What does Ported Mean?

[Kermit911]

I was reading info at Magnum Research and came across this:

Can my Desert Eagle pistol be ported?
Yes, we suggest a company called MagNaPort International. Please contact them directly if you would like to have your pistol/revolver done at 1-586-469-6727, www.magnaport.com.

What does that mean? And Y would you want it done?

Thanx
Kermit

 

[DR]

It mean cutting holes, or ports, in the top end of the barrel (and slide if needed). When the gun fires, some of combustion gases will go out the ports pushing the front end of the gun down. It helps tame the muzzle flip at the expense of more muzzle blast.

The Magnaport site has some good pictures and explanations.

 

[MaterDei]

Ported, aka compensated, barrels are barrels with holes drilled in them. The ports are drilled near the muzzel on top of the barrel. The purpose is to reduce muzzel flip and to reduce the weight of your wallet. Expanding gasses exit the ports on top of the barrel compensating somewhat for the normal forces of recoil.

Unless you buy a longer barrel, an autoloader slide needs to be ported as well to accommodate the ports in the barrel.

Rather than modifying an existing gun, I would recommend that you buy a ported barrel in which the ports are beyond the end of the slide. This will enable you to drop your stock barrel back in the gun and use it unported if you wish.

Ported barrels are generally discouraged for concealed carry and firing at night.

Good Luck.

 

[Kermit911]

Will it effect the velosity of the bullet?

 

[Daniel964]

Ported barrels are generally discouraged for concealed carry

Why is that?

 

[MaterDei]

Why is that?

Several reasons that I've heard make sense.

1. defensive use of a handgun is most likely to occur at night. The ports direct a lot of the flash into your line of sight severely reducing your night vision capabilities.
2. more holes in the barrel invite more dust and dirt. CCWs are carried everyday and exposed to a lot more dirt, lint, dust, and grime than your typical range gun.
3. defensive use of a handgun is most likely to occur in close quarters and with ported barrels the possibility of unintended burns to the shooter goes up. This is a bit of a red herring in my opinion but I have heard it mentioned. If I'm having to shoot somebody in self defense the possibility of being burned is not something I'd worry too terribly about. I suppose that you could actually be blinded if it flashed in your eyes, however, and this would be a bad thing.

 

[HungSquirrel]

Porting in action, borrowed from Glock's website:

The gasses exiting the top of the barrel push the muzzle down, reducing muzzle lift slightly.

 

[TexasRifleman]

That photo right there tells why it's BAD for concealed carry.

Imagine being in close quarters with your weapon at your mid chest level, and having to fire in a hurry.


Hey, what is that burn mark on your face? Why are your clothes on fire?


Not to mention the pretty much guaranteed loss of night vision when that thing goes off right in your line of sight.

 

[PromptCritical]

A Desert Eagle is not your average autopistol. There is no slide, the barrel is one piece. Magnaporting cuts trapezoidal slots on either side of the scope rail near the muzzle. I have a MkVII .44 Mag, and have some interest in getting it ported. The site also says they can't port guns w/ custom finishes. Mine is hard chromed so that might be a problem.

A desert eagle is really only usefull for two things: Target shooting and impressing your buddies. Porting does several things that greatly enhance the impressiveness: Bigger muzzle flash, faster followup shots, generally makes gun louder. I would say do it.

 

[Sunray]

Porting is an integral muzzle brake machined into a firearm's barrel. However, the holes are not drilled. They're ECM'd. That's Electro Chemical Discharge. A carbon electrode is machined to the correct size and shape then it's used at the right angle in an ECM machine to literally eat very precise holes in the barrel and, if need be, the slide. No burrs are created with ECM machining.
It's very effective at reducing muzzle jump and felt recoil.
If you're firing a pistol at night won't matter if it's ported or not. The muzzle flash alone will temporarily blind you.
"...CCWs are carried everyday..." And should be cleaned every day.
"...unintended burns..." If your hide is close to the muzzle, getting burned is the least of your troubles.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I'm lucky enough to live about 30 miles from Magna-Port International. I took my .45-70 Contender barrel to them and they did a rifle port job (4 ports rather than 2) on it in a few hours. We simply went out to eat and drove around town for a while, and then took in their Handgun Hunter's Museum. By that time it was done. Nice day.

 

[MaterDei]

A Desert Eagle is not your average autopistol.

It's also not your average CCW.

Sunray, I could care less how the holes are put in the barrel. Are you saying that night vision is not negatively impacted at all by porting? Or that a CCW should and will be cleaned EVERY DAY? PLEASE?

 

[Standing Wolf]

All my carry revolvers are ported: accuracy is the first and last consideration in self-defense.

 

[scout26]

To answer your question:

Ported means LOUD

 

[TexasRifleman]

StandingWolf - You have no worries about the additional loss of night vision if you have to shoot a ported weapon in the dim light?? Have you tried it at night to see?

 

[hksw]

The ports aren't actually drilled into the barrels, they are EDMed.

http://www.magnaport.com/company.html