Author Topic: Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?  (Read 6014 times)

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Offline DelGue

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Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« on: August 09, 2004, 03:30:44 AM »
I have more than a few Glocks, 2 of which are ported.  A model 31 and a model 23.  

I really like the ported Glocks.  I carry them for defense.  

I'm a retired LEO and years ago carried a magnaported Colt Python .357 mag.  w/o problems.

The reason I like the ported firearms, is that they come rapidly back on target.  I've compared like firearms/calibers (ported vs non) and it is astonishing how fast the ported Glocks come back on target.

Question:  I've read  about how you shouldn't use ported gun for defense, as it is a liability, but this hasn't been the case for me.  Is their any known incidents where the porting was a hinderance in the defense of one's life/use?   Have I been just lucky or is this based on myth?
Del Gue

Offline Savage

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Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2004, 05:42:57 AM »
Hey,
I don't dispute the virtures of a ported barrel on a high pressure cartridge range gun! It sure helps get back on target doing doubles. In your LE days, did you not do some firing from retention during quals? If not, give it a try and you'll answer your own question. We frequently fire from retention as a matter of routine in our qualifications, that is with the weapon indexed against the top of the holster and duty belt. One shot with your ported mdl 31 in this position will light up your life, not to mention your shirt! I don't own any ported weapons, other than my AR. If that's all I had, I'd carry them. Good choice in weapon and calibers though! I have a few Glocks myself and most frequently carry the 36 for CCW and a 21 for duty.
Stay safe,
Savage
An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last,

Offline DelGue

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Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2004, 01:43:37 PM »
Savage

That is a good question.  In the years that I carried the ported Colt 'Python', I don't remember 'firing up my shirt', during the retention drill.   My guess is, that this manoeuvre was done post, ported Python.

I can reason what the liabilities are, I'm just looking to see if they are real or myth.

Thanks for your input,
Delgue
Del Gue

Offline upnorthbacon

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Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2004, 11:01:33 PM »
A couple things to think about regarding porting with a defensive weapon.  Depending on ammo it could ruin your night vision (Not goggles your eyes adapting to darkness) when the flash comes up from the ports.  Obviously during retention and close combat you could potentially burn yourself but that's probably going to be the least of your worries if your in a shooting situation where your gun is so close to your body.  I had a glock 19 that was ported and it shot like a .22 mag.  I loved it but I found that limp wristing a little bit would cause stovepipes.  I had to really make sure I didn't limp wrist.  I've owned four other glocks besides the 19 and never had that problem so I'm assuming it was possibly from the ports.  I would get something your comfortable shooting and if you prefer ports I don't think the liability issues are enough to prevent it from being effective.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf"  -George Orwell

Offline GSD17

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Re: Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2007, 01:48:51 PM »
More myth than fact.

The flash is usually a dull purple, and even when it is bright, it is a fast flash, and does not make you blind like the nay sayers like to say.

You blink when you fire anyway.

I have shot several "C" model GLOCKs, including the G18C.

I have yet to be able to not be able to see the target... even at night.
G17/G17T/G19CUT/G20/G21/G22/G23/G26/G27/G31/G35/G37
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Offline Keith L

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Re: Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2007, 02:50:45 PM »
I have a model 19 with a ported aftermarket barrel and with personal defense ammo it hardly seems any brighter than the factory barrel.  I guess I wouldn't be afraid to use it as is for personal defense.
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Benjamin Franklin

Offline countryrebel

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Re: Ported Glocks .... Myth or Fact?
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2008, 07:38:18 AM »
I have a G23c and I do not have any problems at night or during the day with the ports.I can tell you that I can stay on target better during firing which is way I bought the ported model for defensive purposes.Also if you do not like the ports you can swap out the barrel for a non-ported one.You will just have the cuts on top of your slide.Also I do not think the ported model is any louder than the un-ported IMO.

Offline WL44

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NOT FOR CARRY
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2008, 08:51:59 PM »
And a conflicting view...

I shoot a 23C.

I'll not buy a ported gun for carry again and I am considering replacing the barrel, but there are cost considerations. The porting DEFINATELY works, but I am concerned particularly about needing to shoot from a seated position in a vehicle and that will mean that the pistol will be across my body (when shooting towards the side window of the vehicle). This will direct the powder and gas (blast and flash) towards my face and eyes. That's my only - but very serious - concern really.  Other considerations, but not of any real consequence are that it's also somewhat louder and the ports do direct some blast rearwards (compared to unported). It's a bit unpleasant at an indoor range where the blast seems to come back from the roof if it's low, or from any sort of hard shade at outdoor ranges if it's low.

I shoot IPSC too and have shot several ported guns. I also have a ported 357 revolver that I hunt with (it was secondhand, so not a choice that I made and I won't do that again either - because of noise).

I believe ports are for competition guns and circumstances where hearing protection is a given. If you need porting to control your carry gun I believe the caliber is larger than you are able to handle effectively. I do not think most need porting in 9mm or 40 or even 45. But to each their own.