I have two revolvers which have ported barrels. My 629 has the factory power ported 6.5 inch barrel and to tell you the truth, I do not believe it does much, other than make the report sound much louder. I had my 640 Magnaported and I can honestly say it does help me while shooting full .357 loads with a set of boot grips. I can now fire rapid shots more accurately while shooting a timed qualification course of fire, as it does decrease muzzle rise, allowing a proper follow through shot to shot. But the porting does not do as much when firing lower pressure .38's through it. So to me, it would depend on the gun, the loads used and what the gun is used for, before I would consider having it done or not.
To port or not to port your Smiths....
- Thread starter sipowicz
- Start date
Joni_Lynn
US Veteran
I have Classic or Classic DX 29-5 & 6 and 629-3 & 4 revolvers that are 6.5" as well as a 629-4 Power Port. I'll say that the PP revolver is the most pleasant of the bunch to shoot.
Snapping Twig
Member
Fully 50% of mine are ported by Mag-Na-Port.
I find it useful and no imposition by way of leading, noise or flash.
Downside, reduction of value for resale, but... I don't plan on selling anything. Already got a line of succession planned.
I find it useful and no imposition by way of leading, noise or flash.
Downside, reduction of value for resale, but... I don't plan on selling anything. Already got a line of succession planned.
The vid is a bright sunny day. The vertical flash from the ported gun is still enormous. I prefer all the "action" going in the same direction, downrange. Joe
After watching the video, I think that it is great theatre. It looks to me as if the shooter could have pulled the trigger just as fast on the unported revolvers.
I have only one magnaported revolver, a 2 1/2" Python. I had lead blowing out of the ports when I used cast bullets. It took a while to clean up. I have since used only jacketed bullets. Other than that I don't remember anything noteworty about Magnaporting...
I have only one magnaported revolver, a 2 1/2" Python. I had lead blowing out of the ports when I used cast bullets. It took a while to clean up. I have since used only jacketed bullets. Other than that I don't remember anything noteworty about Magnaporting...
SgtSam
Member
6Pack: I've got to agree with you for the most part. If the gun is more than a person should be shooting, depending upon the degree, all of the little add-ons and tack-ons, etc, are not going make you a better shooter.
I have two gun with ports. An M66 and Taurus 85.
The 85 has the factory ports. It's a 3-inch with 6 holes at the end of the barrel, 3 on each side. It's been a reliable gun. I had my gunsmith go over it, through it, and fix it. So, it works real nice. It's my wife's gun, she likes it, she picked it out, hence the extra care through the gunsmith, 'nough said!
The M66 was magnaported for my wife. The gun was originally bought for her. She found a miriade of reasons she didn't like it, even after the porting, hence the M85. She's a little hard to please and is real picky about some things, guns especially.
I can tell the difference with the magnaporting, but only with top end .357 loads. However, if I had it to do all over again, I would not have had it done. I'd have gotten her another gun prior to the porting.
Oh well, it's done. It was done over 20 years ago. So, you can't go back.
Take Care, God Bless, And WATCH Your Back!
I have two gun with ports. An M66 and Taurus 85.
The 85 has the factory ports. It's a 3-inch with 6 holes at the end of the barrel, 3 on each side. It's been a reliable gun. I had my gunsmith go over it, through it, and fix it. So, it works real nice. It's my wife's gun, she likes it, she picked it out, hence the extra care through the gunsmith, 'nough said!
The M66 was magnaported for my wife. The gun was originally bought for her. She found a miriade of reasons she didn't like it, even after the porting, hence the M85. She's a little hard to please and is real picky about some things, guns especially.
I can tell the difference with the magnaporting, but only with top end .357 loads. However, if I had it to do all over again, I would not have had it done. I'd have gotten her another gun prior to the porting.
Oh well, it's done. It was done over 20 years ago. So, you can't go back.
Take Care, God Bless, And WATCH Your Back!
model70hunter
Member
I have a 629 in 6.5 with the factory power port. It is LOUD. Range officers frequently mistake it for a 500 S&W due to the loud report. I've been tapped on the shoulder and told, Sir no 50's allowed. I'd rather have a 6" nickel or blue 29.
erk
Member
PORTED GLOCK 24C
Bought a Glock 24C (Compensated/ported). Seemed to have no noticable effect in reducing barrel rise. The gases did obliterate the paint/highlighting on the front sight!!, after about 6 shots. Ditched the compensated barrel in favor of a solid barrel, hat to touch up the front sight. Don't waste your money on a ported pistol/revolver.
Ernie
Bought a Glock 24C (Compensated/ported). Seemed to have no noticable effect in reducing barrel rise. The gases did obliterate the paint/highlighting on the front sight!!, after about 6 shots. Ditched the compensated barrel in favor of a solid barrel, hat to touch up the front sight. Don't waste your money on a ported pistol/revolver.
Ernie
DonD
Member
There were some discussions in this thread using calculations to make their point.
Subjectively, in the real world I don't think there is any question that porting is much more effective on high velocity rifles than it is on much lower velocity revolvers.
I have a .458 Win Mag that is Magna Ported. The reduction in perceived recoil is trivial and I regret defacing the handsome Ruger No. 1.
I'd be interested in a scientific (Mythbusters is more entertainment than science) evaluation of brakes. One of my Model 500s has the integral brake, the other the barrel shaped device on the PC models. Bottom line on .500 Mags, NOTHING is going to stop muzzle climb/recoil when dealing with heavy loads running 2500 ft lbs. You simply have to ride it out. Don
Subjectively, in the real world I don't think there is any question that porting is much more effective on high velocity rifles than it is on much lower velocity revolvers.
I have a .458 Win Mag that is Magna Ported. The reduction in perceived recoil is trivial and I regret defacing the handsome Ruger No. 1.
I'd be interested in a scientific (Mythbusters is more entertainment than science) evaluation of brakes. One of my Model 500s has the integral brake, the other the barrel shaped device on the PC models. Bottom line on .500 Mags, NOTHING is going to stop muzzle climb/recoil when dealing with heavy loads running 2500 ft lbs. You simply have to ride it out. Don
W.V.Martin
Member
- Joined
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Mr. Magnum,
How do you like that 327 Magnum? How much trouble is it to find ammo for it? A friend of mine just bought one and I hope to get a chance to shoot it soon. looks like a nice little carry gun if it hits hard enough. Thanks W. V. Martin
How do you like that 327 Magnum? How much trouble is it to find ammo for it? A friend of mine just bought one and I hope to get a chance to shoot it soon. looks like a nice little carry gun if it hits hard enough. Thanks W. V. Martin
Tackelbarry
Member
I have a S&W 2 1/2" "Backpacker" .44 mag that came with factory ports. When shooting outdoors I don't notice any extra flash, blowback or noise. But, I am focusing all of my concentration on the front site and target.
I also qualified with a Ruger 5 1/2" .44 mag. for off duty and back-up that was not ported. Qualification was done at an indoor range. Again, the flash for the daytime qualification was not noticable due to the reasons listed above. However, the noise was definately more noticeable due to the enclosed area. For the night-time qualification we started out shooting in, simulated, pitch black and with each string of shots more L.E. strobe and flashers were added to the mix. My point is that regardless of the gun, if it is a major caliber, you will lose a good portion of your natural night vision after the first shot, ports or no ports. To qualify, I shot 100 rounds, 50 day/50 night, through the Ruger. I have only shot my S&W Backpacker about 35 rounds so far and I sold the Ruger, so I cannot do a side by side comparison. But, I would still say the Backpacker has less recoil due to the shorter barrel, slightly less velocity, and the factory ports. Personally, I find the gun very pleasant to shoot. I am going to go shoot in a few minutes and will chronograph a few 240 gr. to find out the velocity. I will report back.
I also qualified with a Ruger 5 1/2" .44 mag. for off duty and back-up that was not ported. Qualification was done at an indoor range. Again, the flash for the daytime qualification was not noticable due to the reasons listed above. However, the noise was definately more noticeable due to the enclosed area. For the night-time qualification we started out shooting in, simulated, pitch black and with each string of shots more L.E. strobe and flashers were added to the mix. My point is that regardless of the gun, if it is a major caliber, you will lose a good portion of your natural night vision after the first shot, ports or no ports. To qualify, I shot 100 rounds, 50 day/50 night, through the Ruger. I have only shot my S&W Backpacker about 35 rounds so far and I sold the Ruger, so I cannot do a side by side comparison. But, I would still say the Backpacker has less recoil due to the shorter barrel, slightly less velocity, and the factory ports. Personally, I find the gun very pleasant to shoot. I am going to go shoot in a few minutes and will chronograph a few 240 gr. to find out the velocity. I will report back.
Tackelbarry
Member
I know this is a little off subject, but I thught I would post the chronograph results from my shooting session yesterday. I used my 2 1/2" Backpacker for the tests. The Magtech 240 gr. semi-jacketed soft point averaged 1055 fps. at 6 feet from the muzzle. It was very pleasant to shoot. If my math is correct, this round delivers 593 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy at 6 feet from the muzzle. The other round was the Winchester 240 gr. semi-jacketed soft point. It averaged 1175 fps. at 6 feet from the muzzle. and delivered 735 ft. lbs. of kinetic enery at the same range.
I was outdoors so I could not tell any real difference in the muzzle flash.
I was outdoors so I could not tell any real difference in the muzzle flash.
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