Hi, I'm new to this forum and my first post.

I did a quick search and didn't find anything, if I missed it, a link to the thread would be great.

I will soon be getting an M&P 9mm either pro series CORE, or a Performance center ported. Both are milled for optics, but the differences are not very clear on the S&W site. From looking at pics and reading what is available, I think, different barrel (but maybe just different finishes) and better (more "enhanced") trigger on the Performance center. CORE says smoother trigger pull or enhanced trigger pull (depending on 4.25" or 5", and Ported says enhanced trigger, The S&W site says the "Pro series" from the Performance Center, fills the gap between the standard and the Performance Center...but what does that mean.

Any knowledge or recommendations would be appreciated.

After posting this, I saw the "similar threads" below not much there for advice to my situation, but also they are older posts....maybe someone knows more now?

Performance Center has a polished barrel, not black finished

Also more polishing on trigger components. They claim the
Pro Series trigger gets PC work, but I had to send mine back
in. It was worse then my standard FS M&P9.

PC gun is also Ported, reducing recoil, and it looks good too.

If your spending more then $429, get the Performance Center gun.

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Colt LE6920 M4
Sig P320

Thanks, I was thinking the price difference is only about $50, between the 2 so probably makes sense, but then I'm asking why do they offer both. And maybe if the difference is just the trigger, am I better of withe the Pro and an aftermarket trigger? Probably will go for the PC.

The Pro Series is the next level for the basic M&P like an entry level for competition, it comes with Novak sights. The PC is on top of the line and it is supposed to have the best trigger of all very close to apex triggers.

I recently bought a pro series, honestly not impressed with it, the trigger wasn't any different than any other regular M&P (7lb) trigger pull. I had to put an apex fss kit to make it good (4lb). I wish I had bought the PC instead.

If you want to install a red dot optic, get the core or the PC, if not save the $$ get a regular M&P FS9 or the pro and install the apex kit, did I mention the pro comes with novak sights, don't like them either.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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M&P 9, Shield9.

No, as Shield9mm said above, the Pro Series trigger is no better
then a standard M&P. He bought his Pro from me AFTER I sent
it back to S&W for trigger work.

If you don't get the Performance Center, you'll be disappointed.
There is no better deal if you want to run an optic.

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Colt LE6920 M4
Sig P320

I'm getting old, the optic is what sent me down this road to begin with. At 50 feet I can barely see the target at all, without my glasses, and with my glasses, I can't see the front sight.

Yep, me too. I got the PC 9L Ported. Mainly because that's the gun they had in stock. I like it so far. Definitely a learning curve with this red dot.

I'm a great fan of the Pro series guns because they usually come set up for my intended "stock" competitions, and have some different parts than base stock, usually from the PC parts bins.
For example my M&P Pro 5" came with novak FO sights and the PC sear, just right for IDPA/SSP or USPSA/Production.


However, they do NOT get the hand fitting and polishing like the PC guns. So while both my Pros have about 4 1/2# smooth triggers after a bit of polishing and breaking in, they did not come that way out of the box. Some people freak needlessly when they expect that.


Bottom line, I agree with the above posters that your best bet for the optics is to spend the extra $ and get the PC version. I do not agree that the Pros are "just the same as regular" or " a waste of money"; they just don't come with the action polished.

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Science plus Art

No experience here with optics yet. But the research tells me, Just keep looking for the front sight as always, and the red dot will be right there. LOL sounds easy enough.

My pro series was light years better than a regular M&P. Unless they changed something since I bought mine brand new a few years ago.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I've said it before. My pro series trigger on my FS is much better than my buddies regular MP. It's always had a crisp and clean break but was a bit gritty when new. It did smooth out nicely after a few hundred rounds. Certainly not a competition trigger, but pretty good for a relitivily cheap plastic gun and better than many in its class. My standard shield trigger is ok. Not too gritty, still has a nice clean break, and a much better reset, but is significantly heavier than my FS pro version. Regardless. If it's not good for you, improvements are fairly cheap and easily obtained.