is a ported barrel on a 9mm worth it ?

hounddawg · October 25, 2012, 06:11 AM

Building up a little 9mm S&W M&P for plinking and local level steel challenge matches. I am considering adding a Storm Lake ported barrel. Started thinking that a 9mm's recoil is pretty mild so I am wondering will it make a noticeable difference. I don't plan on ever shooting the gun in IDPA or for home defense anyway and will be adding optics so I will probably just spend the extra ten for the looks/cool factor.

Was also considering a threaded barrel compensator setup but I think that would necessitate buying a speed holster and would add a couple of hundred to the project price. So far will be doing the optic sight changeover, Apex competition trigger kit and ram. For the barrel either a KKM non ported or Storm Lake Ported.

Anyone here using a ported on a 9 and did it make any difference? I could see it would really help on a 40. Any opinions or suggestions?

MrJog · October 25, 2012, 06:38 AM

My wife has a Glock 19c. I've tried it out a few times and I only noticed a difference during rapid fire. This gun is compensated with a V pattern out of the top, and I did feel like it helped some.

See if you can't borrow/rent a compensated 9. I know glock has a few models that are 9mm and compensated.

Stressfire · October 25, 2012, 09:22 AM

I'm sure it would work as intended and reduce the recoil. For a 9mm though, IMO, it might not be the best use of resources.

I've tried out a range buddy's Beretta that he put a compensator on. It really didn't feel that much different from my stock one, just a bit heavier on the front end. But, then again, the Berettas are pretty big for the caliber, so recoil would be less noticeable than on a smaller-framed pistol.

rodfac · October 25, 2012, 09:37 AM

Ported...on a 9mm?...I'd say no, matter of fact, I'd say no on any hand gun up to .44 Magnum. Rod

hounddawg · October 25, 2012, 10:02 AM

thanks for the replies guys

doubt now if I will bother and just use the extra ten for practice ammo

Constantine · October 25, 2012, 11:39 AM

Yeah..best bet ^

chris in va · October 25, 2012, 11:58 AM

Even better, get yourself a Lee Hand Press. You'll be shooting a lot.

hounddawg · October 25, 2012, 07:14 PM

Lee hand press would be too slow, I got a Hornady LnL last year for my pistol ammo. Had to my wife likes to burn through pistol ammo like it is free

BTW off topic but kudo's to Buds gun shop, ordered the M&P competition package today about 10 am and got my tracking number already. Also went over to APEX and ordered a RAM kit and the forward set sear and trigger kit. I have decided to hold off on the barrel and sights until after I shoot a hundred or so through it. Then decide exactly where to go from there. That is assuming mama does not declare it her new gun and want me to paint it with pink tiger stripes

Pistolgripshotty · October 25, 2012, 07:18 PM

I wouldn't personally, I ported one of my barrels and its more of a cosmetic thing than performance. But it does look cool though!

Nanuk · October 25, 2012, 07:27 PM

It is like putting a governor on a vega.

BGutzman · October 26, 2012, 01:23 PM

What recoil???

Constantine · October 26, 2012, 01:33 PM

Seriously...9mm recoil off a mid to full size weapon is non-existent.

hounddawg · October 26, 2012, 02:04 PM

ok macho men. 9mms do have a recoil as can be seen in this and many other videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLFLt0iu5W8

I was going to build a open gun for Steel Challenge then started thinking why. I have a perfectly good Buckmark that works well for that and is a cheap shooter. BTW speaking of Steel, the big boys use ported barrels on rimfires. Once I get my times down a bit I will probably drop a ported barrel on the Buckmark. Of course I don't expect Bobby Orent to lose sleep worrying about me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfibKBQM2Vs

Sevens · October 26, 2012, 02:12 PM

Porting a 9mm wouldn't be so much for "reducing recoil", it would be more for reducing muzzle rise. If the sole purpose for the pistol is for mowing down steel plates and working diligently to take out all targets while being timed on a clock then porting a 9mm makes a whole lot of sense.

It will make the pistol seem louder, it will increase your perception of muzzle blast (and at 35k PSI, there's a LOT of it in 9mm) and especially on an indoor range, your pistol will be LESS enjoyable to be around for other near-by shooters.

But the idea is a good one for anyone that wants to up their speed in any event where they are being timed on a clock.

hounddawg · October 26, 2012, 02:19 PM

Ok I'll bite. In my mind recoil and muzzle flip are directly related. The gun recoils back and the wrist and arms of the shooter allows the pistol to pivot upward to dissipate the energy. Lowering recoil reduces the upward pivot. Am I missing something here?

Sevens · October 26, 2012, 02:25 PM

I won't debate physics because it's not my trade.

My comments are responding to anyone who says "meh, it's silly to port a 9mm because it doesn't kick, no porting until you are talking .44 Mag."

My point is quite simply that porting directs hot gases UPWARD, which resists muzzle rise, which helps you to put the front sight back on the target more quickly because it's a shorter distance back to the target than with the same exact pistol that is unported.

Recoil is one thing, FELT RECOIL is for dead sure certain-a whole other ballgame. Felt recoil is very, very personal and is different for every person.

If the question is, "is there any good reason to have a 9mm barrel ported?"
Then my answer is, "absolutely, and you don't have to be accused of being recoil-sensitive to want to do it."

hounddawg · October 26, 2012, 02:39 PM

I agree Sevens. Felt recoil has a lot of different variables. Stance grip angle and design, physiology and even psychology of the shooter are factors. I would rather shoot 45's out of a XDs than 40's out of a full size steel pistol. Best way I can describe it is the 45 is more of push than a snap. A .357 has that slow push feeling for me also. 9's have that snappy recoil also just not as much of it as a40 has. For me it is hard to put it into words but like you said it is a personal thing.

offtopic but if anyone really wants to know the physics of free recoil I have the formula from some notes I took at a LR course a year or two back

Sevens · October 26, 2012, 02:47 PM

Even if you can detail every bit of the physics, the human component is difficult (if not entirely impossible) to get a handle on.

Heck, even just the numbers related to the ammo won't tell the tale. I've run the EXACT same loads through my Glock 29 (3.78" barrel and obvious tupperware compact size pistol) and my 3rd Gen Smith & Wesson 1006 (full size, 5 inch barrel, stainless steel frame and slide and MUCH heavier) and the Glock 29 is more friendly in "felt" recoil.

I'm relatively (!) sure that it's due to the bore axis being much higher on the 1006.

Constantine · October 26, 2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Felt recoil is very, very personal and is different for every person.

Bingo, and thank you.

hounddawg · October 26, 2012, 02:53 PM

just guessing here but I would say that was probably the grip angle

free recoil is easy, it just math

velocity ( gun) = mass x velocity (bullet) + mass x velocity (gas) divided by the mass of the gun
free recoil energy = 1/2 mass( gun) x velocity (gun)

felt or perceived recoil has a 1000 different factors like you said, most of which are the shooter and some of which is the design of the gun

anyway does not matter anymore, decided to use it in IDPA, at least for now

johnwilliamson062 · October 27, 2012, 11:04 PM

"I've tried it out a few times and I only noticed a difference during rapid fire."
If shooting rapid fire competitively, then yes. For defense and plinking, no.

October 25, 2012, 06:11 AM	#1
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	is a ported barrel on a 9mm worth it ? Building up a little 9mm S&W M&P for plinking and local level steel challenge matches. I am considering adding a Storm Lake ported barrel. Started thinking that a 9mm's recoil is pretty mild so I am wondering will it make a noticeable difference. I don't plan on ever shooting the gun in IDPA or for home defense anyway and will be adding optics so I will probably just spend the extra ten for the looks/cool factor. Was also considering a threaded barrel compensator setup but I think that would necessitate buying a speed holster and would add a couple of hundred to the project price. So far will be doing the optic sight changeover, Apex competition trigger kit and ram. For the barrel either a KKM non ported or Storm Lake Ported. Anyone here using a ported on a 9 and did it make any difference? I could see it would really help on a 40. Any opinions or suggestions? __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan

October 25, 2012, 09:22 AM	#3
Stressfire Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,497	I'm sure it would work as intended and reduce the recoil. For a 9mm though, IMO, it might not be the best use of resources. I've tried out a range buddy's Beretta that he put a compensator on. It really didn't feel that much different from my stock one, just a bit heavier on the front end. But, then again, the Berettas are pretty big for the caliber, so recoil would be less noticeable than on a smaller-framed pistol. __________________ "The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott

October 25, 2012, 09:37 AM	#4
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,240	Ported...on a 9mm?...I'd say no, matter of fact, I'd say no on any hand gun up to .44 Magnum. Rod __________________ Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows against it, It proudly waves because a soldier's dying breath blows upon it. USAF Forward Air Controller, 5th Spl Forces, An Loc, lll Corps, RVN, 69-70, Vietnam Vet '69-'73

October 25, 2012, 10:02 AM	#5
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	thanks for the replies guys doubt now if I will bother and just use the extra ten for practice ammo __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan

October 25, 2012, 11:39 AM	#6
Constantine Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,083	Yeah..best bet ^ __________________ Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen

October 25, 2012, 06:38 AM	#2
MrJog Member Join Date: October 23, 2012 Posts: 15	My wife has a Glock 19c. I've tried it out a few times and I only noticed a difference during rapid fire. This gun is compensated with a V pattern out of the top, and I did feel like it helped some. See if you can't borrow/rent a compensated 9. I know glock has a few models that are 9mm and compensated.

October 25, 2012, 11:58 AM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,723	Even better, get yourself a Lee Hand Press. You'll be shooting a lot.

October 25, 2012, 07:14 PM	#8
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	Lee hand press would be too slow, I got a Hornady LnL last year for my pistol ammo. Had to my wife likes to burn through pistol ammo like it is free BTW off topic but kudo's to Buds gun shop, ordered the M&P competition package today about 10 am and got my tracking number already. Also went over to APEX and ordered a RAM kit and the forward set sear and trigger kit. I have decided to hold off on the barrel and sights until after I shoot a hundred or so through it. Then decide exactly where to go from there. That is assuming mama does not declare it her new gun and want me to paint it with pink tiger stripes __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan

October 25, 2012, 07:18 PM	#9
Pistolgripshotty Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: Somewhere out there Posts: 184	I wouldn't personally, I ported one of my barrels and its more of a cosmetic thing than performance. But it does look cool though! __________________ *12 Gauge Fury!*

October 25, 2012, 07:27 PM	#10
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 1,434	It is like putting a governor on a vega. __________________ My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

October 26, 2012, 01:23 PM	#11
BGutzman Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: Frozen Tundra Posts: 2,411	What recoil??? __________________ Molon Labe

October 26, 2012, 01:33 PM	#12
Constantine Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,083	Seriously...9mm recoil off a mid to full size weapon is non-existent. __________________ Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen

October 26, 2012, 02:04 PM	#13
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	ok macho men. 9mms do have a recoil as can be seen in this and many other videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLFLt0iu5W8 I was going to build a open gun for Steel Challenge then started thinking why. I have a perfectly good Buckmark that works well for that and is a cheap shooter. BTW speaking of Steel, the big boys use ported barrels on rimfires. Once I get my times down a bit I will probably drop a ported barrel on the Buckmark. Of course I don't expect Bobby Orent to lose sleep worrying about me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfibKBQM2Vs __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan Last edited by hounddawg; October 26, 2012 at 02:09 PM.

October 26, 2012, 02:12 PM	#14
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 6,930	Porting a 9mm wouldn't be so much for "reducing recoil", it would be more for reducing muzzle rise. If the sole purpose for the pistol is for mowing down steel plates and working diligently to take out all targets while being timed on a clock then porting a 9mm makes a whole lot of sense. It will make the pistol seem louder, it will increase your perception of muzzle blast (and at 35k PSI, there's a LOT of it in 9mm) and especially on an indoor range, your pistol will be LESS enjoyable to be around for other near-by shooters. But the idea is a good one for anyone that wants to up their speed in any event where they are being timed on a clock. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 26, 2012, 02:19 PM	#15
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	Ok I'll bite. In my mind recoil and muzzle flip are directly related. The gun recoils back and the wrist and arms of the shooter allows the pistol to pivot upward to dissipate the energy. Lowering recoil reduces the upward pivot. Am I missing something here? __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan

October 26, 2012, 02:25 PM	#16
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 6,930	I won't debate physics because it's not my trade. My comments are responding to anyone who says "meh, it's silly to port a 9mm because it doesn't kick, no porting until you are talking .44 Mag." My point is quite simply that porting directs hot gases UPWARD, which resists muzzle rise, which helps you to put the front sight back on the target more quickly because it's a shorter distance back to the target than with the same exact pistol that is unported. Recoil is one thing, FELT RECOIL is for dead sure certain-a whole other ballgame. Felt recoil is very, very personal and is different for every person. If the question is, "is there any good reason to have a 9mm barrel ported?" Then my answer is, "absolutely, and you don't have to be accused of being recoil-sensitive to want to do it." __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 26, 2012, 02:39 PM	#17
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	I agree Sevens. Felt recoil has a lot of different variables. Stance grip angle and design, physiology and even psychology of the shooter are factors. I would rather shoot 45's out of a XDs than 40's out of a full size steel pistol. Best way I can describe it is the 45 is more of push than a snap. A .357 has that slow push feeling for me also. 9's have that snappy recoil also just not as much of it as a40 has. For me it is hard to put it into words but like you said it is a personal thing. offtopic but if anyone really wants to know the physics of free recoil I have the formula from some notes I took at a LR course a year or two back __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan Last edited by hounddawg; October 26, 2012 at 02:47 PM.

October 26, 2012, 02:47 PM	#18
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 6,930	Even if you can detail every bit of the physics, the human component is difficult (if not entirely impossible) to get a handle on. Heck, even just the numbers related to the ammo won't tell the tale. I've run the EXACT same loads through my Glock 29 (3.78" barrel and obvious tupperware compact size pistol) and my 3rd Gen Smith & Wesson 1006 (full size, 5 inch barrel, stainless steel frame and slide and MUCH heavier) and the Glock 29 is more friendly in "felt" recoil. I'm relatively (!) sure that it's due to the bore axis being much higher on the 1006. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 26, 2012, 02:53 PM	#20
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	just guessing here but I would say that was probably the grip angle free recoil is easy, it just math velocity ( gun) = mass x velocity (bullet) + mass x velocity (gas) divided by the mass of the gun free recoil energy = 1/2 mass( gun) x velocity (gun) felt or perceived recoil has a 1000 different factors like you said, most of which are the shooter and some of which is the design of the gun anyway does not matter anymore, decided to use it in IDPA, at least for now __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan

October 27, 2012, 11:04 PM	#21
johnwilliamson062 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 6,116	"I've tried it out a few times and I only noticed a difference during rapid fire." If shooting rapid fire competitively, then yes. For defense and plinking, no. __________________ $0 of an NRA membership goes to legislative action or court battles. Not a dime. Only money contributed to the NRA-ILA or NRA-PVF. Of course, you could just donate to the Second Amendment Foundation I was feeling pretty good, then I looked around and realized I am not swimming or on fire.