Would you?

[mattz357]

I have two revolvers that I am considering having ported. The first is my King Cobra 6", which was my first handgun, and would NOT be easily replaced (more sentimental value than market value). The other is my new 66 3", that was pretty tough to find as well. I could have Magnaport do the work on my 66 for $89 with shipping included, or send it back to the Performance Center for $88 plus round trip shipping (probably at least $40). I'm not sure if Colt offers porting services or what they would cost, but Magnaport would be $89 again, or about $119 for four ports instead of two. My questions are whether or not there is any risk in this (any horror stories) and what will these modifications do to the value of the guns? I am mostly looking at this for "cool factor" and because I like to have my pistols customized. Please feel free to share your opinions and advice. Thanks!!!

 

[Hemicuda]

Personally, I wouldn't port ANY of my guns... (but I'm a big guy, and recoil doesn't scare me off...)

you'd likely be killing the original value, but if you aren't planning on selling them, then this isn't a problem...

MagNaPort (or whatever the funky capitalization they use) has been in business for a LONG time, and have been the leader in porting firearms, and I am sure that they would do a good job for you...

in the end, it is all up to you...

 

[P95Carry]

Indeed - in the end - your call.

I too would not port any of my guns .. tho I did contemplate porting my 9 1/2" SRH in .454 ..... but decided against it. Cost seemed too high plus ... I am a recoil junky anyways and want the gun to remain std.

Re the 66 ... with just a 3 inch tube IMO if you port that all you'll do is have a better fireball, more noise, and effectively reduced the barrel length re achieved velocities. Recoil taming will not probably be exactly miraculous either.

Porting is like tatt's ..... once done it can't be undone!

 

[critter]

Me? Nope.

Ports aren't needed for recoil reduction unless you are doing speed shooting or shooting something in heavy loaded .454 or 500 S&W as far as I am concerned.

Secondly, they WILL increase muzzle blast to the shooter.

Next, they do 'decrease' barrel length in effect.

They DO increase the fireball in low light conditions which cut down on night vision and repeat shots.

In the case of defensive uses and firing close to the body, YOU get the blast from the ports and you DON'T want that!

SO-NO not me. But they ARE your guns and it is up to you. Consider all the +/-'s before you do.

 

[mattz357]

I was aware of the increased muzzle flash and noise, as well as decreased velocity, but I hadn't thought that I would be effectively reducing barrel length. I've only shot the King Cobra a few times, and haven't shot the 66 at all, so it's not a recoil issue, mostly just for the sake of customization. I agree with the negative results if I were to have to use the gun for self defense. Thanks very much for the replies and please keep them coming.

 

[sfhogman]

One of my best friends has a Redhawk, SS, 7.5" barrel. Shoots 300gr loads over 18gr of 2400. It's magaported. I shoot the identical gun with identical loads. I don't find that much difference between the two, and won't be having mine ported.

Just my 2c,
Jeff

 

[P95Carry]

but I hadn't thought that I would be effectively reducing barrel length.

matt ... think of it like this .... at the soonest point your barrel has holes in it .... is the point expanding gases all but cease to accelerate the bullet .... even tho it may have a smidgeon of tube still to negotiate before reaching the outside world.

 

[Paladin7]

Please don't ruin that 3" 66, its a classic that is very hard to find these days.

Personally, I don't like ported guns, especially weapons used for serious social purposes. You shouldn't have a problem with recoil with either, I would question why you would want to port them in the first place.

Use the money to get into reloading if you aren't already... it will be money well spent and you will get more enjoyment out of your firearms.

My 2 cents.

 

[John Ross]

From an article on my website:

Brakes or comps or ports are ineffective on guns where the powder charge is a small percentage of the bullet weight (most handgun ammo) and the muzzle pressure is low (again, most handgun ammo.) Brakes work their best in high pressure bottlenecked rifle cartridges like the .300 Weatherby or .50 BMG, where a big fraction of the ejecta is the powder. The ultimate example of this is the recoilless rifle, where enough powder is used (and directed rearward) that the gun doesn't recoil at all. For this reason, I am not a big fan of brakes on revolvers. In most cases the only result I can detect is increased noise and blast.


JR

 

[Black Snowman]

I have two ported handguns, my first and a used Taurus I bought from a friend. I don't plan on getting any more unless I just can't find the configuration I want any other way. I'm not against it, I just don't think the advantages are signifigant enough to out-weigh the disadvantages.

If you want to customize look at doing something reversable, like grips, a trigger job, and sight upgrades.

 

[spook]

Last Mother's Day just the president of my shooting club and I were at the range. He let me shoot his Springfield Micro V10, which has a ported barrel, which he wants to sell. I shot a magazine in the bright Key Largo sun. I didn't notice much muzzle flash and the recoil was very light for the tiny .45. Didn't sound that loud either. Then he shot it in the position next to me and I realized why it was for sale. I wouldn't dare shoot that thing around a bunch of armed men.

 

[tbeb]

Like the majority, I never saw the need to port any of my revolvers--the most powerful being .357 magnum. You will lose some velocity with ports. I do not like recoil. I do not enjoy shooting full power .357 magnum loads, although I handle them just fine. If you want to port for the "cool factor" and to have something different, then only you can decide if spending the money is worth it. I'd rather spend the money on better grips, sights, ammo, or something like that.

 

[Brian Williams]

I hate porting


Do I need to say anything else



'cept maybe for a 38 super for gun games, but anything else see above.

 

[Marshall]

IMO, it would ruin two very nice guns.

 

[mattz357]

You guys pretty much have me talked into a nice set of grips instead. How about some links to some nice round butt combat grips. Finger grooves are good but not a must, but I'm going to try to stay away from checkering, but for the right grips it's okay.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've had the good folks at http://www.magnaport.com port the barrels of most of my center fire pistols. They're working on my .44 magnum carry gun at the moment. They do good work. It helps.

 

[22popnsplat]

I do own 1 contender barrel that has a brake , Out of consideration for the other people at the range I go to I seldom use that barrel .
"Porting is something you do to cylinder heads "

 

[Combat-wombat]

I say keep the gun like it is, especially your sentimental-valued King Cobra. If you want coolness and porting, don't use such nice guns, get a new one and do it.