I was looking at a gun with a ported barrel. From what I've read the porting (compensated) diminishes the recoil of the gun, allowing faster target re-acquisition. Is this accurate? Is there more to it? Are their draw backs? Information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Ported or Compensated Barrel question
- Thread starter RickCoop
- Start date
It will dampen recoil and they're usually more efficient the hotter the load is, but might make it a touch louder and some claim the porting causes more muzzle flash. It's possible that it will cause more flash but it depends on the load used if it's going to be an issue or not and I would say that most of time it won't be an issue. I use compensated barrels a lot and like them.
I'm a fan of compensators/brakes. They do the same job as ports, and a compensator or muzzle brake is (generally) removable. Ports can't be reversed. There are drawbacks. All those gasses are being directed up instead of forward, this can make the gun seem much louder to the shooter and people next to the gun. Also you could have debris come out of the ports and hit/burn you. I've read several posts about shooters having stuff flying into their face and causing pain, when shooting the gun with stronger loads/cartridges.
Also some people claim porting can improve velocity, but from some chromos I've seen, they often reduce velocity by a few FPS, if there's any change.
Also some people claim porting can improve velocity, but from some chromos I've seen, they often reduce velocity by a few FPS, if there's any change.
Ported Taurus M85
I only have one revolver that is ported; a Taurus M-85. It is a little louder than the Rossi pictured with it and is easier to keep on target when shooting rapid fire. During bright sunlight it isn't really noticeable but at dusk, the muzzle flash is, well, entertaining...
I know this is the semi-auto forum but I just wanted to show the ported barrel.
I only have one revolver that is ported; a Taurus M-85. It is a little louder than the Rossi pictured with it and is easier to keep on target when shooting rapid fire. During bright sunlight it isn't really noticeable but at dusk, the muzzle flash is, well, entertaining...
I know this is the semi-auto forum but I just wanted to show the ported barrel.
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johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I would port every gun I had if I could afford to send them to a decent smith.
Around a shooter with a ported gun isn't always fun and I would easily believe people were hit by debris on occasion. One of my worst shooting experiences involved being adjacent to an M82 that was rapid fired. I must have been in the absolute worst position. No, moving wasn't advisable. I am quite certain each shot caused a minor concussion. So ten concussions in well under a minute. Maybe I just imagined that though. In retrospect, I'm not sure being down range from an M2 was any less pleasant, even if more dangerous.
Anyways, the limited experience I have with being the actual shooter of a ported firearm is that it is much more pleasant than an non-ported firearm.
Around a shooter with a ported gun isn't always fun and I would easily believe people were hit by debris on occasion. One of my worst shooting experiences involved being adjacent to an M82 that was rapid fired. I must have been in the absolute worst position. No, moving wasn't advisable. I am quite certain each shot caused a minor concussion. So ten concussions in well under a minute. Maybe I just imagined that though. In retrospect, I'm not sure being down range from an M2 was any less pleasant, even if more dangerous.
Anyways, the limited experience I have with being the actual shooter of a ported firearm is that it is much more pleasant than an non-ported firearm.
g.willikers
New member
To help deal with a damaged wrist, I tried a few ported and compensated pistols.
The recoil with them didn't so much diminish as change direction.
Less muzzle flip, and more straight back.
It was definitely faster to get back on target.
But the muzzle blast in the face was too distracting and my wrist still hurt.
So, I elected to go with downloading the ammo a bit and change my grip technique, instead.
The results were satisfying and way less complicated and expensive.
The recoil with them didn't so much diminish as change direction.
Less muzzle flip, and more straight back.
It was definitely faster to get back on target.
But the muzzle blast in the face was too distracting and my wrist still hurt.
So, I elected to go with downloading the ammo a bit and change my grip technique, instead.
The results were satisfying and way less complicated and expensive.
Darker Loaf
New member
I like porting, brakes, and compensators. They do make the gun louder. They do allow some of the gasses to escape early, slightly reducing velocity. On a rifle, it can be annoying to nearby shooters.
On my XD 4" 9mm, the porting is of the V-10 variety (5 ports cut in a V though the slide), which actually took me years to get used to. The porting created pressure in front of my face, which caused me to blink slightly upon firing. New shooters are a mixed bag as to whether they like this gun or not. However, the results are that it is much easier to keep the gun on target with follow up shots. It is very, very impressive at night, but if you have any light at all (such as a headlamp or gun light), it does not seem to blind you as people suggest. It does blacken the front sight, and so the white dot that is normally there, gets blackened. And I've read fiber optics are a no-go in this configuration. I think a brass or gold dot would be best so you can just wipe it down. An extended ported barrel would not do this, because it is past the front sight, but in my experience, they aren't as efficient in reducing recoil. Probably a screw-on variety is because they can be designed with more surface area for the gasses to push against, but I would mostly only like that on a revolver, because pistols require loctite or the like usually to retain the compensator meaning you have to reapply it after you break the pistol down for cleaning/service.
I also carry a Kahr K9 with an extended ported barrel that is similarly easy to shoot.
On a .22 LR is makes very little difference. I have a 22/45, with a very aggressive compensator/brake screwed on, and it is hard to tell, because .22 LR has so little recoil to begin with. I've never tried it on anything bigger than a 9mm in a handgun, but from what I've heard it can be really nice with .44 magnums on up.
You do have to conscious of how you hold a ported handgun, because there is at the very least, burning hot gunpowder escaping through the ports (hence the fireball). So, a ported handgun need to be properly held away from your face, like you would hold a normal handgun. In addition to this, it is possible for metal fragments to escape porting/compensation/brake that are shaved off from the bullet during firing. I've read on SVI's (a custom 1911/2011 maker--see Heroes) website that you should only shoot jacketed bullets for this reason and keep the ports free of debris. Also, I've blown out on of the cuts of the extended ported barrel that I'd bought for my XD. I didn't really notice it until much later during the shooting session when I showed the barrel to somebody at the range. I am happy that I or no one else were hurt. I sent it back into the company, and got myself a new barrel (threaded this time).
Finally, what other people are saying is correct. Especially with a rifle, efficient brake can be annoying to other shooters. The most efficient type of brake pushes the gun not so much down but forward, such as a fish-gill type break or a cup like the Jerry Miculek brake. Such aggressive brakes will push a "V" back to either side of the shooter, which will actually push against (like a pressure wave or puff) the shooter standing next to you. The brake on a .50 cal is actually straight up dangerous all will tear apart a sandbag, and I would imagine flesh.
For regular sized handguns (9mm, .40, .45 ACP), do make the handgun louder, but handguns are already really loud, so I don't really notice the difference. On a rifle, it can be pretty significant.
On my XD 4" 9mm, the porting is of the V-10 variety (5 ports cut in a V though the slide), which actually took me years to get used to. The porting created pressure in front of my face, which caused me to blink slightly upon firing. New shooters are a mixed bag as to whether they like this gun or not. However, the results are that it is much easier to keep the gun on target with follow up shots. It is very, very impressive at night, but if you have any light at all (such as a headlamp or gun light), it does not seem to blind you as people suggest. It does blacken the front sight, and so the white dot that is normally there, gets blackened. And I've read fiber optics are a no-go in this configuration. I think a brass or gold dot would be best so you can just wipe it down. An extended ported barrel would not do this, because it is past the front sight, but in my experience, they aren't as efficient in reducing recoil. Probably a screw-on variety is because they can be designed with more surface area for the gasses to push against, but I would mostly only like that on a revolver, because pistols require loctite or the like usually to retain the compensator meaning you have to reapply it after you break the pistol down for cleaning/service.
I also carry a Kahr K9 with an extended ported barrel that is similarly easy to shoot.
On a .22 LR is makes very little difference. I have a 22/45, with a very aggressive compensator/brake screwed on, and it is hard to tell, because .22 LR has so little recoil to begin with. I've never tried it on anything bigger than a 9mm in a handgun, but from what I've heard it can be really nice with .44 magnums on up.
You do have to conscious of how you hold a ported handgun, because there is at the very least, burning hot gunpowder escaping through the ports (hence the fireball). So, a ported handgun need to be properly held away from your face, like you would hold a normal handgun. In addition to this, it is possible for metal fragments to escape porting/compensation/brake that are shaved off from the bullet during firing. I've read on SVI's (a custom 1911/2011 maker--see Heroes) website that you should only shoot jacketed bullets for this reason and keep the ports free of debris. Also, I've blown out on of the cuts of the extended ported barrel that I'd bought for my XD. I didn't really notice it until much later during the shooting session when I showed the barrel to somebody at the range. I am happy that I or no one else were hurt. I sent it back into the company, and got myself a new barrel (threaded this time).
Finally, what other people are saying is correct. Especially with a rifle, efficient brake can be annoying to other shooters. The most efficient type of brake pushes the gun not so much down but forward, such as a fish-gill type break or a cup like the Jerry Miculek brake. Such aggressive brakes will push a "V" back to either side of the shooter, which will actually push against (like a pressure wave or puff) the shooter standing next to you. The brake on a .50 cal is actually straight up dangerous all will tear apart a sandbag, and I would imagine flesh.
For regular sized handguns (9mm, .40, .45 ACP), do make the handgun louder, but handguns are already really loud, so I don't really notice the difference. On a rifle, it can be pretty significant.
My cz100 in .40 has a ported barrel. I'm not sure if it's louder than my non-ported pistols. It is quicker back to target than my Walther p99 in .40, although the trigger reset is slower, so it's an effectively a wash for that particular pistol.
I did once buy a box of Federal ammo in .40 that had a label that warned against shooting in pistols with ported barrels. I asked about that here:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534211&highlight=ported+barrels
happy shooting.
I did once buy a box of Federal ammo in .40 that had a label that warned against shooting in pistols with ported barrels. I asked about that here:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534211&highlight=ported+barrels
happy shooting.
My Steyr GB has a ported barrel- designed that way. Whether it helps with muzzle climb or not I have NO idea. I do know I am more accurate withnthe GB than other pistols.
It is also the BIGGEST pain to clean. The port blows gases up into the dust cover and covers EVERYTHING on the inside of the slide with ick.
The only way I would have a ported barrel now is if the port were extended out away from the slide.
It is also the BIGGEST pain to clean. The port blows gases up into the dust cover and covers EVERYTHING on the inside of the slide with ick.
The only way I would have a ported barrel now is if the port were extended out away from the slide.
Some time ago I had used a Glock 34 with a ported barrel and compared it to a stock non-ported barrel. I had three experienced shooters fire the gun fast with 9 rounds of the same ammo at IDPA targets at 7 yards. This was repeated three times with each barrel set up.
What we found is that the G34 with the ported barrel was shot on average about 20% faster with the same hits on paper.
What we found is that the G34 with the ported barrel was shot on average about 20% faster with the same hits on paper.