Performance Center Shorty 9, 1993, Accuracy

[PeteC]

The "5906/6906" PC-9 Shorty two tone gun that has been discussed here twice before was up for sale again on the big auction site, including the same plastic box without the label. Nobody seems to hang onto it for long.

(listed on page 466 of THE book)

So, now the Q: According to what is printed on page 466, it was advertised as "the most accurate out-of-the-box 9mm pistol ever made" (in 1993). Even allowing for the difference in the rails, and the unobtainium coated Briley bushing, is that anywhere close to realistic given a 3.5 inch barrel, and what is actually a 6906 aluminum frame, and not a 5906 ss frame??

If true, why stop after making ~600 of them?

 

[4T5GUY]

The "5906/6906" PC-9 Shorty two tone gun that has been discussed here twice before was up for sale again on the big auction site, including the same plastic box without the label. Nobody seems to hang onto it for long.

Well I for one do not ever plan on parting with mine. If you pay attention here sometimes someone gets one of these, (or a comparable PC sub,) and expounds on the wonderfulness of it. In a month or more they turn up here in the classifieds WTS or on GB. Maybe some just want to move on to something they want more, or these subs just don't turn out to be what they thought? Of course in the current times some just need the money.

As for being the "most accurate out of the box 9mm," they ARE very accurate, very special and easy to shoot. But what was their competition at that time? What were they being compared to? Not a real comparison but a couple of my early TSW's are just as accurate.

Jim

 

[lhump1961]

It is my understanding that "accuracy" has less to do with an inch or two of barrel and more to do with design, consistency of lock up and build quality. Even then the differences are not easy to measure at standard pistol distances. Hickok45 did a video on this using 1911's. He compared an Ed Brown to a Rock Island and said that just standing and shooting (he is a great shooter!) he could not tell any practical accuracy difference between them. Better triggers and sights improve the shooter but don't effect a guns accuracy. I can shoot any random gun poorly one day and much better the next so go figure.

As for the Shorty 9 I have one and you can tell the difference to a standard 6906 or 6904 immediately. Smoother and tighter for sure. More accurate than my 6904? Not in my hands. I can shoot either very well on a good day.

Buy any Shorty for it's fit, finish and cool factor. You'll love it.

edit: maybe not the one on GB, haven't looked at that one.

 

[4T5GUY]

I totally agree with all of the above statements, ("Ihump1961.") Just racking these pistols to get them into battery you'll notice the difference. Granted my Shorties are still like new and I put new recoil springs in so without a little proper grease they are very impossibly perfectly tight.

These "littles" just seem tighter than their full size brethren. I never intended to get a Shorty 40 and/or 9. I just kinda stumbled upon them for very reasonable if not stupid low prices. No regrets though at all.

Jim

 

[Sevens]

There's a certain amount of artistic license when someone writes and publishes a statement this bold. Also makes me want to ask for a definition of "out of the box."

Let's just say that these are going to be accurate pistols. And mechanically speaking, the shorter barrel will not work against it's accuracy, but it certainly will work against the shooter's ability to get that accuracy out of it.

Where the rubber meets the road, I have no expectations whatsoever that an alloy frame DA/SA Shorty9 is going to be more accurate than my other Performance Center 9mm pistols, including my PC SD-9 which is the most similar setup to a Shorty9 that I have. And I wouldn't say that it's bound to be worse either.

I think the Shorty9 is a great pistol and a key moment in the fantastic history of the Performance Center. For my own tastes, it doesn't make the top cut of 9mm chambered PC pistols for me. I'd add one for sure, if the price were right, but I prefer the single action target sighted pistols.

 

[PeteC]

I am certainly not Hickok45, and I won't be shopping for any gongs for my backyard any time soon. No amount of Performance Center magic will change that.

On the other hand, I like comparing different guns from the same manufacturer, and similar guns from different manufacturers (in other words, if you could own just one...)

Comparing the auction pics of the view from the back to the rear of the slide on my 6906, the better fit is obvious. (the same can be said about other guns with closer fitting rails).

As for "out-of-the-box", I assumed that means without a trip to a gunsmith, or someplace like Cajun Gunworks. I'm also not familiar with what else was available in 1993 in the US in 9mm, which was part of the reason for my question. I'm wondering what the competition would have been at the time, or even what the gun would have retailed for, or if it was ever sold to the public.

The gun sold for around $1300, so I hope whoever bought it will enjoy owning a little piece of Smith & Wesson history. I will look for one as soon as I install that gong on my private range...

 

[4T5GUY]

There's a certain amount of artistic license when someone writes and publishes a statement this bold.

Where the rubber meets the road, I have no expectations whatsoever that an alloy frame DA/SA Shorty9 is going to be more accurate than my other Performance Center 9mm pistols, including my PC SD-9 which is the most similar setup to a Shorty9 that I have. And I wouldn't say that it's bound to be worse either.

Exactly. Marketing thing I'm sure. And I am NOT putting them down.

My Shorty 45 is an incredibly awesome example from the PC Shop and is equally accurate. But it is not even close or can compare to my MPC prefix 845. Totally different for sure. But of course we're talking about totally different intentions. Maybe the PC compacts are/were "more accurate" for what they were intended to be. Small, concealable high end pistols.

Jim

 

[18DAI]

I have owned or shot many Performance Center guns, with the exception of the 845 and 952. Shorty's, CQB's, 945s, Recons, Prototypes, DPA 9s and 40s and others I can't recall. And I owned a Shorty 9 for awhile.

Very nice pistol. Very accurate. And 3rd gen reliable. Maybe the most tightly fitted pistol I have ever owned. Absolutely aggravating to break it down and put it back together. I invented cuss words when I had to clean it. My Preacher even cussed that gun.

And when I shot it, the bottom rear corner of the grip frame dug into the meat of my palm below my thumb. Even using the rubber Hogue wrap around grips. It was no fun, for me, to own or shoot the gun. And I use 45s as carry guns, so the gun had no use to me there.

So, I sold it to a fellow here who wanted one. IIRC he is still pleased with it. Different strokes, different folks.

So, there you go. One of the fellas who owned one for a short time and sold it. And my reasons why. Doesn't mean the gun wasn't a great gun and much better made than almost anything else. And it WAS VERY accurate.

Sevens and 4T5GUY both make excellent points. And having owned over 40 some odd PC, TSW and "standard" production S&W 3rd gen guns and shot every one of them for way more than one or two boxes of ammo I will add this. Every gun is a law unto itself. I have shot 45CQBs and standard LE Special order 4566s and preferred the triggers on the LE guns.

I shot a Shorty 45 MKII that was light weight and aluminum framed and the most accurate handgun, bar none, that I ever owned or shot.

And the runner up was another LE Special order, standard production 4516-3 made in 2004.

I recently shot a 5 inch 945 for one range session. Startling accuracy from that gun. I am looking for one to steal as that model may become the most accurate handgun I own, if I shoot it enough.

What I am saying is even the most mechanically accurate or inherently accurate gun, loaded with the ammunition it likes best and shoots the smallest groups with, IN MY HANDS, may or may NOT do the same in your hands. And vice versa. But that has nothing to do with the guns themselves or their reputation for being well made and very accurate. Regards 18DAI

 

[Erocksmash]

Accurate yes, but only as Accurate as the shooter. Sad to see her go, but on to something else. The reason for letting her go was not that it wasn't Accurate, it was a shootablity issue. Great little gun, after 100 or so rounds my hand would not agree with the grip of the gun, it has a rather different feel than the bigger guns, so much so it never got used much after that. my DPA5906 gets the cake and fills the void 10x over, so why keep the short 9? It was time to let someone else enjoy her...

 

[MGWS]

I carried my pc 6906 for about a year and shot around 1000 rounds in 2003. It's been in my collection untouched since. Mainly I was jumping around platforms (sig, glock, hk, m&p, 19911, 2011). I've settled on some agency m&p's and 2011's. Since I'm scaling back and really want some night vision, it's time to let it go.

I have no idea what its worth but figured this is the place to ask and sell it as it will go to someone who appreciates it.
What are the going rates now?

 

[GerSan69]

I carried my pc 6906 for about a year and shot around 1000 rounds in 2003. It's been in my collection untouched since. Mainly I was jumping around platforms (sig, glock, hk, m&p, 19911, 2011). I've settled on some agency m&p's and 2011's. Since I'm scaling back and really want some night vision, it's time to let it go.

I have no idea what its worth but figured this is the place to ask and sell it as it will go to someone who appreciates it.
What are the going rates now?

Greetings! Some photos would go a long way toward getting an educated guess. Otherwise, it's a shot in the dark as to value.
For example, could be anywhere from $300 to 800! Hope to see what you've got!

 

[cherrypointmarine]

What's the difference between a Shorty9 and a 9Recon ? Anybody had both ? Or at least one of each at one time or another ? I have a nib 9Recon and would like to know how it stacks up .

 

[4T5GUY]

What's the difference between a Shorty9 and a 9Recon?

The 9 Recon has front slide serrations, longer grip tang, de-cock only and the Billboard.

I haven't seen either for sale recently but nice Shorty's were selling for @ $800.00 - $900.00 and Recon's more.

I'm still seeking a 40 Recon for some reason.

Jim

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I hear you , I wouldn't mind a 40Recon also . I'm really getting into shooting 40 now a days . 45 is still the king , but 40 is gaining in the rear view mirror , at least for me .

 

[MGWS]

What's the difference between a Shorty9 and a 9Recon ? Anybody had both ? Or at least one of each at one time or another ? I have a nib 9Recon and would like to know how it stacks up .

Thanks! Hopefully the pics are good enough for an assessment