DOES MAG NA PORTING KILL COLLECTOR VALUE ?
- Thread starter WILLIAMPIPPEN
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I would not port a -2. As to the reduction in recoil, my 6” 629-2 is Magna Ported. I bought it that way 35 yrs ago. It definitely reduces muzzle flip. Shooting side by side with my friends 8 3/8” 629 Classic my 6” has noticeably less recoil and flip. I’d say the advertised percentage is accurate.
Engine49guy
Member
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 .
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 .
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I vote “no,” porting any firearm ruins any firearm IMO but as others have said, it’s your gun.
Why spend good money to destroy any value your revolver might of had. It would make the revolver have zero value to me.
LittleAugieMo
Member
If your selling....no its an "value add" if you're buying yes it's "modded"
If you're looking for a replacement bbl to keep the original non-ported I can help you out.
If you're looking for a replacement bbl to keep the original non-ported I can help you out.
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Yes, Mag Na Port will destroy any collector value. After you cut holes or slots of any description in the barrel, it is no longer original, therefore no collector value. Sorry.
As others have said, M29-2s don't come along every day, especially one in pristine condition. Modifying any firearm (porting the original barrel in this case) from its original (as it left the factory) condition be it re-blueing, machine work, drilling & tapping, etc. devalues any "collectible" piece considerably.
I agree with the other respondents to this thread - do NOT do it. Shooting 44 Special rather than 44 Magnum loads in it is a much better alternative to mitigating felt recoil if that's what you're trying to accomplish. It's also easier on the gun and on its longevity.
I agree with the other respondents to this thread - do NOT do it. Shooting 44 Special rather than 44 Magnum loads in it is a much better alternative to mitigating felt recoil if that's what you're trying to accomplish. It's also easier on the gun and on its longevity.
Here’s a subjective question. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer:
Do you believe collector value is strictly bound to factory original condition?
For some folks, the answer is “Yes”. This makes things easy. You can ascertain the condition with a high degree of certainty. And, you can use Blue Books or recent auction results to establish value.
But, is it a definitive way of establishing desirability or even rarity?
Lots of guys here like revolvers modified by King’s Gunsight Co., for example. But, strictly speaking, they are non-original. I’m sure many people dismiss them accordingly. But, they have a degree of rarity, a historical pedigree, and desirability amongst guys that shoot their guns.
The work of certain gunsmiths adds value, when properly documented, to the right customer.
And, what about grips? We all know the original grips are important to collector value. But, for shooting purposes, S&W factory grips, besides, say, Diamond target stocks, aren’t widely held in high regard. Custom grips by famous artisans generally add value.
*There was a recent thread in which a member got a good deal on a used K-38 with aftermarket grips. He lamented the lack of the factory grips. It turns out, his revolver had come with a nice set of Fuzzy Farrant grips! To the right buyer, this is a huge plus! To the uninformed, it was just another shooter-grade gun.
Magnaport did some cool packages, bundling services like porting, plated finishes, custom sights, and benchrest style muzzle crowns.
Often, they’d add their logo to the sideplate.
The right buyers love ‘em and, in fact, “collect” them.
Having said this, I would seek out an already modified 29 rather than modify a vintage piece in fine condition.
PS: the effect of Magnaporting is likewise subjective to the shooter and their technique. I have shot a lot of International style (aka: Olympic) match shooting. I have shot a Magnaported Walther OSP Rapid Fire pistol in 22 Short (this once the standard rapid fire chambering) and can tell you that it was a distinctive aid in keeping the sights aligned while moving shot-to-shot on the five horizontal oriented turning targets.
Do you believe collector value is strictly bound to factory original condition?
For some folks, the answer is “Yes”. This makes things easy. You can ascertain the condition with a high degree of certainty. And, you can use Blue Books or recent auction results to establish value.
But, is it a definitive way of establishing desirability or even rarity?
Lots of guys here like revolvers modified by King’s Gunsight Co., for example. But, strictly speaking, they are non-original. I’m sure many people dismiss them accordingly. But, they have a degree of rarity, a historical pedigree, and desirability amongst guys that shoot their guns.
The work of certain gunsmiths adds value, when properly documented, to the right customer.
And, what about grips? We all know the original grips are important to collector value. But, for shooting purposes, S&W factory grips, besides, say, Diamond target stocks, aren’t widely held in high regard. Custom grips by famous artisans generally add value.
*There was a recent thread in which a member got a good deal on a used K-38 with aftermarket grips. He lamented the lack of the factory grips. It turns out, his revolver had come with a nice set of Fuzzy Farrant grips! To the right buyer, this is a huge plus! To the uninformed, it was just another shooter-grade gun.
Magnaport did some cool packages, bundling services like porting, plated finishes, custom sights, and benchrest style muzzle crowns.
Often, they’d add their logo to the sideplate.
The right buyers love ‘em and, in fact, “collect” them.
Having said this, I would seek out an already modified 29 rather than modify a vintage piece in fine condition.
PS: the effect of Magnaporting is likewise subjective to the shooter and their technique. I have shot a lot of International style (aka: Olympic) match shooting. I have shot a Magnaported Walther OSP Rapid Fire pistol in 22 Short (this once the standard rapid fire chambering) and can tell you that it was a distinctive aid in keeping the sights aligned while moving shot-to-shot on the five horizontal oriented turning targets.
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.455_Hunter
Member
I won't purchase a gun that's been ported, so they have essentially zero value to me.
Everything said in this post absolutely makes sense..."Value" is always in the eye of the beholder, or in this case the gunholder...When I display guns at shows I am often told nobody is going to buy my guns because I value them too highly...And that's exactly what I expect...
I value my guns higher than others expect because my purpose is not to sell, but to improve my own collection...If another person agrees that my gun's value is in line with his thoughts, he may or may not be its next caretaker...All collections are fluid, and our only purpose here is that of caretaker...
As for the work of certain gunsmiths being collectible to some and not to others, I can cite as an example the work of a local, but lesser known local gunsmith, Earl Long...Most people may never have heard of him, but those in the know here can recognize his work immediately and value it accordingly...
All this to emphasize the idea that "value" is not the same from one person to the next, nor from one gun to the next...
...BenI'm afraid that I have to vote with the majority and say "do not port that nice vintage 4" Model 29-2". It will definitely negatively affect its value. If you want to reduce recoil, use .44 Specials and/or put some nice rubber Hogue or Pachmayr grips on it.
One of the first N-frames that I bought 15 years ago was a 4" Model 28-2, also from 1977. I got it OTD relatively cheap, mainly because the barrel had been ported (2 holes drilled each side of the barrel) by a "shade tree gunsmith". I contacted Mag-Na-Port to see if they could turn those holes into Mag-Na-Ports, but was told that their machining could not do that. Oh well, it's a great shooter, but I don't expect it to ever be a collector's item.
One of the first N-frames that I bought 15 years ago was a 4" Model 28-2, also from 1977. I got it OTD relatively cheap, mainly because the barrel had been ported (2 holes drilled each side of the barrel) by a "shade tree gunsmith". I contacted Mag-Na-Port to see if they could turn those holes into Mag-Na-Ports, but was told that their machining could not do that. Oh well, it's a great shooter, but I don't expect it to ever be a collector's item.
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smoothshooter
Member
I would not do it.
Reduced recoil, perhaps.
Increased muzzle blast, certainly.
Reduced recoil, perhaps.
Increased muzzle blast, certainly.
Grayfox
US Veteran
For a shooter- fine if you want it.
For a collector- no way in Hell.
For me- immediate no buy.
For a collector- no way in Hell.
For me- immediate no buy.
gwpercle
Member
Unless it is unfired , in the box , with all paperwork ... it will be of value as a shooter .
As a shooter the porting would be a plus to me , I have one ported revolver and I just love it ... the porting makes a noticeable difference in felt recoil .
Now ...If I were buying the model 29 from you I might say the porting reduces the value ... but I would be lying through my teeth !
Gary
As a shooter the porting would be a plus to me , I have one ported revolver and I just love it ... the porting makes a noticeable difference in felt recoil .
Now ...If I were buying the model 29 from you I might say the porting reduces the value ... but I would be lying through my teeth !
Gary
I was unimpressed by ported guns - owned a 29-3 that was ported. Kicked the same as other 57s and 29s, and made the red ramp front sight turn Grey after a few shots. Cleaning the ports wasn't much fun, either.
Not a fan.
Not a fan.
Yendor357
Member
I wouldn’t Magna Port a nice -2.
But I’d like to have one….
If I could buy a nice Magna Ported 29-2 $100 cheaper than an unmolested gun in similar condition, I’d be all for that deal. *You save $100 whereas, the previous owner spent $100 to have it done. Let the previous owner lose $200. Plus I get to shoot something a little different. I always double up on ear pro when shooting Magnums anyway, so the additional noise wouldn’t bother me.
And one of these years Magna Port may to cease to exist. Then the value of a Magna Ported gun may be worth more than the standard safe queen. Look what a Shelby Mustang brings now. Who knows. Pure speculation on my part.
But I’d like to have one….
If I could buy a nice Magna Ported 29-2 $100 cheaper than an unmolested gun in similar condition, I’d be all for that deal. *You save $100 whereas, the previous owner spent $100 to have it done. Let the previous owner lose $200. Plus I get to shoot something a little different. I always double up on ear pro when shooting Magnums anyway, so the additional noise wouldn’t bother me.
And one of these years Magna Port may to cease to exist. Then the value of a Magna Ported gun may be worth more than the standard safe queen. Look what a Shelby Mustang brings now. Who knows. Pure speculation on my part.
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Tom Kent
US Veteran
I bought a six and one half inch model 29-2 from a pawn shop several years ago. It had already been magna ported when I got it. I have used it when a few of my friends and I got into 100yd pistol shooting. It was also my back up gun on several bear hunts. It is extremely accurate and a pleasure to shoot. My grandkids can worry about the value when they have it. No, I would not intentionally buy another one for most of the reasons others have listed. I have enjoyed this one very much and have used it in spite of the ports. Actually I cannot tell the difference in my gun and one that has not been ported.
THAT is exactly the right answer.
Felt recoil is a subjective thing. Everyone understands that. I have a “magnasnorted” 4-inch 29-2. (The term my friends and I humorously use.) In my opinion, the ports make a decided difference in felt recoil. I don’t shoot the gun much, but I shoot it enough to know I don’t notice the ports much with target loads, but a full charge .44 Magnum is another thing.
If I wanted a ported .44 I’d do exactly what JH1951 says, precisely for the reason he says. You can also look around for a take-off barrel that’s already been ported. I’d just find and buy a gun that has the ports, if I wanted one and didn’t already have one. If you keep your eyes open, one will come marching by, sooner or later.
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