Ported barrels for SD handguns

[honkeoki]

I've read this discussion (http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=506401) of compensated barrels.

I've also read Stephen P. Wenger, Teddy Jacobson and others who strongly recommend against ported barrels for SD handguns, citing increased noise, damage to skin and/or eyes from the blast, etc.

Now, my only experience with ported handguns is my buddy's 6" Taurus Tracker in .44 Magnum -- hardly an SD gun (unless you're being stalked by Kodiak bears).

Anyone else have thoughts on to port or not to port? If there have already been discussions on this topic, please point me in the right direction. Thanks!

[GoBrush]

Not Good

In a dark house a ported barrel would have more fire coming out of the top of the barrel and increase the muzzle flash. Better to stay with a standard barrel and reduce the amount of flash obstructing your vision for follow up shots.

[Archangel]

A while back I saw some pictures of a guy who had fired a ported gun (I think it was a Glock 32C) from retention. Set his shirt on fire. :uhoh:

[LoadedDrum]

For all the people who say not to use a ported gun for SD because of retention and getting hit with the port blast, what about the blast from the cylinder gap of a revolver? With the pistol you can at least cant the gun away from you. Also the night vision thing is completely not an issue if you select quality ammunition.

[Biker]

I can only speak in reference to my Taurus 450 (.45LC). The porting is usefull for follow-up shots, and in side by side tests with my Ruger Blackhawk in .45 LC with a cut-down 3" barrel, the was no appreciable difference in muzzle flash shooting in low light conditions. I like the porting.
Biker

[sturmruger]

I have seen some of the ported guns shoot indoors and it is really something to see. Most of the regular proted gun really don't seem to make that much of a difference in my opinion.

[MNnaloxone]

I own both a ported XD 40 and a non-ported XD 40. There IS a difference in recoil. I took Firearms Instructor Training this weekend, and due to a back injury, after 600 rounds, I had to swap to my ported gun to finish the day. I have shot both weapons in low-light training (flash was significant, but not a deal-breaker from the ported), and in retention drills. Speed rocks ARE NOT FUN with a ported barrel. I use wrap around eye protection, and ported gas was a MAJOR irritant to my eyes, to the point of flinching and closing the strong side eye when firing.

Ported guns-NOT a good idea for HD. If you want a HD weapon, choose a caliber you can handle in a non-ported weapon.

[LAK]

Bad idea. If you have to shoot with the muzzle close in it will be unpleasant. If you have to shoot nearer to your or someone else's face it could be alittle more serious.

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[1911 guy]

In the half dozen responses you've gotten, some have ported pistols they would use for SD, others have ported pistols they'd rather not use for SD. Are you willing to bet your money that the one you buy will be fine for not spraying you with gasses and setting your clothes on fire? I'll spend my cash on something I know won't cause me possible injury from behind it.

[Biker]

I also tested my 450 by holding a sheet of typing paper about a foot over the muzzle, then firing the gun. I observed no damage to the paper using factory loaded 225 gr Winchester Silvertips and handloads using Unique and 260 gr LSWCs.
Biker

[mr_dove]

there's a current article in a gun rag reviewing the effectiveness of night sights. The author did part of his testing with a ported gun and found that the flash from the ports blinded him for several seconds.

[honkeoki]

The consensus seems to be that porting might have these benefits:

faster second shot (if you're not distracted by the drawbacks below)
reduced recoil


And definitely has these drawbacks:

louder
possibility of gasses irritating the eyes
possibility of flash reducing night vision in low light / even blinding you


Doesn't look like the benefits outweight the advantages for an SD weapon.

[Biker]

I would recommend doing your own tests before buying into the opinions of others. My tests were conducted with my carry gun and carry loads. I'm satisfied that the porting is beneficial within these parameters. YMMV...
Biker

[wheelgunslinger]

Biker:
Again, I gotta get me one of those.
I'm going to the gun store. Right now.

Thread:
I never have had a problem with ported weapons except for the noise factor. Seems to vector more noise toward the user. I'm sensitive to noise now that I'm in my thirties. Too much rock and gunfire.
However, functionally, I don't have a problem with ported weapons. Plus, the bad guy gets to see my evil grin everytime the weapon flashes.

[Biker]

Although I'm sure I'll catch a butt-load of crap over this, I've tested all of my carry and HD guns by firing them in an enclosed room without hearing protection. The absolute loudest handgun was my ol' Charter Arms Off Duty .38 snubby. It was disorienting and very painful. It felt like someone punched me in the side of the head. The most comfortable was my G23 and G19.
The loudest long gun was my Bushmaster while the most comfortable was my 870.
The Taurus 450, while loud, wasn't as bad as the .38.
Go figure...
BTW, I've played in blues/rock bands all my life too. Still do, for that matter.
Biker

[RyanM]

Although I'm sure I'll catch a butt-load of crap over this, I've tested all of my carry and HD guns by firing them in an enclosed room without hearing protection. The absolute loudest handgun was my ol' Charter Arms Off Duty .38 snubby. It was disorienting and very painful. It felt like someone punched me in the side of the head. The most comfortable was my G23 and G19.
The loudest long gun was my Bushmaster while the most comfortable was my 870.
The Taurus 450, while loud, wasn't as bad as the .38.

Weird that a .38 would be the loudest. What kinds of ammo were you using?

There's some actual dB figures available for various guns here. http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=001141

[Biker]

Federal 129 gr Hydro Shoks at plus P in the .38, IIRC.
It is strange, but from my POV, true.
Ouch...
Biker

[wheelgunslinger]

Thanks for the info Biker. I find the same to be true as well.
.45 Colt, when loaded properly, has less of a "crack" to it's tone. I seem to be losing high frequency hearing to some degree, but I do get a distinct difference between the way .38+p and .45 colt (low power/black powder) loads hit me.
The ported barrels really haven't ever bothered me other than the sound vectoring. So, I don't see a problem. As for people setting themselves on fire and such, I'd just say "don't wear a rice paper shirt."
Lots of weapons have ported barrels. People have fired revolvers with and without porting for a long time. Porting doesn't make a weapon unuseable. Don't believe the hype.

[Biker]

You may be on to something as far as 'tone' goes.
If you crank a bass up on the low E to the same level as a B string on a guitar being bent up to an A from a G (15th to 17th fret), it might very easily be more painful to hear the guitar than the bass. You tend to feel the lows and hear the highs.
Biker

[imas]

I think with proper training you should be able to shoot a normal gun quickly and accurately. Porting seems like it could be used as a shortcut to get the same result. I have a G17C on my "buy" list but I don't think I'll carry it. I am going to let the adrenaline tame the recoil.

My wife took her CCW class with a normal G17 and after the class the instructor let her shoot his G17C. She said the recoil felt more like a Ruger MkIII than a G17.

[honkeoki]

I'm pretty sure that the level of flash depends on both the brand of ammunition you're firing and the barrel length.

I'm getting a Kahr P40 Covert this weekend. This is my first .40 caliber pistol and I saw the ported barrel available on the Kahr website. I thought that having porting on such a lightweight pistol firing a stout load would be a good idea -- better control, faster follow-up shots. I will post a report if I ever do get the ported barrel.

Thanks to all from the input.