M&P Shield .40 Performance Center

[Nikko_M]

I just picked up one of those new Performance Center M&P Shields in .40 S&W and I was super pumped. I plan on replacing my other Shield with this one for CC. When I got home and was going to go out and fire it, I noticed it was filthy dirty. I took it apart and the frame guides showed more wear than the Shield I've owned for over a year. What I'm wondering is, is this a normal thing to have a brand new gun be this worn and dirty? I know they test fire it, but this was extreme. I'll attach some photos. On the side by side one, the "New" gun is on the left, or bottom. I just wanna figure this out so any info would be great. Thanks!

 

[Practical]

Blame your dealer.

I bet its a Test and Evaluation Gun sold as 'NEW'.

I have had this happen to me with a Kahr K9 Elite.

The gun according to Kahr was NOT intended for resale and was sent out as a dealer sample for photo shoot/holster only.

The gun had to be returned, repaired and they only honored it with a 1 year warranty.


IF you bought it online this is what may have happened to you it is some kind of dealer sample or LEO evaluation unit.

 

[Magload]

The way it is ported through the slide I am not surprised it is dirty. I could be wrong but that is my guess. Don

 

[Nikko_M]

I sure hope that's not the deal because they actually are friends of mine. I just didn't know if S&W put the gun through a extremely thorough test firing. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Nikko_M]

Blame your dealer.

I bet its a Test and Evaluation Gun sold as 'NEW'.

I have had this happen to me with a Kahr K9 Elite.

The gun according to Kahr was NOT intended for resale and was sent out as a dealer sample for photo shoot/holster only.

The gun had to be returned, repaired and they only honored it with a 1 year warranty.


IF you bought it online this is what may have happened to you it is some kind of dealer sample or LEO evaluation unit.

You were absolutely right! I took it back to my dealer/friend and he tried to day it's because of the porting on the barrel that it's so dirty. I said that answers for the degree of filth but not the wear. So he took the gun and called S&W. They tracked the serial # to a lot of guns that was supposedly sold to another gun store in the south and was sold to them as a "Test gun" . apparently, they bought a whole pallet of these guns. How my buddy/dealer ended up with is a weird and scary mystery. So, long story short, their rep is coming to get the gun and my friend/dealer is gonna hold the next one that comes in. I really wanted to hold S&W's nose to the customer service grind stone and let me get a gun at cost or something awesome like that, but they don't give a ****! Anyways, problem not solved but answer aquired. You were right on man! Thanks for your input!

 

[Bill G77]

I hope you get things worked out in your favor.

Ported pistols can be very nice to shoot and look really cool. They do tend to get the front sight dirty.

Something to consider or think about with a ported pistol for CCW use.

Ported pistols are really not the best choice for CCW use for a few reasons compared to a standard set up. The additional bright flash from the porting behind the front sight can affect the shooters vision in a low light self defense situation more so than without the porting. This could really be an issue (possibly temporarily blinding the vision, more so than a regular muzzle flash) affecting follow up or follow up shots. Also if the weapon needs to be pulled in closer to the body when being shot for any number of reasons in a self defense situation the fire or spray from the porting can be a problem (possibly burning the skin or face even the eyes). This has been discussed in many a training class that I have been to over the years. A lot of trainers don't recommend porting for a CCW weapon as a first choice. Also there quite often a louder weapon when shot.

Again ported guns shoot great and look cool but are really not the best choice for a CCW weapon. They are very nice range pistols or even competition pistols and look cool as hell.

Just my humble 2 cents.

Shoot Safe All,
Bill G77

 

[justicetyme]

Ported pistols are really not the best choice for CCW use for a few reasons compared to a standard set up. The additional bright flash from the porting behind the front sight can affect the shooters vision in a low light self defense situation more so than without the porting. This could really be an issue (possibly temporarily blinding the vision, more so than a regular muzzle flash) affecting follow up or follow up shots.

Please don't take offense as none is meant but this statement is simply not true.
Jerry Miculek has a video that discusses porting at length and shows some total darkness shooting of ported guns.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6dWDFcoFFs&list=PLFWh-_7kw52pt0SC7ih7XhRAgK_Kzc8LQ&feature=c4-overview-vl[/ame]

I personally have had MagnaPorted revolvers for over thirty years so I have a little hands on real experience in shooting them.
Additionally I bought a new 4 1/4" M&P 40 PC Ported a few weeks back and HAVE shot it in very low light conditions with both WW231 and AA#5 (neither of which are considered to be "low flash" propellants) and can attest that there is absolutely no factual basis for the continuing internet claim that ported pistols can cause temporary blindness if shot in low light.
When I get time I plan on doing a few "total darkness" shots just for kicks but as I can't imagine shooting in a total dark environment the results have no real meaning - to me. Low light possibly - total darkness not likely!

Frankly, I'm caused to wonder if any of those who make this claim have actually shot a ported pistol in low light.

J.

 

[Bill G77]

Please don't take offense as none is meant but this statement is simply not true.
Jerry Miculek has a video that discusses porting at length and shows some total darkness shooting of ported guns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6d...pt0SC7ih7XhRAgK_Kzc8LQ&feature=c4-overview-vl

I personally have had MagnaPorted revolvers for over thirty years so I have a little hands on real experience in shooting them.
Additionally I bought a new 4 1/4" M&P 40 PC Ported a few weeks back and HAVE shot it in very low light conditions with both WW231 and AA#5 (neither of which are considered to be "low flash" propellants) and can attest that there is absolutely no factual basis for the continuing internet claim that ported pistols can cause temporary blindness if shot in low light.
When I get time I plan on doing a few "total darkness" shots just for kicks but as I can't imagine shooting in a total dark environment the results have no real meaning - to me. Low light possibly - total darkness not likely!

Frankly, I'm caused to wonder if any of those who make this claim have actually shot a ported pistol in low light.

J.

Frankly,

Your entitled to your belief on the subject that's for sure and no offense taken. I felt my ported 45 ACP had a brighter muzzle flash and to me that supports my opinion and others that have said the same on the subject. ( personal opinion and I said to consider or take into consideration for CCW use)

The bigger issue to me here and the main issue concerning a ported pistol for CCW use is this. If the weapon needs to be pulled in closer to the body when being shot for any number of reasons in a self defense situation the fire or spray from the porting can be a problem (possibly burning the skin or face even the eyes). blowing straight up with porting behind the sight instead of forward out the barrel such as without porting.

Here, I disagree with some of your statement (Low lighting)

Most self defense shootings or a great number or a higher percentage of them are in low light conditions and up close, sometimes and quite often to close. I would hope you don't continue to dispute this little fact after doing a little research like you did with the porting. Being the main reason a ported pistol is not my choice for up close hide and take cover low light self defense situations. Self defense shooting not range or target or competition types of shooting were I do think ported pistols are great.

Also as stated in my other posting a lot of trainers I have dealt with over the years don't recommend porting for a CCW weapon as a first choice for some of reasons stated. Also there quite often a louder weapon when shot.


So we can agree to disagree on this. You carry and shoot what works for you. My many years of training and carry I hope will serve me well and I hope the same for you.

Shoot Safe,
Bill G

 

[twistedracer]

You were absolutely right! I took it back to my dealer/friend and he tried to day it's because of the porting on the barrel that it's so dirty. I said that answers for the degree of filth but not the wear. So he took the gun and called S&W. They tracked the serial # to a lot of guns that was supposedly sold to another gun store in the south and was sold to them as a "Test gun" . apparently, they bought a whole pallet of these guns. How my buddy/dealer ended up with is a weird and scary mystery. So, long story short, their rep is coming to get the gun and my friend/dealer is gonna hold the next one that comes in. I really wanted to hold S&W's nose to the customer service grind stone and let me get a gun at cost or something awesome like that, but they don't give a ****! Anyways, problem not solved but answer aquired. You were right on man! Thanks for your input!

I'm glad you got it sorted out. But it isn't S&W's fault, so be glad you're getting a new gun.

The fault lies with the distributor/dealer that passed it off as new guns to other dealers. S&W would have disclosed to the distributor that it was a test gun and marked down the price accordingly.

Hope you don't have too long of a wait.

I second the opinion of muzzle blast spraying your face and eyes from a retention position.

 

[oldfart64]

I just picked up one of those new Performance Center M&P Shields in .40 S&W and I was super pumped. I plan on replacing my other Shield with this one for CC. When I got home and was going to go out and fire it, I noticed it was filthy dirty. I took it apart and the frame guides showed more wear than the Shield I've owned for over a year. What I'm wondering is, is this a normal thing to have a brand new gun be this worn and dirty? I know they test fire it, but this was extreme. I'll attach some photos. On the side by side one, the "New" gun is on the left, or bottom. I just wanna figure this out so any info would be great. Thanks! View attachment 218181

View attachment 218182

View attachment 218183

doesnt look like new to me my friend, I would ask your shop if perhaps someone fired a few rounds through it just for fun and then I would ask them for a small refund on the purchase price.

 

[twistedracer]

doesnt look like new to me my friend, I would ask your shop if perhaps someone fired a few rounds through it just for fun and then I would ask them for a small refund on the purchase price.

Read post number 5.