I'm looking at buying a Smith and Wesson Sigma SW40P which has a factory ported barrel. Anyone here have experience with a ported semiauto? There are a lot of myths out there so I'm hoping someone can help me separate fact from fiction. I've heard the flash is huge, the noise is a lot more than a standard pistol, and that the debris and blast can obscure the sights over time. I would plan on putting night sights on it and use it to shoot for entertainment as well as a nightstand gun and occasional carry.
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Ported barrels
- Thread starter MattB
- Start date
Ported barrels do reduce muzzle flip and recoil, but are not as effective as a comp. The problem is that such a mod will put you in a class with the comps, at a disadvantage. I shot a .45 ACP with a ported barrel in the days before Mr. Plaxco marketed the first comp and noticed none of the problems you allude to, but I didn't fire the pistol at night. The only drawback I can see is the extra barrel length when carrying concealed.
Ports won't increase the barrel length, at least on the Sigma.
As the picture shows they're right at the front of the slide. One thing I've read is that firing them in close quarters can lead to the shooter injuring themselves with the blast.
As the picture shows they're right at the front of the slide. One thing I've read is that firing them in close quarters can lead to the shooter injuring themselves with the blast.
Here is a comp'ed barrel (not ported) in action, they are louder, but you will not notice the flash.
I double plug, so the noise is not a problem. Indoors the muzzle blast can make you flinch if you are shooting in a stall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xdBHVulj8Q
I double plug, so the noise is not a problem. Indoors the muzzle blast can make you flinch if you are shooting in a stall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xdBHVulj8Q
I have a Glock 19C. Ported from the manufacturer.
From my experience with it (just got it today)...
I was shooting outside, under a covered shooting line (roof).
There was no discernible muzzle flash... nothing that I could see anyway. But then again, it was daytime.
The report was louder than a regular Glock 19... but then again, the roof played a part in bouncing the sound back down at me. So I don't know if it would be any louder without any ceiling or roof above me. But if you had to use it in self defense inside a building... yes... the report would be louder than a non-ported gun.
And yes, the gas escaping through the ports did dirty up the front sight... but a simple wipe and it's back to being clean. I wouldn't worry about this one. Just clean the front sight when you clean your gun after shooting... and you won't have any issues.
Hope this helps!
From my experience with it (just got it today)...
I was shooting outside, under a covered shooting line (roof).
There was no discernible muzzle flash... nothing that I could see anyway. But then again, it was daytime.
The report was louder than a regular Glock 19... but then again, the roof played a part in bouncing the sound back down at me. So I don't know if it would be any louder without any ceiling or roof above me. But if you had to use it in self defense inside a building... yes... the report would be louder than a non-ported gun.
And yes, the gas escaping through the ports did dirty up the front sight... but a simple wipe and it's back to being clean. I wouldn't worry about this one. Just clean the front sight when you clean your gun after shooting... and you won't have any issues.
Hope this helps!
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This is a current discussion on another forum that I participate in.
The OP on that other forum reported that hot gases and debris hit someone in the face and up/under the glasses the shooter was wearing.
Jim Conway reported to me that he observed another person set fire to their shirt while firing from retention with a ported barrel.
YMMV, but be careful out there.
The OP on that other forum reported that hot gases and debris hit someone in the face and up/under the glasses the shooter was wearing.
Jim Conway reported to me that he observed another person set fire to their shirt while firing from retention with a ported barrel.
YMMV, but be careful out there.
I can see porting a revolver in 357,44 mag or bigger but porting an auto? Seems like an answer to the question nobody asked. If you do plan to go thru with the idea MagNaPort does autos as well as revolvers,rifles and shotguns.I've had a revolver done by them and am quite pleased with their work.
And no,I don't own stock in MagNaPort.
And no,I don't own stock in MagNaPort.
Last edited:
TY43215
NES Member
What happens with ported barrels is ammunition based. Over the years, I have use Pro Port revolvers and MagNaPort revolvers successfully. I have NOT tried ported semi autos.
The problem with flash arises during low light or no light shooting with ammo you have not tested. There are some with low flash.
As for debris hitting the shooter, it is very possible with dirty ammo shooting from close retention.
If your plan is for personal defense only, ported is a nice way to go. If you plan to shoot any Action sport, you will be severely handicapped in the division you will have to shoot in with one sport and you will be ineligible in another.
Sent you a PM
The problem with flash arises during low light or no light shooting with ammo you have not tested. There are some with low flash.
As for debris hitting the shooter, it is very possible with dirty ammo shooting from close retention.
If your plan is for personal defense only, ported is a nice way to go. If you plan to shoot any Action sport, you will be severely handicapped in the division you will have to shoot in with one sport and you will be ineligible in another.
Sent you a PM
why would it be a good idea in a revolver, but not it an auto? The question that everyone asks is how do I reduce muzzle flip so that I can get back on the target faster, no matter what gun it is, ports and comps help with this
Most autos operate at relatively low pressures 20,000 psi where as magnum revolvers operate at as high as 60,000 psi. The gain on recoil reduction in an auto would be small as compared to a revolver. Think of the ports as a retro rocket of sorts the higher the pressure leaving the ports the higher the thrust pushing the barrel down. The revolver I had done was a 44 mag with a 4 5/8' barrel with 300 gr hand loads it was a wrist wrencher with the porting its now quite comfortable to shoot. My buddy is trying to get it from me as it's his idea of a "pocket pistol". All I'm trying to say is that the reduction in recoil in a semi auto MAY be somewhat disappointing.
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