Mind made up...buying a CORE. Now, ported or unported?

[Jagrmaister]

Already filed a transfer paperwork into the LGS...just need to decide which one is for me. I'm wanting to add a 9L CORE to the stable (and yes, maybe that 6" 686-1 still, too ) But back to the C.O.R.E...

I plan on running a Trijicon RMR affixed to the top. APEX is typically a must for my M&P line of pistols as well. Pricing difference between the two is coming out to $100 if I want to go ported. At least with those carrying it in stock right now.

I'm just having a hell of a hard time choosing whether I want to go ported or not. Seems like Glock gets out of the port game, S&W gets in...I'd like to use this as more of a Comp/Speed pistol. Are there any issues in reliably feeding 115 plinker down with the ported barrels? Anything beyond a slightly dirtier slide/barrel? If I choose to compete, would it be better to go unported to ensure more class options?

Thanks.

 

[Bob O]

I would go ported given the factory option. If it doesn't feed with good 115 gr factory ammo, all you have to do is go down one step in the recoil spring.

I just built a range gun out of a new G17. With a 2-port comp, it shoots American Eagle 115 gr ball just fine with a 13lb recoil spring vs. 17lb factory weight.

 

[Bkreutz]

Already filed a transfer paperwork into the LGS...just need to decide which one is for me. I'm wanting to add a 9L CORE to the stable (and yes, maybe that 6" 686-1 still, too ) But back to the C.O.R.E...

I plan on running a Trijicon RMR affixed to the top. APEX is typically a must for my M&P line of pistols as well. Pricing difference between the two is coming out to $100 if I want to go ported. At least with those carrying it in stock right now.

I'm just having a hell of a hard time choosing whether I want to go ported or not. Seems like Glock gets out of the port game, S&W gets in...I'd like to use this as more of a Comp/Speed pistol. Are there any issues in reliably feeding 115 plinker down with the ported barrels? Anything beyond a slightly dirtier slide/barrel? If I choose to compete, would it be better to go unported to ensure more class options?

Thanks.

Ported will put you into Open division in USPSA. You can put an unported barrel into the ported slide and shoot production. I've found that the ported barrels aren't nearly as effective as a compensator. (I have both). 115's will work fine with a ported barrel.

My preference would be to get the standard CORE and then buy a threaded barrel and comp combo from someone like Carver.

My Ported Core is the Magnaport version. The factory ported version wasn't available when I did that.

 

[MegaCleanCab]

Ported version is the only one with the factory adjustable over travel stop which is why I got mine.

 

[McE]

Porting has zilch to do with reliability, all other things being equal.
Well, as you mentioned, being dirtier would introduce a reliability gremlin eventually, or the openings in slide/barrel let more environmental debris in.

Porting obviously limits the divisions you can shoot in. And for 9mm, benefits are far down the list and trivial.
However, I really don't think the porting makes a lick of difference in your division concerns if you're going to be running a mod trigger and a red dot. The dot dictates your division. I.e., there is no "dot w/ porting" and "dot w/out porting" distinguished divisions.

 

[keithherrington]

Go with the non-ported

I've been shooting IPSC/IDPA since they first started and have been interested in some truths that have bubbled to the surface over the years. Comps and porting are of limited value EXCEPT under some very specific conditions, mostly having to do with two: bullet weight and gas volume. Under normal conditions, shooting factory (or equivalent) 115 9mm has too little of either to make a real difference (for most people). The only way you can accurately determine whether it's right for you is doing a side by side comparison, one with and one without porting. By measuring your split times and recovery times you will find out whether it does or does not help you improve your final scores. And while IDPA has only one class for street guns with electronic sights, that doesn't mean they won't have others in the future. It seems reasonable that once the current experiment with miniature sights is concluded, and they find the new class to be a success (I think it will be), then they may then sub-divide it into a standard class and a modified class where porting and other such improvements are allowed. You can then decide whether or not porting your gun makes sense.
Keith

 

[Jagrmaister]

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming. I thought I was dead set on the 5", but now I am almost considering the 4.25" PC ported/threaded combo. I could pick up a comp and run the pistol in any variation. Wish I could just try them all instead.

 

[OKFC05]

And while IDPA has only one class for street guns with electronic sights

This is NOT true.
IDPA DIVISIONS (class is how well the shooter scores, Division is what equipment is allowed) prohibit ALL OPTIC AND LASER SIGHTS and ports/compensators.
IDPA allows a "Not for Competition" Division at Tier 1 (Club Matches) at the Match Directors discretion. If you show up with ports and/or optics at my IDPA Club match, I will allow you to shoot for "NO SCORE."
(IDPA Match Director)

USPSA has a Provisional Division for "Carry Optics."

IMHO, a ported barrel on a 9mm is a waste of money. If you're going to put yourself into USPSA Open, get an effective compensator that does some good. If you shoot 9mm Major Power, then the compensator is really effective.
(USPSA CRO)

Bkreutz (above) is giving GOOD advice.

Ported will put you into Open division in USPSA. You can put an unported barrel into the ported slide and shoot production. I've found that the ported barrels aren't nearly as effective as a compensator. (I have both). 115's will work fine with a ported barrel.

My preference would be to get the standard CORE and then buy a threaded barrel and comp combo from someone like Carver.

 

[pyro]

I have a ported 9mm CORE and a non ported 40cal CORE. The main reason I got the ported 9mm is because it comes with an adjustable over travel stop, the non ported COREs do not. The porting makes the 9mm very attractive, but in actual use I don't need it. The cost difference between them was minimal.

 

[Jagrmaister]

This is NOT true.
IDPA DIVISIONS (class is how well the shooter scores, Division is what equipment is allowed) prohibit ALL OPTIC AND LASER SIGHTS and ports/compensators.
IDPA allows a "Not for Competition" Division at Tier 1 (Club Matches) at the Match Directors discretion. If you show up with ports and/or optics at my IDPA Club match, I will allow you to shoot for "NO SCORE."
(IDPA Match Director)

USPSA has a Provisional Division for "Carry Optics."

IMHO, a ported barrel on a 9mm is a waste of money. If you're going to put yourself into USPSA Open, get an effective compensator that does some good. If you shoot 9mm Major Power, then the compensator is really effective.
(USPSA CRO)

Bkreutz (above) is giving GOOD advice.

I'm taking what you and BK had to say on the subject and listening. Seems like you 2 offer the most experienced advice relevant to my desires to compete. I ordered the 9L CORE non ported as result. I'll save up and consider the PC barrel combo pistol for a future range toy if I decide on purchasing another optic.

 

[AndrewX]

Ported version is the only one with the factory adjustable over travel stop which is why I got mine.

My understanding is that the ported 4.25" pistol is a Performance Center model (10097) and that the non-ported CORE 4.25" pistol is a Pro Series model (178061) and as MegaCleanCab stated, the ported version has the trigger over-travel stop. Aside from that and the slide markings and porting, I can't tell the difference between the two. From what I've read on this forum, the Pro Series guns are regular production guns sent to the Performance Center for additions/modifications while the Performance Center models start and finish in the Performance Center. Not sure if this makes any difference at all.

I'd like to hear from those who own each for clarity.

 

[pyro]

That's interesting. My non ported CORE is a Pro and my ported CORE is Performance Center. I didn't know the ported CORE came each way. There is an additional difference between the two other than the overall travel stop. The slide finish on the non ported slide is matte black. The slide finish on the ported slide is the same as my Shield. It is shiny and looks to be melanite.
Buyer beware. If you are buying online you don't always get all the details and specs.

 

[MegaCleanCab]

My performance center ported core has a different slide profile than the non ported pro core. Yes, I am excluding the ports. The ported is based off the early 9L slide and the core 5" is based off the pro slide. I rarely shoot mine with the ported barrel. I normally run a plain KKM barrel.

 

[pyro]

My performance center ported core has a different slide profile than the non ported pro core. Yes, I am excluding the ports. The ported is based off the early 9L slide and the core 5" is based off the pro slide. I rarely shoot mine with the ported barrel. I normally run a plain KKM barrel.

My slide profiles are the same. I am not sure what all this means

 

[McE]

With 9mm, a compensator is more effective than ported barrel largely due to the added muzzle weight.
A threaded barrel is a flexible option.

 

[AJB]

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming. I thought I was dead set on the 5", but now I am almost considering the 4.25" PC ported/threaded combo. I could pick up a comp and run the pistol in any variation. Wish I could just try them all instead.

I bought the PC ported/threaded combo a couple of weeks ago. It runs with my light 115 grain loads with no problems in either barrel. I put a Vortex Venom red dot on it a couple of days ago. It seems promising but it is going to take some getting used to.

 

[patchdoc]

ported or not

Already filed a transfer paperwork into the LGS...just need to decide which one is for me. I'm wanting to add a 9L CORE to the stable (and yes, maybe that 6" 686-1 still, too ) But back to the C.O.R.E...

I plan on running a Trijicon RMR affixed to the top. APEX is typically a must for my M&P line of pistols as well. Pricing difference between the two is coming out to $100 if I want to go ported. At least with those carrying it in stock right now.

I'm just having a hell of a hard time choosing whether I want to go ported or not. Seems like Glock gets out of the port game, S&W gets in...I'd like to use this as more of a Comp/Speed pistol. Are there any issues in reliably feeding 115 plinker down with the ported barrels? Anything beyond a slightly dirtier slide/barrel? If I choose to compete, would it be better to go unported to ensure more class options?

Thanks.

I have both. I love the c.o.r.e. I have sights which let me co-witness both the front and rear sight. Be careful with some which require an allen wrench or torx at the rear end. It won't fit between the rear sight and the rear of the red dot sight.
As far as the ported question, mine lets in a lot more black debris and junk inside the slide. But it does decrease upward recoil about 20%. Pluses and minuses. Good luck!

 

[TacticalReload]

I notice very little difference with ports unless I use very hot ammo (light bullet at very fast velocities)... that gets LOUD, by the way. YMMV. As far as people claiming excess flash from the ports, that's mostly exaggeration. Flashy powders would be flashing from the muzzle anyway. The amount that gets directed out of the ports vs the muzzle won't make much of difference, in my experience. And during the daytime, I don't even see it at all when shooting (with both eyes open and not blinking during the shot).

If I'm not mistaken, the PC guns have more than just the over-travel stop. Their striker block appears to be radiused much better than the Pro models. They all share the same sear, I believe, though.