Do ported Barrels really get you that dirt?

9609 Views 45 Replies 23 Participants Last post by human, Mar 25, 2009

Jshooter

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2005

Hello all, I am about to purchase an XD 40. service and am deciding wether or not to go with the ported barrel. I know they cut down on recoil quite a bit, but the question I have is do they really get you, those around you, and sights as dirty as I have been reading? If so it seems that that would be very annoying. Thoughts? 8)

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JHA XD40

· #2 · Jun 21, 2005

I have an XD40 with a ported barrel which I really like. The front sight does get pretty dirty after 50 rounds or so, but isn't that difficult to clean.

The fellas that hang out at the range where I shoot gave a grunt in unison when they heard that it was ported though.

My thinking has been that if I have the ported barrel and decide I don't want a ported barrel at some point then I can just order one of those conversion barrels (keep it at .40 cal or switch to 9mm or .357). Basically, I think it gives me a lot of versatility with what I can do with my gun.

Others here can better tell you the pros and cons of having it ported, I definetly wouldn't want a ported barrel if I was in a night time altercation where I needed to fire because it really does kick a lot of fire out that I imagine would ruin any nightvision.

Good luck. Either way you go, you won't regret it.

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BigBob68

· #3 · Jun 21, 2005

Ported barrels do get very dirty. If it is a range gun, go for it. If you plan on carrying it, DO NOT get one.

mcone

· #4 · Jun 21, 2005

I'm starting to learn that there appears to be mixed feelings regarding ported barrels amongst schools.

A trainer from Gunsite Academy (AZ) has expressed displeasure at the increase in the number of people with ported barrels. He believes that they are rude to the other range users. When I mentioned this to a well-known local Michigan school trainer (Company: Ultimate Protection), she had never heard that ported barrels may even be a problem. She recommended that I get a ported J-Frame (38 special) for my wife to carry.

I wonder if the issue with ported barrels is the discomfort of standing close beside the fellow whose using one. Even without porting, there's quite a sideways blast of air while standing to the side of one of my children firing the XD. I wonder how much more force/sound would be felt if my barrel was ported?

Also, there's the bright blast to contend with in low light conditions. They say it blinds you. But I have to admit that some of the blast from non-ported barrels may blind me momentarily (at least with target ammo).

Still, I'm not sure if these are serious problems, or just strong preferences.

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TRYZUB

· #5 · Jun 21, 2005

I frankly do not understand the obsession that people have against the ported model. It does not lessen the recoil, it cuts down on the muzzle flip, and to tighten the recoil get a #22 spring and Don's Rod. A cloth cleans the front sight very quickly.

The issue of being blinded at night when firing is also tedious, if you follow a proper sight aperture it doesn't make a difference. For carry I sometimes swap out a .40 non-ported barrel but not always, I don't plan on firing from inside my coat pocket and if I did my concern would be for my life not a slight second degree burn.

With my .02

tec

· #6 · Jun 21, 2005

I have the XD V10 9mm, I love it. Everybody who has shot it loves it except my wife. She says the flames scare her. I don't even SEE the flames when I shoot, I am looking at the target, not for the flames. My dad in law, 73 years old, loves shooting the ported because of the reduced recoil on his wrists (disabled due to work wrist injury).

As far as cleaning goes, yes it will be more cleaning for you, yes the sights do get dirty. Love it or leave it. Your gonna have to clean the gun anyway. Wolf ammo really gets the gun dirty. WWB is maybe 1/2 as bad. To give you an idea, I have a red dot scope mounted on my XDV10. The front of the scope is directly over the ports, I just came back from the range and wiped the scope down, Nothing on the glass, some black residue on the scope body.

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[TASF]Overkill

· #7 · Jun 21, 2005

XD40-v10 here...

No, they don't get you, or anyone around you anymore noticeably dirty than plain-Jane shooting.

Yes, it adds quite a bit more time to cleaning the gun, as the powder residue is not just in the barrel, but all through the slide and on the front sights.

If you've got the extra cash, buy a ported and then an aftermarket unported barrel.

Other than that, purchase based on your primary intended use.

ttheobald

· #8 · Jun 21, 2005

I shoot an XD40 v-10, and I like it a lot. As for how the porting differs from other guns...

* Yes, you do get a lot more back-wash (and occasionally you can see visible exhaust from the ports). People observing nearby will definitely see a difference.
* My .40 is about as loud as a .357mag or .44mag, so I don't see why anyone would make a stink over it. I wouldn't recommend standing to either side with your mouth open, though

.
* Front post does get very dirty. First time out, mine got blacked over completely after about 150 rounds. Fill up the divot with clear nail polish or neon paint, so that it's flush with the post. Then it just takes a thumb-wipe to clear it.
* Slide gets dirty on the last 1.5" or so.
* If you have a cleaning bench, or a toolbox, the mess can be taken care of by simply keeping a Ball jar full of solvent/lube (I go to about 3" in depth), and when you get back from the range, just field-strip the gun and put the slide and barrel nose-down in the jar. Next evening, everything wipes clean as a whistle, and the barrel just needs a little brushing by the chamber.
* Recoil on a .40 with porting is about the same as a 9mm - very nice for repeat-placement (and honestly this is really the only reason to get porting on a .40).
* Night-shooting, I couldn't tell you whether it's blinding or not. I suspect it would generate some unwanted effects, so if you plan to shoot a lot at night, don't get ported, or get a non-ported drop-in barrel.
* If this is a carry gun, don't shoot from the hip. You'll mess up your shirt, and if you're wearing wool, might set yourself on fire (not dangerously, but certainly humorously so).

Other than that, not much to say...it's definitely got extra "cool" factor going for it, and shoots as well or better than most I've seen.

Hope this helps -

T

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Waldo

· #9 · Jun 21, 2005

mcone said:
I'm starting to learn that there appears to be mixed feelings regarding ported barrels amongst schools.

A trainer from Gunsite Academy (AZ) has expressed displeasure at the increase in the number of people with ported barrels. He believes that they are rude to the other range users. When I mentioned this to a well-known local Michigan school trainer (Company: Ultimate Protection), she had never heard that ported barrels may even be a problem. She recommended that I get a ported J-Frame (38 special) for my wife to carry.

I wonder if the issue with ported barrels is the discomfort of standing close beside the fellow whose using one. Even without porting, there's quite a sideways blast of air while standing to the side of one of my children firing the XD. I wonder how much more force/sound would be felt if my barrel was ported?

Also, there's the bright blast to contend with in low light conditions. They say it blinds you. But I have to admit that some of the blast from non-ported barrels may blind me momentarily (at least with target ammo).

Still, I'm not sure if these are serious problems, or just strong preferences.

That trainer sounds like he has never stood next to someone at the range shooting a .357 snub nose revolver. I used to have one and that hand cannon would gets the worst looks at the range, and my range has a wall seperating us.

DJDan

· #10 · Jun 22, 2005

This is a "little" off topic but I think it is hilarious that people in gun ranges get angry at loud guns...get the f#%k out of here.....man...some people are just too whiny....it's not a tea party...PEOPLE ARE SHOOTING GUNS..NEWSFLASH..IT'S GOING TO BE LOUD...get over it or leave. :twisted:

JHA XD40

· #11 · Jun 22, 2005

DJDan said:
This is a "little" off topic but I think it is hilarious that people in gun ranges get angry at loud guns...get the f#%k out of here.....man...some people are just too whiny....it's not a tea party...PEOPLE ARE SHOOTING GUNS..NEWSFLASH..IT'S GOING TO BE LOUD...get over it or leave. :twisted:

I'm not really sure what the complaint is either, but I think some people may be bothered by the gas, flames and whatnot that shoot out of the ports when they are standing in the lane nex to someone shooting a ported barrel. I've never had any problem with that at my shooting range though becuase of the plywood between the walls that might catch anything. I've had more problems with other people's casings flying over the wall and hitting me. If anyone has had any problem with my ported barrel then I suppose they will have to deal with it or move to another lane.

[TASF]Overkill

· #12 · Jun 22, 2005

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JHA XD40

· #13 · Jun 22, 2005

What a beautiful sight! Can't wait to get to the range today and put a couple hundred rounds through so I can see that in person again. If only I could get them to turn out the lights...

Gary G23

· #14 · Jun 22, 2005

Some cons that haven't been mentioned:
Porting reduces muzzle velocity.
Ported guns are illegal to use in IDPA competition, also USPSA Production and Limited divisions.

Jshooter

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I think I have decided to go with the ported barrel. One reason is that from where I live, my land and my buddies land is under an hour away so any range shooting I do is not actually at a range therefore I dont need to worry much about getting other shooters dirty. I will be using the gun at night for spotlighting and such but dont think that the fire will hinder my vision too much because when shooting an animal its pretty much make 1 shot and make it count. Its not like im just going to unload a magazine on a hog or something. It seems that the ported barrel is pretty much left to ones own decision ,either like 'em or not. I think they are too cool. As for cleaning, well I kinda enjoy taking guns apart and cleaning them anyway so thats no big deal. [TASF], would you mind posting some picks of your ported in the light? I would like to see it from some different angles and such. Thanks again to all replies, they were very helpful! 8) [/img][/quote]

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[TASF]Overkill

· #16 · Jun 22, 2005

[TASF], would you mind posting some picks of your ported in the light? I would like to see it from some different angles and such.

For more pics, check out my photo thread. No point reposting all of them here!

(Look in my signature)

not actually at a range therefore I dont need to worry much about getting other shooters dirty.

Seriously, no one is going to get "dirty" because of a ported.

I will be using the gun at night for spotlighting and such but dont think that the fire will hinder my vision too much because when shooting an animal its pretty much make 1 shot and make it count.

Spotlighting? That sounds pretty shady.... If you're after one-shot accuracy, I don't see where a ported is going to help you... You'll flinch more due to the noise (It is significantly louder than an unported)... You'll flinch more due to the shockwave hitting your sinuses... Ported is for fast-follow-ups, not accurate single shots.

As for cleaning, well I kinda enjoy taking guns apart and cleaning them anyway so thats no big deal.

Hey, me too. I did a trigger mod on my Nintendo gun. But it gets really old doing such a thorough cleaning after every little bit of shooting.

Jshooter

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks alot TASF, that armory kote looks nice, how much does that run??

[TASF]Overkill

· #18 · Jun 22, 2005

Not sure. Mine was refinished under warranty due to exceptional rust issues.

BigBob68

· #19 · Jun 22, 2005

Try this with the ported. Shoot it from the hip, like what you would HAVE to do in a defensive situation when trouble is in your face and there is no time to bring the gun up and shoot it. You will not like the discomfort it will give you and you will not want to do it again.

[TASF]Overkill

· #20 · Jun 22, 2005

Try this with the ported. Shoot it from the hip, like what you would HAVE to do in a defensive situation when trouble is in your face and there is no time to bring the gun up and shoot it. You will not like the discomfort it will give you and you will not want to do it again.

Having fired my XD with my fingers wrapped around the porting..... The whole story of how violent port-gases are, at least on the XD, is a myth. I received some minor burns, and had some crap embedded beneath my skin. I would not go to the range and be firing from retention with the gun in my arm pit, but I'd say it's a safe bet that in an adrenaline-dump situation, you're not going to notice the minor discomfort that the port-blast is going to bring your way.

I am not a scientist, but hey.

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