Ported? Why? Why not?

[sturtyboy]

I have two Performance Center revolvers (an F-Comp and a 640 Carry-Comp) that have S&W's Power Port. (This is a single port ahead of the front sight in the top of the barrel.)

Compared to other similar revolvers I've owned or fired, I believe the Power Port definitely reduces felt recoil. Plus there is another benefit: If I ever have to use the F-Comp for self-defense, and miss my target, the huge flash and loud report will scare him to death!

I agree...I don't want to be on the front end of any firearm, but this little .44 does get some attention.

And, it is louder, but aren't we wearing ear protection on the range? So, what's the concern?

I guess the real concern about "more noise" would be if and when in a situation using it without protection. That would be a very rare one.

 

[sturtyboy]

And too...I've been pleased with my ability to hold on target in DA rapid fire.
Hey, I do the same with my 500 Mag.... what a blast that is. I know, some of you guys are shaking your heads. I'm just one of those that likes the big gun challenge. At CCW range training, last day, I pulled the 500 out for a little friendly competition. All 5 DA rapid fire. Talk about difficult to hold on target!

Happy 4th to everyone.

 

[nicky4968]

I have seen some pistols used for Olympic Rapid Fire that were ported. Never fired one, but it makes sense to me.

Other than that, I don't care for porting.

 

[Bajadoc]

Recoil is part of the deal. Man up.

 

[M1A]

Porting helps target acquisition. After a 48 round exercise on multiple targets, I think your manhood is kept intact.
It is a tool that is available to those who choose to use it.

 

[sturtyboy]

Recoil is part of the deal. Man up.

Oh, if you only knew me!

 

[finesse_r]

Blinding muzzle flash
Increased noise
Just Plain Ugly
Reduced Value

If you need to reduce the recoil, get a smaller caliber or get a longer heavier barrel. Don't permanently mar an otherwise good gun. I would not have one of the things at any price.

 

[Dennis The B]

I've had an opportunity to own several revolvers which have been ported.

The first was a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5" barrel, that I tried out for Metallic Silhouette. It was effective at reducing muzzle jump, but late in the day, flash was awful.

The second is a Model 29-4, 5"barrel, DX. The value of the Magnaporting is marginal at best. I've tried different stocks, loads, etc., and if there's any value in the porting, it's escaped me. The flash far outweighs any benefits.

I owned a Model 29-2, 4"; and I still own a second Model 29-2, 4". They've been tested by a couple of my friends in true blind-folded tests. None of us could tell any difference in muzzle flip. The noise level was higher; all of us had "doubled up", and the observers could said they could tell, although they knew when the ported revolver went off; so, those observations are a bit suspect. I sold the Magnaported model, and actually got more for it since it was ported.

I also own two 4" Model 19's, and the opinion was the same as the Model 29's; no difference in muzzle flip.

I owned a T/C Contender in .44Mag, Super 14 barrel. I could tell a difference from before and after having the barrel Magnaported. However, the T/C grip were not very comfortable. I tried Pachs, Herrett's, and a couple of different factory types. The pistol just isn't comfortable for a day at the range. Sold it about 6" months after the porting was done.

From my experience, unless the barrel length is at least 6" for a revolver, it makes absolutely no sense to have a ported revolver, unless you like muzzle flash at twilight.

 

[Blackhand49]

Back in the early 70,s I had a 6 in M19 magnaported. It may have helped muzzle climb slightly but for the most part I think it was a waste of money.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I bought a Taurus 4in ported 7shot .357 about 15 years ago for recreational shooting. Works just fine. Noise, port flash and velocity loss were not considerations for recreational daytime shooting.

I would not choose a ported gun for carry or home defense.

 

[Lt JL]

I have two ported Glocks, a 31C and a 32C. 357sig caliber. They are sure durned loud, but i never notice the upward flash, even at night. I also have a 3" 629-4 that is unported, and a 29-2 4" that is ported. I'll take that 29-2 anytime. the three inch is a walk in the woods gun, stainless. Ports are useful for faster followup shots, that's about it.

 

[rwsmith]

That old feeling......

Back in the early 70,s I had a 6 in M19 magnaported. It may have helped muzzle climb slightly but for the most part I think it was a waste of money.

I think that stems from the feeling when we were young that you had to 'hop up' everything, whether it really improved it or not as long as it LOOKED cool. At least in your eyes. Those STP stickers and Thrush muffler really made that old '63 Galaxie with the smallest engine available go much faster.

 

[jack the toad]

Those STP stickers and Thrush muffler really made that old '63 Galaxie with the smallest engine available go much faster.

Yep, that was cheap performance back in the day. Not to hijack, but I recall going to Tulsa State fair and coming home with all kinds of free gimme performance enhancing stickers. IIRC, my folks weren't interested souping up their rides though.

 

[Watchdog]

So my question is ...why the responses "I wouldn't own a ported gun" Is it just preference, or are there real frustrations with ported guns?

I think most of it's personal preference. I don't have any ported guns. I remember when Mag-Na-Port started. I looked at it as sort of a fad...the "next big thing". I have no problems with recoil. I dislike ports for aesthetic reasons mostly. I'm just not gonna cut holes in my barrel. But I don't begrudge anyone else having their guns ported, I wouldn't poke fun at them. To each his own. There's room for all in the handgun world.

 

[rock n roll kid]

my ruger sp101 2" ...

is hyper-ported and i believe to me , at least , it is worth it.
helps dampen muzzle flip and a lil quicker follow up shots.
a few years back one of the major gun publications tested guns that were ported & non ported .
believe the muzzle flip on the ported ones was a fairly lower %.
have viewed some of this myself with my own gun compared to guns not ported. muzzle flash increase seemed pretty insignificant .... not sure about the sound level , but its bound to make more noise.

 

[REM 3200]

This little 29-2, 2.5" is fun for rapid DA. It is noisy and being a .44 and a 2.5" produces a flash anyway.
It does get attention.

I'll bet it does, for better or worse.

 

[ditrina]

At one time the PC thought it was a good idea

One of the sweetest smoothest guns I ever had..

It currently resides in Miami with a Federal LEO..

 

[32flyingk9]

I tend to shy away from ported for carry guns, as the increased flash destroys night vision. You're going to have enough of it already with a .44mag.

 

[Decker]

I bought a new .44mag Dan Wesson back in the 70's. It was an 8" that came with both the standard barrel and a spare ported barrel of same length.

I right away went with the ported barrel but found that the hassle of cleaning and muzzle flash was a PITA that wasn't worth the slight reduction in muzzle flip.
I quickly went to the standard barrel and never fitted the ported again.

I guess that puts me in with the majority of most of the people in this thread.
I know that porting makes a difference, but my personal experience has left me thinking that it's more of a marketing gimmick than anything else.