I was a bad boy and shot the 9mm Shield. Why is that bad? Well, I am getting ready to pick up either a 442 or 642 (cannot decide on matte or stainless). And now that I shot the shield, I want that too.
So, my question is, is the ported M&P model worth the extra cash over the std 9mm Shield? Yes, it's only about $65.00 more. But keep in mind, I am picking up the revolver as well. I know. It's only money.
Thoughts? Besides "Why did I think I wasn't going to want the Shield once I shot it?"

Thanks in advance.

Shields are great little guns. With the 3" barrel its my opinion you'll notice virtually no difference in the ported versus non-ported one. I've shot both and currently have, carry, and shoot the standard version.

I don't think the ported barrel/slide do much performance wise. I've read that the pc shield has better trigger, that's where the money is.


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M&P 9, Shield9.

Watch the hickock45 review on youtube.

A quick search on slickguns.com found the cheapest price for a standard Shield 9mm to be $319, and the PC model to be $439. For that $120 difference you could buy an Apex duty/carry trigger kit for under $100 and spend the difference on picking up a spare mag. I guess if you really want fiber optic sights on your gun the PC might be a better "value", but I personally dislike ported pistols for carry because you never know exactly what position you may find yourself in, just think about a situation where you have someone trying to force their way into the passenger side of your car while a loved one is in the passenger seat, now you are guaranteed to be burning their face with hot gases if you have to pull the trigger.

Also, once you get used to it the standard Shield trigger is not bad at all. They were definitely an improvement over that garbage S&W put in the original M&P pistols. My current Shield has the factory trigger in it and I have no plans to change it out.

Of course this is all just my $0.02 and YMMV.

Well, that was easy and informative. My local shop has the std for $390 and the ported for about $450. From all of your info, I am going with the std model. Thank you all for the info. Greatly appreciated.

To my way of thinking the ported version is nothing more than a gimmick. Don't think it has any practical application of any significance but do know from others who got one, that it crudes up you slide a lot more. The Shield 9's recoil was very light to start with IMO.

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Hipcocked45

Agree 100%. I was offered a ported Shield in an Armslist trade recently (for an Airweight,coincidentally), but after looking up further info on them, I decided that the "improvements" were either insignificant, or outright detrimental, and I passed.
I particularly didn't like the roughly 50-FPS of velocity that is lost with the ported barrel, 50-FPS that this round through a 2+ inch barrel doesn't have to spare.
The entire concept was stupid, and I agree that "gimmick" is about the perfect word here.

Oh my God! Now I have a Shield STD, what am I going to tell my wife?

Ok, bad joke. I too have the standard model. Love it and wouldn't trade it for the ported even with $50 boot. At a $100, I might, but I would sell the ported, and buy another standard, LOL.

I have the Ported model. I Love it but will probably buy a barrel soon to replace the ported barrel that is in it now. Why did I buy the Ported? I wasn't even looking at or for a Shield. No interest, but my LGS brought it out to show it to me (do a lot of business with him) and I liked the looks of it so much I bought it. No regrets though, still like the looks and the trigger is good also plus it had the safety I prefer.
You will Love you're STD Model. Congratulations on picking it up.

Okay. So, the std model it is. Now I just have to decide on the 642 or the 442. Thank you all again. The input is greatly appreciated

Let us know if you find Shield barrels for sale. I haven't been able to locate any.

If you plan on doing any defensive shooting contact drills, you may consider the standard model over the ported model. I've conducted contact drills with ported handguns and gas blowing under my safety glasses was a distraction. Enough gas blown under your glasses could be more than a distraction. If you decide to go with the ported Shield, take this in consideration.


You can't go wrong with your other purchase. I've fired tens of thousands of rounds through J Frames over the past 38 years and I love 'em. I currently own three J Frames that see a lot of use (and abuse).

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Train to win

Hey all. Thank you again for all the info. I am going to pick up my 642 on Tuesday. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning again!! Next on my list is the Shield 9mm std. Have to wait at least 30 days to get it. However, I am sooooo looking forward to it.
The input from all of you was great and greatly appreciated. Always good to reach out to people with more knowledge and experience than I.