porting a short barrel? (kel-tec pf-9)

[Hubster]

I have selected a Kel-tec pf9 to purchase, and although it is new, it has had some custom modifications. One of the modifications was to port the barrel and slide to reduce the recoil. This modification wasn't the reason I liked this particular pf9.

When I was arranging an ahead of time transfer for the gun, my local gunsmith, who is very experienced, said he is opposed to porting a short barrel and would not buy this particular gun as a result. My conversation with him was via email so he didn't explain further.

On the other hand, the gunsmith who did the modifications, including porting the barrel, is also very experienced and has a great reputation. So now I am torn on whether it is risky to buy this particular model. It has other modifications that I really like, but am concerned about the porting issue.

What say the wisdom of this board? Should I be concerned about the porting of the short barrel or should I just buy it without fear? Please advise.

 

[Loomis]

The only problems I'm aware of with barrel porting is that debris sometimes comes out the ports and strikes people standing next to you. Also, it makes the gun sound much louder. If you are at a shooting range, these things are annoying to others around you.

Other than that, I don't know why anyone would be against barrel porting. Reduced power maybe? Blinding muzzle flash out the ports and obstructing your view of target?

I don't own anything ported, but I've rented ported guns at ranges before. I didn't notice anything objectionable in my brief experience with them.

 

[jocko]

shooting range

If one isn't wearing hearing protectors at a shooting range. I don't feel sorry for him. I shoot ported guns, have for over 30 years at indoor and outdoor ranges If wearing hearng protectors isn't #1 in safety, then I don't know what it.

again shooting over 30years with ported guns I never had any debris hit me or a shooter next to me. Lotta of ol wives tales told about ported guns IMO. and most are pure B. S.

 

[Hubster]

Here is a picture of the pf-9/port in question

 

[jocko]

do it

it'sur gun, do it. my opinion is you will like it..

 

[evan price]

The purpose of porting is to reduce recoil and keep the muzzle down for the next shot. In a self-defense weapon- especially a short-barreled, lightweight gun like a PF9- it is counterproductive because it will cause a flinch, expel debris and smoke, foul under the slide, blind you if you shoot it at night, makes close-retention shooting painful at best... if you can't control a little PF9 then porting won't help you.

That said, it's your money, and if a ridiculous modification like this turns your screws then go for it. You may want to consider chrome-plating it next.

After all people put 6' tall wing-spoilers and 4" pipe mufflers on Kias these days.

 

[rcmodel]

You loose a lot of performance just by going to that short of a barrel in a 9mm.

Then you drill three holes in it right in front of the chamber?

YIKES!!

The other thing is, Kel-Tec is treading a very fine line with it's designs as far as size & weight. Slide mass is a critical part of gun design & function.

The other thing is, all Kel-Tec's have a lifetime warrentee, but not if the barrel & slide are drilled full of holes.

rcmodel

 

[jocko]

only two

RC I only counted two holes. I think that other thinghy is a front site

 

[rcmodel]

Oh! Right!

I didn't click the thumbnail & open it!

Same applies with two holes though.

rcmodel

 

[Redlg155]

Some considerations

1. Warranty. You definitely want to check with Kel Tec on this considering that it was not a factory modification. It's not unknown for Keltecs to have to return to the factory for problems.

2. Vecocity Loss. I did a post a couple of years back with the Kahr PM9 concerning velocities. I'll post them here for you..

Kahr PM9 Matte Stainless
Barrel Length 3.0"
Temperature 65 Degrees F


Load #1 Winchester USA 115 Gr FMJ ( White Box 100rd count Value Pack)
1004
1035
1030
1017
1018

Average: 1020 FPS

Load #2 Speer 124 Gr +P Gold Dot
1121
1098
1100
1077
1071

Average: 1093.4 FPS

Load #3 Winchester USA 115 Grain JHP (White Box 50ct)
977.4
987.1
992.7
1028
962.3


Average: 989.5 FPS

Load #4 Winchester USA 147 Grain JHP (White Box 50ct)
843.4
863.7
877.9
867.4
866.7

Average: 863.82


Load #5 Federal Personal Defense 135gr JHP
922.2
934.7
928.5
926.8
921.0

Average: 926.64 FPS

Based on the porting of your pistol, I'd expect 50 or more fps velocity loss. Also, I looked at the specs on the PF9 and the barrel length is 3.1, close to the Kahr at 3.0

3. Two concerns I would have with porting would be night/low light shooting and hip shooting. This problem would be aggravated more if you attempted to use higher velocity +p loads to compensate for porting and short barrel velocity loss. As for hip shooting, upward gasses and unburned powder could possibly be a hazard. Try rigging up a white sheet of copy paper about 2 feet over the barrel and see what results you have.

Also...the bad thing about custom is that you usually eat the cost on resale value.

Hopefully the positive benefits will outweigh the negative for you.

 

[Hans Esker]

I second the Flinch potential of a ported 9mm. Even though I have tried only a few 9mm, and am new to handguns, the only one that caused me to flinch was the ported midsize Glock I tried. After 5 rounds I said, "Forget This!" and switched to a different gun in the rental section. What you gain in recoil reduction you loose in muzzle blast, noise, and flash.

 

[kcshooter]

I wouldn't. There's nothing to gain by this mod on that gun, and there's enough to lose to make me buy an unaltered one.

 

[sniper7369]

I have a Kel-Tec P-11 and I can see absolutely no reason for porting the barrel on it, or a PF-9. The recoil on these little 9mm's is a bit snappy, but nothing that would require porting. IMO, the bad far outweighs the good.

 

[jocko]

I would never port a kt, not much there for a barrel and relaibility is poor . I ported my 380 kt once and later on the slide cracked in two places, not even close to where the porting was,. Kt replaced the slide with no concerns of the porting either, but I was out the porting . cost. Alot of people knock ported guns and yet have never really shot them. I have shot ported guns for over 30 years and some of the negatives I read, just make me laugh, but heh, everyone is entitled to an opinion..
I still have my hearing at age 65, my eyesite is still in tack due to no blindness from the porting, I certainly don't flinch from shooting a ported gun any more than I do from shooting a non ported gun- wow that was a new one to hear, but I wrote it in my memory book for something to checkon at the ol range..

 

[maroast]

For what its worth.....I shot a ported Springfield XD9 (along with a nonported) a few months back and it wasn't anything to write home about...it didn't dramatically reduce the felt recoil IMHO. I didn't walk away from the encounter saying to myself "wow! this is something I REALLY need"....

 

[jocko]

marost

but did you have to go home and wash ur cloths from all the "debris" that flew out of the ported barrel. Did u have to decompress from all that muzzle blast??? Did you blow the shirt off the fella next to you shooting due to the porting??? Did u have to turn ur hearing aid louder after shooting the ported gun???
Just kiddin but that is alot of stuff said on the "internet" Porting isn't a panacea for everything either..