Question. Did S&W ever Port the barrels on these model 29's. or any of the early model 29's? I have never seen one with a ported barrel, and the guy at the gun store of course told me it was original. The 29-2 I looked at was priced $800, No box and no original grips. Thanks for any Help...Ray
Model 29-2
- Thread starter Bigman
- Start date
No,they never did.
Tom Kent
US Veteran
It used to be popular to send 29's to have them mag-na-ported. I have a 6 1/2" 29-2 that has been maged and I am debating having it cut to 5" since it is already altered with the ports.
Don't get me wrong, this was a very nice revolver! And I know I have a long way to go before I even know half about all the S&W revolvers, there is a lot to learn. But I was almost positive that this porting was done by an after market company. But sometimes you are in a No win situation when you are in someone else's gun shop, and the guy you are talking to is the manager. But thanks for letting me know that this time I was right. I have a pretty nice model 29-2 with a 4 inch barrel in Blue. But I have wanted one of these models with the 6.5 inch barrel. I will keep looking, I consider this a bad experience, but it was my first and last time in this shop. Seemed all the prices were very high. Thanks again, Ray
chief38
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If you have read some of the other posts I have done over the years you will know that I am not a porting fan. Porting will redirect the muzzle blast to help reduce felt recoil, BUT the price you will pay is that noise levels will drastically increase (very important if you are shooting indoors), gun value will drop, muzzle energy and velocity will drop, and you will spend more time cleaning another orifice in your gun.
If you are using your gun for hunting Magnaporting will do nothing but give you too many DISADVANTAGES, and if all you want to accomplish is to reduce recoil for target shooting then you would be MUCH BETTER OFF either shooting milder hand loads or just shoot 44 Specials.
If you are using your gun for hunting Magnaporting will do nothing but give you too many DISADVANTAGES, and if all you want to accomplish is to reduce recoil for target shooting then you would be MUCH BETTER OFF either shooting milder hand loads or just shoot 44 Specials.
chief38 nailed it!
I purchased a beautiful 29-3, six inch that was Magna-Ported.
Really grew to hate the gun rather quickly. Both shooting ranges I use have covered shooting benches. The Magna-Port didn't do much for recoil, but brother did it increase the noise.
Also, when shooting milder cast lead loads, the ports would allow lead vapor to build-up on the barrel around the ports. The residue was nearly impossible to clean. Ended up trading the gun toward a 629 for a $150 loss.
I purchased a beautiful 29-3, six inch that was Magna-Ported.
Really grew to hate the gun rather quickly. Both shooting ranges I use have covered shooting benches. The Magna-Port didn't do much for recoil, but brother did it increase the noise.
Also, when shooting milder cast lead loads, the ports would allow lead vapor to build-up on the barrel around the ports. The residue was nearly impossible to clean. Ended up trading the gun toward a 629 for a $150 loss.
Jack Flash
Member
Dealers often "get creative with the facts" when it helps to move merchandise. 
J-FRAME
Member
I ported my 29-2 years ago. Never would do it again. Period. I reload cast bullets and the front sight is ALWAYS dirty and cleaning the lead off the side of the ports is a true pain. Also the finish gets bad from the cleaning by the ports.
