Mag na Port 1911?

[mljdeckard]

My friends and I have been discussing whether or not it's worth it in result to have a 1911 ported. We see it offered in some smithing option lists, such as the list included with my Kimber, and we're wondering if it's worth it. None of us wants to volunteer any of our guns for the surgery.

We know it increases noise and flash, and it might reduce velocity, we would love to find one to try out to see how much it reduces flip and recoil.

Does anyone have any experience with one?

 

[Valkman]

I would do it on a heavy recoiling gun but not a 1911. It just doesn't have enough recoil IMHO. Now my .454 has it...

 

[Croyance]

The .45 ACP isn't a high pressure round, so I don't even know if porting will have much effect except to give you more places to clean.

 

[Rich K]

I don't care for porting in general, personaly. And on a 1911, there just isn't enough recoil to be concerned about. You would be wasting money that would be better spent on ammo and practice, IMHO.

 

[Richard]

I agree with all of the comments made above, I would consider having a porting job on any handgun with heavy recoil. regards, Richard

 

[bigger jon]

to comp or not to comp?

i got my first comp rev in the 80s it was a kehoe race gun, the first one he bilt,i shot it in matches, a comp is not always done because of the recoil being too bad? i had a comp because it alowes you to recover much quicker
and be more competiave, in those days comp guns were bringing in times for speed plates like 2.5 for all 6 plates, my personal best was 1.99 from the table and 2.54 from the holster,times like these can not be done without a comp, today i still enjoy shooting comp guns,we have a tussey custon carry comp, it was his prototype and it shoots great no recoil,and is not any longer than a regular 1911,try one if you can i think youll like it.

 

[Longbow]

If you like to experiement with porting, I suggest that you use an external barrel comp (not a permanent modification), not Magna-port (permanent modification). It'll most likely cost the same anyway.
I use to have a 1911 with an EFK ported barrel and it to worked well enough. The shot to shot recovery is noticiably quicker (I reloaded a 185gr bullet, loaded to max data). I used it mainly for bowling pin matches.

 

[mljdeckard]

Like a bushing replacement?

 

[harley]

MagnaPort vs Comp

mljdeckard : I like the MagnaPort system and have it installed on several of my guns. Been using it for 30+ years (or for however long they have been in business) and love it, even on .22 pistols.

#1 The best deal is that it reduces muzzle flip and allows you to keep your sight picture on target. How good is that? Recoil wise, I don’t think it can reduce the recoil of a pistol. I think it dynamically alters the recoil where it becomes more of a straight push to the rear that is better absorbed with the arm and body, rather than the wrist and elbow fighting the torque. Less fatigue, shoot more, shoot better.

#2 Noise and muzzle flash on a scale of 1-10 is about a 1 or 2. Maybe at night you could discern some flash coming through the top of the barrel. Depends, I guess, on the cartridge you’re shooting, or the powder. I think, there is less flash and blast with the MagnaPort as opposed to the comp’d pistols.

#3 It’s very unobtrusive; there’s no extra weight or length added to the pistol. Comp’s do work, and sometimes extra weight isn’t a bad thing. I’ve always objected to the extra length hanging on the end of the pistol, when it could be incorporated into the barrel.

#4 Women, in my experience, find the 1911 w/ the porting less intimidating and more pleasurable to shoot. Given a choice, they usually go for the MP gun over the comp’d gun. Just a side thought in case you need to share.

As an aside, nothing to do with your question, but a few years ago I was traveling through Detroit with a gun I wanted to drop off and have ported. I was delayed by road construction and wasn’t going to make it before they closed. I called ahead and they said “keep coming, there will be someone here”. One of the owners waited around for at least an hour, on a Friday or Saturday, just to take my drop off. And, spent several more hours showing me how every machine in the shop worked etc. I was humbled by his generosity of time. He didn’t know me from ADAM.

“You pays your money, and you takes your choice. Ain’t freedom grand?”

harley

 

[Longbow]

Like a bushing replacement?

No.
Those bushing replacement doesn't have true baffles that contains and redirect the gas upward. I suggest that you look at USPSA "race guns" to see how a true compensator looks like (if you haven't yet).
I personally don't see any other purpose for a compensator other than in competitions (maybe hunting too). Also, if you happen to fire your compensated gun from your hip, ' guess where those gasses are going? In your face!
But if you must try it, I highly suggest that you go with barrel replacement to avoid doing a permanent modification to your gun. As you can see, not all people like it. If you're to trade that gun in the future, it can be a tough sell.

Here's the link to EFK http://www.efkfiredragon.com

 

[mljdeckard]

I'm thinking, over time, as I have money, I might put together a 1911 specifically for tinkering with stuff like this. Like I say, none of us want to volunteer our dedicated carry guns for experiments. I'll find a frame and build it up with wilson parts, and leave it available for things like this kind of surgery. I might get an extra slide and barrel, the worst that could happen is needing to put the old one back on.

 

[Shipwreck]

I had a Springfield PDP Defender from 97 to last Feb (2005). It had a comp similiar to the Colt shown in the pic above. It did reduce velocity, but to be honest, when I shot that Springfield next to a standard Spring Mil Spec I also had at the time - I noticed ZERO difference in muzzle flip or recoil. The comp gun was just 2x as loud. That's all.

They look kewl - and if that is what ya want, then fine. But, I am thru with comped guns. For a .45 ACP, it's not worth it. I hear that a 38 Super is a sweet gun to comp.

 

[Jim Watson]

Some years ago I shot one of the old Michigan Arms 1911 .45s with Magnaporting cut through slide and barrel. If it had any less recoil or muzzle flip than a standard gun, I could not tell it.
An expansion chamber compensator can be effective on a .45. I wish I had kept one instead of converting everything to IDPA CDP.
The bushing replacement devices are generally useless. I had one for my ACE .22 so it would stay in the open front holster made for my comped .45 and 9mm.