But of course spwenger...I do not disagree with you on the loud noise perception whatsoever. I noted that the report became "Omni-directional" instead of "projected" down range and, subsequently, one does notice the seeming louder noise because one is actually inside the sound wave. My point is this: You will experience the exact same decibels (there is no increase whatsoever) and one will have the exact same hearing damage (for example) if you fired either weapon without muffs.
That is why I use muffs on the range. If my life is threatened and I have to fire a .357 mag in a real life situation...well, let’s just say that hearing loss is not even on my radar screen.
Look...a short 3 inch barrel .357 mag is pretty loud...I see no big hardship having it ported...yup, it is louder.
Bottom line...my muzzle flip is reduced by 70% and I can achieve Old Fluff's 5-5-5 rule with hot .357 mag rounds and only lose 100 fps in velocity. I can still get awesome penetration and consistent expansion and controlled/quick follow-up shots. Nice trade-off in my opinion.
Here is what the Master Gunsmith has to say about it:
"As you may know we are the originators of Hybra-Port and own the Trademark. We have been porting revolvers since 1990 with that porting system. The flash issue is an ammo thing. Think for a moment, a ball of flame is going to come out of the muzzle or the ports. In the dark your eyes are not sure where it came from just that there is a flash. I have done testing and found no real difference in low or no light flash. I will tell you the two problems with porting of any type.
1)Noise, ported guns are loud, period. If you port your gun is will be more uncomfortable to shoot without ear protection.
2) Escaping gasses at high pressure. You can not fire the gun anywhere close to your body. If you come in to contact with the high-pressure escaping gasses it will do damage.
I have Hybra-Ported in excess of 20,000 revolvers with few complaints about muzzle flash but quite a few complaints on the other two issues. Our porting will reduce muzzle flip up to 70% but you must be willing to suffer with the two drawbacks I have described.
The issue of porting a carry gun has always been a sticky topic; I can see both sides. More than one gunwriter has refused to write about our Hybra-Ported guns for carry. What I tell customers is this. If you can deal with the muzzle flip do not port your gun. If you just don't like or can't deal with muzzle flip, port it. I will build a gun either way.
I hope this clears up a little about the muzzle flash issue. I suggest if you don't have a ported gun get a friend that has one and do some testing, I believe you will find what I am saying to be true. As one of the other posters has said, find ammo that has reduced flash and I think the problem will be solved. Jeez, this is my longest post yet, LOL!"
God Bless
Jack Weigand
and....
"We have been Hybra-Porting revolvers since the late 80's. I have found the following to be true.
Loud! A good portion of the blast is generated above the gun making it seem sharper.
Velocity. I have done extensive testing and I see from 2% to 4% loss as normal. Excessive cylinder gaps can loose more velocity than porting.
Flash. I believe after testing, the non-ported snubbies have more flash. The ball of flames comes out directly in the line of sight on a non ported gun where the ported gun directs the flash aprox a foot above the barrel in a ploom.
Firing the gun close to your body. The vented gases will do damage if held too close.
Muzzle flip. Hybra-Port reduces muzzle flip up to 70%.
My suggestions are as follows. If you are recoil shy and muzzle flip bothers you, have your gun ported. If not porting is of no use."
God Bless
Jack Weigand
