Ported 9mm Shield question
- Thread starter kgpcr
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Keeps the barrel down a little but the best addition on the PC model are the sights
OKFC05
Member
IMHO, the ports on a regular 9mm are mostly for show and to meet the current fad. The do reduce the muzzle rise a little, but at the expense of more blast and flash.
The compensators used in competition are much more effective at keeping the muzzle down on the high-pressure, longer barrel USPSA Open pistols.
Definitely try before you buy.
The compensators used in competition are much more effective at keeping the muzzle down on the high-pressure, longer barrel USPSA Open pistols.
Definitely try before you buy.
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changemyoil66
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Will a ported barrel need a slide with slots in it?
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OKFC05
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Oh yes indeed.
More effective is to get an extended threaded barrel and use a screw-on compensator.
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ScaryWoody
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I don't agree with a ported barrel on a self defense gun. Hot gasses could singe, plus added flash. On a target or range gun sure. I wish S&W offered a choice for the PC pistols.
Ranger17
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I really like the trigger and sights (FO) on my PC, seems a slight bit less of muzzle flip as well. Yes it has a little flash, had the range officer (dimly lit indoor range) watch me shoot and he shot it as well. Said he had no real concerns about it. Frankly neither do I.
That said, flash can exist and the barrel/slide will definitely get dirtier than a std Shield. All is fine with me as I love shooting my PC. Others may have enough concern to stay with the original model.
And yes if one has questions and can shoot it before buying that is never a bad thing.
That said, flash can exist and the barrel/slide will definitely get dirtier than a std Shield. All is fine with me as I love shooting my PC. Others may have enough concern to stay with the original model.
And yes if one has questions and can shoot it before buying that is never a bad thing.
dagodave1
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I just got a PC in 9mm and have had no issues with it. The muzzle blast coming out of the ports at low light in the range don't bother me at all. It shoots great and I carry it...
oneounceload
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Ports make you more likely to need serious hearing enhancements when you get older or fire a few shots, whichever comes first..........
BlueArch91
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I do not own one but I shot one, the night sight model. It is a very soft shooter. I definitely would buy one but I already have a single stack. Trigger is awesome. Some might even say too range worthy to be carry worthy. The one I shot had almost no take up on the trigger. Sweet gun. I didn't think the port flash was any worse than what I see from the muzzle.
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hexnut
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No problems with mine. The flash is hardly noticeable. To get singed not likely, you would have to put your head over the muzzle then the blast goes to the sides. The trigger and sights are great. The people who don't like them probably don't own one. LOL
jejb
Member
We have 4 Shield's, 2-9's and 2-40's. One each of the 9 and 40 are PC's. We don't notice any flash from the porting when we shoot the guns, and the porting helps a little bit with the time to get back on target, but I would not call the difference huge there.
The bigger pluses of the PC version, at least to me, are the trigger and the fiber optic sights. We both really notice the trigger when going from the non-PC to the PC versions. Less creep and more crisp.
They all shoot well, but I think the PC version is for sure worth the extra money.
The bigger pluses of the PC version, at least to me, are the trigger and the fiber optic sights. We both really notice the trigger when going from the non-PC to the PC versions. Less creep and more crisp.
They all shoot well, but I think the PC version is for sure worth the extra money.
I haven't found any of this to be true, I own one, and have put several hundred rounds through it, after dark, held up close against my body, etc.
I wish people would only comment on ported Shields if they actually own one, if you have one, you'd be singing a different tune. Nobody here that has a PC model has anything bad to say about them. They do have a much better trigger than other Shields.
S&W does offer a choice, if you don't like ports, just get a regular (non ported ) Shield.
The ports really do help controllabillity, and getting back on target faster. My PC .40 is almost as pleasant to shoot as my daughter's 9mm.
A 9mm in a PC gun would be nice indeed, the quickest of the Shield's to get back on target, and the most pleasant for extended shooting sessions.
GrayGhost99
Member
A plus for the night sight model is that it come with 3 magazines instead of 2. And don't forget the current smith rebate that gives you 2 more mags and some ammo
I have one of the Performance center ported 9's.
I shoot at an enclosed, dimly lit range. The flash is no worse than any other gun I shoot, and that's a somewhat embarrassing number.
Does the porting do a lot? Meh, not really that I notice.
Is it an issue if the gun is fired from a very close distance to the body?
Potentially yes, derbies from the ports could be projected into the eyes for example. Anything is arguable. For that matter the same argument can be made if a J-frame revolver is fired too close to the body.
I bought it because of the enhanced trigger which provides a superior trigger pull in my opinion.
What I had planned to do was buy the gun, then pick up a non-ported barrel for it to use as a CCW gun.
Fact is, I don't need to - the ported shield is just fine for carry as it is.
I shoot at an enclosed, dimly lit range. The flash is no worse than any other gun I shoot, and that's a somewhat embarrassing number.
Does the porting do a lot? Meh, not really that I notice.
Is it an issue if the gun is fired from a very close distance to the body?
Potentially yes, derbies from the ports could be projected into the eyes for example. Anything is arguable. For that matter the same argument can be made if a J-frame revolver is fired too close to the body.
I bought it because of the enhanced trigger which provides a superior trigger pull in my opinion.
What I had planned to do was buy the gun, then pick up a non-ported barrel for it to use as a CCW gun.
Fact is, I don't need to - the ported shield is just fine for carry as it is.
muzzleblasted
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Love my PC 9mm....great little gun.
I have both versions of the Shield which I have shot extensively. I have never been blinded or powder burned because of the porting. Maybe it could happen on other guns, but on the PC Shield it hasn't been an issue. Just an urban legend I think. I know one could buy the standard Shield and then upgrade the trigger and sights, but just get the PC model and be done with it. For the little extra money you get the better trigger, better sights, and maybe a little less muzzle flip.
Ranger17
Member
I'd say from watching these threads since i bought my PC when it came out; seems most of us who own one really like it and are happy with our purchase.
And some of those who don't own a PC have their reasons for not buying one. Which is their right of course.
So if one shopping around shares the concerns of the "non-PC" crowd then a std Shield can be a great gun to go with.
And for those who are interested in a PC, judging by what us owners think go ahead and give one a try.
And some of those who don't own a PC have their reasons for not buying one. Which is their right of course.
So if one shopping around shares the concerns of the "non-PC" crowd then a std Shield can be a great gun to go with.
And for those who are interested in a PC, judging by what us owners think go ahead and give one a try.
greeenteeee
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I have both a ported Shield and a Shield with an Apex Sear. Trigger pull weight is similar, triggers are nice in each, and feel similar enough.
I like the FO sights over the contrast sights-- easier to see the target.
I didn't care for the porting because of what I'd read but in outdoor or dimly lit indoor, the naked eye does not see the extra flash from the ports. Filming in 30fps, you'll see it in 1 frame.
I've read the ports ARE louder, but when I share the lanes with others shooting .40 or .45, a ported 9mm is not a concern.
I wear in ear and ear muffs for hearing protection, but you make me curious about any decibel differences between the ported and non ported Shield barrels... I'll find out next range trip.
I like the FO sights over the contrast sights-- easier to see the target.
I didn't care for the porting because of what I'd read but in outdoor or dimly lit indoor, the naked eye does not see the extra flash from the ports. Filming in 30fps, you'll see it in 1 frame.
I've read the ports ARE louder, but when I share the lanes with others shooting .40 or .45, a ported 9mm is not a concern.
I wear in ear and ear muffs for hearing protection, but you make me curious about any decibel differences between the ported and non ported Shield barrels... I'll find out next range trip.
iPac
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I think the porting of any handgun under an 8" barrel is about worthless. I just don't see where it provides any benefit. My 3" 629 is magna-ported and I honestly can't tell a difference. Still kicks and rises just like any other 44mag.
Although, if a handgun is going to be ported, a revolver would be the much better choice. I won't even say how I really feel about porting an auto such as the Shield, but I will say it's purely a marketing pitch playing on the new "tacticool" fad. I'm sure quite a few novices will pay the extra money for the cool factor, but it's good to hear most folks here bought them for the other features, not the porting.
The only thing I can see a ported auto accomplishing is a guaranteed longer cleaning session. To each their own though, and enjoy what you like. The more people who don't like something just leaves more for those who do.
Although, if a handgun is going to be ported, a revolver would be the much better choice. I won't even say how I really feel about porting an auto such as the Shield, but I will say it's purely a marketing pitch playing on the new "tacticool" fad. I'm sure quite a few novices will pay the extra money for the cool factor, but it's good to hear most folks here bought them for the other features, not the porting.
The only thing I can see a ported auto accomplishing is a guaranteed longer cleaning session. To each their own though, and enjoy what you like. The more people who don't like something just leaves more for those who do.
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Ranger17
Member
Yep bought mine mainly for the trigger (i am not one to mod a gun w/ after market parts) and the FO sights. Sure i like the looks of the porting, but that took a back seat to the rest.
And yes porting adds a little more time to a cleaning session, but I'm talking minutes not hours so no biggie for me.
my .02 anyway
hexnut
Member
My S&W 640 357 mag with 2-1/8 barrel is louder and has more muzzle flash than either of my ported Shields. Get over it. If you don't like a ported Shield don't buy one. No need to continually run them down when you don't own one and probably never will. Post about something you do like.
Talldog
Member
Went shooting with my BIL for the first time yesterday. We traded Shields, I have the model with tritium sights and no safety, and he has the PC, ported with hi viz sights. By the time we left, I had decided that I'm going to trade in my other Shield with the white sights and buy a PC. It was that good.
It will likely reduce muzzle rise to some degree and theoretically allow for slightly faster follow up shots. To what degree is subjective. I've seen reviews comparing the regular and PC versions stating the reduced muzzled rise is minimal or hardly perceivable. Others coming to the opposite conclusion.
And remember that the reduced muzzle rise from porting does comes at the cost of less bullet velocity and therefore less energy being transferred into the target, which to me is not a very good trade off, especially in a 9mm.
There is also the possibility for powder residue and debris to be ejected through the ports. This isn't a concern at all at the range, but could be a potential issue in some type of close-quarter defense situation where you must fire from some type of retention position. I've seen a couple of videos of people firing the PC shield from a very upright posture/low hold retention stance at the range(and of course wearing safety glasses) and then declare that there are absolutely no concerns, but I've seen reports from way too many well respected, high profile defensive shooting instructors who have witnessed problems firsthand when conducting close-quarter shooting drills with ported guns to dismiss it. They subsequently all recommend against a ported handgun for defensive purposes. Plus, if you have ever participated in or even just watched a close-quarter force-on-force class, you'll see some very odd shooting position employed and the same applies to actual defense situations.
The trigger is considered by most to be "better" on the PC version, but these are concealable close-quarter defense pistols rather than target guns and the regular version is more than adequate for that task. The regular trigger might actually be better since I believe it is slightly heavier which is preferred on defensive weapons IMO.
A far as the sights, the vast majority(90+ %) of civilian defense shootings take place at very close distances. Most inside 3-5 yards. At those ranges, those "upgraded" sights won't likely be of any advantage since you should probably be utilizing theat focused shooting at those ranges.
If this is intended to be a concealed carry/self-defense pistol, my recommendation would be to stick with the standard model.
And remember that the reduced muzzle rise from porting does comes at the cost of less bullet velocity and therefore less energy being transferred into the target, which to me is not a very good trade off, especially in a 9mm.
There is also the possibility for powder residue and debris to be ejected through the ports. This isn't a concern at all at the range, but could be a potential issue in some type of close-quarter defense situation where you must fire from some type of retention position. I've seen a couple of videos of people firing the PC shield from a very upright posture/low hold retention stance at the range(and of course wearing safety glasses) and then declare that there are absolutely no concerns, but I've seen reports from way too many well respected, high profile defensive shooting instructors who have witnessed problems firsthand when conducting close-quarter shooting drills with ported guns to dismiss it. They subsequently all recommend against a ported handgun for defensive purposes. Plus, if you have ever participated in or even just watched a close-quarter force-on-force class, you'll see some very odd shooting position employed and the same applies to actual defense situations.
The trigger is considered by most to be "better" on the PC version, but these are concealable close-quarter defense pistols rather than target guns and the regular version is more than adequate for that task. The regular trigger might actually be better since I believe it is slightly heavier which is preferred on defensive weapons IMO.
A far as the sights, the vast majority(90+ %) of civilian defense shootings take place at very close distances. Most inside 3-5 yards. At those ranges, those "upgraded" sights won't likely be of any advantage since you should probably be utilizing theat focused shooting at those ranges.
If this is intended to be a concealed carry/self-defense pistol, my recommendation would be to stick with the standard model.
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To me, ports on a Shield...
To me, ports on Shield don't accomplish anything. Get the regular model and love it.
Porting a Shield seems like the stuff we used to add to cars to make them 'go faster' that really weren't anything but eye appeal.
To me, ports on Shield don't accomplish anything. Get the regular model and love it.
Porting a Shield seems like the stuff we used to add to cars to make them 'go faster' that really weren't anything but eye appeal.
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oneounceload
Member
I wear plugs in and muffs over when shooting metallic - the concussion from someone next to me with a ported gun is painful. Large bores in an inside range are brutal....and I'm about half deaf due to college days of Jimi at volume 9 with headphones on.......................
Wee Hooker
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Thanks for reporting back. I figured she'd like it. I have a PC (ported) shield in 45 that I'm smitten with. Honestly, I don't feel it has any more noise /flash than similar short barreled 45's I own. Recoil is quite manageable too. Sights and trigger alone make it worth the extra price of admission.
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