My Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh has a ported six-inch barrel. I've been considering either replacing the barrel with a 7.5-inch non-ported barrel (about $400.00) or having Freedom chop (about $200.00) it to their short barrel to eliminate ports.

Regardless whether ports are present, I will not shoot the revolver without ear protection. I have in-ear protectors. So noise "reduction" is not a factor. And regardless what I do, anything more than modest loads are on the edge of too much.

I don't care for slots in the barrel, but I understand that this is an expensive cosmetic problem to fix. And were cosmetic surgery to be done, I cannot confirm I'll appreciate the change more than I do the original. My head shrieks, "Don't waste my time."

The revolver is not a primary hunting gun. It is a carrying while wandering/hunting gun. This change occurred when I detected my second grizzly this year -- ever!! -- without bars between us. I thought about some sort of cattle prod, but decided on the Model 83.

While I doubt there's a right answer to my question, there are probably rational reasons for making a decision. I'm stuck.

If it is a back-up gun as you have indicated, then I would shorten the current barrel over rebarreling to a 7.5-inch unit. It will make it more packable that is for sure. JMHO.

If you really can't live with the ports, then cut the barrel down and make it a back-up revolver. 400 grain or so cast bullets will work real well in that package.

I have a non ported FA in 475. I like it a lot.
I find it a good compromise between a full time hunting revolver, and an easy to pack revolver.
For me it is the perfect 475.


So,I have a few questions

First,What kind of ports are they, and what is it you do not like about the ports?

How short would the barrel be if you cut of the ports?

Have you thought about rebarreling with a non ported 6" barrel.

What is your standard hunting load, and your standard carrying load?

The ports are factory made -- I think Mag-Na-Port. With a ruler, the ports appear to end one inch from the muzzle. Mr. Baker told me FA would cut the barrel to their next smaller length which is 4-5/8 or 4-3/4 inches. I didn't ask him about cutting to a non-standard five inches.

Theoretically, the ports make little real difference? The 475/480s are loud and have heavy recoil. Nothing can be done if I want the potency of such a revolver. They look like . . . well, they look unattractive.

The cost of rebarrelling to any length shorter than 10 or 10-1/2 inches is the same, about $400.00 plus shipping. I hadn't considered rebarrelling with another six-inch barrel.
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A question popped into my head that is off topic. Why are field grade M83s a little longer and a little heavier than the same barrel configuration in a premier grade?

They aren't longer, except as the Pachmayr grip sticks out the tiniest bit more, in going around the backstrap. They're heavier because the Pachmayr grip weighs more than the micarta or laminated hardwood.
In an iron sighted .475, I consider the 6" length perfect. That's a personal thing of course, but I wouldn't shorten it. I, too, prefer those iron sighted guns unported. My 6" .500 WE's are unported as is my 6" iron sighted .454; but my 6" octagon .475 is ported, because that's the way it was when I got it...I didn't order it that way. In my case, I live with it and don't regard the ports as a problem. I certainly wouldn't spend $200-450 to eliminate the ports (don't forget you've got to ship it there). On the other hand, my scoped FA .454 and .475's are longer barreled and Magnaported (as are several of my Contenders) , and I've been happy with that set-up.
I think that the bottom line is that no one can tell you what you should do. Rather, we can just offer up our opinions and preferences.