Ported Shield 9mm vs Shield 9mm

[V0OBWxZS16]

I've never heard of Chris Cerino, but kudos on actually finding an apparently somewhat prolific instructor who actually would advocate for a ported defensive weapon. He is definitely in the minority however.

I have no idea who the guy is either. I just clicked on a related video of a related video and found someone actually shooting one from retention.

But I guess others feel differently, so YMMV.

Unfortunately I have not taken a Southnarc class, but based on my current experience and training I suspect that the benefits of porting in one-handed, weak-hand only, bad grip, bad stance, slippery hands, etc. situations exceed the risks in retention shooting situations. YMMV.

 

[030201_S&W]

Don't see a problem with a ported 3" barrel. It would be different with a longer barrel. Just load/fire good ammo in self defense situations. Change your ammo out consistently. In this attack one must realize he is probably going to get hurt some and survival is at stake not pain.

 

[fmetell]

Ported Shield

While I can not speak to the ported S&W 9mm shield because I got mine before they offered the ported option. I do have a Glock 17C which is the ported version of the Glock 17. It is the best shooting pistol that I own. I also have a Glock 17L which is the longest barrel that Glock produced in 9mm. Because of the compensation, the felt recoil is less, the muzzle flip is reduced, and I am much more accurate with it than any other pistol that I own. People will disparage the compensated guns saying that the muzzle flash will blind you or the front sights will be dirty. Yes the front sights do get a bit dirty, but that has not been a problem for me. If you clean them after your range visit, they will be just fine. The flash is not even visible most of the time and is not an issue at all. I will probably trade my non-ported shield for a ported model.

 

[ThrowinRocks]

Really not a lot of difference but if it's going to be your EDC you should clean the Shield PC more often.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnKa-OXJJsM[/ame]

 

[doggettjim]

Ported

I have both and love them both

 

[m4user]

Having purchased both, in one word...NO.
I bought the standard model through LE channels when the Shield first came out. It has the LE trigger (i.e. not the Mass. compliant trigger) and standard sights. Three weeks ago I purchased the Performance Center version with the ported barrel and fiber optic sights mainly because I felt the trigger is much better.
Shooting both at the range, the PC version does have a better trigger HOWEVER the ports crud up the inside of the slide and make more work to clean. I see no appreciable difference in recoil or muzzle flip when shooting my duty ammo. Adding to my disappointment, the fiber optic tube in the front sight disengaged from the base at about round #35 and was never seen again.
Bottom line - buy the standard version and put an Apex Tactical trigger upgrade in it.

 

[030201_S&W]

Or simply put good combat night sights on it to start with.

 

[supervisor]

I have both and the ported one has less muzzle jump.

 

[030201_S&W]

I have the 9mm ported barrel conversion now to put on my performance center 40 so I can shoot up a lot of my 9mm aging ammo thru it soon.

 

[Valistar]

Having purchased both, in one word...NO.
I bought the standard model through LE channels when the Shield first came out. It has the LE trigger (i.e. not the Mass. compliant trigger) and standard sights. Three weeks ago I purchased the Performance Center version with the ported barrel and fiber optic sights mainly because I felt the trigger is much better.
Shooting both at the range, the PC version does have a better trigger HOWEVER the ports crud up the inside of the slide and make more work to clean. I see no appreciable difference in recoil or muzzle flip when shooting my duty ammo. Adding to my disappointment, the fiber optic tube in the front sight disengaged from the base at about round #35 and was never seen again.
Bottom line - buy the standard version and put an Apex Tactical trigger upgrade in it.

Couldn't agree more! The Apex trigger kit makes a huge difference, the stock trigger was just way to inconsistent. Shot groups became much tighter after the trigger upgrade.

Valistar

 

[030201_S&W]

I now have the PC ported 9MM conversion barrel for my M&P PC Shield 40 and will do some fun double liter pepsi's hanging from string blasts this weekend. Have several boxes of 9mm ball ammo to shoot up and restock with new. I like the fact I now have a firearm to shoot most economical semi auto loads and the same magazines. Also a good look at my night sights. Couldn't stake my life on the fragile ones that came with it even if I liked them.
No confusion with the barrel in the firearm either and it gives the firearm a little pop to me. I may polish it one day, we will see how that goes.

 

[030201_S&W]

Love the way the 40 pc shoots with the 9mm ported barrel. I will keep it this way for some time. I got an extended 9mm mag for it also when target shooting. With it and the 3- 40 mm mags I can have some fun. I runs the ammo smoothly. It shoots slightly low with the combat night sights but that is much better than high....considering self defense short range needs.

 

[mamaxwell]

I love my PC Shield, I have used it in Close Combat Drill with no issues. I CCW it everyday when not on duty.

 

[Mildew]

Regarding the PC ported barrel: Watch this video, skip to the 1:50 mark.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmiC2_iCy2E[/ame]

 

[greeenteeee]

Personally, I'd avoid it on a defense weapon, in case you had an attacker at arms length and could not extend your arm and were forced to shoot from the hip. The ports could expel toward your face.

I too liked the PC for the sights and slightly improved trigger (never tried one w/ an Apex trigger) but this was what I was told and why I went with a standard. After most of the other posts in this thread, I kind of wish I saw this thread before the purchase lol.