plugging ports?

[ONE HOLE 4570]

I have a marlin 444P with the ported barrel got a good deal on it. Do not like the muzzle blast. I would like to remove it but cutting off the ports & recrowning, but this would put it right at or below minimum lenth. Can the ports be plugged & the end of the muzzle be reblued ?

[Smokin Joe]

You could probably have an external sleeve installed over the ports. It would probably look like hell. I think I'd consider a new barrel.

[iiranger]

Barrel too short? Last I knew, from an FFL gunsmith, if you have an extension silver soldiered on, that is permanent for barrel length. So if you cut too short, you could add on a bit... and be legal.

No doubt, filling can be done, but at what cost? I doubt it would be cheap if it were any good. I have seen welders that did amazing things. Of course, if you drill out the inside, oversized... As suggested, a sleeve could be fitted over the outside. Good man with a lath, turn down the barrel a bit and you would never notice it... Again, cost. If you really cannot live with it (and earplugs) then talk to the machine tool men and weigh their price against a new barrel. I would be inclined to invest in a quality barrel and maybe a bit more length. luck.

[KN]

I agree with the new barrel. Or if you got a really good deal on it, sell and buy the one you really want.   KN

[jpcampbell]

You do not need to weld the ports you can tap the holes and use screws to fill, just cut them off flush and polish and re blue.  but the best way would be to have the barrel turned down threaded and a piece threaded onto it then turned down to match the rest of the barrel.

[GatCat]

Not too long ago on another forum, they mentioned that Marlin would replace ported barrels with non-ported barrel for a minimal cost. Maybe give their customer service a call. Might be cheaper in the long run, and would certainly be worth more if resold.
Mark

[Chuck White]

You do not need to weld the ports you can tap the holes and use screws to fill, just cut them off flush and polish and re blue.  but the best way would be to have the barrel turned down threaded and a piece threaded onto it then turned down to match the rest of the barrel.

I agree with this post for the most part!
Why couldn't the holes be tapped and use screws like scope base plugs with some blue locktite on them.  That way the plugs could be removed at a later time if so desired!

[gunnut69]

Plugs will cap the ports and create a great place for carbon fouling to gather. Eventually accuracy will suffer.. I would strongly suggest a re-barrel. A gun was in the shop a while back. Was re-barreled by marlin to 38-55. Spoke the gentleman last week and he won a long range event at a state level Cowboy shoot with the rifle!!