S&W 629--ported vs. normal barrels

[deepocean]

I am interested in a 629-4 with a 6 1/2" barrel. I'm trying to decide whether to get the power port or the normal barrel.

Are there limitations to the ammunition you can shoot through the ported barrel? For example, would shot shells fragment out the port?

Is it true the power port directs gases/ignition particles back at the shooter?

This is for wilderness protection against grizzlies, so if the reduced velocity from the port will degrade the effectiveness, I'll go with the standard barrel.

 

[deepocean]

I am interested in a 629-4 with a 6 1/2" barrel. I'm trying to decide whether to get the power port or the normal barrel.

Are there limitations to the ammunition you can shoot through the ported barrel? For example, would shot shells fragment out the port?

Is it true the power port directs gases/ignition particles back at the shooter?

This is for wilderness protection against grizzlies, so if the reduced velocity from the port will degrade the effectiveness, I'll go with the standard barrel.

 

[john traveler]

A ported barrel should have little or no effect on muzzle velocities. It should not affect shot shells either. Most muzzle ports direct the muzzle blast up and forward to achieve recoil reduction, and that would indicate no blast or particles back toward the shooter.

That said, the most common complaints about ported vs non-ported handguns is that they are more trouble to clean, that the upward directed ports tend to throw more muzzle flash into the shooter's field of vision, and that they are notably noisier on the firing range.

Larry Kelly of Magaport Inc pioneered ported pistol barrels and has forgotten more about this subject than most of us will ever learn. Check out his website for info.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I have 29's and 629's that were magnaported, I wouldn't do that again.
I have a few of the power port revovlers and they are my favorites. The port does not direct any gas to the shooter. The port works much better than magnaporting and does reduce muzzle jump and some recoil as well.

 

[Vanman]

I have the 629PP and it allowed ne to master full house 44mags. The ported model is a little louder, is not any harder to clean and the more powerful the load, the better it works.

It is designed for full house loads. Shooting mild practice loads with the ported gun is hardly and different than an unported gun.

The S&W powerport is many times more effective than "magnaport".

If you're thinking of buying a pre-lock 629 power port, send an email to me.

 

[deepocean]

Originally posted by Vanman:

If you're thinking of buying a pre-lock 629 power port, send an email to me.

Email sent.

 

[buck460XVR]

My 686powerport is my favorite range gun. I also have a PC compensated .44 and .460. The porting makes them a tad bit louder and the compensated models will show a bit more muzzle flash in low light, but they make the guns that much more pleasant to shoot.......and less recoil, less tendency to flinch. I have shot magna-ported revolvers also and didn't like them at all.

 

[magnumpete]

I have a 6-1/2" 629 Classic with the Hogue X-frame grip. I was at the range one day and somebody was there with the same gun but it was the PP version with the stock grip. We swapped guns to shoot. I thought, and so did the guy with the PP 629, my unported 629 with the X-frame grip was easier to shoot. Not sure whether the 629-4 is a round or square butt, but if it is round, the X-frame grip may be a better option then porting if you want to take some of the sting out of the .44 mag.

 

[deepocean]

How does the Ruger Redhawk compare with the 629, if neither are ported?

I talked to someone today who sold his 629 to get the Redhawk. Why would somebody do that?

 

[deepocean]

Originally posted by magnumpete:
I have a 6-1/2" 629 Classic with the Hogue X-frame grip. I was at the range one day and somebody was there with the same gun but it was the PP version with the stock grip. We swapped guns to shoot. I thought, and so did the guy with the PP 629, my unported 629 with the X-frame grip was easier to shoot. Not sure whether the 629-4 is a round or square butt, but if it is round, the X-frame grip may be a better option then porting if you want to take some of the sting out of the .44 mag.

Actually it was Para who recommended the 629-4 to me. He mentioned it was because he didn't like the round butt on a magnum pistol, so I'm fairly certain the 629-4 has the square butt.

Will the X-frame grip work on the square butt, or just the round one?

 

[Joni_Lynn]

The Redhawk is similar to a standard 6.5" 629/29 w/full underlug in recoil, maybe a bit less, the power port however is less and still more pleasant to fire.
My 2 629-4 power ports are both round butt.
The X frame grip doesn't work on a square butt.

 

[deepocean]

My brother is looking at buying a "Raging Bull." Does anybody have any experience with the Taurus .44 magnum stainless pistols?

How do they compare with the 629s and the Rugers?