Porting a Snubbie?

[Orion45]

Just saw this S&W Model 642 online. It's a custom gun as you can see in the photo. My question is why would someone port a snubbie? Seems to me that any benefits gained by lessening recoil would be outweighed by a loss of bullet velocity. Probably not a significant factor in a long barrel but in a 1 7/8" barrel, I would assume the loss would be enough to reduce the gun's effectiveness for self defense. It would be interesting to measure the "before and after" porting velocities.

 

[Milesvdustin]

That seems like a lot. I know you can buy the snubs new with one port.

 

[Urbanfuturistic]

Perhaps, but aren't snubbies usually used as belly guns or get off me guns? I don't think the loss in velocity is going to stop you from being perforated face to face. You're going to stop whatever you're doing to me.

 

[Ken232]

Cool factor unless u just wanna reduce recoil that bad ..i would have gone with 1 Slit port on each side of the front sight myself

 

[Mullet Hunter]

I have 4 of these guns... None ported, however I will say I would much rather shoot a 500gr bullet out of the smith500 with 10" bbl than I would shoot any of the snubs with +p ammo... These things are miserable to shoot... I would say that porting the gun with the short of barrel that you would feel the same recol just at a different angle.... Still making it miserable to shoot.....

Also the above gun is a custom gun.....

 

[Army_of_One]

My Wife's Taurus is a .357 snubbie with ports. It's the worst thing for target shooting. Everyone within a 5 foot radius will close their eyes every time you fire it. The concussion is that intense.

 

[Urbanfuturistic]

I have 4 of these guns... None ported, however I will say I would much rather shoot a 500gr bullet out of the smith500 with 10" bbl than I would shoot any of the snubs with +p ammo... These things are miserable to shoot... I would say that porting the gun with the short of barrel that you would feel the same recol just at a different angle.... Still making it miserable to shoot.....

Also the above gun is a custom gun.....

Really? +P doesn't feel that bad to me.

 

[Orion45]

Perhaps, but aren't snubbies usually used as belly guns or get off me guns? I don't think the loss in velocity is going to stop you from being perforated face to face. You're going to stop whatever you're doing to me.

I would try never to get to a face to face situation. In in a close confrontation like that, in addition to the cylinder blowby, you could also by injured by your own gun's port exhaust. As far as snubbies being a only belly gun...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_b3dAbKoJ0

 

[Mullet Hunter]

My Wife's Taurus is a .357 snubbie with ports. It's the worst thing for target shooting. Everyone within a 5 foot radius will close their eyes every time you fire it. The concussion is that intense.

That is a 2" not a snub nose...

 

[Mullet Hunter]

Really? +P doesn't feel that bad to me.

In an airweight?? In mine they are just miserable to shoot.. Mine are all aluminum frame airweights...

 

[Orion45]

That is a 2" not a snub nose...

3" or less barrel length falls in the snub nosed category.

 

[Milesvdustin]

What's a 357 like with the short 1 7/8" barrel? Was thinking of getting one when taxes come back.

I mean in regards to the concussion around you and the recoil.

 

[Urbanfuturistic]

In an airweight?? In mine they are just miserable to shoot.. Mine are all aluminum frame airweights...

Yes, it's an air weight 442. I really couldn't tell a diff between it and reg .38 spl.

 

[Orion45]

What's a 357 like with the short 1 7/8" barrel? Was thinking of getting one when taxes come back.

I mean in regards to the concussion around you and the recoil.

Don't know about a ,357 but there is a definite difference between a .38 SPL and a +P round in a S&W 642. There was a marked improvement when I replaced the stock grips with a Crimson Trace LG-305.

 

[Mullet Hunter]

Yes, it's an air weight 442. I really couldn't tell a diff between it and reg .38 spl.

We're you watching it being shot?? Did you mix up the bullets?? I will meet you and let you shoot my +p's vs a regular .38spl with witnesses... If you cannot feel the difference, or we can't physically see a difference in the recoil then I will kiss your ass on video....

 

[Urbanfuturistic]

Simma down now...

I only shot five of them. They were Self Defense rds that I really didnt want to waste, but decided I wanted to see what they felt like. No, I did not have the bullets mixed up. Sure, Ill come shoot your ammo if you insist.

 

[Mullet Hunter]

Simma down now...

I only shot five of them. They were Self Defense rds that I really didnt want to waste, but decided I wanted to see what they felt like. No, I did not have the bullets mixed up. Sure, Ill come shoot your ammo if you insist.

LOL... I'm only saying that their is a very distinct difference in a .38+p, and a regular .38spl. The recoil difference is huge...

 

[SAWMAN]

I would highly recommend NO PORTS in ANY SD/HD handgun. If you practice shooting from the weapon retention positions(which should be a part of your training schedule)you will surely get burned and fragged with shaved lead,especially if you use wadcutters. Also for low/limited ambient light shooting,it will quickly cause night blindness.

The "C" model Glocks are terrible for this. --- SAWMAN

 

[RIPpff]

does that stainless barrel and cylinder add to the weight alot?

 

[Orion45]

The ss barrel and cylinder are standard on the S&W 642. The stock gun weighs 15 oz empty. The porting must have decreased the original weight by a gram or two. :whistle: