Wife just bought me this pistol as a gift. I was wanting the 5 inch ported model but she got me the 4.25 instead. I have read a ton of positive reviews of the 5 inch model but haven't found much concerning the 4.25. So if anyone knows....I am curious about a few things.

How much velocity loss (approximately) will there be between the 5 and 4.25?

Using good electronic optics is there any difference in accuracy?

And finally how much difference in recoil and follow up shots will there be?

Thanks for any information provided!

Slight velocity difference, longer sight radius, but optic wise
I wouldn't think any accuracy difference.

I have the 5" and love it. Wouldn't think there would be much difference in any. Mine came from S&W set up perfect. Not sure if you have shot it yet...If not, Your going to love the sights. That's how I shoot mine... No optics. But I don't shoot competition. so I'm going to keep mine just the way it is. The only down fall is the ported barrel exhaust dirty ups the front sight, So take a rag to give it a wipe down after a couple mags. It also eats just about any ammo you feed it! Congratulations on you new gun and have fun!!

I have both the 4.25 and 5" Pros (unported) and am familiar with the ported ones.
The 4.25" needs another 0.1 grain of Titegroup to match the 5" MV on mine.
The factory ports don't do much to reduce muzzle flip with standard (minor power) ammunition anyway, compared to using a threaded barrel and a real compensator. If you are going to shoot USPSA Open Division, you are allowed to use 9mm Major Power ammunition, which makes a compensator more relevant, but major power ammunition tears up the gun (lots of breakage).

That depends more on the shooter than the small effect of the ports with minor power 9mm ammunition. Any good competitor can shoot .25 sec double taps with an unported 9mm. An untrained shooter that does not properly control the gun probably can't hit anything trying double taps.


If you are not going to shoot competition, just put your optic on it and have fun!!

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Science plus Art

"I have both the 4.25 and 5" Pros (unported) and am familiar with the ported ones.
The 4.25" needs another 0.1 grain of Titegroup to match the 5" MV on mine."

Do you chronograph your loads? I am curious as to the actual velocity difference between your 4.25 and 5 inch barrels.

Thanks!

Avg 988 in 4.25 versus Avg 1027 in 5" . (10 shot avg)
Please understand this is for 4.0gr Titegroup under Precision Delta 124r FMJ 9mm in these two barrels (4.25 almost new and 5" 30K+ rounds), and should not be extrapolated or considered typical of any other barrels or ammunition.

That's why I have and use a chronograph; published data seldom matches my results.

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Science plus Art

Thanks so much for the information!