Does a Ported Barrel Lose Velocity? Glock 19 vs. 19c

[@henryhenry7170]

124 GD: 3.368% velocity loss. Other two about 3%.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you

[@kentwilliams3326]

An observation: The 19C exhibited 50% less muzzle rise than the 19 standard.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Maybe. I sure didn't feel much difference

[@jw-sigp2258]

I have a Glock 23c gen3. My friend has a regular 23. We chronographed them with my handloads and with a few factory rounds and the average velocity difference was 38 FPS. I like ported pistols. My 23c has 9mm 147 recoil when I use factory 180 grain fmj 40 s&w. With my 155 grain xtp handloads using long shot at 1225 FPS my 23c has recoil similar to 9mm 124 grain +p in a Glock 19. Thanks for doing this video!

[@jamespugh]

I agree with u ported helps on recoil

[@mr_fnh]

Some say 20-50 FPS won’t make a huge difference in a defensive encounter. Others will go on at nauseam about the stubble difference in their meat target! 🤣

[@gunlover5147]

Well 20-50fps dont make no difference, we takking about a 15-35mph difference in speed. When a bullet is going 1360mph + , those 15-35mph mean shit

[@texasman45]

Imo that’s not a big enough loss to not use a ported barrel on your ccw as long as you’re using good ammo. I believe the faster follow up shots make up for the lesser power behind them. More shots down range and on target is better than less with slightly more power. The same argument applies between 40 and 9mm, same concept. Great, informative video man, much appreciated 👍🏻

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks for watching and the comment. Godspeed and good hunting to you and yours.

[@transporter13956]

I love my 17c just need to slide Mel it for an optic. Ive had this pistol for over 10 years still my favorite

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Awesome man! Glad you enjoy it.

[@NYPrepper]

Great video, this was very informative.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you sir!

[@MDpolo]

Very interesting. Thank you very much for the video.

[@sonnygunz9207]

I like the C models. I have a G19c, 23C/32C. The 32C is crazy with any ammo but especially Underwoods 125gr Gold Dot load… the blast and concussion out doors is nuts I couldn’t imagine touching those off indoors or in a vehicle… Super fun to shoot though!!!! I carried the 19C for several years. It’s a pussycat in comparison. I’ve also carried the 23/32C on occasion. Should’ve kept the 20C and 21C I had. Oh well. Great test, sir. Thanks.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thanks sir. Have fun with those guns

[@seethebutter]

Interesting, thanks!

[@YellowHammer26]

👍👍appreciate the test and information

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I appreciate you liking the information and commenting and watching the video

[@Swampytheroot]

I have a few ported 9mm and a couple in 10mm and 45acp. The loss is only significant if you're riding the lower end of your bullet's designed expansion threshold, which I'd never recommend in any circumstance. Nice presentation. Thanks for the chart

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I can agree with that. No loss of sight picture at night?

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Good test, demo, data....helpful for sure.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank You!

[@michaelcheshareck3275]

I have a G20C and a G20, I’ll need to test the velocity differences on those with some hotter loads.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That would be interesting. I wonder if all that more powder would make a bigger difference? Considering the g20 usually loses 25 to 75 fps depending on powder charge over the 5" test barrel

[@michaelcheshareck3275]

@@AlaskanBallistics my guess is that hotter loads with slower powders will lose more than you saw on the G19/19C, but until I actually test it it’s just a guess. I know that a moderate load of Blue Dot with a 180 grain XTP gained 100 FPS from the G20 stock barrel to a 7” KKM barrel. I’m guessing that hotter loads, especially with slower powders like the AA#9/200 grain XTPs I’m going to test will gain more than 100 FPS. When I can get the picatinny mount for my magnetospeed (saw a video where a guy used it successfully on a G20) I’ll try to put some numbers to it and see how everything pans out in the real world

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Only 100 fps dreams a little less as with some loads, especially lighter bullets, I'll get 100 fps more going from sick g20 to stock g40

[@michaelcheshareck3275]

@@AlaskanBallistics I was surprised to only see 100 FPS from 4.6” to 7” as well. I’m guessing hotter loads will come more in line with what you have seen. At least I hope so.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I hope so too

[@bobcatforever3485]

Good and interesting video. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you for watching!

[@sonnygunz9207]

Very cool test! I like the C models. I have a 19c and 23c/32c. Had a 20c, 21c & 22c/31c many many years ago.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Did you notice if the 20C lost any velocity?

[@sonnygunz9207]

@@AlaskanBallistics I didn’t have a chronograph back then but I’m guessing it did.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

It seems like it would lose more than the 9 mm wood because there is more to lose. It seems like it would lose more than the 9 mm wood because there is more to lose. But that is only a guess

[@texpatriot8462]

Great test.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Thank you

[@barnes-howardhuntingteam2141]

Great Video

[@jamesfair9751]

Just from a visual perspective I like the looks of the ported just looks a little more bad ass to me. I’m curious if there is a difference on felt recoil ???

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Not much. Not enough to me.

[@truenreal365]

So i take it, if i needed to shoot through a door, wall, or glass, the ported barrel wouldn't fare as well?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

No but bullet construction, ammo choice is much more important.

[@jp-if1xo]

Very helpful. Looking at C porting a G20 and this vid got right to the point. No discussion. No debate. No opinions. Just a straight comparison over the chrono. So, with a G19 mostly typical ball ammo, as much as 20% can be lost and lighter bullets seem to lose more. So it seems running hot and heavy coated hard cast loads out of a G20 will be more noticeable to me than that pesky black bear molesting my fishing. Thanks much. Now, on to searching how compatible or not hard cast and porting might be...

[@AlaskanBallistics]

To be honest just buy a g40. Then you get a much more powerful load with the same ammo. And the front end being heavier takes out more recoil.

[@Q.Lawrence]

I like the ported barrels. I just wish I con find one for my G22 p80 build.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Good luck

[@supercomp65]

Been wondering this as well. I've got a G19 with a fairly aggressive ported barrel where the ports start about 2.25" from the breech face. Still enough speed to get hollow points to expand properly in gel but I'm curious about what they're actually coming in at nevertheless

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Me too. Don't love her in Alaska i take it?

[@Hd28cw]

Target will be just as obliterated with 30fps less 😂

[@AlaskanBallistics]

True

[@jamespugh]

Very cool to see your data. Yes I toagree. 👍. I only like porting on hard recoil guns or range guns to cut down recoil help stay on target.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

But why porting over a compensator or muzzle brake?

[@chris3383]

I don't think that speed deference would hurt proformance but there was more deference than I thought there would be

[@AlaskanBallistics]

It's hard to say

[@tangledline]

I see it on the same basis as people shooting isosceles 3/7/15 and bragging about their grouping to when shit hits the fan and all of a sudden the grouping doesn't matter. Glock knows what they are doing.

[@iamnobody9542]

Fo' betta or worster... I had an original 5.5" 44 Redhawk. My buddy liked it so much he bot one too. Same loads crono'd within 5 f/s average with both guns. He didnt like the muzzle flip so he had his magnaported. On average, he lost 15 - 30 f/s. SD's remained similar. Dont forget the cyl gap leakage... Flip was maybe down ~15%, purely subjective. Blast was Up. So was unburnt powder in the face. He sold it and bot another one. Ok, now onto autos (closed breach)... The reason the mil went to them is there are no openings for dirt to get inside other than the end of the barrel vs revolvers. WHY would you compromise a good auto you want to depend your life on with additional openings to let crud IN??!! And working pressure behind the bullet OUT? The performance loss and overall cost aint worth it. The remaining value of the revolver is reliability. Keep Both CLEAN! Oh. Final comment. You cant shoot lead (cast) bullets in a ported barrel. Jerry

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Good info. Agreed

[@iamnobody9542]

@@AlaskanBallistics Light loads (unique) lost the least velocity, heavies (296, H110) lost the most. Jerry

[@AlaskanBallistics]

More velocity to lose, makes sense

[@iamnobody9542]

@@AlaskanBallistics All measurements were made with my Oehler 33. Jerry

[@calvinmjr]

The Glock form on the Glock 19c says 115gr ammo will cause it to jam it needs 124gr-147gr that’s all I use

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Okay... I've never seen it jam with anything

[@85slauer]

You may have to use a lighter recoil spring if 115 jams

[@KINGPOLO4ch]

Now the question is, is that loss in Velocity worth the quick follow up shots and the-recoil reduction🤷🏽‍♂️

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Honestly the recoil reduction wasn't much. Not enough to me anyways

[@dcg5651]

Had to log in to my account just to put this comment. Very good info and im alaskan too!

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Awesome thank you.

[@cw2a]

I like and appreciate a ported barrel! But never for a CC/ personal protection Firearm. Maybe as trail defense... Mostly just use In competition or range gun.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed. I wouldn't use it for trail defense.

[@Andrew-FKF]

@@AlaskanBallistics interesting. why not CC or train defense?? I shoot a tighter group and faster with my ported 19 over my stock 17. Closest comparison I have. Id rather put more lead into the target more accurate than not?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Trail guns don't need extra holes that dirt and l such gets in. Shooting pitch black in the dark also causes you to lose sight picture with the enormous amount of flash. If you have to stick it in an attacker's gun and pull the trigger the flash coming through the ports can get into your eyes. Put a heavy flashlight on the front of your gun and you won't notice the difference between ported and non ported.

[@Andrew-FKF]

@@AlaskanBallistics Interesting on the flash in the dark. Have you personally experienced this? I have read that rumor a lot but when I have researched it a bit, those people say its actually minimal.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@@Andrew-FKF yep. Just shoot one at a poorly lit indoor range, you'll have to reaquire sight picture from the flash.

[@KeanonGilliamSlang369]

I like some firearms with ported barrels but with this test there's not much difference. How was the felt recoil between the two?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Not much difference... i mean it's 9mm it doesn't recoil lol

[@KeanonGilliamSlang369]

@@AlaskanBallistics 👍

[@jorgechalub8930]

Muy bueno tu vídeo saludos desde Argentina

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Gracias

[@cdawson198600]

It oddly seemed to make the velocities more consistent with minimum loss which is the opposite of what I expected.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Oddly so. SD was better.

[@vashmatrix5769]

Personally not a fan of ported pistols. I just don't like the idea of stuff getting in there.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed

[@texasbeast239]

Before I bought my G20, I saw a ported Gen2 or Gen3 and wanted one. 10mm was a big bad boogie man round, and I thought some recoil control would be useful. But the Gen4 was already out, and I loved the way it felt in hand at some rental ranges, and it didn't come in a ported version. I felt at a loss. Eventually I chose Gen4 anyway because I thought the latest barrel design would give the best kaboom protection and I liked the finger grooves, but I felt I had had sacrificed a wonderful thing in the form of the ports. Well, not now! Bigger (uncompromised) barrels are better. That unported 4.6 inch G20 factory barrel is my smallest 10. Comping a 10 is gutting a 10. It defeats the purpose of having one. Stick a 4 cyl in a muscle car, why don't ya? I've also toyed around with the idea of getting a Desert Eagle .44Mag. (Not lately of course.) They offer a few slide designs in ported 5 inch and ported 6 inch versions. Again, I could see the wisdom of muzzle flip control for the mighty .44. But when I looked closer, I also noticed they offer standard slide guns with the option of external muzzle brakes, through their custom orders department. If I were to ever get a Deagle, that would be the way: 6 inch slide with the separate EMB on the end of that. Don't dork up the benefit of your uninterrupted barrel length, and don't forfeit velocity if you don't have to.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed. I bet the velocity loss would be worse in bigger calibers

[@MR.GREINER]

Looks like the ports really help recoil

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I couldn't tell a difference Shooting then obviously. I mean it's 9mm, it doesn't really recoil when you just shoot a 10mm video and a 44 mag

[@grantfitz2047]

Pretty sure I ran into you at Maud road range a couple weeks ago

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Hope you're doing well

[@carterthiessen2664]

Would be interesting to see the same bullet loaded with a slower and a faster powder, to see if slower powders lose more velocity than faster powders.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Now that's in depth! I do think there was a bigger difference in my 90 grain XTP Video which was loaded with power pistol. I'll have to go back and check that video from last week

[@carterthiessen2664]

@@AlaskanBallistics id be willing to bet something faster like tite group would lose less velocity. My 38 special loads with tite group barely gain any velocity from a 6 inch revolver to a 18.5 inch rifle. But 357 mag h110 loads gain over 400 fps. I think johnnys reloading bench has done videos on powders for short barrel 223/556 and faster powder definitely works better in shorter barrels

[@mblake0420]

Ports are fine over 4 inches, less than that it's a bad trade

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Maybe so

[@LarryeWhite61]

This is why companies like EFK exist to offer their extended ported barrels

[@AlaskanBallistics]

But still doesn't give you the velocity of an extended barrel. It'd be real nice in .460 Rowland that requires a muzzle brake or porting

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

The only thing I don't like about ported barrels is the bright flashing that blows upwards out of the ports blinding one's sight picture in low light conditions.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

agreed

[@gangbaby3teardrops183]

Can comp stop this ?

[@rossincognito273]

I’m rockin the Glock 31c 357 sig is wicked stuff

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Nice have you shoot it over a chronograph?

[@paullebon323]

I just don't have that much trouble controlling a 9mm. Talon sandpaper grips probably work better than porting.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I agree

[@BoogerSnot-dq2ie]

I’d love to see the results of the Winchester T Series 127 +P+

[@AlaskanBallistics]

If I can ever find some, I'll let you know

[@mitchellnelms7572]

I can get behind compensators and brakes, but porting done to a short barrel before the end doesn't add much benefit. That's just my opinion.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed

[@seanvine39]

Idk…I think it’s pretty significant. My 19c shoots FLAT.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

@Sean Vibe have you shot them side by side?

[@seanvine39]

@@AlaskanBallistics oh yeah. I’m back on target faster with the ported 19. Without a doubt. Love the gun. Sure wish Glock would make a gen5 C. I don’t like carrying compensators due to the extra length. I carry appendix, I find the extra length of the comp to be very uncomfortable at times. So with the ported gun I get all the benefits of a compensator minus the length.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Fair enough. I don't notice a difference.

[@chriswhorror6658]

So it doesn’t make a big difference then? I wanna buy a ported barrel so it can shoot flames. Just so I can show off when me and buddy are drinking beer.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Guns and beer don't go together.

[@chriswhorror6658]

@@AlaskanBallistics drink responsibly.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I do. Not around guns

[@chevyon37s]

Really interesting that the ported barrel other than with the 50gr ammo had a much better standard deviation! Might have to some more testing with that!

[@andrejohnson6101]

I have a hen3 17c with only about 100 rounds through it in about 5 years

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Why so few rounds?

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

It is what it is...

[@scottstewart5784]

They all lost about 7% energy - so is the gain from porting worth the loss in energy? How do you test for that?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Honestly I'm open to suggestions

[@scottstewart5784]

@@AlaskanBallistics I guess the purpose of porting is recoil management - specifically, thwarting barrel flip or rise, for quick follow up shots. Maybe test that proposition. That's always going to be fairly subjective, though. Maybe run each with a camera looking down the site picture as you fire and re-acquire, with the camera fixed and you trying to maintain similar firing positions. That might not be practicable, and I'm probably not describing it well. That's all I got.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Good idea

[@85slauer]

What is the difference in accuracy?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

None for me.

[@chrisgabbert658]

There’s a little velocity loss,did lessen the recoil.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Not enough to matter really

[@darrenakdeacon]

Hey guys, I have a ported 44mag 7-1/2 in barrel super blackhawk if you can find a unported one I would be happy to let you shoot this for comparison. Let me know. Good video i wouldnt mind seeing a ballistics gel and a rapid fire video as well .

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I might have access to one. Email me later @[e-mail]

[@danoneill2846]

No point in porting the G19 is on the edge of good Vel don't mess with it

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Agreed

[@jamespugh]

Dan I agree. I thing only time should be used for hard recoil pistol or revolvers

[@gunlover5147]

Oh hell yeah i will still keep my glock 19c , a 30-40 fps makes no deference when shooting flesh, trust me. It will be the same result getting hit by a bullet going 2060fps and a bullet going 2010 fps

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yep... nothing with those gimmicky civil defense

[@dickeymoore3662]

Why do you say Liberty civil defense ammo is gimmick ammo when all the numbers are better than the other ammos?Thanks

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Because it lacks adequate penetration. Numbers don't kill or put something down. Penetration to the vitals does. 12" in Ballistics gel, which it barely does, isn't enough for actual penetration in a human. You need 18" in gel for 12" in a human. That was the original standards. It won't penetrate to the vitals unless you can get a head shot every time.

[@dickeymoore3662]

@@AlaskanBallistics ok Thanks, more of fragmented

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yeah I've got a video on them

[@dickeymoore3662]

@@AlaskanBallistics do you have a video of the penetration?

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Yep.

[@joneifer8987]

No port. Maybe a comp.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

That's how i feel

[@KingDeuceDroppa]

Less shooting, more jogging.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Injuries. Less a-hole prejudging and more listening.

[@kawikadavid8958]

I don't like ported barrels now.

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I never did in 9mm or .40s&w or 45... breaks on the end are better.