DOES MAG NA PORTING KILL COLLECTOR VALUE ?

[LostintheOzone]

I don't know about revolvers but it's probably in the neighborhood of 25% decreases in value for an otherwise collectable O/U shotgun of that vintage.

But if it makes you happy I'd say go for it.

 

[long colt frazier]

All said before but I got a 41 mag in a trade(didn't want it) that was mag-na-ported. I could not distinguish a difference in felt recoil between it and my un-ported 57.

 

[balin]

I pay far less for altered guns. Unless the work is done by a renound gunsmith whose work I want a sample of. I have that the group of people willing to buy altered guns is smaller then for classics. And the price of altering guns is usually reduced and the alteration price ends up mostly being lost.

 

[flundertaker]

Magna porting is a scam. No idea why people keep doing this to otherwise nice guns. I’ve fired plenty that were ported and I can tell no meaningful difference.

 

[Lonestar57]

I'd say yes if the porting was done after leaving the factory. But there also were certain brands with specific models that were either factory ported or contracted and ported by the mag-na-port company. Then sold as exclusive runs with the porting feature. They are considered factory original and correct. On those I say no. They actually can have extra value due to the special feature, regardless if you personally like porting or not.

 

[BSA1]

All of the various types of porting do nothing to reduce recoil. What they actually do is reduce muzzle rise. This creates a reduction in perceived recoil also sometimes called felt recoil.

How much that perceived recoil is reduced depends on which type of porting we're discussing and what type of ammunition is being used.

This thread is obviously discussing Mag-na-Porting specifically.

Think of those little trapezoidal shaped ports as rocket motors. They pushed downward on the muzzle of the firearm. They're going to be most effective with ammunition that produces large volumes of high pressure gas

This means that 357 Magnum, 125 grain, full power jacketed ammunition will feel a larger reduction in perceived recoil than anything 38 Special when fired from a similar Model 19, easily 20%+

If you are firing 38 Special HBWC there will be zero reduction in perceived recoil.

Naturally a firearm ported in this manner will get carbon scoring from the ports. If you look at the model 66 above, the level of carbon scoring is more than acceptable on a revolver that fired in excess of 200 full power 125JHP's that day

Now if the only thing you shoot is hard cast lead projectiles with a lube that creates a lot of smoke, what happens to the front sight will probably be drastically different.​

The rocket motor is a excellent explanation about mag-na-porting. I would like to add one more important thing about the effectiveness of felt recoil which is barrel length. The longer the barrel the more felt recoil is reduced.

I have had a 2 1/2” Model 66, 4” Model 581 and 6” Model 29 MagNa-Ported.

The 2 1/2” barrel was a waste of money. I found it totally ineffective.

I did notice improvement in the 4” barrel Model 581 with .357 Magnum ammunition.

The most improvement in reduction of felt recoil is the 6” barrel Model 29. I had it done when I was handgun hunting hogs and deer. I usually used 240 gr. Hardcast Lead for hogs and 240 gr. JHP for deer pushed by near maximum powder charges. With practice I could easily shoot it one handed. In fact I did once holding onto the tree with one arm from my stand and shooting a deer with the other. Of the three guns I had Mag-Na-Ported I have kept the Model 29.

I also have a 4” barrel Model 29. It’s felt recoil is brutal when I use my hog and deer hunting handloads in it. That said I will not have it Mag-Na-Ported. I only shoot .44 Special loads in it.​

 

[sigp220.45]

I have one Magna-ported gun - a no-dash 4” Model 66. It belonged to an FBI Agent in a neighboring RA who was about to retire and he wanted a rifle for his grandkid to shoot that chambered “free ammo”.

I had a Marlin Camp Carbine .45 ACP. I got it in a trade and fell out of love with it when I was using it to shoot gophers from the driver’s side of my G-ride and the lustily ejected empty cracked my rearview mirror.

We did the swap via “Bu Mail” sight unseen. He said he had a Model 66 that he had used when he was on HRT. (He was an older guy then, and had been a founding member). It was, of course, a personally owned weapon.

I was surprised when I got it and saw it was Magna-ported, which was a no-no by Bureau regs. He said they didn’t care, which could be true. HRT guys could pretty much do what they wanted in those days.

I’ll dig it out and update with some pics, but it is like every other no-dash 66, except for the trapezoidal holes. In true Bu style it has magnas and a Pachmayr grip adapter.

I never found K-frame frame .357 rounds to be objectionable, but the ports in this gun make it a pussycat. I wouldn’t pay extra, but I like them since they came with.

 

[mtgianni]

HRT? not familiar with that one.

 

[mrchick]

HRT? not familiar with that one.

Hostage Rescue Team.

 

[KertP]

Mag-Na-Porting

29-2 4" barrel.
It`s in great condition. Serial # shows made in 1977.

If I send it to Mag Na Port, ...

One last thing. They advertise 15 to 20 percent reduction in felt recoil. Would y`all agree on this?

I've had Mag-na-Port Quad Port my 329PD and do their standard 2-port on my 396NG. I also installed the Sorbothane grips that S&W uses for their 500 on my 329PD. That combination makes shooting standard 240 gr .44 Mag reasonably comfortable and certainly much easier for follow-up shots than how it came standard from S&W. As for the 396NG, the Mag-na-Porting definitely made a reduction in felt-recoil to where it feels about like shooting .38 Spl out of a J-frame. So, yeah, it makes a noticeable difference at least in my two revolvers.

 

[BIGBOY61]

All my newer 686 and 640 firearms are Magnaported. That is because I fire full 357 mag rounds thru them. And yes, the porting tames the recoil. I would not, however, port an older firearm. This would reduce its value. Keep it as it is. Save porting for your beater, EDC, firearms that are powerful such as the 357 and 44 magnums.

 

[XAVMECH]

Magna Port vs Collector Value

I have N serial number 29-2. It’s a 4-inch, and is Magna Ported. Shoots just fine. I also used to have an S serial number 29-2, also a 4 inch. I didn’t shoot the S numbered version. S guns have a certain cachet among some collectors. So, while I would have no hesitation or concern on an N numbered gun to do the porting - I would not alter an S numbered gun if it were LNIB.

 

[warbuff]

A fellow on a local forum was selling some inherited nice S&W revolvers, including a 6.5" Model 29 (no dash, S prefix). Photos weren't great but it looked good so I set up a meeting with him. To my surprise (and disappointment) it had been mag-na-ported. At first I considered it a no-go, but it was in fantastic shape with the original 'cokes', I had driven nearly 120 miles to see it, and the seller (who swore that he hadn't noticed it) was willing to negotiate. I got it for what I consider a good price and have enjoyed it.

 

[Taj]

29-2 4" barrel.
It`s in great condition. Serial # shows made in 1977.

If I send it to Mag Na Port, will it hurt any collector value?
If so, any idea of how much? Also, there are always those that want it on their gun. So it would not harm any resale value for them.

One last thing. They advertise 15 to 20 percent reduction in felt recoil. Would y`all agree on this?

Thanks

I may create some hate and discontent here, but how much Magna Porting helps recoil is questionable. This type of muzzle device at handgun cartridge pressures probably will not provide a significant reduction in recoil. I had the privilege of working with Michael Plaxco at S&W way back when and Michael did a lot of research on muzzle devices and how they actually worked on handguns. He designed and had his designs tested by independent labs. The mechanism that is the significant factor in reducing recoil just isn't present with simple barrel porting. Michael was a great guy and super knowledgeable. He is truly missed.

 

[cliff70chevy]

29-2 4" barrel.
It`s in great condition. Serial # shows made in 1977.

If I send it to Mag Na Port, will it hurt any collector value?
If so, any idea of how much? Also, there are always those that want it on their gun. So it would not harm any resale value for them.

One last thing. They advertise 15 to 20 percent reduction in felt recoil. Would y`all agree on this?

Thanks

The short answer is YES it will eliminate resale to persons that do not want a Magna ported barrel! I am a retired LEO. We were not allowed to have ported barrels as the flash from the unburned powder would obscure and effectively blind a shooters (the officers) follow up shots. So in a nut shell I am one of the people that would NEVER buy a gun with a ported barrel. I know I would be at a disadvantage if I ever needed a gun in a darkened environment (like in a hunting camp at night and a bear was threatening or in a home invasion). Obviously it is the opposite if someone wanted a ported gun, but for me I would NEVER buy a gun with a ported barrel. Additionally if you were concerned about value, why spend the money on porting and then hope to get that money back on a sale?

 

[DR505]

Another case of spending more money to make the original purchase worth less. But, your gun, do as you wish. That said, I have a -3 that is ported, but it is all scratched up anyway so the porting probably didn't hurt the value.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qgTh9T https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

I think those scratches should buff right out.

 

[Rock185]

It would be a no sale to me. I have shot guns with various types of porting, including two with Mag-na-Port. Muzzle rise is decreased, so recoil is more straight back. Recoil seemed more unpleasant to me than on similar unported guns...ymmv

 

[oink]

I have a 3" 629 that's Magnaported. I guess it would be considered factory as it's a "Trail Boss" model. I've had no issues from the porting. I have wood Hogue Bantam stocks on it so it does sting a bit after a few rounds. If I was going to pound away with a coupe of hundred hot magnums I'd put the factory rubber back on. I like the porting on this gun. It does seem to allow quicker sight reacquisition.

I don't think I'd port a 6" as I carried a 6" 629 on duty for many years and I didn't find recoil an issue t with the 6". You just need to decide if it's a shooter or a safe queen collector piece. Guys that are "collectors" are never going to want to alter a gun. I'm not a collector, I'm an accumulator. I still see them as tools to modify or customize as desired. Do what you want!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Purchased a used four inch magnaported 629-2 Mountain Revolver years ago, not sure if the previous owner had it done as some were supposedly sent to Magnaport from S&W IIRC but I didn't buy it for the MP
I bought it despite having the MP,
I didn't shoot that gun and go WOW ,
more like meh.....and yes it made a mess on the front sight ramp,

In the end IMO the juice isn't worth the squeeze but if one pops up and is priced right I would probably get it as a shooter.

Definately would not spend money to have it done and would agree most would say it devalues a clean4" model 29-2 value, a beat up shooter no.
On more rare collectable guns like a pre war RM IMO its downright BLASPHEMY....

....Ps...if you are determined to have one and live near me I'd trade a magnaported 629 for a clean non magnaported 29-2 any day .

X6............

 

[JcMack]

I had a 3" 629 with a Bear Paw print etchged onto the side plate. It was magnaported and it increased the loud factor about 50%. Turned heads at the range but nobody was smiling.