pros and cons of a ported barrel.

[sthomper]

"A ported barrel not only reduces the muzzle jump, but it also reduces the felt recoil. "


http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/31506

the above link claims a taurus six shot 44mag with 4" barrel with factory porting. i guess its a real weapon?

would porting on a 4" barrel keep the muzzle down on hotter 44 mag rounds (from the larger makers, speer for instance) and thus better target palcement??

mainly thinking for wilderness packing and target shooting. not real close personal defense.

 

[RedAlert]

Porting will only REDUCE the effects of recoil; it will not ELIMINATE the effects. Perhaps if you view it as helping to TAME the effects.

I have since my 2006 post on this subject had my Kahr PM40 mag-n-ported to good effect. I'm happy with it and find the only negatives worth mentioning to be that cleaning the slide and barrel takes a little more effort.

 

[gordy]

I had my 586 magna ported many years ago.
Love it.
I have shot many times in the dark. You really don't notice the flash as you are thinking of something else.
If you are watching some one else shoot the gun, then you do really notice it.
I have sent my 642 out to have it magna ported.
Love it as well.

 

[LKB3rd]

Muzzle flip does seem to be reduced by porting. Firing .38Spl in my Taurus feels like shooting .22lr

Same in my Colt Python. It's my favorite caliber/combo.

 

[Hk Dan]

Here is the deal. If you've ever passed your finger through a candle flame and not been burnt, you'll get this. The flame/jet from the porting is sudden. It's not going to catch your clothes on fire or blind you at night. Now, you may see a blue "V" when you blink, but that's about it.

If you're concerned about a puff of gas when firing from retention, tip the gun out a bit more. Is it distracting? Ya ain't gonna be worried about that if you need the gun.

I don't own any ported autoloaders, but I have shot a ton of them, and done it at night. It's not a big deal, and it does offer marginally better shot recovery, Trust me, uf ut was the be all/end all of handgun improvements, I'd be using them. It's not, but it ain't half bad.

 

[45Fan]

I have a Springfield V-10 ultra compact, and a full size 1911. Both have the same type of grip, same sights, and same grip safety. Shooting one after the other, the smaller, ported gun is noticeably easier to control. The noise is also a good bit louder, bit the muzzle blast and flash isnt anything that is noticeable unless it almost completely dark.

I dont mind ported in a carry pistol, the only time I wouldnt want it would be in a hunting firearm.