Fusion Firearms x Tampa Gunworks: Porting, Performance, and Pushing Boundaries
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At Fusion Firearms, we’re always looking for ways to innovate while staying true to our roots in precision craftsmanship. Recently, Bob Serva sat down with Pedro from Tampa Gunworks, a shop specializing in barrel porting, to put our XF and XP pistols through their paces with both factory and custom porting solutions. The results? Eye-opening.
Porting vs. Compensators: Real-World Testing
Traditionally, Bob wasn’t a big believer in barrel porting. Many early ported pistols didn’t impress, often sacrificing reliability for marginal gains. Compensators, on the other hand, always had their place. But after sending barrels from our XF and XP pistols to Pedro for his inline “six-pack” porting treatment, Bob admitted: “This is the first time in my life that I’d own a ported pistol.”
Pedro explained why. Porting isn’t just drilling holes—it requires tuning the firearm to account for changes in recoil impulse and slide dynamics. Done right, it flattens recoil, improves shot-to-shot recovery, and maintains reliability.
Factory Drop-In vs. Custom Inline Ports
Fusion Firearms recently introduced drop-in ported barrels for the XP and XF series. These factory options are affordable, easy to install, and maintain warranty coverage. At around the $200 price point, they give shooters a reliable way to experience the benefits of porting without sending their pistol out for custom work.
Pedro’s inline six-port configuration, by comparison, delivered even faster return-to-zero and an ultra-flat shooting experience—though with more noise and blast. Both options impressed on the range, with Pedro himself saying, “For a drop-in barrel, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Why Platform Matters: Striker-Fired vs. Wide-Body 1911
During testing, the conversation turned to platform preferences. Bob, a lifelong 1911/2011 shooter, admitted he still struggles with striker-fired triggers, while others on the range preferred them. Pedro pointed out the cost barrier that has traditionally kept many shooters out of the 2011 space—something Fusion is working hard to change.
With the XP Pro and XF Pro, Fusion delivers the ergonomics and performance of high-end wide-body pistols at a price point accessible to everyday shooters. As Pedro put it, “You’re breaking the stigma. A sub-$1,500 gun that performs like a 2011, but with Glock reliability—that’s a big deal.”
Shared Values: Affordability, Innovation, and Customer Focus
Both Fusion Firearms and Tampa Gunworks share a commitment to doing right by the customer. As family-run businesses, we understand the importance of balancing affordability with performance. That’s why partnerships like this matter—combining our engineering experience with Pedro’s porting expertise ensures shooters get the best possible products without breaking the bank.
The XF Pro: Metal Frame, Ported Precision
The live-fire testing also highlighted the XF Pro, Fusion’s aluminum-framed striker-fired pistol. Even in its standard form, shooters described it as softer and flatter than a Glock. Add porting, and it becomes one of the flattest-shooting striker-fired pistols available today. As one range tester put it: “The dot never leaves the window.”
Final Thoughts
Porting may not be new, but when done right—and paired with platforms like the XP and XF—it transforms the shooting experience. Fusion Firearms is proud to collaborate with experts like Tampa Gunworks to refine these options and bring real performance upgrades to the shooting community.
Whether you’re looking for a drop-in factory ported barrel or exploring custom inline porting, Fusion is committed to making innovation accessible, reliable, and built around shooter feedback.
Stay tuned for more developments as we continue to expand the XP and XF lineup—and bring you the flattest, most shootable pistols in their class.
