Has Anyone Used 'Mag-na-Port' Services for muzzel comp?

Hello again,

During this period of waiting for the delivery of my Steyr M40A1 to my FFL from CDNN, I've continued to ponder just what additional "things" I can do to the pistol to make it about as fine a shooter as practical.

Those that have read my "Have Taken the Plunge..." thread, are aware that I'm going to send my pistol off to Springer Precision LLC to have the grip slightly reduced, and also a permanent X-Grip treatment sprayed on the grip. Springer Precision will also completely take the gun down; clean and polish all the important parts, then reassemble. Oh yes (least I forget), I'm also have one of BigTaco's captured steel guide rods in black oxide put in to the gun.

Anyway, I've run across the website "www.magnaport.com" for Mag-na-Port International, and for a reasonable $129.50 they will cut a "trapezoidal port in both the slide and the barrel and an oversized expansion vent through the slide to allow maximum dissipation without fouling." Below is a pic that I scarfed from their website showing what I am attempting to convey:



So, my question is two part:
1) Has anyone ever used Mag-na-port's services and if so, were you satisfied with it?
2) (providing you haven't used their service but know of someone that has.... or you have a strong opinion about their process) What are your thoughts about doing this to a Steyr M40A1 that is primarily a range gun and home defense pistol???

Gentlemen, I am all ears!

Thanks in advance!

~Gary

 

I whole-heartedly agree.

After conducting some further web-based research on Mag-na-port, I very much "like what I see." I'm 99.999% sure I am going to send my M40A1 off to Michigan to have it done.

Although what I was able to find on the web was little, the following was a rather lengthy write-up which reassured me with this decision:

Mag-na-port® - A Cure for the Flinch!

I have always felt that there are at least 4 important areas where hand gunners should invest extra money on their shooting. Make the investment (1) into a really excellent holster, (2) additional training with a good teacher, (3) make sure you have the best grips possible on your gun, and finally, (4) find a way to control the recoil on every shot.

Newton’s third law states that “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” Recoil is the reaction that occurs when the bullet and gases escape forward as the gun is fired. Porting, the cutting of holes in the barrel, lets some of the gas escape upwards, with the resulting “reaction” pushing down against the top of the barrel, lessening the upward barrel flip.

Mag-na-port has been in business for 30 years and they have virtually written the book on porting, developing it into a science. They use their own patented Electrical Discharge Machining process (EDM) producing a spark that wears away the barrel’s metal. EDM produces precise, clean, burr-free trapezoidal port cuts. Cornell University did a series of lab tests on the Mag-na-port process. Cornell researchers tested guns before and after from .38 special to 44 magnum, and from 2.0” to 8-3/8” barrel lengths. They concluded that Mag-na-porting does not decrease bullet velocity or increase muzzle blast, but at the same time does reduce recoil. Other studies (“On Target Magazine”) reported the same thing. In addition, the “On Target” article demonstrated that the sound levels were the same on ported and non-ported Glocks that they tested. They also noted that, at night, the light coming from the non-ported and ported muzzles (of the same model Glock) had the same intensity.

In smaller handguns, especially S&W Titanium and Scandium J-Frame revolvers, 30 - 40% of the recoil disappears. Porting places these smaller guns in an entirely different light. How many times have you seen almost new, small J-Frames in Four Seasons’ used handgun section because the owner only shot them once and felt the recoil was too great? Mag-na-porting is the cure for this problem. It should be noted that individuals who shoot small revolvers, must always shoot the gun so that gases escaping through the port and barrel cylinder gap do come close to their body.

The folks at Mag-na-port are real experts in porting and gunsmithing. Mag-na-porting is available for handguns, shotguns and rifles. They also perform custom gunsmithing services too numerous to list here. But theses services also include refinishing, action jobs, beautiful jewelling, polishing, and sight conversion. Make sure and request product information. There is a lot of it and it is well illustrated.

I own the following Mag-na-ported handguns: a Glock 21 (45 ACP), a Ruger SP101 (.357 magnum), a Ruger GP100 (.357 magnum) and an S&W Model 60-14, a 5 shot J-Frame (.357 magnum).

Below, in the Crimson Trace article, I mention firing the S&W Model 60-14 with Lasergrips. I did this shooting before I had the gun Mag-na-ported. I shot 5 rounds to sight in the Lasergrips and 5 more rounds double action, one handed at33’which grouped in one inch. What I did not mention was the fact that after the 10th shot, the pain in my trigger finger was so severe that my eyes were starting to tear up.

The S&W Model 60-14 weighs in at 24 ounces and I was shooting some hot loads through it. I got it back from Mag-na-port and shot the same loads at the range. No pain! It was like the difference between night and day - what a manageable gun! It was also the same recoil reduction for my favorite Ruger SP101. It is my feeling that the recoil reduction is more evident in my smaller handguns than in the larger ones, even though there is significant recoil reduction in the larger handguns.

Mag-na-porting is a helpful cure for flinching. I see it again and again with students: the good grip, the proper stance, good sighting, and then the trigger pull goes down the drain as the student flinches, waiting for the recoil.

Mag-na-porting will reduce the recoil muzzle flip and this will also mean that your second, or next, shot will be faster because of quicker sight acquisition. Does it mean that you can step up to a larger caliber and handle it better? It is worth the investment. It makes all shooting easier, and remember Mag-na-port are also specialists, with a large following, for porting rifles and shotguns for serious hunters and competitors.

For more information, go online at http://www.magnaport.com.

Mag-na-port International, Inc.
41302 Executive Drive
Harrison Township, MI 48045-1306
(586) 469-67627
Fax: (586) 469-0425
[email protected]

When you call you will probably talk with Doreen Timchuck. Ask her to send you price lists and other info. She’s a very nice person, and after you talk with her, you will have a confident feeling about the company.

It is important for you to know how to ship your handgun. For example, you only need the slide and barrel of a semi-automatic. You can take the cylinder out for a revolver for shipment. By doing this you will get a big break on return UPS shipping costs. I have been using FedEx for my shipments to Mag-na-port and request 2 day shipping for $9.95. If you are a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, you can save 20% off the FedEx price. If you are a certified instructor, ask Doreen for the discount (I think it is 10%) and make sure and send her a copy of your credentials with your order. I advise people to always send a letter informing Mag-na-port exactly of the services needed. Also, include any special shipping instructions. Remember that Four Seasons is a Mag-na-port® dealer and can handle all gun shipments and billing for you.

WARNING: This also applies to Crimson Trace Corporation below. Once you starting using Mag-na-port services, you are going to be “addicted,” so you better start putting a little more gun money away, the kids can get by with fewer back-to-school clothes. I am shipping out three more guns to them this week.

The above was taken from the following website: http://fsguns.com/dearalbiecolumn.html

Syntax360 - I'm kinda lost or clueless with what your concerns or misgivings would be about a ported or comp'd pistol for home defense, specifically a ported barrel where the ports are cut at 45 degrees (versus being located directly on top of the muzzle; immediately in front or behind the front site).

 

The below photo is of a Springfield XD that has had Springer Precision LLC's "X-Grip" (permanent grit treatment) performed on the grip. Reportedly, it's some sort of aluminum composite spray-on. It feels like sandpaper, but wears like iron.

 

Well.... for me it is now a "done deal." I shipped by FedEx this morning, my M40-A1's barrel and slide to Mag-na-port to have their Autoporting service performed on them. I believe I should have both components back in my hands by NLT mid-next week. Then I'll be sending the entire handgun to Springer Precision LLC to have them take a wack at it. :wink: