passed up a 442 magnaport this morning....

[lonestarjeff]

Still shopping for a 442/642 for my daughter.....I came across one of several last night on GB that was listed as a 2012 tri-color magnaport edition. The price was right(it went for $300)but I just didn't think it would be the right choice for her 1st SD weapon. Supposedly, the porting reduces recoil without significant loss of muzzle velocity, which would be good for her, but I have no experience with ported weapons to draw from.

Not that I didn't want it for me, but trying to keep my eye on the ball....

Jeff

 

[shawn mccarver]

You made the right choice. See the Clint Smith article on ported revolvers in American Handgunner a few years ago. I would never have a handgun with holes, ports, porting or whatever, and I had that opinion well before the article mentioned.

 

[lonestarjeff]

Wow! I should have searched the S-W forum 1st. I just read through one of the threads from back in 2012. This porting thing is quite a polarizing subject....very interesting read.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/279504-ported-barrels-pros-cons.html

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I've got half a dozen ported barrels for the Contender. I think their great for hunting, range work, all the kinds of shooting you'd use a Contender for. They are loud. Extremely loud. One shot with out hearing protection damage your hearing forever loud.

I wouldn't want one on a concealed carry gun.

1.) In a SD situation you won't have hearing protection.

2.) The jet of hot gases from the port can cause sever damage to human flesh. In a SD situation you may not have the luxury of a two-hand-hold with arms fully extended. You might have to shoot with one hand near the port, the gun close to your body, or even inside a pocket. In that type of situation you could cause a major injury to yourself.​

 

[Old cop]

I owned a Taurus .44 Mag that was ported and could not notice any difference in recoil from a model that wasn't ported.

 

[TucsonMTB]

I believe Mr. Kernel Crittenden nailed it.

For me, the noise issue is the biggest concern. I have fired my .38 special defense ammo in an indoor setting without hearing protection, knowing there was not much hearing risk.

Yes, I only fired on round that way. But, that was enough to convince me that standard pressure Federal Nyclad is not a danger to my hearing in the unfortunate event that I need to fire my revolver.

For me, leaving a defensive shooting situation with NO injuries, including NO self induced hearing loss, is an important goal. YMMV

 

[10mmauto]

I had a very popular brand of .45, 3-1/4 inch barrel, ported. Great carry gun. Flawless performance. But it spat powder and debris in my eyes ever time I shot it.

Got rid of it very quickly.