Here's a simple question I hope...

[Rickstir]

What is "porting". I see it referenced all over the place. Checked TFL scedule of terms and it wasn't there. Can somebody help?

[Sisco]

Simply put, it's a series of holes or slots cut into the muzzle end of the barrel to reduce muzzle flip.

[Plan-B]

The theory I've heard regarding porting is that a portion of the hot gasses can escape through the ports before the bullet completely exits the barrel. The gasses give a slight push downward on the muzzle end and resist the gun's tendancy toward muzzle flip. I've never shot a ported handgun so I don't know how well this works in practice.

[10-Ring]

I've shot a few ported & compenated guns...a Glock 21c, a 1911 in 357sig, 45 super & 38 super. If the round doesn't build u enough pressure (like the 45 acp), you won't feel much difference. But in calibers that can generate the pressure, he porting/ compensating does help.
My 2 cents...for range, gaming & target guns, porting is fine. But for a defensive gun th exhaust, flash & debris the holes generate is just something else to worry about.

[dairycreek]

As other have said. One of the big names in porting is Magnaport. FYI I have included their URL. Perusing this website should give you some additional information. http://www.magnaport.com/. Good shooting:)

[Standing Wolf]

My Magnaported revolvers deliver less perceived recoil; in addition, the Magnaport folks do a fine job of bead-blasting stainless steel firearms and jewelling hammers and triggers.

The only drawback to Magnaporting I've found is that cleaning the ports consumes extra time. I usually soak a string in cleaning fluid, coax it through the port, and pull it back and forth this way and that. I've heard of people using pipe cleaners, but am reluctant to use wire inside a barrel.

[Kahr carrier]

Also if you shoot a compensated 1911 compared to a uncompensated to a 1911 you can tell the difference.:)

[Ikari]

This is porting.

http://www.springfieldarmory.com/images/xd-pistol/PortedLarge.jpg

[RCL]

Porting is what you do to your gun if you want to make it twice as loud as what it should be. :cuss:

[triggertime]

No, porting is what you do to your gun when you want hot gas, lead particles and powder residue directed into your face when shooting from a retention position. ;)

[Sisco]

Porting is shooting to the left. Starboarding is shooting to the right.:eek:

[Johnny Guest]

Back in the days when gun writer Jim Wilson lived in this part of Texas, he set up a really neat S&W M13. Armalloy (This was before the advent of the M65,) slick action, special stocks, and Mag-na-Porting. I loved the piece, all except for the last. Doing any kind of "hip shooting," the redirected muzzle blast was very distracting, and I could almost picture it blowing my glasses off!

It was hard to tell, because we had different style stocks installed, but I thought the benefit from the porting was minimal on this four-inch revolver. I was comparing my four-inch Model 19, using same type full magnum ammo in each.

My general conclusion was that little was gained from porting a short barrel. The real glory of porting is on a long barrel gun. It makes sense that the longer barrel is a longer lever, figuring the fulcrum as your wrist, or at least, the back of the grip frame. Shooting a ported six- to 8-3/8 inch barrel .44 mag, compared to the unported of same length, readily demonstrated a HUGE difference in muzzle flip. I'd think this would be excellent for handgun hunting, silhouette matches, and the like.

My experience in shooting ported autoloaders is so limited that I hesitate to expound. I was more impressed with the sound and fury than any reduction in recoil or muzzle flip. My very subjective thought is that porting might be helpful in competition, where almost all fire is at arms length, and every slight advantage is useful in determining match rankings. For a combat or tactical match using halfway realstic scenarios, I imagine the porting as a detriment.

Best,
Johnny

[Zander]

The theory I've heard regarding porting is that a portion of the hot gasses can escape through the ports before the bullet completely exits the barrel. Well, that can be the case but I wouldn't call it completely accurate.

All these actions take place in an incredibly short period of time. The real effect of porting [directing some gas not only upwards but in most instances slightly backwards] takes place after the bullet is gone.

It still has a significant effect on recoil because the hot gas exiting the ports [of a ported barrel or attached compensator] can do [and usually does] its work when the bullet has already exited the barrel and is on its way downrange.

That's why a compensator [with a larger internal diameter...no lands or grooves... than the bore] can make it more comfortable to shoot a firearm, even if said compensator is hung on the end of the barrel.

The pic of the XD shown in this thread is an example of porting of a barrel [and slide, of course]; for an example of a compensator, check the thread on the new S&W .500 Mag revolver.

[PCRCCW]

Porting is what you do to your gun if you want to make it twice as loud as what it should be."
Only if you have a longer barrelled gun.....try it on a 357 Snub with full house loads....you WONT notice a difference except in recoil.
Shoot well