My $.02.------ Why is a ported weapon ported ?? Rifle = to cut down on muzz. rise and to reduce recoil. Pistol = 'bout the same. If you feel that you need a ported weapon,maybe you need to step down a level or two in power.I have a few students that come through my course with a ported weapon. During our night firing exercise, even the quiet,shy type,usually come out with something like, "HOLY _hit" !! I had one little Asian girl come out with a very loud "MF" !! (Much to her OWN amazement) We always shoot a half hour after sunset so it's not completely dark yet. To me it's equivelent to a darkened house with one or two night lights on. Not only can you see how the blast light's up everything but you can plainly see where the blast is directed. This drill makes the students aware of the burning gases that are expelled from a firearm. I reccommend to the students NOT to carry a ported weapon for CC. Although I'm no authority on the topic. I tell them that if you feel that you need a ported weapon --- maybe all you need to do is step down a notch in power. To shoot well all they have to do is say, step down to a mild .38 special load vs. a +P load. In 9mm some of the subsonic loads are great for the step down.(as long as they will cycle the pistol which most of them do) Allot of times the student can keep shootin' the same caliber,just switch to different ergonomics of weapon. I'm a big believer in,carry what you can shoot well. Any CCW is a hellovah lot better than no CCW.--------