Does factory porting make any difference (686 6")
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It's a Power Port gun? The port works. It does what it is supposed to.
You'll notice the difference more with hotter loads than mild loads.
With standard pressure 38s you will probably notice nothing at all.
Enjoy you gun!
You'll notice the difference more with hotter loads than mild loads.
With standard pressure 38s you will probably notice nothing at all.
Enjoy you gun!
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The port supposedly reduces muzzle flip and allows for quicker follow up shots. Never having owned one I can't tell you just how much of a reduction it actually is.
It also increases the perceived noise level to the shooter and is of course another place to keep clean. Worth it? That's up to the individual.
It also increases the perceived noise level to the shooter and is of course another place to keep clean. Worth it? That's up to the individual.
Lou_the_welder
Member
Absolutely. A ported gun will always shoot magnums softer than having it not.
My power port is a soft shooter of heavy magnums and not louder than a non-ported gun .
I would not shoot 38 specials in it. The port will slow the bullet down almost to a bunny fart load and could get stuck in the barrel in the form of a squib.
I could never shoot 38 specials in my V-comp either. It's just that noticeable.
My 686-4 PP is very accurate.
My power port is a soft shooter of heavy magnums and not louder than a non-ported gun .
I would not shoot 38 specials in it. The port will slow the bullet down almost to a bunny fart load and could get stuck in the barrel in the form of a squib.
I could never shoot 38 specials in my V-comp either. It's just that noticeable.
My 686-4 PP is very accurate.
I'm curious as to how that could happen. The bullet is still traveling down an unmodified barrel.
Has that actually happened?
I own two S&W Performance Center models with the Power Port, both 1995-vintage : An F-Comp (3" model K-frame) and a 640 Carry Comp in .38+P. I also have non-ported variations of the same basic revolvers. In my experience, the Power Ports are effective.
Looks like you got a nice shootin' iron there...congratulations!
Looks like you got a nice shootin' iron there...congratulations!
It will reduce muzzle rise, but probably not by much with 38 Special ammo. Ports work better with high pressure ammo, so it will work to reduce muzzle rise with full power 357 Magnum ammo. Beware, shooting a ported firearm from under a covered firing line will result in louder report than what you would hear with a non-ported firearm.
OP
8shot
Member
Was actually looking for a comparison between a ported and non ported 6" 686. Something along the lines of a Ransom rest lift comparison would have been great. The good news is I'll have a revolver shooting smoke signals shortly!
Shutthefrontdoor
Member
I have a picture of my 686 DX PP test target on another thread to show that - Yup, the power ports seem to help. I think the test load was a 158g federal HP.
I bet yours is a tack driver!
Enjoy!
I bet yours is a tack driver!
Enjoy!
Yes, it will make,a difference. Significant enough to pay extra for? Yes if you shoot a lot of magnums.
The power port works far better than magnaport in my opinion.
And yes you can shoot 38s in it all day. It is,not,more likely to get squibs stuck in barrel. Any loss in velocity would come after the port and by that time the bullet,I’d gone.
You will notice more muzzle flash.
The power port works far better than magnaport in my opinion.
And yes you can shoot 38s in it all day. It is,not,more likely to get squibs stuck in barrel. Any loss in velocity would come after the port and by that time the bullet,I’d gone.
You will notice more muzzle flash.
357 shooter
Member
Have no doubts the port helps but then again a standard 6" 686 to me has been one of the mildest 357s to shoot in regards to felt recoil.
SweetMK
Member
I purchased a High Standard Olympic in 1982, from a guy that I worked with.
He had used the gun as a "club shooter",, and he shot weekly.
The gun is chambered for 22 shorts.
When I got the ported gun, the port was COMPLETELY blocked with probably lead.
Maybe wax also??
I scrubbed, scraped, and scrubbed and scraped,, and finally got the port clean.
Since that time, I have shot over 1,000 rounds in the gun,, and there is zero evidence of buildup.
How many rounds did the OP shoot to block the port!!??
He had used the gun as a "club shooter",, and he shot weekly.
The gun is chambered for 22 shorts.
When I got the ported gun, the port was COMPLETELY blocked with probably lead.
Maybe wax also??
I scrubbed, scraped, and scrubbed and scraped,, and finally got the port clean.
Since that time, I have shot over 1,000 rounds in the gun,, and there is zero evidence of buildup.
How many rounds did the OP shoot to block the port!!??
The Power Port works very well on speed games! I shoot both a Power Port 686 and a standard 686 at bowling pins matches. Hot loads work better! Muzzle flip is less with the power port so I can get on the next pin quicker!
jcelect
jcelect
Lou_the_welder
Member
It happened to me twice on my V-comp. With 38 specials.
So, yes. It actually happened to me twice!
Keep in mind the Power port must be kept clean to work correctly. If using lead bullets a coating will build up in the port. An application of oil, cleaning solution ( I used Break Free in my 1911's with comps), will help in the clean up as the lead doesn't stick as easy.
It does help with muzzle flip, but I never thought it did that much with recoil.
It does help with muzzle flip, but I never thought it did that much with recoil.
daveyc
Member
never used one in .357, but I have in .44. honestly, I have never felt an appreciable difference in recoil.
Gunaholic
Member
I had a standard 6” 686 and bought a 6” PowerPort; and so took them to the range and shot them side by side. It’s hard to quantify but the port definitely lessened the muzzle flip in my hands.
Enjoy your gun!
Enjoy your gun!
How did the porting affect the bullet in the barrel prior to the bullet leaving the barrel?
Lou_the_welder
Member
Porting bleeds off gases upwards or sideways, that would otherwise propel the bullet straight forward.
There might be YouTube videos by now, that can better describe the effects.
All I know is that every ported firearm I have are soft shooters.
Interesting. I have a ported model 57 and had a model 13 and shot both heavy and light loads and never experienced that and velocities when compared to similar non ported models was insignificant.
Were you shooting factory or reloaded ammo?
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