S&W M&P Shield 9mm w/Ported Barrel

[TNman207]

I believe the S&W M&P Shield Performance Center models with the ported barrels are relatively new. There were none listed for sale at Buds Gun-shop, Gun Broker, or Gallery of Guns.  I was wondering if anyone at TGO has any experience with those models. Or, if there are articles out there with information, other than what's on S&W. - Thanks

[zybysco]

I've only held one. Never got to shoot it though. Trigger was like nice. Ever noticed how inconsistent the trigger on S&W's autos are now? Well, it felt like one of the better ones.

[TNMTBik3r]

One of the magazines had a review within the past few weeks. Guns, Guns & Ammo, will try to find it.

 

Looks interesting, but basically only difference is porting and sights if I remember right.

[broox]

I am pretty sure I saw one at the royal range the other day. I have become quite interested in the shield. This model did have the manual safety, which I desire to stay away from.

[nightrunner]

I'm not a fan of ported barrels on defensive or carry guns. It's not like the shield is harsh recoil-wise anyways. I wouldn't mind a non ported shield with the performance center seat though.

[10-Ring]

Personally I have no desire to port a carry gun.  I just wouldn't want it to be any louder than it has to be.

[Sidecarist]

Considering how many defensive situations take place in low light why direct more muzzle flash up into your line of sight? Under stress you won't even notice the recoil but preserving as much of your night vision as possible seems like a good idea. No ports or comps on my EDC guns.

[TNMTBik3r]

It was the January Guns & Ammo magazine, article about this new Shield version. I cannot find a link to the article online though.

[gr8smiles]

Bought one a few weeks ago. Added the red apex trigger and sear. Haven't shot it yet, but plan to this weekend.

[TNman207]

I am pretty sure I saw one at the royal range the other day. I have become quite interested in the shield. This model did have the manual safety, which I desire to stay away from.

I think they have non-ported performance pistols but just not in the Shield.

[TNman207]

Bought one a few weeks ago. Added the red apex trigger and sear. Haven't shot it yet, but plan to this weekend.

Share your thoughts after you visit the range.

[TNman207]

The appeal for me on the port is to improve recovery to the target and supposedly reduced recoil. I saw a video by Sootch (not sure of exact spelling) on YouTube testing the muzzle flash at night. He could not tell and significant difference in the brightness of the flash between the ported on non-ported versions.

[nightrunner]

Muzzle flash is not my concern. Muzzle blast is my issue. If you are shooting from the hip, literally, soon as you clear your holster, rotate up towards the target and fire or firing from a close retention position with someone at arms length to you, muzzle blast is coming at you and not your target, could burn you or your clothing.

[zybysco]

Ported guns don't ruin your night vision. That's been disproven multiple times.

[TNman207]

The muzzle blast issue makes sense to me. I guess that's why it's part of the S&W Performance Center. It was designed more for target shooting than a self defense weapon. Great comments - Thanks all.

[Sidecarist]

Ported guns don't ruin your night vision. That's been disproven multiple times.

I've shot enough compensated/ported guns in low light to have strong feelings about this.

We all have our opinions thank god for that!

[Patton]

I think it is pointless; the Shield is almost a non recoiling gun anyway.

[zybysco]

I think it is pointless; the Shield is almost a non recoiling gun anyway.

For you and me. Some people struggle worth it. It would help them with reliability.

[musicman]

Full disclosure: I'm a huge S&W fanboy. (Shocker!) I have most flavors of M&Ps and 2 Shields already.

This porting and stuff isn't enough to make me buy another. As many have stated, the Shield is already a super soft shooting pistol. I took two first timers shooting last night. Both will be getting Shields soon. Recoil was a non-issue for either him or her.

For folks who haven't already gotten a Shield this may pull a few more buyers off the fence. However, for folks who already have them I don't see that much of a difference to merit another purchase. It's like if the next major redesign of your favorite sports car was to add a spoiler and different wiper blades. Not enough to make it worth a switch.

Ruger just released another striker gun. IMHO it's terrible looking and doesn't seem to offer anything new, but at least they did something altogether new and different. I'm wondering when Smith is going to do something substantially new, vs just offering an ugly carbon fiber frame or porting. :/

The world has enough plastic guns at this point, I'd love to see them do a fully modern steel frame gun of some sort again. I'd pay double plastic gun price for something really nice. Heck. Just re-release the 5906 with some minor refreshing and I'd be on board, lol! Edited December 31, 2015 by musicman

[nightrunner]

@musicman

With S&W teaming up with General Dynamics, they want the new army pistol contract pretty bad. The current M&P doesn't satisfy all the requirements, mostly being caliber agnostic. They would have to redesign the M&P or design something new to compete.

I agree on some new 3rd gen smiths. Heck I'd be happy if they were Performance Center only guns. I read some reports of the late 3rd gen 4506 performance centers out shooting high end custom 1911s , they were no slouches.

[Sidecarist]

Or an alloy framed striker gun with 1911 egos and a spectacular trigger...

How many would buy that?

[nightrunner]

Or an alloy framed striker gun with 1911 egos and a spectacular trigger...

How many would buy that?

Kimber Solo

[Sidecarist]

Almost. I should have specified compact/full size, and available in 40 & 45 too.

The solo is cool, but not for me although it is comparable to the shield in size.

[musicman]

@musicman

With S&W teaming up with General Dynamics, they want the new army pistol contract pretty bad. The current M&P doesn't satisfy all the requirements, mostly being caliber agnostic. They would have to redesign the M&P or design something new to compete.

I agree on some new 3rd gen smiths. Heck I'd be happy if they were Performance Center only guns. I read some reports of the late 3rd gen 4506 performance centers out shooting high end custom 1911s , they were no slouches.

Yea, I know about skunkworks putting together an entry for the army pistol... I'm just afraid it'll be all weird due to the army's demands. I want a nice target pistol (or 5) now. I have defense guns covered, but they generally aren't the best range toys. I want range toys. Currently my EAA Witness Elite Match 10MM is my #1 toy. Thing is a freakin laser beam and makes me, an average shooter, look like a rock star. Entire magazines in a ragged hole at 15 yards make me happy!

I can get close to that with some of my other guns, but it just isn't the same. I want a new Smith that I can do that with.


Sorry, thread drift!

Back to the ported Shield!

Um. It's a Shield. Buy it, everyone! :-)

[NRA]

I sell these as fast as I can get my hands on them. I sold my shield and bought a ported 9mm and love it. The fiber optic sights are excellent.  Trigger and sear work from the performance center is very nice.  The interweb rumors half/truths about being blinded by a ported pistol is a joke.  The 40 ported shield is def a big difference with getting back on target and felt recoil is an improvement. Just my .02 for what its worth.