016

I ported a 3" 65 in about 1985/6.........nothing "wrong" with it........

when folks ask about it here I can only share my opinion and experience.

As I mostly shoot +P .38s it doesn't provide a lot of benefit vs. the additional flash and boom......

Bottom line ...... unless it was a long barrel hunting gun I don't think I'd do it again.... especially on a carry gun...... and with 20/20 hind sight..... wish I'd not done it on my 3" 65 concealed carry.

Other's MMV!

Edit I still have that customized 3" 65...... overall a great gun...... but it has taken a back seat to a 3" 66 and a un-ported 3" 65

Rpg · Jul 14, 2016

I dislike ported firearms.

Increased blast and noise is the primary issue.

They are unpleasant to shoot, and even more unpleasant to be around when shot.

They don't offer a benefit I need.

They decrease value since the market is limited to those who don't object to them.

Cal44 · Jul 14, 2016

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?

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

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

Tom S. · Jul 14, 2016

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.

If you have hot gasses and debris coming back in your face, whoever ported the gun did it wrong, or you're shooting it wrong (like sticking your finger past the gap in a revolver). I don't have many ported guns, but none off them have ever come close to doing this.

Muss Muggins · Jul 14, 2016

Tom S. said:
If you have hot gasses and debris coming back in your face, whoever ported the gun did it wrong, or you're shooting it wrong (like sticking your finger past the gap in a revolver). I don't have many ported guns, but none off them have ever come close to doing this.

I am not a ported expert by any means, and this only applies to semiautomatics, but it's my understanding that the movement of the slide rearward, combined with the muzzle elevating during recoil (which porting is supposed to reduce), can potentially direct debris back at the shooter . . .

Mike in Reedley · Jul 14, 2016

Porting handguns and shotguns is a lot like the air foils that kids put on the rear of small front wheel drive cars. It doesn't really do any good, but man does it look cool.

iPac · Jul 14, 2016

The only ported gun I have is a 3" 629-2E. It was that way when I got it, and I actually like it and think the gun looks better with it. The original owner bought it brand new and had the dealer send it to be Magna-Ported before taking possession of it.

Yes, it is loud. Doesn't bother me because I have muffs on, but others at the range ask "what the heck are you shooting???".

Yes, it does have muzzle flash, but not so much more than other guns. It is dependent a lot on the type of powder.

It does help with recoil, especially in a short barrel that doesn't have the added weight advantage of longer ones.

Nothing flies back in my face, never heard of such a thing. It does get carbon build up above the ports from escaping gas that needs to be cleaned. On a STS gun that is a non issue though. On a blued gun that would be a negative because you got to scrub a bit.

Overall I like the gun with the porting. I wouldn't pay to have it done on a gun that wasn't though, as I don't see any real benefit to it besides reduced recoil, which it does help with.

gwpercle · Jul 14, 2016

I have a ported 45 acp revolver , a Taurus 455. 2 inch barrel , fixed sights and it's now my favorite 45 acp ! LOVE IT !
I notice no difference when firing it and any of my 1911 style 45 acp's (I have 3) ....there may be some difference shooting at night , but not during daylight hours. Nothing comes back into my face . No increase in muzzle blast that I can tell, other than the normal expected from a short barrel
One thing I like is not having to chase down empty cases all over the floor.
I think how objectionable porting is may be more of a factor of caliber, 45 acp is not a 44 magnum. Could be magnums cause more discomfort than non-magnums.

People just enjoy bad-mouthing anything and everything. The internet experts lack of real world experience and misinformation is truly amazing. I take all comments and reports with several grains of salt .
Gary

jsawyer09 · Jul 14, 2016

I've been shooting my 629 V-Comp a bit lately, and am of the opinion that it does help; this is doing a back-to-back-to-back comparison with a couple of other .44 Magnum revolvers. I think it's enough to be noticeable, for sure. I haven't had a ton of experience shooting this caliber, but my ported V-Comp offers enough of (a) benefit(s) to me, personally, versus the other two non-ported revolvers. Not certain I'm sold on the looks, but I have enough 'pretty' pistols to last me the rest of my life, my sons' lives and their sons' lives...

lscocoa · Jul 14, 2016

I have two ported and I feel a difference in shooting ported as opposed to non-ported . My problem is that if I shoot cast bullets from my 2 1/2" Backpacker the lead gases coats the front hi viz sight sides . So I now shoot just my plated and jacketed loads .

Cal44 · Jul 14, 2016

lscocoa said:
I have two ported and I feel a difference in shooting ported as opposed to non-ported . My problem is that if I shoot cast bullets from my 2 1/2" Backpacker the lead gases coats the front hi viz sight sides . So I now shoot just my plated and jacketed loads .

Is that the gun like this?

If so, I have the same problem with the front sight.

saemetric · Jul 14, 2016

Many are ported for 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.

Mister X · Jul 14, 2016

On a range, target or competition gun, I don't really see it being an issue at all. However, on a defense weapon, I think it's a feature best avoided.

Considering the vast majority of civilian self-defense encounters occur at close-quarters, the probability of firing from some type of retention position being the best tactic is relatively high. In a defense situation, I want as much of the blast as possible directed into or toward my assailant and all the bullet velocity I can get, especially with a snub revolver.

There is pretty much a consensus of thought on this issue among reputable instructors. I'm not aware of a single respected trainer that thinks firing a ported gun from retention is a good idea or feels the risks are negligible.

The biggest negative thing I see with the porting is that if you have to fire from a retention position, it will blast hot gases and debris up toward your eyes. That's not just a distraction; it could cause permanent vision damage, and at the worst possible time. - Massad Ayoob

I don’t like ported barrels on self-defense guns. The clearest danger is the risk of hot, explosive gases vented up into the shooters eyes and face. - Michael de Bethencourt

Ported barrels can be downright dangerous when fired from retention. I have personally seen where what appeared to be part of the jacket embed itself into the face of one of our officers during retention training. Even if no hard particles leave the port, the gas definitely is directed straight into your face.- Mike Moore, Gunsite Academy Instructor

I do know one thing about the retention position. It sucks when one is using a ported gun!!! - Marty Hayes

Lou_the_welder · Jul 14, 2016

Ported 929. Is probably the most accurate i have in the bunch and i shoot it alot.

Ive heard people say porting hurts, stuff gets blown in your face, dont shoot inside a car because the head liner will catch fire or you'll burn/blind your passenger.

People in the know, know what porting can do and how to use it like i do. If you dont have the need or if the application doesn't call for it, there is no need.

Jerry Miculek believes in porting. If you watch his videos and see his speed shooting, his applications call for porting on almost all his guns.

Porting wont help guns locked in safe or shoot 50 rounds every 6 months.

+1 on porting (only if it applies)

lscocoa · Jul 14, 2016

Cal44 said:
Is that the gun like this?

If so, I have the same problem with the front sight.

Yes it is and it's a blast to shoot and easy to carry .

Why are ported revolvers so bad?

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads