1st off, I reload and am thinking about starting to cast lead bullets for my g21. I was lookin at getting a LWD barrel. I don't have an issue with accuracy shooting the g21, but since I would be buying a barrel anyway, would a ported barrel really make a noticeable difference controlling the recoil rise compared to a non-ported barrel? Can anyone with some experience tell me your thoughts?

I've never had a ported barrel, but I would think it would make some difference or the manufacturers wouldn't bother with it...

If you're going to get a new barrel anyway... why not get a ported one if that's what you want?

My only reservation is a disclaimer on LWD's website that some ported barrels can cause the front of the slide to be subject to higher heat levels which could damage night sights. I am not running night sights as of yet, but I was planning on that down the road too. It just made me think twice about it. I am just on the fence and need someone to push me over to one side or the other. I don't necessarily "want" a ported barrel, more like a why not if I am buying one anyway. I am just not sure if I should or not.

I have the LW Extended ported barrel on my G30. I dont find the 45 acp recoil overly harsh, but the ported barrel does give me faster follow up shots in my opinion as it does dampen recoil somewhat. Is it worth it? That is very subjective but I am glad I bought mine.

Since this appears to be the topic, has anyone considered or seen personally the muzzle flash from a ported barrel? I have heard for carry guns, ported barrels are bad because if you are shooting at night, the muzzle flash from the ports upward is blinding to the shooter. Is this true? If so, that is another consideration.

Originally Posted by ZENAS

Since this appears to be the topic, has anyone considered or seen personally the muzzle flash from a ported barrel? I have heard for carry guns, ported barrels are bad because if you are shooting at night, the muzzle flash from the ports upward is blinding to the shooter. Is this true? If so, that is another consideration.

I havent fired mine in the complete darkness, only in the dim light of an indoor range ( the target area is well lit but the firing area is not) and the muzzle flash in that instance is not blinding with 45acp.

There are lots of pictures of compensated Glocks belching flames...

Originally Posted by KeithD

here we go... you wont be shooting the gun in complete darkness... if you are your not identifying the threat, and if its complete darkness you wont know that your even on the threat. So thats a moot point.

That being said, if your shooting in low enough light to be worried about muzzle flash, your most likely employing some kind of white light to identify the threat and put accurate hits on target.

The use of the white light even from a weapons light with the bezel forward of the ports will mitigate most all of the muzzle flash.

If working with a hand held most techniques place the bezel farther back which eliminates most if not all flash, even with a ported barrel. Especially so with the neck index technique....


So in short... if your using white light the way you should be...no a ported barrel has no effect on shooting in low/no light conditions.

Thanks Keith, I hadnt thought about the use of a hand held light mitigating the flash and even in the situation I quoted above, there really wasnt that much flash.