Mag-na Port rifle barrels - audibly offensive or not?

[webley701]

Does anyone have experience with ‘Mag-na ported’ rifle barrels - the 2 or 4 trapezoidal slot type?
If so - does it result in a perceived increase in noise (from the firers standpoint) to the degree that multi-hole or finned muzzle brakes cause?

I ask because a couple of very nice rifles which sadly have had Mag-na porting inflicted on them have come available at attractive prices. I wouldn’t touch a rifle with a conventional muzzle break due to the annoying (for me) extra perceived noise & muzzle blast but I wondered if the less radical ‘Mag-na port’ system was more liveable with.

 

[Muir]

I've only used magna port on handguns but I have not found it to be so. ~Muir

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I was negotiating with Larry Kelly owner of Mag-na-Port back in 1994 when I was working in Detroit to get the sole UK franchise to do the work. Ended up an airline pilot got the UK franchise or so he told me. He did want lots of $$$$$$s.

 

[webley701]

I've only used magna port on handguns but I have not found it to be so. ~Muir

Thanks for the comment & ‘back in the day’ when I could shoot pistols the difference wasn’t noticeable to me either on the odd occasion when I shot next to someone with a Mag-na ported barrel. I put that - in part at least - down to the muzzle & port pressure on handguns being generally a lot lower than rifles.

Shooting next to a 14” barrelled .303” bolt action ‘pistol’ based on a No.4 action with a ‘Boys’ style muzzle brake was another thing entirely though!

 

[alberta boy]

Does anyone have experience with ‘Mag-na ported’ rifle barrels - the 2 or 4 trapezoidal slot type?
If so - does it result in a perceived increase in noise (from the firers standpoint) to the degree that multi-hole or finned muzzle brakes cause?

I ask because a couple of very nice rifles which sadly have had Mag-na porting inflicted on them have come available at attractive prices. I wouldn’t touch a rifle with a conventional muzzle break due to the annoying (for me) extra perceived noise & muzzle blast but I wondered if the less radical ‘Mag-na port’ system was more liveable with.

I had two rifles that were magnaported by their previous owners , a Ruger M77 Tropical in 458 WM and a Sako Finnbear in 7mmRM . They do accentuate the noise a little , but nowhere near as bad as a muzzle break . It does control muzzle flip very well , which is what it was designed to do . Like you , I hate muzzle breaks , but magnaporting is not as obnoxious . I briefly owned a S&W Model 29 in 44RM that had been worked over as a remote country back up pistol . The barrel had been shortened to 4 inches and the grip frame had been reduced to a K frame size . It did make for a small , and powerful , package . It had the two port version magnaporting . It turned a potentially uncontrollable pistol , if using full power loads , into a useful self defense pistol . I sold it to an old friend who is a geologist and works in extremely isolated areas of Northern Canada . He had a few run ins with Inland Grizzlies and needed it more than I did . As far as I know , he still has it . Long story short , if a rifle I liked became available at a good price , I wouldn't let the magnaporting put me off .

AB

 

[Klenchblaize]

This kind of thread brings a tear to the eye as such names (“Mag-Na-Port”) transport me instantly to the 70’s. I time when you could get most anything rifle or pistol related from the US if you had the desire and monies to purchase.

Fast-forward 50 years and this has all gone along with the likes of “Pistol 1900” that had just about all UK firearms and allied component importers/traders under one roof. Multiple marquees to be precise as the Bisley Pavilion was a tiny part of total trade stands.

K

 

[webley701]

This kind of thread brings a tear to the eye as such names (“Mag-Na-Port”) transport me instantly to the 70’s. I time when you could get most anything rifle or pistol related from the US if you had the desire and monies to purchase.

Fast-forward 50 years and this has all gone along with the likes of “Pistol 1900” that had just about all UK firearms and allied component importers/traders under one roof. Multiple marquees to be precise as the Bisley Pavilion was a tiny part of total trade stands.

K

I have very fond memories of the Pistol AD meetings at Bisley & the multiple marquees for the trade stands.
Conversely I have bitter memories as regards the actions of the government of the day & the lack of support from certain sporting organisations - but that’s getting away from Mag-na porting.

 

[deeangeo]

My K95 is mag-na-ported & the reduced muzzle flip certainly aids holding on the quarry to see reaction to the shot. From the shooters point of view muzzle blast doesn't interfere, but I guess not to pleasant for anyone close by. i.e. at your shoulder! On the hill with an estate stalker, usually a few feet away it's fine. I've used mine now for 20 years & I'd say definitely worthwhile

 

[webley701]

My K95 is mag-na-ported & the reduced muzzle flip certainly aids holding on the quarry to see reaction to the shot. From the shooters point of view muzzle blast doesn't interfere, but I guess not to pleasant for anyone close by. i.e. at your shoulder! On the hill with an estate stalker, usually a few feet away it's fine. I've used mine now for 20 years & I'd say definitely worthwhile
View attachment 293572

Thanks for those informative comments. Octagonal barrels look so elegant, unfortunately I’ve never had a rifle with one.
Can I ask - was the porting done by Blaser & if so did they manage to coordinate the slots fully with the grooves?

 

[deeangeo]

Thanks for your compliment. It was done by Blaser as part of the specification I requested... I have no idea if co-ordinated with lands & grooves. However it does exactly what I expected
I'm almost certain the barrel was made by Sauer, so I guess they did the mag-na-ports. Blaser own Sauer (Part of the Blaser group of companies). You can see the rifle in my media.

 

[webley701]

Thanks for your compliment. It was done by Blaser as part of the specification I requested... I have no idea if co-ordinated with lands & grooves. However it does exactly what I expected
I'm almost certain the barrel was made by Sauer, so I guess they did the mag-na-ports. Blaser own Sauer (Part of the Blaser group of companies). You can see the rifle in my media.

Thanks - I’ve just had a look & that’s a stunning rifle. It must be an utter pleasure to own & use plus full of memories.

 

[deeangeo]

Thanks - I’ve just had a look & that’s a stunning rifle. It must be an utter pleasure to own & use plus full of memories.

Cheers. The best choice of rifle for me.. & yes it is. Bought via Gregor at McClouds in Tain. At the time Gregor knew more about Blaser K95's than anyone else I could find in the UK.
It's an absolute delight to carry & use.

 

[PondoroPenguin]

Does anyone have experience with ‘Mag-na ported’ rifle barrels - the 2 or 4 trapezoidal slot type?
If so - does it result in a perceived increase in noise (from the firers standpoint) to the degree that multi-hole or finned muzzle brakes cause?

I ask because a couple of very nice rifles which sadly have had Mag-na porting inflicted on them have come available at attractive prices. I wouldn’t touch a rifle with a conventional muzzle break due to the annoying (for me) extra perceived noise & muzzle blast but I wondered if the less radical ‘Mag-na port’ system was more liveable with.

I have a Blaser R93 Safari in 416 REM Mag. Which I ordered with factory Mag-na port. It has 4 slots. It is quieter than a muzzle brake as there’s less ports redirecting gas. I don’t notice it being louder than my 300 Win Mag unported barrel. Bystanders also tend to agree as its not really the shooter who gets the benefit of the muzzle blast.

 

[paul o']

Have had ported Browning trap S/G's and lots of pistols would be happy to buy another mag ported s/g or long gun .

 

[alberta boy]

My K95 is mag-na-ported & the reduced muzzle flip certainly aids holding on the quarry to see reaction to the shot. From the shooters point of view muzzle blast doesn't interfere, but I guess not to pleasant for anyone close by. i.e. at your shoulder! On the hill with an estate stalker, usually a few feet away it's fine. I've used mine now for 20 years & I'd say definitely worthwhile
View attachment 293572

That is a very classy rifle , I had to look .

AB

 

[deeangeo]

That is a very classy rifle , I had to look .

AB

Thank you

 

[Bavarianbrit]

This might be of interest about the companies start up.

 

[norfolk shooter]

Does anyone know who can carry out such work in the UK??