A few thoughts/tips on Ported Guns

[NMPinNYC]

What flavor Chapstick?

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Somewhere either here or in Florida (two houses) I have a S&W Model 29-2 Blued with a 6 or 6 1/2" (?) barrel that is "Ported". Factory or after market (?). I have not fired it but have thought about cutting the barrel back, changing the barrel, or trading it for a "Non Ported" Model 29. Decisions, Decisions ?

 

[shep854]

Good original post! The information was enlightening, but I think I'd still reserve porting to hot hunting guns.
Thanks to all for taking the time to share their insights.

 

[DonD]

My 4" 500S&W is what I would consider dangerous with the break. It is so loud that it will ring your ears pretty bad even with earplugs in. The heat and **** hitting you in the face is terrible.

The breaks do work very well on rifles, but I believe that has to do with the weight of the powder that is being exhausted through the ports. The powder to bullet weight ratio is usually 40%,and in some cases equal to 100% of the weight of the bullet.

I think anyone firing a .500 Mag with something other than a dinky Trail Boss load ought to be using double ear protection. I’ve never shot my .500s without doubling up.

Brakes tend to work better as velocity increases but I’d like to know what rifle round uses as much powder as the bullet weighs?
In my cases:
7.62x39 approx 28 gr powder, slug weighs 123gr, 23%
.300WSM, approx 70 gr powder, slug weighs 165 gr, 42%
.458 Win Mag, approx 70gr powder, slug weighs 500gr, 14%.

I would add that my .458 Win Mag is a Ruger No. 1 and it is Magna Ported. I never noticed much benefit from it and it disfigured a classically elegant gun. Wish I hadn’t done it. Don

 

[koz5614]

I think the porting is effective in reducing felt recoil. I carry the 940PC and 66-4PC guns and qualify with them during our Day and Night qualifications. I do not perceive any additional muzzle flash, nor do I find the blast unpleasant. My Glock 33 spits more flame, and cracks more sharply than my F-Comp.

 

[guskody]

I think the porting is effective in reducing felt recoil. I carry the 940PC and 66-4PC guns and qualify with them during our Day and Night qualifications. I do not perceive any additional muzzle flash, nor do I find the blast unpleasant. My Glock 33 spits more flame, and cracks more sharply than my F-Comp.

I'm not sure I heard a word you just said...still staring at the photos

 

[EX11B]

I do not like a ported handgun. I have a 629 PC that came ported that I used hunting. I had to start using hearing protection while hunting. Later I got another 629 PC that was not ported to hunt with and I like it much better.

 

[xsexcess]

Several years back I was flipping through stacks of old gun magazines from the 60s through 80s. There was an article at the time that Mag-na-port had just been introduced that sought to determine effectiveness. They took three revolvers (2.5", 4" and 6" bbls) and had them mag-na-ported, mounted in Ransom rests, and rigged up some way to measure reduced muzzle flip. Their conclusion was it was a waste of effort on the 2.5" and 6" guns, but did produce some reduction in muzzle flip on the 4" gun. Their rationale was that a 6" gun already has a decent amount of muzzle weight which naturally resists muzzle flip. And on the 2.5" gun, there was simply not enough 'moment arm) AKA leverage on the gun to make any difference.

I can't remember which of the several hundred magazines I went through it was posted in. I'm sure I put a post-it note on that article though.

 

[sw282]

l was introduced to ported handguns in Nov '13 when l picked up a 629-4 PowerPort.. Comparing it to my DX l can say there lS a bit of a difference in recoil/muzzle flip. ln the noise l cant comment on because l have never fired a 44Magnum without ear protection.. EXCEPT when l am hunting big game...

Rifles are a completely different subject.. Kinda like the difference between propeller planes and jets.. Rifles being JETS.. Handgun being prop driven

l worked for Kenny Jarrett awhile back doing maintenance an on occasion would fill in tuning/breaking in rifles.. THe breakin for a barrel is to shoot/clean 20 rounds . Cleaning after each shot.. Breakin of barrels are done WITHOUT the muzzle breaks installed.. Race fans--There ''IS'' a difference... Just imagine touching off a 30-378 Wby without the break lnstalled

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

Unmentioned is the hearing loss that WILL happen if you touch off any reasonable round in a really confined space. I work for a maritime enforcement agency where we constantly find ourselves in ships companionways, engine rooms and other confined spaces lined with steel. I have had the situation to discharge a .357 SIG and a .45 auto in such conditions. When you get a hearing loss such as that it is cumulative.
We are now being issued "hush puppy's" in the form of either a Ruger .22LR or a FN .45 ACP with a suppressor for use in those circumstances, you wouldn't believe the difference! We still carry our S&W M&Ps in .357 for normal duty and deploy the suppressed weapons when we have to board a vessel. I am guessing that firing a hot load in your home would also have some detrimental effect on one's hearing. Not judging or fomenting the use of suppressors, but putting in what I know is medical fact situation when shooting indoors. Of course that is why we wear ear protection when training, but that is not always practical in the field.
Our new MPs and older Uzis are being fitted with suppressors as well.
Another issue relating to safety from shooting in our situation is boarding tankers, you need to capture any blast that might ignite fumes-have not had that pleasure-yet, but it may come in the immediate future. Hearing loss has been documented for many years. Take care of your ears, I understand they only issue 2 per person these days. All of the above situations are aggravated by any type of porting.

 

[shep854]

KAOV1MAN; has active hearing protection such as 'Wolf Ears' been tried and found wanting?