Porting a gun

**AIRret** · 05-17-2012, 08:14 PM

Does porting a gun, specifically, a snub-nosed, affect bullet velocity and or accuracy? I'm just toying with the idea and wanted some feedback. My Ruger LCR 357 isn't bad but some folks say they would port all their carry guns.

**Longitude Zero** · 05-18-2012, 05:20 AM

I am NOT a fan of porting a carry gun and here is why. If you have to fire the gun while it is held close to your body in a close combat position the gasses coming out of the ports will spray directly upward into your face. Several weapon retention techniques require you to have part of your body near or covering the ports.

So I am not a fan. Save the porting for competition guns.

**Barth** · 05-18-2012, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by Longitude Zero

I am NOT a fan of porting a carry gun and here is why. If you have to fire the gun while it is held close to your body in a close combat position the gasses coming out of the ports will spray directly upward into your face. Several weapon retention techniques require you to have part of your body near or covering the ports.

So I am not a fan. Save the porting for competition guns.

I do carry a ported gun.
Care must be taken to direct the ports away from the body when house clearing.
I have been trained to cant the ports at a 90 degree angle away from the body in those situations.
My gun has ports on the end of an extended barrel that point strait up.
I don't know how easy it is to deal with the gas when coming off center a la Magnporting?

Jocko and Jeepster are big advocates of porting.
Particulary Jeepster, that I believe has a ported snubbie.
I think Jocko had a ported S&W 342 as well?

My gun is a Glock G27.
I have two 357 Sig barrels for it;
1) 4.16" Dual Ported Storm Lake
2) 3.26" OEM Glock

The ported barrel, in my gun with the high pressure 357 sig,
works much better than I expected compared to the factory Glock barrel.
Recoil and muzzle flip is reduced to 9mm +P levels.

For me, in a self defense situation, follow up shooting is enhanced.

**Barth** · 05-18-2012, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by AIRret

Does porting a gun, specifically, a snub-nosed, affect bullet velocity and or accuracy? I'm just toying with the idea and wanted some feedback. My Ruger LCR 357 isn't bad but some folks say they would port all their carry guns.

Specifically to your question,
some velocity is lost, but not a bunch, and accuracy is not affected.

**Longitude Zero** · 05-18-2012, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by Barth

For me, in a self defense situation, follow up shooting is enhanced.

How much expeirence shooting in night and low light conditions do you have and does the upward blast of gases negatively affect your vision and being able to see the front sight adequately?

**Barth** · 05-18-2012, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Longitude Zero

How much expeirence shooting in night and low light conditions do you have and does the upward blast of gases negatively affect your vision and being able to see the front sight adequately?

I have not shot in low light.
My understanding is that shooting any handgun at night, ported or not, will
temporarily blind you. Low flash gunpowder in today's self defense rounds
have limited flash anyway. I don't notice any difference in flash at all
at the range with or without ports. Using Speer GDHP, Winchester Ranger
T-Series and Federal Tactical JHP 357 Sig.

The whole flash issue is highly overrated IMHO.

Jocko actually suggested briefly closing your eyes when firing at night
ports or not. Jocko's a funny guy, but that actually makes sense to me - LOL!

**Longitude Zero** · 05-18-2012, 06:51 AM

As a long time NRA certified firearms instructor I hope he was joking about closing your eyes as that is advice I don't know any instructor giving.

**JFootin** · 05-18-2012, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Barth

Specifically to your question,
some velocity is lost, but not a bunch, and accuracy is not affected.

+1^. +1 on reduced muzzle flip and recoil. +1 that there is going to be plenty of flash out of that 2" barrel anyway. And +1 on briefly (< 1 second) closing your eyes when you fire the gun at night — +1 for you retaining your sight, -1 for the BG being blinded for awhile.