Author Topic: Guide Gun Ports? (Read 944 times)

Dutch4122 · « **on:** February 05, 2003, 03:53:09 AM »

I put a Marlin 1895GS in layaway yesterday. It is the ported version. I have noticed on the Marlin Big Bore forum that the "ports vs. no ports" controversy has gotten quite heated. From those who have experience with both the ported and unported guide guns I would like your opinions on the ports. Do they serve a useful purpose in at least reducing muzzle rise? Or, do they just make the Guide Gun louder and harder on the ears while hunting?

Thanks, :-)

The Blade · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2003, 08:56:32 AM »

Dutch,

I held off for a long time to get one of the un-ported GGs. Last September, I was in the gun shop and they had a ported version that had the prettiest wood on it that I've ever seen on a Marlin, so I snatched it up. For the record, I've never shot an un-ported GG.

I killed two deer with the gun this year, and didn't notice the noise. That doesn't mean that it wasn't loud on my eardrums, but I didn't notice it at the time I fired, nor did I notice any ringing in my ears afterwards.

The load I shoot for deer, however, is far below any kind of max load. My load sends the bullet out of the barrel at 1150 fps using IMR 3031. Although this could be considered a light load, a 405 grain bullet leaving the muzzle at this velocity will consistantly kill deer out to 100 yards (and probably beyond.) Being below the max load, I'm sure it's below max volume.

I am not sorry that I have the ported version, and there's so much that's good about the gun that the ports/no ports issue pales in comparison. However, if I had it to do over again, and there were two guns available (one ported and one non-ported), I'd go for the non-ported version.

You ort to see the wood on that GG that resides in my closet! It's downright beautiful!

Someone has posted in the past about the effeciency of ports vs. velocity, and according to him, the effect of ports is quite minimal at the velocities at which large bullets are fired from a 45/70. See if you can hail him on this topic...he'll give you a pagefull of entertainment!

The Blade

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2003, 09:53:45 AM »

Blade-

Thanks for the info. You and I were in the same boat. I held out for a non-ported gun, but this shop is the only one in the area with a 1 year layaway and I really wanted the stainless, so I jumped on the ported version. I'm not known for having "sensitive" ears anyway (my wife calls it male selective hearing) and firing a pistol or rifle under hunting circumstances as well as a few other times that were quite a bit more stressfull has never bothered my ears.

From what I have read on another site, a test was done by Marlin regarding barrel length that determined after 16 inches there was very little loss in power. So, the ports don't "leach" velocity/power like similar setups do on handguns.

I doubt the ports will be an issue for me at all. I always wear hearing protection at the range. Thanks again for your insight. :-)

jhm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2003, 11:42:06 AM »

Matt just a suggestion since you mentioned that you have put it on law-a-way and the dealer has a 1 year program talked to him on switching if a non-ported comes avail in the year while paying.

JIM

Doc Contender · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2003, 01:18:03 PM »

Dutch
I have a ported 450 marlin guide gun and a 243 win encore 15 inch barrel. The encore is louder. However, if on the range or hunting, I suggest you always wear ear protection.

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2003, 02:09:14 PM »

Jim- Good idea, but this shop does not go for changes in their layaways. That's ok, I think I'll be ok with them. I'm not exactly known for "sensitive ears." Five years in Uncle Sam's Artillery (USAR) seems to have "seasoned" my ears.

Doc- I hear ya loud and clear. The only time I don't wear hearing protection is when hunting. Never had a problem yet in the field so I'll see how things go.

Just wish I could get it out now! :cry:

R. Tillery · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2003, 08:03:56 AM »

Noise-wise, my .45-70 GG is LESS loud than my Bushmaster M4 w/ Mini-Y comp. Recoil-wise, my GG is comparable to shooting a .410 shotgun, with all loads I've tried.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2003, 02:51:07 PM »

would prefer them without but I have a stainless 4570 and a .444 outfitter and both are ported

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2003, 03:55:03 AM »

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm sure the ports won't be a problem. I have also learned on the Marlin Firearms forum that one can send the ported Guide Gun in and they will rebarrel it to unported for a price. I can always go for that option if the ports bother me.

Like I've said before, the biggest problem is getting the cash around to pay off the layaway!

Take care and God bless,