Magnaport hurt value?

I do have an exception for what I said. If I found a 7.5" or longer Freedom Arms that was ported and the price was right, I'd buy it and send it to Jack to chop off the barrel even with the ejector. Same would apply to others, although to a lesser extent.

Pat Riot said:

Here are 2 on Gun Broker with “Buy Now” pricing. Not sure if one can see this unless signed in.

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I'd snag the one with Herrett's and never look back!

Just for price comparison, my LGS just sold two S serial Model 28s in very good to excellent, though not in unfired non-handled “mint” condition (WTH is “minty?), for $1,450 each. Both were 4” barreled revolvers.

Dustbowl said:

My question is if a 28 is worth $950 what is a 27 going for?

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More in same condition.
There are 2- M27s at the auction link. Here "Condition is everything". The barrel length also makes a difference, as may serial number range.

I find the testimonials from actual Magna-Port users quite interesting, I can remember how highly touted it was. Again, I would grab it. Not familiar with current prices, I have a 17-3 waiting for me at an LGS, excellent shape. $700.

For collector value it's going to take a ding for that port job so may as well shoot it and enjoy. As a consignment piece you may make an offer and see if they accept.

I bought a 686 that had been Magnaported back in the day, shoots really well along with other GS work having been applied. Brings a smile to me anytime I have it out and only you can determine if that $9XX is worth it.

Dustbowl said:

My question is if a 28 is worth $950 what is a 27 going for?

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My buddy had a super clean 6" nickel 27-2 at his shop, no box or papers, and it sold in a day for $1500.

If its a shooter for you, then the value is up to you. I don't know why someone would port a large frame 357. I was gifted a Old Model Blackhawk convertible that was Magnaported. It's not stupid loud, nor does it seem to tame muzzle rise.

Any decent used S&W N frame goes for about $1,000 around here.

I think the effective barrel length of a ported revolver ends at the two holes. Might as well chop the barrel at that point. I had one ported gun and no more. It was a factory ported M686 with 6" barrel. Maybe dash 5? I think it was the 686P model. Not plus; it was a 6 shooter.

73,
Rick

Tallball said:

Any decent used S&W N frame goes for about $1,000 around here.

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Around here thats a little light, so probably you're over there.

73,
Rick

CraigC said:

Contrary to popular misconception, porting does not reduce recoil. It redirects it. It just turns muzzle rise into more backward push into your palm.

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Are you saying a ported barrel results in more felt recoil?

I have a Performance Center 629 that came ported from the factory. I don't know how much or if it makes a difference in noise or blast as I don't have anything to compare it to. It is scoped and I regularly shoot it at 100 yards and can keep a cylinder full on a paper plate so I would say it is accurate.

eddiememphis said:

Are you saying a ported barrel results in more felt recoil?

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Basically. Less muzzle rise but more into your palm.

Larry Kelly port jobs are , in my 40 years of fooling with them , much more effective than other non attached baffleless compensators. I was doubtfull at first , but even N frame .357 4" barrels can hit targets faster than with out. Moreso on the lighter guns . I thought they only worked so well on high pressure cartridges but after having a Charter 3" .44 Bulldog turned into a pocket kitten I think I learned differently. The four port system really works well, especially on short flyweight barrel carbines in .308 based cartridges. On 7.5" or 8 3/8 .44 or .454 revolvers they make them much more shootable.
Yes on collector guns they are a deduction , unless they are Magnaport Customs and so marked. I think the angular EDM cuts of the Magnaport system are tuned to funnel the gas and provide leverage to the barrels angainst rise and torqueing and THAT keeps the muzzle on target .

I personally dislike Magnaported revolvers to the point where their value, for me, drops to near zero. As @CraigC points out, if the barrel is long enough then I would consider buying the piece and having the offending portion lopped off. Otherwise, hard pass.

Of course, I seem to be in the minority on such topics, but there you go.

I've owned a number of ported S&W revolvers and fired a few Magnaported ones. All of them had greater felt recoil in the hand. The reward, if you want to call it that, was they got back on target faster because of reduced muzzle rise. I won't own another ported gun but YMMV.

Dave