Ported Barrels?

[Kevin]

Anyone like them? Anyone doesn't for some reason?

I ask because a couple years ago I bought a Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 with a 5" ported barrel. It was really close to an impulse purchase. I watched one review by Jerry Miculek, and it was the ported barrel version. So I bought one.

I still haven't shot it yet. I've been debating whether I should sell it or not. So it sits in my safe. In the meantime I bought a 4.25 inch version of the same gun. Nope, haven't shot that one either. I'm trying to make up my mind which one to keep and which one to sell, or keep them both, or sell them both. It's a struggle.

But anyone like or doesn't like ported barrels?

By the by, I'm not, at this time, looking to sell either. Just a question of extra holes in barrels.

 

[Hvymax]

Not great for shooting in the dark like you would in the middle of the night. The flash will blind both of you.

 

[hittman]

I think they’re the solution to a problem that never existed.

 

[Hvymax]

They're great for speed shooting games. Also not bad for Full Retard Hand Cannons.

 

[Kevin]

I think they’re the solution to a problem that never existed.

I think I agree with you. This particular gun is 9mm and recoil isn't much of an issue.

 

[eveled]

I don’t like them.

Reduce recoil? shoot a smaller cheaper load

I don’t want anything coming out the side of my gun. I want everything coming out the front.

They are crud collectors.

They are ugly.

 

[Dan in MI]

Agree with agree with the above as well as hate being next to one on the line.

 

[BearBiologist]

I've had two:
1. A Weatherby Vanguard in 338 Win Mag. Used the brake (a detachable ported muzzle) on the bench. Was like shooting a 243.
2. A ported Taurus 454 Casull. Shot like a .38.

I'm not recoil sensitive, so I probably wouldn't pay extra for one (I also don't shoot much above a 45 LC level, either).

 

[Dave P.]

I'd say shoot them both and decide which one you like. Those aren't "collector guns and I doubt 100 rounds fired
will effect their value much.
Some things you just need to experience yourself.
My experience says to me the ports at about useless on the smaller calibers. I wouldn't argue that a good shooter
shooting a "race" gun might save a fraction of time on the shot timer...I'm not that good.

 

[Threespears]

I’m not sure if I would like shooting my S&W 500 without one

 

[contender]

Ports,, properly designed,, can & will reduce felt recoil. And they can help with muzzle control. I've shot all sorts of them,, and on a custom "race" gun,, when shooting very fast,, can actually push the muzzle down and really keep you on target.
On heavy recoiling handguns,, they can help with felt recoil, and muzzle rise.

But there is the little thing called physics,, that point to the fact that any energy re-directed is still energy. The flash of the escaping gases can be an issue in certain conditions.

The idea of testing each one, side by side,, mentioned above,, BY YOU,, will help you decide which one to keep & which one to sell.

 

[gunzo]

We all have various experiences with things. You have a ported one, trying it will give you your own opinion on the matter.
If you like it,,,,, or not, is the answer.

 

[roylt]

My limited opinion is they look cool but depending on the gun are a waste.
On my AR-15, yep got one (and it looks cool).
On one of my P-guns, yep I have some but they were more of collecting as I'm a P-nut. I don't run any on the regular.

P-gun and P-nut refer to the Ruger P-series pistols and rifles. This is the first time I've clarified that. Sad to think some of the noobs around here might not know the pleasure of a super awesome metal brick. Keep the P-guns alive!!

P.S. Noob is not a negative. I was one once and still am in some things...

 

[protoolman]

On a big rifle maybe. On a handgun no not ever. On a short handgun they don't seem to do anything. On a heavy handgun with a long barrel people think they work. Until the shoot the same gun without and realize long heavy guns just recoil less. Magnaported guns usually lose value for just that reason.

 

[Jeepnik]

I have only one magnaported pistol. It does reduce muzzle climb when shot side by side with another unported 1911. But, after one shot you won’t hear anything. And if it’s low light you won’t see anything.

In short, the disadvantages out weigh the advantages.

 

[Sam Summey]

Discharging a short-barreled handgun close to your body, in a defensive encounter, will more than likely blind or distract both the attacker and the defender. I, once upon a time, had the "hots" for a Springfield "V10" at our Friends of FNRA Banquet and Auction. In retrospect, I'm glad I got the price up to more than I could afford; and let the opposing bidder have it.

 

[Hvymax]

My ultimate prick head range pistol. It's called a flash enhancer for a reason. 6' fireballs with every shot!

 

[Sam Summey]

I do own a S&W M29 6" with ports from "Magnaport" (I won the bid at the Friends of NRA Banquet & Auction) they do reduce muzzle rise.

 

[dstegjas]

The only ported pistols I ever had were big bore T/C Contenders and an older S&W 629. I hunted with these so the recoil was pretty stout. So yes, I liked the ported barrels to reduce the felt recoil. I never saw much use for the porting in smaller calibers guns. More of a novelty then anything else in my opinion.

 

[Sam Summey]

My ultimate prick head range pistol. It's called a flash enhancer for a reason. 6' fireballs with every shot!

Looks like a "fire breathing dragon"!

 

[Sam Summey]

The only ported pistols I ever had were big bore T/C Contenders and an older S&W 629. I hunted with these so the recoil was pretty stout. So yes, I liked the ported barrels to reduce the felt recoil. I never saw much use for the porting in smaller calibers guns. More of a novelty then anything else in my opinion.

With the V10, I am told, after a defensive encounter, you don't have to shave for a few days and your eye-brows will grow back, but the vision may not return.

 

[Gary Lee]

I prefer external porting to internal porting.

My wife has an OD Glock 19 with an externally ported 5" Lone Wolf barrel that we tested using the same 124 grain SIG M17 FMJ +P ammo that I also ran in my OD Glock 23 converted to 9x19 with a 9mm recoil spring assembly and a 4" unported Lone Wolf barrel.

We both determined there is a distinct difference in recovery time with a ported barrel as opposed to an unported barrel, especially when using hotter ammo.

 

[s4s4u]

On a legit hand cannon, sure. But on a 9mm? Unless you are shooting against the clock there is no reason to put up with the added blast and flash.

 

[bowzette]

Not a great idea for really close self defense shooting like contact or near contact distance. At Thunder Ranch for example one of the drills is leaning into a target with support hand elbow protecting your head and touching the target while shooting into the pelvic area stepping back and shooting some more until you can raise your pistol for a fast sight pic and shooting again. I wouldn't want a comp while firing with my head over the end of the muzzle. It is scary enough without the comp. This is a more realistic situation than firing 40 yds at the mall in a civilian SD shooting.

 

[Mobuck]

I have a magna-ported 6" Security 6. Bought cheap because no one else seemed interested. Doesn't appear to have been shot much.

 

[kmoore]

I have a mag n ported barrel on a 375hh mag. It came that way. So, unknown how much difference it makes. As far as range time, it's likely louder than without. Flash I believe is more with but, does not affect my shooting. I am certainly not going to replace the barrel or cut it shorter. Would I pay extra to have it done, No.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

I had a S&W M29 ported when I was a teenager and found that I had to keep wiping black soot off the red front sight insert after shooting six rounds. Decided I would rather deal with heavier recoil.

 

[Gary Lee]

I had a S&W M29 ported when I was a teenager and found that I had to keep wiping black soot off the red front sight insert after shooting six rounds. Decided I would rather deal with heavier recoil.

I once purchased an internally ported Lone Wolf barrel for my Glock 35. It fouled the front sight after a firing a few rounds too. So I sold it.

Internal porting also reduces velocity. External porting doesn't.

 

[turd]

I have a 8 3/8" S&W Model 57 that is Mag-Na-Ported. I did that years ago along with having them do a couple of other things. It does reduce felt recoil. The thing is, I use that revolver mostly for deer hunting. I've been pretty fortunate in that so far I haven't had to fire a follow-up shot, so it really doesn't help much. I can handle the recoil. I have two other .41 Mags with shorter barrels that are not ported and I shoot them with no issues. Would I do it again? No.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

This Dan Wesson 44 Mag Vent Heavy Barrel came vented and worked pretty good. Wife and 11 YO Son could shoot it no problem. I also had a Super Blackhawk that was Mag-Na-Ported that decreased muzzle flip.