Ported Barrels on Defensive Guns

F

FUD

Moderator
I've always felt that a ported barrel in a self defense gun was not a good idea. While it was fine for a hunting gun or a "fun" gun, I have been of the opinion that with a self defense weapon you could find yourself firing in close quarters and/or at off angles where a ported barrel might send flames and gas toward you. I've even posted these reasons here on TFL.

Well, I was at the range today and while waiting in line to be written up, I saw a Taurus model 85 Ultra-Lite Titanium model with the concealed/hidden hammer and my eyes were instantly drawn to it. I already own a stainless steel version of the Taurus 85, so I know that it is a good line. I asked to see it and when I saw that it had a ported barrel (the only way that the model 85 now comes), I quickly decided against it.

While shooting at the range, I kept thinking about the gun and when I was done, I decided to buy it. Here I am, "Mr. Pistol", who isn't too fond of revolvers and who dislikes ported barrels, and I just bought a compact snubbie with a ported barrel.

Somebody tell me that I didn't make a mistake.

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
While shooting at the range, I kept thinking about the gun and when I was done, I decided to buy it. Here I am, "Mr. Pistol", who isn't too fond of revolvers and who dislikes ported barrels, and I just bought a compact snubbie with a ported barrel.

Somebody tell me that I didn't make a mistake.

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
[/quote]


I've carried an 85UL for about 2 years now. Due to the light weight, it is my most frequently carried side arm.
And I feel very secure with it. Frankly, I don't know if porting is bad for a self defense gun. Should an incident happen, I expect no more then a few rounds traded.
I think you'll like the 85UL. I do suggest you puit a few hundred rounds thru it ASAP to ensure it's reliability.
 
Ezeckial, I never had a problem with my SS 85. Did you have some initial problems with your 85UL? Please advise,
FUD
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Share what you know, learn what you don't.
 
Lead bullets will shave and spray out of the ports. Otherwise, little velocity is lost if the barrel is short anyway, and you should be able to find low flash factory loads. (Handloads would be no problem).
Enjoy!
SM
 
I haven't shot any ported handguns yet, but a snubbie Taurus is on my shopping list. The last ported revolver I saw at my local FFL had a barrel that actually ended before the porting. If you can picture it, the part that was ported was wider in diameter than the rifled barrel. I assume this is to keep chunks of lead from coming out of the top. I think you made a great decision.
 
Awhile ago, Dick Metcalf of Shooting Times did a test of ported HGs. He used both ported and standard versions of the same model pistol and revolver. All shooting was conducted from inside a shed, through a portal to the outside, in near total darkness. To sum it up, he found no discernable difference between either gun in the amount of flash, regardless of whether the ammo was standard or "low-flash". ALL of them induced a temporary obstruction of his night vision which would've hurt his ability to continue the fight after the first round.
Now, the porting does offer a somtimes noticeable increase in control. So, velocity loss concerns aside, his contention was that you should go for it. As to particulate matter blasting toward you, you must check your gun with the intended load. All revolvers spew out from the barrel/cylinder gap anyway, and some autos through the chamber opening upon unlocking. I would not personally shy away from the porting, but I would test it to make sure. :)
 
If you have to fire a ported weapon close to your body, as in Step Back/Speed Rock, you need to train with it so that you turn the ports away from you, unless you'd like a side order of barbecued ribs. :)
 
The wife unit has a Taurus 605 with a ported barrel and I wouldn't think twice about using it as a primary carry self defence gun.

Have personnaly shot it in low light and was impressed with the "flame" from the porting but it in no way was any brighter than a non ported gun, just more distributed. And as long as jacketed bullets are fired from it there is no lead spray.

Did I mention recoil reduction? Hardly a differance between .38 spl and .357 Mag, just more noise and flash.

BTW, the "Little Woman" is so recoil sensitive that she HATES to shoot my Tomcat but doesn't flinch with Magnums in her 605.
 
David Scott, I think that this "get the ports away from you" idea is really off. The only ND that I've ever had was with a Taurus Titanium in .45 Colt firing Cor-Bon ammo. The gun was about 2" in front of me pointing downrange, but my hand was directly over the ports about 1.5" above it(almost shot a finger off!) The blast from the porting was definately noticable, and took the hair off my fingers, but I hardly felt it, it was so quick. I really don't think that this is as much of a danger as people say it is.

VictorLouis, thanks for the Dick Metcalf reference...you beat me to it.
 
FUD,

Let us know how you like your new friend after 500-600 rounds. I'm interested in your take after reading your thread-starter.

Regards,

Ledbetter
 
FUD,

Congrats on the new purchase. I've been looking at the 85 seriously for a while now, but then I look at the mini-Glocks and once I realize they are the same size, I can't help but want a mini-Glock.

If you got the titanium, you must have paid up the nose. I have a hard time justifying these titanium prices right now. Be aware of bullets being pulled from the case.

Enjoy,
Ben

PS: What was the addy for S&W forum again? I bookmarked it at work... but don't have it at home... HELP!!!

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
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"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Frontsight!:
David Scott, I think that this "get the ports away from you" idea is really off. The only ND that I've ever had was with a Taurus Titanium in .45 Colt firing Cor-Bon ammo. The gun was about 2" in front of me pointing downrange, but my hand was directly over the ports about 1.5" above it(almost shot a finger off!) The blast from the porting was definately noticable, and took the hair off my fingers, but I hardly felt it, it was so quick. I really don't think that this is as much of a danger as people say it is.[/quote]

I defer to real world experience, of course, but it seems to me a lot would depend on the caliber. A .357 Magnum snubbie probably has a lot more muzzle flash than your .45 Colt.
 
Ben, here's the link to the Smith & Wesson Firearms Enthusiast's Web Board, which is no way affiliated with the Smith & Wesson Company of Springfeild, MA --> http://www.buyersclubamerica.com/sandw/index.htm. Sorry that I didn't get back to you earlier but the wife's away this week and I'm taking care of the little one and my schedule is completely turned around otherwise I would have been logged in at 2 in the morning.

Yep, I got the titanium model and it was rather costly (around the $400 mark) but already owning a stainless steel 85, it didn't make sense to get the all-steel model just for the concealed hammer feature. However, exactly what did you mean by <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> ...Be aware of bullets being pulled from the case ...[/quote]Please advise. I just got the gun this week-end and haven't had a chance to fire it yet. Exactly what do I need to look out for?
FUD
TFL-flame.gif
 
FUD, in a sharp-recoiling revolver, the bullets can creep forward in the cylinder, sometimes to the point that the cartridge's OAL is longer than the chamber. It works kinda like an inertial bullet-puller.

FWIW, I have no problems with bullet creep in my Ti .357, even with max loads. I just make damn sure I have the crimp set tight.
 
I shoot a S&W 640 in 357 Mag. It was ported by the Performance Center. Wear your glasses when firing this revolver! Hot Powder in your eyes.
 
I was thinking of getting an S&W Trail Boss 44Mag that is magnaported... The flash at night is a definate worry though I have fired my Vang Comped 870 at night and noticed that the porting actually REDUCED the muzzle flash...

Go figure

Ben
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
Ezeckial, I never had a problem with my SS 85. Did you have some initial problems with your 85UL? Please advise,
FUD
fudeagle.gif

Share what you know, learn what you don't. [/quote]


Initially, mu 85UL was light striking the primers.
The gun was sent back to Taurus...works great now.
I attribute the problem to either a bad lot of components...or Taurus was trying for a lighter trigger pull.
However...great CCW piece now!


[This message has been edited by Ezeckial (edited June 21, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I really don't think that this is as much of a danger as people say it is.[/quote]

Well, no flame intended, but I have to disagree. My ND with my Glock G31C .357SIG blasted my offhand index and middle finger with hot gas and powder specks. Both fingers were red from the burn, hair was burned on them and over a couple weeks I picked out probably 25-30 little black specks that embedded into my skin.

Granted, just having a shirt between the pistol and your ribs/abdomen *MIGHT* mean that you'd experience no more than the feel of percussion. However, I cringe to think about firing this pistol with the ports anywhere near my face and eyes. I can't really picture myself picking the powder specks out of my eyeballs with my Spyderco "POLICE" folder...

Maybe 45LC doesn't do this, but can I assure you that the blast from the ports on a G31C .357SIG could be *VERY* dangerous!

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The Glock freak formerly known as Chris...
 
Fud,
The only defence gun that I have that is ported is my Taurus M605. It was not always so. The first time that I fired it with full house .357 rounds, the fierce recoil tore up the webbing of my shooting hand. To be sure, it went back to the Taurus custom shop the next day to have the little holes drilled. As touching initial the problems question, the pin which held the cylender crane lock came out, and was lost. Taurus drilled, and replaced, and returned the pistol within 3 weeks. There have been no problems since.

Firing the pistol with full house loads is now tolreable.I can put up with the added noise in exchange for the added control, and recoil reduction that porting provides.

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BOYCOTT SMITH AND WESSON!!!
Defend the Constitution from the foreign threat!!!!

Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Man killing is nasty business"---Finn Aggard
 
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