Shield Plus 3.1 PC- Fiber Optic Review

DaSvenska · #1 08-15-2023, 05:32 PM

All, I own a Shield Plus PC 3.1 9MM. I have +/- 250 thru it and enjoy its operation. It went back to S&W for a Fail to Eject issue after about 150 rounds of which they duplicated. They polished the barrel and feed ramp (what they said and which I could see), it has been good since with another 100 rounds of WWB Nato 124 FMJ thru it which is my go to range ammo. My issue is the FO sights. I feel they are hard to acquire in the daytime and was wondering if others with this same platform have noticed the same issue. If you have noticed the same, did you change your sights and if so, what sights were your go to sights. This is a great CC gun. I don't have a problem looking at something worthy of sitting on this platform. Own a 3914 and it sits waiting on someone to go on Injured Reserve as it is a true player. Seen a few posts with issues of the FO sights, but not many. If you have experience with this issue. please chime in. Thanks,

hardluk1 · #2 08-16-2023, 06:58 AM

Sights and what folks like best can like find the best holster or maybe that darn needle in a hay stack !!

You have a defensive handgun and you should be focused down range only glanceing at or across sights . Now I do have one m&p 5"with fiber optic sights , green front and red rears . I black out the red rears . For checks how well it can groups is about the only time I use anything close to a sight focus and still prefer a black rear and skinny gold bead front like on my 1911 primary carry but when eye sights was better black sights were find for targets or hunting .

may newer shooters today want the laters nigh sights wioth color rings or fiber/tritium or ?????

I was taught a defensive "sighting " style known as Flash Sight Picture some 38 years ago at a IPSC match but also taught way back by Jeff Cooper's instructors at gunsite some 36 years ago .

DaSvenska · #3 08-16-2023, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardluk1

Sights and what folks like best can like find the best holster or maybe that darn needle in a hay stack !!

You have a defensive handgun and you should be focused down range only glanceing at or across sights . Now I do have one m&p 5"with fiber optic sights , green front and red rears . I black out the red rears . For checks how well it can groups is about the only time I use anything close to a sight focus and still prefer a black rear and skinny gold bead front like on my 1911 primary carry but when eye sights was better black sights were find for targets or hunting .

may newer shooters today want the laters nigh sights wioth color rings or fiber/tritium or ?????

I was taught a defensive "sighting " style known as Flash Sight Picture some 38 years ago at a IPSC match but also taught way back by Jeff Cooper's instructors at gunsite some 36 years ago .

Good info, appreciate the reply.

USMCshooter · #4 08-16-2023, 11:58 AM

My FO sights work great ONLY in direct sunlight. If in shade or indoors, they're just regular sights.

hardluk1 · #5 08-17-2023, 05:28 AM

Hey even night sights have limited use when you have to see the target !. Dusky dark conditions NS's work well but again you better not be focusing on the sights . Once ether hand held light or a gun light is needed the sight type on your handgun does not matter as you can see the outline of your sights very clearly even in your peripheral vision .

Heres something to test your skills with at home with your handgun EMPTY Of Course in your house point your handgun at a door , maybe one with panels embossed in it Or with a sheet of legal paper tapped to it and note how your slide width covers areas or a torso target at different distances you may find depending on the handgun you can at the range control elevation and still be able to hit center of mass at 25 yards and shot well enough to pass most LE or FBI quals . You might even place a small piece of electrical tape so it covers the rear sight gap and white front dot and try shooting with limited sight alingment . Now you can decide how important sights type really is .

Video to watch -
Shooting a handgun with no sights - Bing video

shipwreck · #6 08-19-2023, 06:36 PM

See, I love the red/green fiber optics on the Performance Center guns. I have both a 3.1" and a 4" Performance Center Shield Plus.

I even got the same color fiber optic sights installed on my Beretta M9A3.

I shoot these guns better, because it is easier to see the dots with the bright fiber optic colors.

So, I suppose it can all be personal preference.

hardluk1 · #7 08-21-2023, 06:56 AM

Totally a personal preference as to what sights work well for each of us .

gunny4053 · #8 09-12-2023, 01:53 AM

You can change sights, but one really inexpensive option is to change the light pipe. My PC Shield .45 4" has the FO sights, and the front was hard to pick up. I have some extra light pipes, so I heated one end, allowing it to flare making the end a bit larger. Once I insert the pipe in the front sight frame, I cut it to length leaving a little extra on the front end. When I melt the font end, the extra creates a larger ball that helps collect more light. With the larger front and back end, I have a larger dot that's more visible making it easier to pick up. If you go this route, You can pick up several in different colors to tailor the sights to your liking.