[r3volv3r]

I believe in other lesser calibers a ported barrel is more for looks/flash and tacticool. But considering the pressure and recoil of the 357 i think porting might have more effect. I'm looking for some seasoned opinions on whether porting a 4" 357 (ruger gp) is a good or bad idea.

[farscott]

I have a three-inch SP-101 that has been Hybra-Ported and had an M19 from the S&W Performance Center that was ported. In my experience, the porting is both effective and worthwhile.

[rcmodel]

I like my ears more then my hand.

Besides, a steel mid-size .357 doesn't kick hard enough to need porting IMO.

rc

[pps]

I have a .357 with a detachable muzzle break. I never use it anymore. It's louder than needed, is a PITA to clean, and doesn't make THAT much of a difference. At least not enough of a difference for me to put up with increased noise out at the range.

[Kernel]

I like my ears more then my hand.

Besides, a steel mid-size .357 doesn't kick hard enough to need porting IMO.

rc

+1. IMHO porting anything is a waste until you get up to something about the size of, like, a German 88.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-698-0038-07%2C_Russland%2C_8%2C8cm_Pak.jpg/180px-Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-698-0038-07%2C_Russland%2C_8%2C8cm_Pak.jpg

[20nickels]

The poll results from my .357 porting thread was overwhelmingly no.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=411609

[The Lone Haranguer]

Besides, a steel mid-size .357 doesn't kick hard enough to need porting IMO.

Agreed. However, if you must port it, I would go with a modest type like the Mag-Na-Port (an unobtrusive slot on each side of the front sight), not multiple giant holes all the way down the top of the barrel.

[Glockman17366]

I would buy a ported .357 (I did, a Taurus 627 Tracker), but I wouldn't port a gun.
I like the Tracker for reasons other then the porting (that was icing on the cake), but I don't think recoil (in a .357 Magnum steel revolver with good grips) is too bad if you change off to .38's or a lower powered gun now and then.

[76shuvlinoff]

I HAD a ported subcompact .45acp that turned me off to porting any carry piece. I can't imagine the blast from a ported .357 in a situation where you don't have the option of ear protection.

[gwnorth]

I have a 6" and a 4" GP100. You can shoot .357 loads in those all day long and it is not uncomfortable. Mine have the hogue monogrips, which I actually like, and they are great for insulating the shooter from harsh recoil. These are large and heavy all steel revolvers - porting them seems pointless to me.

[GRIZ22]

I HAD a ported subcompact .45acp that turned me off to porting any carry piece. I can't imagine the blast from a ported .357 in a situation where you don't have the option of ear protection.

There's also the consideration of where all those gases are going if you have to shoot that gun in any other position than eye level.

[jad0110]

I've got a 686 with wood stocks, and don't find shooting 357 Magnum to be objectional. The kick is definitely there, and I won't shoot through 200 357s at a time, but it isn't bad. You may have to try out a few different stocks to get that perfect fit. A proper fitting set of stocks, wood or rubber, will go a long way towards reducing felt recoil, IMHO.

[Brian Williams]

nah, don't waste your money.

[Thingster]

on something that big, the recoil of the .357 isn't an issue at all unless you're just absolutely recoil sensitive.

Another point that was brought up to me about porting is what happens if you have to shoot across yourself or another person while in a compromised position.

Say someone comes up on the passenger side of a car and you have nowhere to go, you have to shoot across a passenger. Now instead of just having really sore ears, they have really, really sore ears and there's a good chance they have powder burns across the face and eyes.

I've actually not bought guns just because they were ported.

[farscott]

Say someone comes up on the passenger side of a car and you have nowhere to go, you have to shoot across a passenger. Now instead of just having really sore ears, they have really, really sore ears and there's a good chance they have powder burns across the face and eyes.The barrel/cylinder flash gap is just as much of an issue for this scenario as a ported barrel, especially as the flash gap may be right at the passenger's eye level.

In my twelve-year experience of using and carrying ported SP-101s, a ported .357 allows me to be faster and more accurate, especially on the second shot of a double-tap. Porting also allowed me to continue using .357 loads after a shoulder injury. During practice on an indoor range, the report is louder; however, this is not an issue on an outdoor range.

[buck460XVR]

Say someone comes up on the passenger side of a car and you have nowhere to go, you have to shoot across a passenger. Now instead of just having really sore ears, they have really, really sore ears and there's a good chance they have powder burns across the face and eyes.


there's a good chance of that regardless of being ported or not. Seems pretty trivial compared to the rest of the scenario......i.e., sore ears or dead.:rolleyes:

I have a 686PP(powerport) with the single factory port on the top of the barrel. Unlike after market porting it does not send hot gases and unburnt powder in all directions. It is a range/hunting weapon and the porting helps with all day shooting and faster acquisition of follow up shots. It also helps make it a pleasant handgun for my wife to shoot. Difference in recoil is definitely noticeable over my non-ported 686 with full house magnum loads, altho I am not recoil sensitive(notice my username). Difference in muzzle blast and noise levels from the 686PP and the 686 is minimal with similar ammo. I too have shot some aftermarket ported guns and did not like them.


............different strokes for different folks.

[ArchAngelCD]

Porting really doesn't lessen the felt recoil, it lessens the muzzle flip. If you're looking to soften the felt recoil porting won't do it so you will be wasting your money.

I bought a special run M640 a while back that came with a Mag-na-port barrel and I like it. I don't know if I would have spent the money to have it done myself. I'm not sure how well porting works but it does seem to keep the muzzle flip to a minimum. (but I don't have a M640 without porting to compare)

[jfh]

ArchAngelCD has summarized the experience I had with porting. (In my shooting, it was with a 1911 10mm (SA Omega, with both ported and unported barrels). Porting on handguns will typically deal with muzzel flip, not felt recoil.

This effect will be greatest with lightweight bullets / high velocity rounds. For typical revolver shooting--plinking at the range, club competition, (probably) hunting--I wouldn't consider it.

And, I sure wouldn't consider it on a shorter-barrel carry or HD revolver. The scenarios for shooting these firearms with ports simply bring up to many unpleasant side effects.

Jim H.