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Mag-na-port .44 Magnum or not?

15K views 10 replies 10 participants last post by  Izzoquazzo 
#1 ·
In another thread I mentioned that I was going to send off a used Super Blackhawk I just bought have the barrel shortened from 7.5" to 5.5" and have it Mag-na-ported. One person made a short post that cutting the barrel was cool, but the porting wasn't. He wouldn't elaborate. What's your opinion? I especially want to hear from those with direct experience. I'm a veteran handgunner with 30+ years of experience, much of that with .44 Spl. and .44 Mag. Never hunted with a handgun but really want to go after some pigs.
 
#4 ·
Helps control recoil by directing blast upwards,counter to muzzle rise.I dont care for magnaporting....Have fired guns with this and the rearward blast is unnerving to me. Just my reaction to shooting a few with this.I would rather deal with recoil than the "puff?" this produces. Hearing protection is always a must, by the way. Be safe.
 
#5 ·
I'd shoot one first then see what you think. Marlin ported their Guide gun in 45-70 and quit, noise was the issue. I'd wear safety glasses and muffs when you give it a try. In my experience the noise and blow back turned me away from porting. But thats me, try it for yourself, see what you think.
 
#6 ·
Porting will reduce muzzle rise but at the expense of driving the gun back into your palm more rather than rolling up in you hand as it's designed to do. The recoil is going to happen. Your choice is whether you want to deal with muzzle rise or more felt recoil into the hand. Frankly, I like the roll. It's how a SA is supposed to work. Porting makes more sense in my experience on a DA gun, such as the S&W L-Comp or F-Comp. Those guns with 3" barrels and full power 357 Mag loads are very controllable and get back on target very quickly. The porting makes them far easier to handle.

Keith
 
#8 ·
It's the same effect as a muzzle brake on a short rifle, My SOCOM comes to mind. I have a Glock 22c ant the wife has a Taurus Tracker .357 that's ported. Other than get the sights dirty I don't get the attraction. There's always a trade off, it makes the gun "messier", increases the back blast, I am sceptical about its merits
 
#9 · (Edited)
If I wanted a super with a 5 1/2 in barrel I would buy a factory one! The simple reason is aesthetics I like fluted cylinders Absolutely zero difference in strength just appearance. As for porting that is a personal choice as you mentioned you've shot 44's for some time so have I and find it unnecessary! Again a personal choice makes a louder report from the shooters standpoint. BM
 
#10 ·
I found the mess and noise an unacceptable trade for muzzle flip, plus I seemed to flinch more :eek: As a result, I only used the non-power ported barrels on my Dan Wesson 744VH. Additionally, the DW was heavy enough that there really wasn't an appreciable difference between the ported and non-ported. FYI, the difference in the noise between the 6" and 8" was significant and obviously closer to my mug!
 
#11 ·
Excellent responses guys. I see both sides much better now. The main reason I like shooting the SBH rather than the S&W 29 or others is because it just rolls up which attenuates the recoil. I can shoot it all day. If porting takes that roll away and pushes back in the hand more, then that's not what I want. And the advice of getting a new Stainless 5.5" is really tempting. It sure is purty.
 
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