Plugging barrel Ports

[CajunBass]

I'm not sure the official name, but I recently bought a Taurus Tracker 44, that has a ported barrel. (Duhhhhh...ports) I haven't even fired the gun yet, but was wondering if anyone has an idea about how to plug those ports? I was thinking tapping the holes and screwing in some kind of plug, something like that.

No idea if I'd ever want to. Just wondering.

 

[243winxb]

Drill, tap & plug worked in 22 lr at 24,000 PSI. Tapped right in front of chamber. So yes, i think you have a good chance of it working. Round holes make the most noise, compared to Mag-Na- Port.

But is there enought thickness in the barrel for plugs to hold on to? My 22 lr had a bull barrel.

Wheres this "expansion chamber" at?

Each hole may cost $10 or more?

 

[CajunBass]

Thanks. The expansion chamber is the last 1/2? Maybe 3/4" of the 4" barrel, working from memory. The ports are all in that part of the barrel. I'm not sure how thick the metal is really.

I was just sort of spitballing. I was pretty sure there wasn't any kind of epoxy or anything like that. I used to have some stuff called "Metaset?" I think it was, an epoxy for working with metal that we had at work. That was my first thought but I don't think that would hold up.

 

[DukeConnor]

I wouldn't want to be standing next to you when the trigger was pulled. I envision a shotgun pattern of epoxy or screws. lol

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I don't think I have ever seen ports filled before. I can see it being done, and working if done correctly, 243 has a good idea which I think would work. However, at that working pressure it would always worry me a bit.

I would shoot it some and see if it is really that bad for you. May be better off to sell it as is and find something which comes as you want it.

 

[243winxb]

Just wondering.

Me too.

Muzzle PSI of a 223 , 5" barrel, produces 25,042 PSI. Chamber pressure was 55,000 PSI to start.
The 44 mag starts at a much lower pressure. Add pressure loss from the barrel/cylinder gap, there is a good chance that the plugs will stay put. Depends on how thick the barrel is.

The 22 lr would build up lead under the plugs when they were in place. The first shot after removing the plugs sent lead flying. You dont want to clean out the ports at an indoor pistol range.

The 8 holes right in front of the chamber were to help make the Ruger MK1 recoilless for ISU rapid fire, in the 70s.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm not really worried about it. It won't make any more noise at the indoor range than those AR/AK type pistols make I don't imagine. Those things are LOUD. I won't be shooting magnum loads at all. Never have. Just mid-range 44 Specials and I'm certainly going to shoot it first to see just how much noise it does make.

To be honest, I can't imagine that I would ever do it. I'm too cheap really. I was just looking at the it and then started to wonder if you could. I'd never heard of anyone doing it, so I thought I'd ask.

 

[CajunBass]

I wouldn't want to be standing next to you when the trigger was pulled. I envision a shotgun pattern of epoxy or screws. lol

That's why as soon as I thought of the epoxy idea I thought....Naaaaaahhhhhhh that ain't gonna work.

 

[Blue68f100]

If your going to try for a threaded plug. In general you need 5 threads for full strength, which gives you a little safety factor. 3.5 threads may be marginal, but it depends on the percentage of thread bite. So if you know how much thickness you have to work with you can calculate the length of screw needed.

 

[CajunBass]

Well, it looks like that was much concern about nothing. I put 50 rounds of my 44 Special reloads through it today, and didn't think the noise was much, if any worse than any other 4", 44 Special I've ever fired. I didn't notice a mass exodus from the indoor range where I was shooting.

Gun shot pretty good too, in spite of me holding it.

Still thanks for your thoughts on the question.

 

[Show Me]

Some times the entertainment value here is immeasurable.

 

[MikeInOr]

I wouldn't want to be standing next to you when the trigger was pulled. I envision a shotgun pattern of epoxy or screws. lol

I was envisioning more of a mini grenade.