New M&P Shield Performance Center 9mm

shlike · Dec 19, 2015

Just picked up today from my FFL. Purchased from Grab-A-Gun. This is the new Shield Performance Center. I love my regular Shield which I have had a year now and is one of my favorite carry guns. However when I first saw the new Performance Center version I couldn't resist! The main differences are the ported barrel and slide, fiber-optic sights, and an upgraded trigger. I just took these photos after I finished field stripping, cleaning, and lubing. Initial impressions are:

Fiber-Optic Sights- Will have to report after my first range session with it tomorrow to have an opinion
Ported Slide- Intended to lighten the slide and reduce muzzle flip. The main thing is it looks killer!
Upgraded Trigger- I notice a big difference over my regular Shield. This one is much smoother and at least 50% lighter. It's supposed to be about 4lbs.

As you can see by the photos, the Performance Center Shield has a manual thumb safety. My regular Shield does not (nor do my other carry guns, Glocks and Kahrs). I will have to get used to it. S&W does not as yet offer a NTS version of the Performance Center. My sense is that the manual safety will be a good safety feature in that the trigger pull is so light. The gun comes with a 7-round mag and an extended 8-round mag, same as other Shields do.

I will update this thread after I take it to the range tomorrow and run 100 rounds or so through it. My regular Shield has performed flawlessly after 700-800 rounds, and I have every reason to believe this one will as well.

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This photo shows the Performance Center in the foreground and my regular Shield behind it.

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naturally aspirated · Dec 19, 2015

Nice. I plan to pick one up, if the local shops ever get one in. I've yet to see one in person. How much did you end up paying for it if you don't mind me asking?

roundgunner · Dec 19, 2015

Thinking about getting one myself.

oldfart64 · Dec 20, 2015

shlike said:
Just picked up today from my FFL. Purchased from Grab-A-Gun. This is the new Shield Performance Center. I love my regular Shield which I have had a year now and is one of my favorite carry guns. However when I first saw the new Performance Center version I couldn't resist! The main differences are the ported barrel and slide, fiber-optic sights, and an upgraded trigger. I just took these photos after I finished field stripping, cleaning, and lubing. Initial impressions are:

Fiber-Optic Sights- Will have to report after my first range session with it tomorrow to have an opinion

Ported Slide- Intended to lighten the slide and reduce muzzle flip. The main thing is it looks killer!

Upgraded Trigger- I notice a big difference over my regular Shield. This one is much smoother and at least 50% lighter. It's supposed to be about 4lbs.

As you can see by the photos, the Performance Center Shield has a manual thumb safety. My regular Shield does not (nor do my other carry guns, Glocks and Kahrs). I will have to get used to it. S&W does not as yet offer a NTS version of the Performance Center. My sense is that the manual safety will be a good safety feature in that the trigger pull is so light. The gun comes with a 7-round mag and an extended 8-round mag, same as other Shields do.

I will update this thread after I take it to the range tomorrow and run 100 rounds or so through it. My regular Shield has performed flawlessly after 700-800 rounds, and I have every reason to believe this one will as well.

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This photo shows the Performance Center in the foreground and my regular Shield behind it.

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I am still ticked, I bought my shield apparently just before release of the performance center, I would have 1. been really happy if one of the gun folks at Cabela had taken the time to explain this was coming. I was not in that much of a hurry to buy, 2. Why are sales people so afraid of losing a sale over the small price difference between the perf. center and regular versions that they hide the details of a new and superior pistol and made what would have been an easy sale? Instead they sold me a pistol I like but would have probably been happier with the perf. version. geez

shlike · Dec 20, 2015

naturally aspirated said:
Nice. I plan to pick one up, if the local shops ever get one in. I've yet to see one in person. How much did you end up paying for it if you don't mind me asking?

I paid $443.00 plus $5.99 shipping from Grab-A-Gun. With the $20.00 FFL fee, I was all-in for $469.0. I see as of today Grab-A-Gun has raised the price to $478.00, so I think I got a really good deal.

wesnellans · Dec 20, 2015

oldfart64 said:
I am still ticked, I bought my shield apparently just before release of the performance center, I would have 1. been really happy if one of the gun folks at Cabela had taken the time to explain this was coming. I was not in that much of a hurry to buy, 2. Why are sales people so afraid of losing a sale over the small price difference between the perf. center and regular versions that they hide the details of a new and superior pistol and made what would have been an easy sale? Instead they sold me a pistol I like but would have probably been happier with the perf. version. geez

In no way am I defending someone who didn't share knowledge they might have just to make a sale, but I really suspect the salesperson didn't have a clue this thing was coming out. I follow gun stuff far more closely than a sales counter person at Cabela's is likely to, from what I've seen of gun store employees, anyway, and I was caught flat-footed myself when this thing was announced.

NJEMT911 · Dec 20, 2015

I just got my new ported 9mm shield and the rear sight wasn't tightened at the factory. Anyone else have the same problem? I called S&W and they're sending me a new set screw for it.

BigDog48 · Dec 20, 2015

Great write-up on the Performance Center Shield's in Guns & Ammo new January issue.

Penna Shooter · Dec 20, 2015

Congrats...may be on my radar for a new shooter.

mauser9 · Dec 20, 2015

Anxious to hear range report. Wonder how many will like the Hi-Viz sights? Read a review in Guns and Ammo recently. Nice the trigger feels even better. Price sounds decent.

shlike · Jan 1, 2016

shlike said:
Just picked up today from my FFL. Purchased from Grab-A-Gun. This is the new Shield Performance Center. I love my regular Shield which I have had a year now and is one of my favorite carry guns. However when I first saw the new Performance Center version I couldn't resist! The main differences are the ported barrel and slide, fiber-optic sights, and an upgraded trigger. I just took these photos after I finished field stripping, cleaning, and lubing. Initial impressions are:

Fiber-Optic Sights- Will have to report after my first range session with it tomorrow to have an opinion

Ported Slide- Intended to lighten the slide and reduce muzzle flip. The main thing is it looks killer!

Upgraded Trigger- I notice a big difference over my regular Shield. This one is much smoother and at least 50% lighter. It's supposed to be about 4lbs.

As you can see by the photos, the Performance Center Shield has a manual thumb safety. My regular Shield does not (nor do my other carry guns, Glocks and Kahrs). I will have to get used to it. S&W does not as yet offer a NTS version of the Performance Center. My sense is that the manual safety will be a good safety feature in that the trigger pull is so light. The gun comes with a 7-round mag and an extended 8-round mag, same as other Shields do.

I will update this thread after I take it to the range tomorrow and run 100 rounds or so through it. My regular Shield has performed flawlessly after 700-800 rounds, and I have every reason to believe this one will as well.

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This photo shows the Performance Center in the foreground and my regular Shield behind it.

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UPDATE!! RANGE REPORT!!

I am the OP. Just wanted to update my OP with some shooting impressions after my first range session with this gun. First, a number of you have asked about potential increased muzzle flash with the ported barrel/slide. To be honest, I noticed very little difference between this gun and my regular Shield. The muzzle flash appears in a "V" pattern, leaving the front sight unobstructed by flash. The indoor range I go to is a low-light environment, and I have to say that increased muzzle flash is simply not an issue with this gun. The regular Shield doesn't have much muzzle flip to begin with, and this Performance Center version has even less, making follow-up shots even easier. Regarding the upgraded trigger of the Performance Center, this is the single biggest improvement over the regular Shield. The take-up is very smooth, the break is crisp and about 40% lighter than the regular Shield, and the reset is short, has good tactile feel, and is audible. The fiber-optic sights really don't help much in a low-light environment, so this gun may get Trijicon tritium night sights in the future.

I ran about 100 rounds through the gun, a combination of Freedom Munitions 124gr. FMJ range ammo, and Hornady Critical Defense carry/defensive ammo. My general impressions are that the Performance Center Shield is a smoother, more rewarding gun to shoot than the regular Shield, and it looks really cool. However the regular Shield is a very good gun to begin with. I am pleased with this gun. It's a keeper!

okiegtrider · Jan 1, 2016

Nice write up and update on your PC Shield. I've been reading everything I can find on these little guns lately. Got the chance to shoot one a little a couple weeks ago. (not a PC gun)

I really got it bad to have one of these of my own.

Thanks for sharing.

Sentinel72 · Jan 8, 2016

Good write up! I am thinking of swapping out my XDS .45 (3.3) for one of these.

How dirty does that ported barrel make the inside after 100 rounds or so vs. a "normal" automatic?

Thanx
Chris

S&WForty · Jan 8, 2016

Will this new version fit in holsters made for the original Shield?

As good as the original Shield trigger was compared to other M&Ps, it's very interesting they improved it further. I'm 100% pleased with my Shield's trigger, but I'd be willing to give the new one a chance.

shlike · Jan 8, 2016

Sentinel72 said:
Good write up! I am thinking of swapping out my XDS .45 (3.3) for one of these.

How dirty does that ported barrel make the inside after 100 rounds or so vs. a "normal" automatic?

Thanx
Chris

I don't notice much of a difference at all between the PC and my regular Shield in that regard. The inside of the slide may get a tad more carbon with the ported barrel, but it wipes right out. I clean my guns after every range trip so they really never get very dirty.

shlike · Jan 8, 2016

S&WForty said:
Will this new version fit in holsters made for the original Shield?

As good as the original Shield trigger was compared to other M&Ps, it's very interesting they improved it further. I'm 100% pleased with my Shield's trigger, but I'd be willing to give the new one a chance.

Yes, the PC Shield uses the same holsters as the regular Shield. There is no dimensional difference between them. The fiber-optic sights may stick up a tiny bit more than the stock sights, but in most holsters the sight channel is made large enough to accommodate a variety of aftermarket sights.

The regular Shield trigger is good, but the PC trigger is really sweet! Very light, crisp break and tactile, audible, and short reset.

Ranger17 · Jan 8, 2016

OP, just curious, as I am pondering adding a Shield to go along with my compact and FS 9's: sounds like the PC version is maybe 'smoother' to shoot compared to the std Shield.
Have you noticed any legit differences in accuracy between the 2, or does that remain about the same and it's more about the different feel between the 2 more than anything else?

thx!

S&WForty · Jan 8, 2016

That's great to know. I'm headed to a LGS tomorrow for yet another holster. I'll see if they have a PC model. I'd love to dry fire the trigger. Thanks for the quick feedback, shlike!

gmatney · Jan 8, 2016

M&P Performance Center Shield Impressions

I recently purchased the Performance Center Shield from a regional farm & ranch store. They only had one and had a 10%
off special going on for the Christmas holidays,so I paid $450
for it. I've put 50-60 rounds through it with FMJ and hollowpoints
with no hiccups. I really like the trigger and the fiber optic sights. I have'nt found a suitable OWB belt holster.Any advice is appreciated regarding holsters. I don"t think the PCS can be beat for concealed carry,especially for the price!

Smitty357 · Jan 8, 2016

I'll keep my original Shield .40 with the extra factory 9mm barrel. I dont think we'd be able to put our hands on an extra barrels for the PC. Now that s&w has caught onto the conversion.

New M&P Shield Performance Center 9mm

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