Ported .357
- Thread starter Walkalong
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Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Yes it will be similar to a comped gun, not a problem to shoot 38s, just ports are a pain to clean.
Ninja42
Member
If a little extra cleaning time were the only drawback of ported guns, wouldnt more guns be ported? The advantage of easier follow up shots just seems to outweigh the disadvantage of having to clean two tiny slits every once in a while.
Is it a myth that the shooter risk getting debris flung into his/her face from the porting holes? And that ported guns are noisier than non-ported guns?
Sorry if Im hijacking this thread
Is it a myth that the shooter risk getting debris flung into his/her face from the porting holes? And that ported guns are noisier than non-ported guns?
Sorry if Im hijacking this thread
skud_dusty
Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
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- 257
Ported barrels are louder afaik...Dunno about the debris though 
Radagast
Member
Yes, a port may spit lead shavings. It shouldn't but it may.
If fired from a rentention position, ie held against your side, the blast from your port may may burn you or your clothes, may damage your hearing, and may though burning debris into your eyes.
If all self defence scenarios allowed you to obtain a fully extended isoceles grip then ports would be viable for self defence. As self defence scenarios are more likely to involve grappling with an assailant in an enclosed space such as a hallway, I'd stay away ftrom ported guns other than for gun games.
They are fun to shoot.
If fired from a rentention position, ie held against your side, the blast from your port may may burn you or your clothes, may damage your hearing, and may though burning debris into your eyes.
If all self defence scenarios allowed you to obtain a fully extended isoceles grip then ports would be viable for self defence. As self defence scenarios are more likely to involve grappling with an assailant in an enclosed space such as a hallway, I'd stay away ftrom ported guns other than for gun games.
They are fun to shoot.
10X
Member
The ported ones I've shot blast up not back like a compensated gun.
They definitely are harder to clean those slits verses and not ported gun.
I found the ports gave a funny twist during recoil for me verses non ported and I didn't like that behavior, didn't care for it.
The ports may have a place in rapid fire competition. Otherwise I think they are a negative.
They definitely are harder to clean those slits verses and not ported gun.
I found the ports gave a funny twist during recoil for me verses non ported and I didn't like that behavior, didn't care for it.
The ports may have a place in rapid fire competition. Otherwise I think they are a negative.
steveracer
Member
I have a PC66 F-comp, and..
I don't notice and serious blast at the range. If you shoot hot loads (and I do) the gun is louder, but let's face it, guns are loud. I have no problem carrying the ported Smith. It's got noticebly less felt recoil than the non-ported ones I've had, and the blast isn't really all that bad.
In several hundred rounds of 125 grain DT and BB rounds through mine, I've noticed buildup in the port only once, and it was pouring rain that day.
Steve
I don't notice and serious blast at the range. If you shoot hot loads (and I do) the gun is louder, but let's face it, guns are loud. I have no problem carrying the ported Smith. It's got noticebly less felt recoil than the non-ported ones I've had, and the blast isn't really all that bad.
In several hundred rounds of 125 grain DT and BB rounds through mine, I've noticed buildup in the port only once, and it was pouring rain that day.
Steve
357 with ports
I'm guessing mag-na-ports? If so, then should be much like my 686. Good recoil recovery. I've not noticed blast back. Not noticeably louder with mild loads or even fairly stout loads until the bullets are supersonic. Then yahoo! I've been contemplating cleaning the ports for several years now, may get around to it some time unless the sock drawer needs sorting. Knock the extra lead off the front sight when it commences to get too thick for a good sight picture.
Enjoy.
Cheers,
Norm
I'm guessing mag-na-ports? If so, then should be much like my 686. Good recoil recovery. I've not noticed blast back. Not noticeably louder with mild loads or even fairly stout loads until the bullets are supersonic. Then yahoo! I've been contemplating cleaning the ports for several years now, may get around to it some time unless the sock drawer needs sorting. Knock the extra lead off the front sight when it commences to get too thick for a good sight picture.
Enjoy.
Cheers,
Norm
buck460XVR
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2007
- Messages
- 10,077
the only time I notice the muzzle blast thru the port of my 686 powerport is at dusk and dawn. As far as the noise level, any handgun(even my sons Buckmark) is too loud to shoot regularly without some sort of ear protection. In the event of a hunting situation(unlike my .460) I don't even notice, and in the rare case of a HD scenario, I don't think it would be a problem. I bought a ported .357 cause my old Ruger .44 beat the hell out of my wrist everytime I shot it. I've found that with the ported barrel, I rarely shoot 38's because the .357 loads are just as pleasant to shoot and cost wise there isn't a lot of difference. My youngest son has been shooting full house .357 loads out of it since he was 8. Just yesterday we shot over a hundred rounds thru it. The advantage of the top ported barrel, other than the reduced recoil, is the fast acquisition of the front sight for a quick second shot.
My 686 is ported like you have described and I feel that is does offer the shooter the distinct advantage of reduced recoil and quicker follow up shots. I have not really noticed it being any louder than a non-ported 686 but it does take a little more time to get completely clean because of the porting. The ports also give the gun a very custom look.
TargetTerror
Member
GUNKWAZY, that Smith looks AWESOME 
Who did the work for you, and what kind of grips are those?
Who did the work for you, and what kind of grips are those?highlander 5
Member
I have a Ruger SBH in 44 mag 4 5/8" barrel and haven't experienced any cleaning problems the bark is a little louder but the porting,done by magnaport, has tamed the beast
alucard0822
Member
Beautiful python you got there gunkwazy
What I have found with comped pistols is that the barell may be 6" long, but the velocity will be that of say a 4.5" barell, they may be a little louder, but if only compensating ports are used in the design the recoil is not ruduced all that much, but the direction of it is (kicks back straighter), brake ports reduce recoil, but do not primarily alter the angle of kick, they can also vary in effect depending on load used and port design or a combination of both. 500s&w pistols have large brake ports, small compensating ports, 38 super race guns have huge compensating ports, but few have dedicated brake ports. My comped 44mag obviously kicks less with 44sp loads, but the muzzle rises much more than with full house 44mag loads, It's painful but I can rapid fire the full house loads quicker and with more control than lighter loads where the ports barely work. Ideally the ports do not shave lead, but they do foul up, a pipe cleaner soaked in solvent works well for me.
What I have found with comped pistols is that the barell may be 6" long, but the velocity will be that of say a 4.5" barell, they may be a little louder, but if only compensating ports are used in the design the recoil is not ruduced all that much, but the direction of it is (kicks back straighter), brake ports reduce recoil, but do not primarily alter the angle of kick, they can also vary in effect depending on load used and port design or a combination of both. 500s&w pistols have large brake ports, small compensating ports, 38 super race guns have huge compensating ports, but few have dedicated brake ports. My comped 44mag obviously kicks less with 44sp loads, but the muzzle rises much more than with full house 44mag loads, It's painful but I can rapid fire the full house loads quicker and with more control than lighter loads where the ports barely work. Ideally the ports do not shave lead, but they do foul up, a pipe cleaner soaked in solvent works well for me.
Regarding the "defensive position" drawbacks of a ported
barrel.
This is a revolver, dang it, and the cylinder-to-bore-gap flash, bang, and fire is gonna get you in that scenario much more than the ports.
As far as "blast-back", my two-inch Taurus .44 doesn't seem to know it's supposed to do that or shave lead. Sure does help to tame the recoil, though.
Likewise, "port flash"; again the c/b flash overrides any additional flash from the ports (upward facing, in my case.) I cannot notice them when shooting, even in low light, but can see them if someone else is shooting my gun with me only observing.
I'd go with the ports, within my experience.
ElZorro
barrel.
This is a revolver, dang it, and the cylinder-to-bore-gap flash, bang, and fire is gonna get you in that scenario much more than the ports.
As far as "blast-back", my two-inch Taurus .44 doesn't seem to know it's supposed to do that or shave lead. Sure does help to tame the recoil, though.
Likewise, "port flash"; again the c/b flash overrides any additional flash from the ports (upward facing, in my case.) I cannot notice them when shooting, even in low light, but can see them if someone else is shooting my gun with me only observing.
I'd go with the ports, within my experience.
ElZorro
TargetTerror
Member
Smith?
Thats what I get for not proofreading my posts. Python, I meant definitely meant Python :banghead:
Yeah, it's a Python.
Glad you figured that out.
The grips are vintage laminated "Badger" grips.
The port work was done by a company called JP industries. JP stands for Jet Power.
The custom flames and cylinder stripe were done by a guy in Phoenix that goes by Magnum Mike.
I forgot, i took it back to Mike and had him do the jeweling on the hammer & trigger as well.
I set up the Patridge front sight and Colt Gold cup Ellaison rear sight.
It's almost to dang cool to shoot any more.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)
Glad you figured that out.
The grips are vintage laminated "Badger" grips.
The port work was done by a company called JP industries. JP stands for Jet Power.
The custom flames and cylinder stripe were done by a guy in Phoenix that goes by Magnum Mike.
I forgot, i took it back to Mike and had him do the jeweling on the hammer & trigger as well.
I set up the Patridge front sight and Colt Gold cup Ellaison rear sight.
It's almost to dang cool to shoot any more.
Jeff (GUNKWAZY)
Can anyone here comment on before/after shooting experiences with a gun modified by Gemini Customs. The Hybraporting done on the top of the barrel definately looks like it would keep down recoil and allow for much quicker target aquisition after a shot. I have a 3" GP-100 I am thinking about sending to him for work and the Hybraport looks like an interesting option.
bigmike45
bigmike45
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