Hybra Port vs. Magna Port ?

[Chiforavis]

I am seriously considering porting my 2.24 SP-101. I feel the need to be able to use full power .357 loads. I am practicing twice a week, and still no 1.1 sec. double taps right smack in the A- Zone at seven yards. I'm figuring that I'm just too old for that nonsense, and I need help in handling the muzzle flip of the hottie defense loads.

I stumbled across Gemini Customs, and they offer the Weigand Combat's Hybra Port Porting. I have not located any info on this process. My best educated guess is that Mag-Na-Port used the electronic-plasma gizmo to cut their ports, while the other guy uses a drill ? All I can find on Mr. Weigand is that he was 1999's Pistolsmith of the year, and all about his mounting rails for pistols.

Can anybody offer a comparison between both porting systems ? I'm gonna have to pick one or the other pretty soon, and I will appreciate any help from any informed shooters out there. Thanks a bunch.

 

[P95Carry]

DDGator on the Rohrbaugh Forum did write up on Gemini porting - in fact he wrote an article on this too in Concealed Carry Magazine last issue or one before.

Let me dig a bit and see if I can find you a link. MagnaPort too of course has a good rep' for porting.

I will say tho - IMO porting is not my bag - muzzle flash will increase and I am not totally convinced that the recoil is that much tamed. Muzzle lift may be a bit.

I'll drop back if I can find info for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a PDF for you of that article - hope it helps.

 

[461]

I had a gun Mag-Na-Ported once and I wasn't overly impressed. I didn't notice a decrease in recoil, just a different recoil. I will say that muzzle flip was reduced somewhat, the one I had was a .44spl and I would assume that a higher pressure round like the .357 would reduce flip even more. Be aware though that porting will reduce the velocity of the round you are firing by a bit, so you might try a reduced velocity round and may accomplish the same thing for no cash outlay.

As to Hybra-Porting, you have more venting so velocity reduction would be greater as well as muzzle flip reduction so if you want max effect in porting I would say the Hybra-Porting would be the one to pick. I've got an SP-101 done by Gemini Customs and the work is indeed first rate although I opted against the porting.

If you choose to do it, please post your findings.

 

[rbmcmjr]

In the original Weigand hybra-porting (which I think was Jack's attempt to approach the Caspian trademarked name of "Hybrid"), the smaller guns such as the S&W 640 and the Ruger SP101 were treated to three ports along the top of the barrel. Larger guns had two rows of three at approximately 11 and 1 o'clock (viewed along the barrel). In both cases, EDM was used to make the ports.

I have a model 29 with this done to it:






As I understand it, Magnaport uses a much smaller "slit" in an attempt to reduce the velocity loss. I don't know how effective it is. The hybra-porting on my 29 provides a HUGE reduction in muzzle flip.

Rick

 

[Standing Wolf]

Here's a shot of the business end of my Magnaported pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 629; I had the good folks there crown the barrel, too, and bead-blast the gun. I use string soaked in Hoppe's No. 9 and pipe cleaners to clean the ports. Since I shoot lots of lead, I end up with deposits of lead on the rib sometimes, but can scrape them off with a thumb nail.

Nearly all my center fire revolvers have been Magnaported.

I have no idea why the picture isn't showing up: The image “http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=34730&d=1138593943” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

There's no error in the file. I just double-checked it in Photoshop.

 

[Paladin7]

Sounds like you are using that SP101 for defensive purposes, so I have one friendly word of advice for you DO NOT EVER PORT YOUR DEFENSIVE WEAPON!

Porting directs flame and hot gases up in addition to out of the business end of your revolver. Now think of possible defensive scenarios where you might have to fire that revolver close to your body or in a car, or near other people you don't want hurt. Those flames and hot gases can do terrible damage to someones face/eyes, etc. Think about it.

A better option would be to shoot 158 gr LSWCHP's in 38 spl from your gun, or buy a different gun you can handle the recoil better with.

Another consideration - the 357 mag is a high pressure round. Touching one off in an enclosed space without ear protection, like in a car, will permanently damage your hearing.

Not sure what sort of defensive situations fit your profile, but there are better choices.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

Keep safe, Paladin7

 

[lcarr]

Sounds like you are using that SP101 for defensive purposes, so I have one friendly word of advice for you DO NOT EVER PORT YOUR DEFENSIVE WEAPON!

Porting directs flame and hot gases up in addition to out of the business end of your revolver. Now think of possible defensive scenarios where you might have to fire that revolver close to your body or in a car, or near other people you don't want hurt. Those flames and hot gases can do terrible damage to someones face/eyes, etc. Think about it.

I have an S&W 640 done by Weigand that has four ports. The ports are funnel shaped, which is Will Schuemann's design (Schuemann barrels--big in IPSC circles). I also shoot IPSC Open Division and my Open gun has hybrid ports. I have fired a Magnaported Glock, but that's the extent of my experience with Magaporting.

Hybrid porting is very effective at reducing muzzle rise. The recoil is not reduced very much, but seems much different subjectively. The gun pushes straight back into the hand, instead of rising. If you stay focused, you can get back on target and get additional shots off more quickly. That's why they're so popular with IPSC shooters.

About being dangerous, I don't think that they're any more dangerous than the revolver's cylinder gap. I've fired all of the ported guns mentioned above from retention position without problems (though I was wearing shooting glasses). I've fired the revolver from various odd positions, again without problems. I think that this is something that is way overblown, so to speak.

About hearing damage, a 125gr full power .357 Magnum in an enclosed space is going to damage your hearing anyway, let alone if the gun is ported.

I will agree with one of the posters that perhaps you should try different ammunition before porting.

Lincoln R. Carr
[email protected]

 

[slopemeno]

Does anyone have any documented injuries from ported guns being fired in a protected position? You hear this advice all the time, and I've fired comp guns from the classic Cooper "Speed Rock" position...no injuries.

 

[Paladin7]

I do not have any documented evidence of injury by ported handgun.

If you have an inquiring mind, why not test it for yourself. Take a piece of paper or clothing and suspend it over the ports of your revolver, doesn't have to be too close. Then fire the revolver in that position with some hot 125 gr 357 magnum ammo and see what happens. You be the judge. Like I said in my post, YMMV.

As to the speed rock, not an issue in most cases, especially when the gun is angled out. The problem occurs when you have someone wrestling with you for your gun and you are in a fight for your life scenario and have to fire in close. That scenario happens frequently enough. Can you see how the ports could get you in trouble, especially if you get hit in the eyes with the blast?

You can do what you want, I just don't want to see anyone get hurt needlessly.

Keep Safe.

 

[lcarr]

If you have an inquiring mind, why not test it for yourself. Take a piece of paper or clothing and suspend it over the ports of your revolver, doesn't have to be too close. Then fire the revolver in that position with some hot 125 gr 357 magnum ammo and see what happens. You be the judge. Like I said in my post, YMMV.

After you do this test with the ports, do the same test with the cylinder gap. I'll bet you see about the same results. Does that mean we should all give up revolvers?

Lincoln R. Carr
[email protected]

 

[Rotorflyr]

The problem occurs when you have someone wrestling with you for your gun and you are in a fight for your life scenario and have to fire in close. That scenario happens frequently enough. Can you see how the ports could get you in trouble, especially if you get hit in the eyes with the blast?

If someone is wrestling me for my gun:
1)I'll take the chance of getting a burn from a ported defensive weapon

2)They probably have their hand physicaly on the gun someplace and therefore are as likely to get burned as I am (if not more so) and

C)I'm going to do my best to not let em' get that close to begin with

YMMV