Performance Center Shield Velocity

[Pilot172P]

Has anyone chronographed the velocity on the ported barrel PC Shields? I'm interested mainly in the Shield 40 and how much of a loss there is with the ported barrel. Not much on the internet about it. From the little bit I did find, it sounds like it's not much, maybe 20fps.

I have a lot of velocity data on my standard Shield 40. Thought about getting the PC Shield 40, but don't want to lose too much velocity in an already very short barrel.

 

[Rpg]

I suspect any velocity loss is trivial in the big picture.

Neither you nor your target would notice a difference between ported and non ported Shields.

 

[Whitwabit]

With that short of a barrel loss of 50 to 75 fps might cause some defensive JHP loads to not open fully ..

I haven't seen any tests made to answer the question ..

Edit : This is an interesting web site .. BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .40 S&W Results

 

[McE]

The ports turn the bullets into non-lethal ammo, so there's that.

 

[notaliberal]

The ports turn the bullets into non-lethal ammo, so there's that.

Really. Sarcasm is difficult to interpret with a one sentence reply. I hope you are being flip.

 

[gqllc007]

I have the ported 9mm and I carry the HST 147 +P. I figure the +P takes care of any velocity loss from the ports. They are very accurate in my PC Shield

 

[hexnut]

The ports turn the bullets into non-lethal ammo, so there's that.

You have any facts to back that up?

 

[McE]

You have any facts to back that up?

Yes, I do.

 

[Mister X]

I think it could possibly be relatively significant(if you consider an 8-10% loss in velocity significant) based on tests I'm seeing with other ported handguns and especially considering the short barrel.

8% velocity loss for ported APWCOGAN Glocks PORTING | APWCOGAN

This Gemini Customs ported SP101 lost more than 100 fps on average than a non-ported model... https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/your-defensive-handgun-to-port-or-not-to-port/

Lone Wolf estimates 3-8% reduction in velocity for their ported Glock barrels Lone Wolf Distributors - Product Detail - LWD C Porting- Barrel Only - $69.95

 

[hexnut]

Yes, I do.

Post them for us.

 

[Whitwabit]

I think it could possibly be relatively significant(if you consider an 8-10% loss in velocity significant) based on tests I'm seeing with other ported handguns and especially considering the short barrel.

8% velocity loss for ported APWCOGAN Glocks PORTING | APWCOGAN

This Gemini Customs ported SP101 lost more than 100 fps on average than a non-ported model... https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/your-defensive-handgun-to-port-or-not-to-port/

Lone Wolf estimates 3-8% reduction in velocity for their ported Glock barrels Lone Wolf Distributors - Product Detail - LWD C Porting- Barrel Only - $69.95

With the additional loss of velocity due to a short barrel you might be down another 50 to 75 fps or more with a barrel of 2.7inches as ammo velocity is rated with pistols with 4 inch barrels ..

so you could easily be down 200fps from the rated velocity according to what ammo you might be using ..

 

[Ranger17]

ok, really not trying to be a smart arse and still have a lot to learn; but when we're talking self defense guns used at close self defense range, in the real world do those #s matter much?
Perhaps to avoid over penetration maybe losing a little speed isnt a bad thing?
And yes i know i have a lot to learn lol


I used to get into a similar discussion with a bro in law, who always had to have the fastest bow that came out. Maybe it mattered out in the mountains at longer range, but up to 20 yards out of a tree stand, his hi speed bow didn't kill a deer any better than my older one.

 

[hexnut]

It only matters to the ones who don't like ported guns. LOL

 

[wanderson7262]

IMHO shot placement is more important than ballistics & expansion.

If a ported barrel improves your accuracy, that's an upgrade.

Personally I'd be curious to see how much fps you lose to a ported barrel like the Shield vs barrel length. But I doubt it's gonna drop you down to .380 levels of performance.

 

[Mister X]

ok, really not trying to be a smart arse and still have a lot to learn; but when we're talking self defense guns used at close self defense range, in the real world do those #s matter much?
Perhaps to avoid over penetration maybe losing a little speed isnt a bad thing?
And yes i know i have a lot to learn lol.

If the loss in velocity causes your chosen hollow-points to fail to expand, then it does matter a great deal.

 

[notaliberal]

With the additional loss of velocity due to a short barrel you might be down another 50 to 75 fps or more with a barrel of 2.7inches as ammo velocity is rated with pistols with 4 inch barrels ..

so you could easily be down 200fps from the rated velocity according to what ammo you might be using ..

In your two sentences I read a lot of could's, might's. There is a lot of conjecture of velocity lost with ported guns. And it is just that, conjecture. The solution is very simple. Just buy +p ammo with lower grain weight-problem solved. I bought Federal Premium HST 124g +p ammo for my everyday carry (PC) and I am not worried about full expansion. As someone mentioned before, shot accuracy seems to be more important.

 

[J45404]

I was going to create a thread asking this question, but did a quick search and found this one... but it's been a year since the last response, so I wanted to bump this thread and ask if anyone has any new info regarding actual test comparisons between ported and non-ported shield barrels?

I recently purchased a 9mm shield and decided to also get a 9mm PC shield as the prices are so great with the current rebates. Because of the ported barrel, I question whether or not I want to carry the PC version... or if I do, possibly use the barrel from my standard version shield or even get an upgraded aftermarket barrel from a company like True. I will be carrying Federal HST 147 grain standard pressure.

To the people who carry +P to make up for any velocity loss, that sounds counterintuitive as the +P will cancel out any reduction in muzzle flip that the ports give you... sounds like you might as well just not have a ported barrel (but of course there's other advantages to the PC shield other than the barrel)

Regardless, I'm not really looking for any opinions here, I'd simply like to see real world tests between the two barrels to see what the difference in velocity is, so hopefully someone can chime in with these.

 

[hexnut]

If, ifs and buts were fruits and nuts, we would all have a merry Christmas. LOL

 

[ScaryWoody]

Found this video. In his test less than 50fps.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANl8pg3178"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANl8pg3178[/ame]

 

[mattwings]

For those of you suggesting +p in a Shield (or any other shorter barrel) test after test proves +p does not yield higher bullet speed or fps or kinetic energy. The barrel is not long enough to use the additional powder, they often perform worse in test with this style gun. See Lucky Gunner or other simialr tests. Waste of money and worse performace in almost every case.