M&P Performance Center Ported 9mm Shield

[V0OBWxZS16]

We have explained to u guys the best we can. Its just like saying 2-1=1. Its common sense when it comes to porting barrels. Less pressure = Less velocity.

The question was never whether porting reduced velocity. The question is whether the velocity loss is significant. So, what does it take to cause a significant velocity loss? Something you said in another thread lead me to look this up:



That is a barrel from an integrally suppressed HK MP5SD and it was designed to reduce velocity. It has 30 ports! Common sense says that the two ports just behind the muzzle of a PC Shield are going to cause only a fraction of the loss.

Yet again indirect evidence leads to the conclusion that the reduction is likely to be insignificant. I really wish I could perform or find a direct comparison test.

 

[Smitty357]

The question was never whether porting reduced velocity. The question is whether the velocity loss is significant. So, what does it take to cause a significant velocity loss? Something you said in another thread lead me to look this up:



That is a barrel from an integrally suppressed HK MP5SD and it was designed to reduce velocity. It has 30 ports! Common sense says that the two ports just behind the muzzle of a PC Shield are going to cause only a fraction of the loss.

Yet again indirect evidence leads to the conclusion that the reduction is likely to be insignificant. I really wish I could perform or find a direct comparison test.

The velocity loss in greater in shorter barrels. What u have there is a standard 16" barrel. Even without a ported barrel, the velocity is lost. Why u think trying to shoot 100 yards shots with a pistol is harder than shooting them with a rifle. And as stated earlier. Most HV ammo is already reduced to subsonic levels when shooting through a pistol barrel. Lets also keep in mind, even the suppressor alone affects velocity.

 

[notaliberal]

I came across a test on Youtube where a guy compared the velocity of a ported barrel vs. non ported. A chronograph was used and same ammo in both guns. It seems the difference lost in velocity of the ported barrel was only about 5%.


https://youtu.be/XANl8pg3178

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

I came across a test on Youtube where a guy compared the velocity of a ported barrel vs. non ported. A chronograph was used and same ammo in both guns. It seems the difference lost in velocity of the ported barrel was only about 5%.
https://youtu.be/XANl8pg3178

It should be emphasized that pistol has 5 pairs of ports instead of only one pair.

The velocity loss in greater in shorter barrels. What u have there is a standard 16" barrel. Even without a ported barrel, the velocity is lost. Why u think trying to shoot 100 yards shots with a pistol is harder than shooting them with a rifle. And as stated earlier. Most HV ammo is already reduced to subsonic levels when shooting through a pistol barrel. Lets also keep in mind, even the suppressor alone affects velocity.

You're only 280% wrong. That is a 5.75" barrel.

Whether or not a short barrel loses more velocity from porting or most ammo is reduced to subsonic is beside the point. I am looking for evidence that the loss of velocity is significant.

Rifles are easier to shoot accurately because you have four points of contact (fore-end, grip, cheekweld, and butt) and a much longer sight radius.

Freebore boost from a suppressor is irrelevant to the discussion.

 

[NotNow]

I bought a ported Glcok 23C years back. It was just a cool gun. But I found that as a duty/self defense pistol, the porting was not to my liking. I practiced (still do) up close shooting from the him and the upwards blast was...disconcerting. I never measured the difference in velocity but I am sure there was some. I still have the pistol (and comp barrel), but I replaced the barrel with a solid unit. I get the second kind of cool, but I would not buy a ported or compensated pistol for duty/self defense carry. YMMV. I have (non-ported) Shields in .40 and 9mm and love them both!

 

[JackD]

I traded my Shield 9mm and .40 S/W models on the PC versions of each. Both were accurate right out of the box. Each has had in excess of 500 rounds put down range. The reduced recoil in each is in my opinion dramatic. I use the P/Cs as my daily C&C choices. I live far enough out in the county and have tested firing the weapons at night to observe muzzle flash. Muzzle flash is no greater in the P/C version than in the original Shield. The noise from the P/C is not discernibly louder than the original Shields.

I trust the life of my family and myself with these P/C versions of the Shield. Each is easier and more accurate in my experience.

Trust your own instincts.

 

[Novice42]

TX-Badger, just my opinion, but I would not get a short barreled gun ported. I sent a 3 inch 357 magnum to be ported and never again. Took gun to the range and my son was on the next lane . One shot and EVERYBODY moved away from me. The gun was extremely loud and the flash in low light is very bright, had to get adjusted to the low light condition and could not see temporarily till my eyes adjusted. The gun was a S&W Performance Center 357 magnum.

 

[bhull35]

M&P Shield.

I've been reading some great reviews of this new one from S&W, and was wondering if anyone here has any experience shooting it and what your impressions of it are? I'm considering it for my next purchase, so any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Purchased Shield for my Conceled Carry gun since several law enforcement guys need recommended it. Best gun I ever purchased,. I have a Sig P226 MK2 and I like this better. Fits my small hands to a tee (with the extended mag). Easy to break down and clean also. You can't go wrong in my opionion.

 

[ken burns]

On the question of short vs long barrel vel - from my chrono results with a xd9sc (3") & beretta 92fs (4.9"). I shot several powders/bullets but will give only a few results with Unique powder.
115 gr
3" - 987fps, 4.9" - 1095fps
147 gr
3" - 935fps, 4.9" - 975fps

You probably noticed that short barrels have less vel loss with heavier bullets - I noticed this with the other powders/bullets I shot.
KSB

 

[Horn]

Agree And Its A Self Defense Firearm

You guys do ur research on ported barrels and the pros and cons. Eventually u will grasp the concept of how pressure loses affect muzzle velocity. HP ammo stands a better chance of expansion out of longer ported barrels. Because it has more time to reach expanding velocities at which it was designed for. Here lets break it down.....Velocity is a consideration, but so is bullet construction. Bullets are designed for a certain expansion threshold. A bullet designed to open at 1,000 fps isn't going to open as well at 800 fps.

Heres a small write up from one of the guys on another forum. Hes been around this game longer than me. And u know the old saying. There is no substitute for experience.

Advise from a ol' gunsmith. In the past I bought into the concept of porting handguns thinking it would help greatly. Wrong! Factors to consider: Personally, with the weapons I have ported, anytime a hole or holes are created in a barrel other than the one the bullet exits through, the decimal level to the shooter increases dramatically. If you thought your gun was loud before just wait until your first trip to shoot it after it is ported. It is going to be much ……. much louder! Instead of pressure being sent down range it is basically vented at a right angle to the shooter after porting the gun. People concentrate so much on the salesmanship / marketing of porting services they don't consider what other problems are created by porting their gun. If you want to reduce muzzle flip / recoil slightly, buy a handgun with a longer barrel. Its a lot cheaper than porting. The increase in barrel length will reduce some but not eliminate muzzle flip of a handgun more than porting simply because it the gun weighs more. And at the same time increase the velocity and energy of a given bullet. I have carried a handgun for personal protection for over 40 years. And there has never been a situation in which I couldn't have produced my four inch barrel revolver just as easily as a two inch barrel. I would rather have the longer barrel anytime. I just can't buy into the porting concept. Bottom line: I haven't found that porting is going to give you the perceived muzzle flip and recoil reduction level as you may think. Porting basically, is a head game that the shooter must talk himself into. But a factor that will escape his memory after he has porting done because recoil and muzzle flip are still present.

Agree with this totally. I chose the Shield9 as a self defense piece....defending me. As such if needed its apt to be at garlic breath distance and the single stack is fine. I'm retired and no longer am expected to "Serve and Protect" the public in a shootout.
The pistol was designed correctly and is not intended as a range gun. I've kept my guns as tools so I don't try to make'em pretty.
When out on a walk-about in my desert or mountians I pack a
Sig P320 loaded differently and OWB. Then its not for perps.
Enjoy your choice and respect it. I don't "love" them.
G'luck and stay safe.

 

[Rebaustinred]

I did some more searching and actually found some Shield PC chronograph results at Performance Center Pocket Rocket: Smith & Wesson's popular M&P shield gets a new ported barrel, fiber-optic sights and a great trigger for less than $500. - Free Online Library. Unfortunately they didn't test a standard Shield too.

I also had a blinding flash of the obvious. ShootingTheBull410 uses a Sig 938 for his 9mm AmmoQuest. The 938 has a 3" barrel and he found many loads that performed well. I do not believe that a ported 3.1" barrel will generate lower velocities than a 3" barrel.


This morning I was mildly concerned that the velocity loss might significantly affect JHP performance, but that is no longer the case (for 9mm.)

The article posted in your thread sold me on the 9mm PC! Thank you!! With the rebate and LGS matching the $75 the gun rang up at $375!!! I think the trigger alone is worth that much, let alone the FO sights. Thanks again

 

[WCWV]

I purchased a PC 9mm in May and have put over a thousand rounds of my reloads & cast boolets through it with out a single issue. It's a really good shooter and have absolutely no regrets. Personally the ported barrel really didn't matter, it was the great trigger.

 

[hexnut]

I have a pc 9 and a pc 45. Love them both. They are great shooters. The ones who don't like them don't even have them. LOL

 

[0849]

Nice trigger

I purchased a PC 9mm in May and have put over a thousand rounds of my reloads & cast boolets through it with out a single issue. It's a really good shooter and have absolutely no regrets. Personally the ported barrel really didn't matter, it was the great trigger.

Good point. Seems like some get hung up on the porting on the PC being the single big issue, but not necessarily the most significant difference, as you so correctly note the performance center trigger/action is in fact very nice.