Mag-Na-Porting a 629

[SteveJewels]

A week before Christmas I did not own a 629. I had one previously but it got away from me. This afternoon I will pick up a 4th since December, a no dash with a 6" barrel.

One of the other three is a -1 with a 4" barrel. I found a Galco holster I like, a high rise style with a retention strap, and I'm thinking it might be a nice carry gun for the occasional OC when I am away from civilization (It pains me to have to say that.) or, if I polish it, at a BBQ.

As I plan to give it some range time I'm thinking about have it Mag-Na-Ported and looking for experience. They do a single or double porting. As I am of the "If some is good, more must be better" school, I'm thinking the double porting.

Any experience with Mag-Na-Porting a 629 would be appreciated.

They also offer other services such as "Inverted muzzle crown". What is that? It doesn't look as though they are doing action jobs at this time so that will have to wait. I'm not looking for a "Competition speed trigger" but the pull could use a little TLC.

Thanks!

Obligatory pic.

 

[6string]

Magnaporting is a fiery topic around here! I’m not sure if everybody that’ll chime in has actually used actual magnaporting.

Some folks say it hurts the resale value of the gun. Other guys will pay extra for it, if resale value matters to you.

With a 6” barrel, the conventional “one port on either side” of the front sight is fine.
Subjectively, magnaporting is like good shock absorbers on your car. They take the edge off, but you will still have muzzle rise. You will see more blast on poorly lit indoor ranges. Outdoors, you probably won’t notice a difference in the visual blast.
Magnaporting is not a compensator or muzzle brake, so audible difference is negligible.

The inverted muzzle crown is great! It protects the rifling at the edge of the muzzle. More importantly, it gives a very concentric and well defined muzzle that noticeably improves accuracy. In some cases, quite a lot! You might also want to compliment that service with the 11 degree forcing cone. It can really help improve accuracy with a lot of different bullet types.

The bottom line: Magnaport does high quality work for very reasonable prices. Everything they do, they do well.
Look through their misc services. Numbering the chambers is kinda cool, and can be more useful than you might think, particularly if you reload and test for accuracy.
If you get them to do the porting and muzzle crown, and/or any “package”, I might suggest that you pay them the extra $35 to have their logo engraved on the sideplate.
Believe it or not, it does add value and it looks good. Some guys do collect magnaported guns! Keep your paperwork documenting the work you have done!

 

[M29since14]

We discussed this topic a few weeks ago. Maybe someone can point you to that thread. I have a Magnaported 4-inch S&W .44 Magnum. It’s not something I want to see in a collectible but for a gun that will actually be used, it’s user’s choice, as far as I’m concerned. My preference would be for the single port option (one port on each side of the barrel).

The inverted crown wrecks the traditional S&W look of the revolver so I wouldn’t want it. That’s an aesthetic consideration only. I agree the quality of their work is not a factor.

Bottom line is it’s your revolver, it’s not particularly rare or unusual, do what you think suits you best. Be aware that the modifications will almost certainly decrease the resale value of the revolver for most potential buyers.

 

[ken158]

I went down the mag-na-port rabbit hole back in the day. What I found out was that recoil was not substantially reduced, my red ramp front sight got covered in black soot within a cylinder of firing and it appeared to be louder. I quickly realized I was experiencing “buyers remorse” and finally dumped the gun (6’ 657) at a gun show. With the cost of the porting and an apparent reduced value, I lost a couple hundred bucks for the experience. Your mileage may vary…

 

[CH4]

From my experience, there's very little juice for the squeeze. I am, however, intrigued by Magnaport's Mini Combat package, but was told they either have a protracted waiting period or they've paused that offering. If I did have one of my revolvers converted, I'd decline the included Magnaporting.

I have one gun, a 625-6 MG .45 Colt, that came new Magnaported. I only bought it because it was already done and they were/are not easy to find. I wish it wasn't ported, but I am living with it. Porting is completely unnecessary for the low pressure .45 Colt.

My only other ported handgun is a Colt Kodiak that I recently traded into. I prefer the aesthetics of Magnaport’s trapezoidal ports over 3 holes.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I WON"T have any woodpecker holes in my gun barrels..........ANY gun with them would be a NO buy for me.

 

[1911haulic]

I have three pistols with ported barrels (ported when purchased). Two are Gemini Customs and the latest is a Colt Kodiak, not fired yet.

The one I've fired and carry frequently is a Ruger SP100 3" barrel. It shoots great with no noticeable side effects.

As others have stated, it's a personal preference.

 

[Marksman]

Magna-ported M/629.........

I have owned a Magna-ported 4" No dash M/629, I feel that it did provide a reduction in felt recoil, did not notice an increase in blast or noise. The gun was ported when I got it, would I port an un-ported gun definately not.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Best do it because YOU want it; the consensus seems to be that it will usually drop resale potential, not raise it.

I have a 4" 29, a 3" 629, and a 4.625" Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk. The 629 is double Magna-ported.

With full power .44 Mag loads, the 629 clearly has the least recoil and the least muzzle rise.

With .44 Spl loads, the others recoil less. Clearly, it is the gas that is doing the work. when it is there. Otherwise, weight takes over.

I like my 629, and would (did) pay more for it.

Your choice.

 

[justicetyme]

I have actually owned and shot three S&W revolvers with MagnaPorting.
Years ago I was doing CAD/CAM software development work for GM and traveled to Detroit frequently so I hand carried my guns to Larry Kelley personally and became somewhat acquainted with him.
The revolvers were a 6" 686, a 6" 629, and a 6" 629 Classic Hunter.
They were shot with hot loads, both cast and jacket bullets.
On MY guns there was definitely a noticeable difference in recoil.
As I said I shot both jacketed and cast bullets and never experienced any problem with the front sight being obscured from debris.
With the exception of gifted guns from my wife, my mother, and a very good friend I have bought or traded for every gun I have ever owned so I don't give a rats nest what others think about my choices or about my modifications.
I have always bought guns to shoot and enjoy so again I couldn't possibly care less what value they may loose by any modifications I may have or will do to them.
Again, I have had three S&W revolvers magnaported that I shot and on MY guns there was definitely a difference in recoil.
Cheers
James

 

[Yendor357]

If it weren’t for the colossal hassle going thru an FFL to ship my gun, and receive it back, I’d have a couple of guns Magna Ported.
It’d cost at least $150, plus 2 trips to the gunshop, and some paperwork just to get it to Magnaport and back.
Their services seem quite reasonably priced.

If you’re shooting slow heavy bullets, I doubt Magnaporting would do much. But with a lighter bullet, and more gas to work with, you’d probably see more of a benefit. That’s just physics. Cast bullets with smoky lube would probably smoke up your front sight sooner than a jacketed bullet, but that’s just me thinking out loud.

Mag sport or not? Only one way to find out.

 

[Rock185]

I've shot various ported handguns, but only one actually done by Mag-na-Port. That one gun was a S&W model 58; don't recall if 2 or 4 ports. The porting did moderate muzzle rise. But, recoil became more linear, and the more straight back recoil was unpleasant to me. A ported gun would be a non starter with me, and definitely wouldn't want it on anything that might be considered collectible...

 

[Bald1]

My 6” 629-1 is the first handgun I bought after getting my NY permit. That was 35 yrs ago. It was Mag Na Ported when I got it. IT DOES reduce recoil. IT DOES reduce muzzle flip. It is a bit louder but who cares you’re wearing muffs. I’ve killed deer, woodchucks and one 150lb Hog. My hearing was not effected when shot without muffs. This is over blown in my opinion. I agree with others that have said , port it if you want. It’s your gun. It will not affect your ability to sell the gun. But it may or may not affect price. Not every buyer is a diehard collector and purist.

 

[AJ]

I have never shot a Mag-Na Ported revolver. I do have a Mag-Na Ported Ruger SR1911 in 10MM. The ported 1911 10MM recoils less than my non ported 10MM M1911. One day I will have to try a revolver to see how they feel under recoil. I have shot compensated M1911's in IPSC matches and also in practice and they can be amazing as to the stability that the compensator gives you.

 

[Bald1]

AJ, I’ve said this before. I once shot my Magna Ported 6” 629 alongside my friend 8 3/8” Classic with full under lug. My ported 6” recoiled less and has less muzzle flip. I’m sure we were shooting 240 JSP. Probably American Eagle because that was my friends hunting load.

 

[jimmyj]

I have a model 29-2 6" blue that i received for a retirement gift and a model 4506 I purchased used. both were "Mag-A- Ported' when i received them. I have not shot them so i can not commit but i would not do it.

 

[Bald1]

P&R model 29 Magna Ported??????? The horror.

 

[biku324]

The problems with my Magnaported 4" 29-3 were:

1. Cleaning lead residue out of the ports unless you use only jacketed bullets.
2. Having your red ramp turn grey from burnt powder after a few rounds on the range.
3. Muzzle flash and blast was observably worse than non-ported 4" 44s I had.
4. I really couldn't tell any difference in recoil between the ported gun and my non-ported one.

Put me down as not a fan. I sold the 29-3 here.

 

[AJ]

AJ, I’ve said this before. I once shot my Magna Ported 6” 629 alongside my friend 8 3/8” Classic with full under lug. My ported 6” recoiled less and has less muzzle flip. I’m sure we were shooting 240 JSP. Probably American Eagle because that was my friends hunting load.

Sorry, must have overlooked your posting.

 

[Bald1]

AJ, certainly no apologies needed. I just stated that way in case someone read it and thought “that Bald1 guy is repeating himself again”. Lol