Performance Center 952-2 longslide vs Performance Center PPC9 6"

Last weekend, I decided to do an extensive accuracy comparison between what I believe to be the two most accurate 9mms ever built by Smith & Wesson and certainly two of the most accurate pistols in the world. These two thoroughbred 9mms were largely hand built by Performance Center smiths at the top of their game. I’ll list some statistics and differences, but the comparison is strictly performance-based.

First we have the 5906 PPC with the 6" barrel. These pistols have a near legendary reputation for accuracy. They were only sold to law enforcement back in the day and S&W didn’t make a whole lot of them, so they aren’t nearly as well known as some other less capable target pistols. The PPC9 is based on the 3rd gen 5906, but its similarity stops with the frame and the name. The SAO trigger system and the Briley bushing are two things that really help accuracy. The tight hand fitting and high performance barrel also help. This turns the rather mediocre accuracy of the 5906 into a true world-beater.

The 952 is sort of a single stack civilian version of the great PPC9. As its name would signify, the 952 is also based a great deal on the old 52 bullseye pistol from years back. Like the PPC9, the 952 was also offered in the longslide 6" format. Unlike the PPC9, most of the 952 pistols had a grip safety. I also feel the 952 is a nicer looking handgun, as S&W put more emphasis on the gun’s appearance.

The SAO trigger system in the two pistols is identical. Even the weight of the trigger feels basically the same. The PPC utilizes checkering for the front strap, while the 952's front strap is serrated. The biggest difference between the guns is obviously the width of the grip frame, with the double stack PPC9 being considerably wider. Both guns are heavy weights, which I love. The PPC9 weighs in at 45.6oz empty, while the 952 comes in a little less at 41.0oz empty. Both guns have great target sights. The 952 uses Wilson Combat, while the PPC uses the more fancy Aristocrat sights for competition.

Now for some pics...


















Now for some targets...

All groups were shot resting on a block rest. I still need to get some sand bags, but these work ok for what I do.

Distance was 35 feet, unless otherwise noted. All groups were 5-shot.


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These three were shot at 25 yards.



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These three were shot at 25 yards


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35 foot results

PPC9 = .93 inch average
952-2 = 1.22 inch average



In all fairness, I tossed out the 25 yard comparison for a couple of reasons. First, it was a very small sample size of three groups each. Secondly, I have a hard time seeing that far through the sights and putting each shot at the exact same place, even with a rest. A ransom rest is clearly needed for that distance and it would also improve accuracy at the shorter distance. The key to testing accuracy is to remove all other factors, including human error. I would fully expect a ransom to produce better groups at 25 yards than what I was able to do at 35 feet using blocks. Having said all that, the sample size for the 35 foot shooting was fairly extensive at roughly 15 groups each. As you can see, I was clearly able to group the PPC9 a bit better.

Does this make the PPC9 a more accurate firearm? Possibly. I do remember shooting the 952 a little better in the past, so I probably didn’t have my best day. Of course, that may also mean I didn’t shoot the PPC9 as well as I could have either.

Looking back at all my accuracy testing that I’ve done this year, and I’ve determined that the PPC9 produced the best results thus far. In terms of accuracy in my hands, it has bested my Pardini GT9, Sig X-Five, Hi Power Competition, Sphinx Competitor, CZ 75 Champion and Tactical Sport, Smith & Wesson 52, Performance Center 952-1, 952-1, 845, and 945, MAB PAPF1, Bernardelli Practical VB, two Delta Top Guns, Ultramatic SV, and LV, HK P9S Sport, Benelli MP3S, and Walther P88 Competition, Korriphila HSP701, and a few high end 1911s.

I haven’t tested a Sig P210 yet, but I plan on making a huge epic thread just on those guns in the near future. I’ll take all of mine to the range at the same time and test only them. In addition to those, I have a few other target pistols to test as well.

Whether the Sig P210 can match this juggernaut of a pistol, I have no idea. All I know is that the Smith & Wesson PPC9 is an absolutely phenomenal performer. As unscientific as this test was, I can certainly determine that much.

Hope you enjoyed the read. Thanks

As soon as I learned you have both a 952 AND a PPC9, it was hard for me to concentrate as I read the rest of the post.

I would love to HELP with the testing.

A few thoughts:

I'm not sure that a Ransom Rest is the true answer that often folks think that it is. The first reason is that it's my understanding that it requires the ability to "lock" the handgun in place and I believe it does this with some part having to do with the grips - or removing of the grips, or...? A 3rd Gen like the PPC9 obviously complicates this it's (ack, at risk of offending the audience) achilles heel of the one-piece Delrin grip.

Also, it seems to me as well that a device like a ransom rest just isn't human hands. I am not saying it CAN'T be better -- I am saying "boy, I don't know..." I think it's genuinely possible that two guns pitted against each other may be a 50/50 split between machine rest vs. skilled marksman. But really, I don't know.

The other point is that ammo is just ALWAYS going to have a say as well, and if someone wanted the final word between these two, I think the showdown would only come after six months of load development dedicated to each pistol!

Lastly... I would also submit that if you pitted your 6" 952 against your 6" PPC9 and you could find a clear winner, I bet you couldn't if you had 2 or 3 or 5 of each pistol.

I suppose my conclusion is that some races are far too close to call and perhaps like a Game 7 between the two best in the league, there's no telling how it might turn out if they kept re-playing the same game every 3 days. We might never see one beat the other decidedly. Like flipping a coin a thousand times. You may flip "tails" 575 times but it may not be an accurate assumption to say that THAT coin has a tendency to flip "tails."

Gorgeous handguns.

results be damned....I just enjoyed the pics and story ....thanks

I have a 952-2 and it definitely has load preferences. Just saying

actionpistol said:

I have a 952-2 and it definitely has load preferences. Just saying

Click to expand...

True

You can say that about any pistol, especially precision target guns. This test is just a snapshot. On this day, the PPC shot better for me with the ammo at hand. Nothing more, nothing less...

Goblin said:

As soon as I learned you have both a 952 AND a PPC9, it was hard for me to concentrate as I read the rest of the post.

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Glad you like them. I've got two of each. I've got the 5" models as well.

They are great pistols.

bc1023 said:

True

You can say that about any pistol, especially precision target guns. This test is just a snapshot. On this day, the PPC shot better for me with the ammo at hand. Nothing more, nothing less...

Click to expand...

Not a put down just a side note. I love mine and kick myself for not buying a ppc when I had the chance.

The Ransom Rest brings the frame back to the same place every time. The slide and barrel have to return to the same place on the frame after each shot to be able to use the rest for accuracy testing. As long as the barrel and slide return to each other after each shot then accuracy potential is better when holding the gun in your hands. This is why, when accurizing a semi-auto pistol, barrel lock up in the slide is more important than slide to frame fit. Revolvers do not have this problem as the barrel and sights are always in the same place.

"Also, it seems to me as well that a device like a ransom rest just isn't human hands. I am not saying it CAN'T be better -- I am saying "boy, I don't know..."

THE ABOVE WAS WELL SAID. EVEN THE RANSOM REST COMPANY DOES NOT TELL YOU IT WILL SHOW YOU THE BEST IT WILL SHOOT. THEY STATE IT WILL SHOW YOU THE WORST IT WILL SHOOT. (OR A LEAST IT USED TO SAY THAT). SHOOTING A LOT OF PPC YEARS AGO WITH PPC9's I HAD OCCASION THE RANSOM REST SEVERAL. I FOUND THAT THE 5" PPC'S OUT SHOT THE 6" FROM THE RANSOM REST. WHY? I HAVE NO IDEA. I HAVE SHOT A 952 FROM THE REST ALSO. THE PPC9'S ALL SHOT BETTER THAT THE 952. AGAIN WHY? NO IDEA. YES , YES, ALL TYPES OF 50YDS MATCH AMMO WAS USED. JP

Worthless threads like this one really aggravate me.

Just a few weeks ago I was plumb happy, I owned all the pistols I wanted, there were none that I wanted to buy, I was a totally satisfied man. Then I read your thread and my life has changed.

Now I am searching for a 952, like anything the hunt is many times better than the catch.

If I buy one then starts another quest to find out what load she will like best and it all starts over again.

Thanks for sharing!

Bah, simple to find. SIMPLE. One-stop shopping, takes less than a minute.

I have a few 952s and resisted buying a long slide because I didn't think anything could be more accurate. I eventually came across a deal on a long slide I couldn't pass up. First time to the range I was disappointed, it wasn't even as good as the 5" versions. Long story short, it does have a slightly different balance so you don't just pick it up and shoot it the same. I eventually got it to where it is as good as the 5" model but no better. It does tend to like the warmer rounds but so do most 952s. I enjoy it and glad I bought it but I wouldn't go looking for another.

jag22 said:

I have a few 952s and resisted buying a long slide because I didn't think anything could be more accurate. I eventually came across a deal on a long slide I couldn't pass up. First time to the range I was disappointed, it wasn't even as good as the 5" versions. Long story short, it does have a slightly different balance so you don't just pick it up and shoot it the same. I eventually got it to where it is as good as the 5" model but no better. It does tend to like the warmer rounds but so do most 952s. I enjoy it and glad I bought it but I wouldn't go looking for another.

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Its not going to be mechanically more accurate than the 5". The longer sight radius should help the shooter get more accuracy out of it.

I shoot my 5" model just as well, actually.

How much different is the 952 from the normal 52? My initial impression was that the 952 is essentially one of a 9mm 52, is this incorrect?

waffles said:

How much different is the 952 from the normal 52? My initial impression was that the 952 is essentially one of a 9mm 52, is this incorrect?

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It looks similar, but has several differences. The Briley bushing being one of them...

The triggers are a bit different too, as well as a few other things. Totally different feel, in my opinion. I've got a 52 and a couple 952's.

Please explain the differences in the triggers as you perceive them. Also is the trigger on the 952 adjustable?

Ed Fowler said:

Please explain the differences in the triggers as you perceive them. Also is the trigger on the 952 adjustable?

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The 952's trigger isn't externally adjustable, no. I think they're set at 3 to 4 pounds at the factory.

Thank you Sir!

I just purchased a 952-1, seller said it has been shot but does not appear to have been shot a lot. It is on the way and I will know more in about 3 days, it will be a very long thee days. This thread encouraged me to go for it.

I look forward to comparing it to my P 210 legend and Legend target, will be very happy if all three like the same load.

All of my target work is at 88 yards, and accuracy judged by 100 shot groups.

I could have purchased one that had never been shot after leaving the factory but decided it was best to let it go to a collector. It sold for $1,000 more than mine.