Ported Barrel Effects

[alienabductor]

Hi, getting an XD 9mmg, they offer a ported barrel model
besides reducing kick, any other effects?
how MUCH kick does it reduce?
? more gunpowder spray around tip of barrel due to porting?\
louder?
weakness of barrel/slide due to porting? is it significant in regard to long term effects?
etc,
any input greatly appreciated

 

[stoky]

IMHO, the 9mm doesn't have enough recoil to warrant porting. If it is to be used for competition only porting might speed up shot to shot performance. For self defense porting has serious shortcomings in close quarter weapon retention techniques, it puts a great deal of extra muzzle blast in your face. The only use for porting on a defensive pistol would be on a .44 and up magnum for large(er than human) beasties.

 

[Biker]

My Taurus 450 is ported. A 17oz, 45LC revolver with a 2" barrel benefits from this - believe me. I've tested the gun holding a sheet of paper over the barrel while firing the gun and noticed nothing that would give me pause to shoot it while in a gun retention posture.
It doesn't seem to have any more muzzle flash in poor light conditions than my Ruger Blackhawk with a chopped down 3" barrel in the same caliber firing the same loads.
I like it. YMMV...

Biker

 

[stoky]

2" .45LC?????????
what were you thinkin bro?

 

[Biker]

Hey, she shoots five big, heavy bullets - thats a *good thing*.

Biker

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Hey, she shoots five big, heavy bullets - thats a *good thing*.

Haha, I just got a visual of the martha stewart quote engraved on the barrel of that beast. It's a good thing.

 

[Gbro]

Lots more BANG for your bucks.

 

[Dave R]

Basically, porting (and other muzzle devices) turn recoil into noise. Unfortunately, it takes a LOT of noise to reduce a little recoil. So, in general, ported guns will have noticeably less recoil (and particularly less muzzle flip, in the case of pistols.) But muzzle blast will be increased pretty significantly.

 

[Zoogster]

I don't like porting especialy on an automatic. You have extra holes for powder to escape into the slide. Sound is waves, and non ported barrels direct those waves forward, and you hear the reflection of those waves at less than full power, while what is in front of the barrel would hear it much louder. Porting not only shortens (which increases noise itself) the barrel giving you less bang for your buck in terms of velocity by allowing pressure to escape sooner, but allows you to directly experience the soundwaves from a hole in line of sight to your ears. Increased flash, especialy in a night enviroment. All for what? Less recoil. If your using a powerful cartridge or an extra light weight weapon the tradeoffs might be worth the reduction, but definately not for a standard size 9mm.

 

[swingcatt]

If you are shooting self defense loads out of a ported barrel, you're going to have a good muzzle flash out of the ports. You probably won't notice it during the day, it looks cool at dusk, but at night in a self defense situation, one aimed shot puts the flash right in your sight picture and you just ruined your night vision. It's not the amount of muzzle flash as much as it is the position of it. I stay away from barrel porting and recommend my students do to.SC

 

[alienabductor]

thanks to all

thanks to all for your knowledge,
much appreciated,
I think I'll stay away from the ports with the information given.

 

[possum]

i also agree that the 9mm really dosen't have enough muzzle flip to warrant the need for a portrd model, but another way you could go instead is put a don's guide rod and a heavier wolff spring in it and that will cut down on some of the muzzle flip. they are not very expensive and they go in in a matter of seconds any one can do it.

beware to that i am a big xd buff, and i am gonna have to tell the truth on this one, there have been issues with the 9mm ported models, check out xdtalk.com and you can read about it. there have been many cases where the slide cracks near the ports and behind the front sight. now if this does happen not to worry becayse sa will take care of you they have a great customer service. in the past they have fixed the gun for folks, and in some cases they gave the customer a different model in it's place if that is what the customer wanted. springfield is supposed to be working on this issue and should have all the kinks out soon on the newer models. they have relised the issue and are fixing the design, to get it right.

 

[ajax]

My personal opinion is that the flash at night is not as bad as it's cracked up to be. I also agree that it is not at all needed on a 9mm. I have a SA V10 and the porting IMO reduces muzzle flip and felt recoil significantly which is why I like it so much.