Why collect Performance Center pistols?

[RedCardinal]

So you can shoot them. Back in 1994 I bought my first Performance Center pistol, the Shorty 40. It has been a safe queen since. After my unsuccessful efforts to find a NIB FBI 1076, I purchased another PC pistol in late 2007. It was an 845, and I couldn't stop with that one. Thanks to Grinder's photos, I now have 21 PC pistols. Most are new except three that are excellent plus. Until yesterday, I had not shot a PC pistol, only the S&W 39 and 52. That is when I qualified to use three as LE duty pistols—the 9 Recon, the DPA 5906 4" and the 945 4". These PC pistols performed better than I ever expected. They out performed my H&K, Glock, and Sig 229 with their superb triggers and solid and smooth slide cycling. The improvement in my accuracy was awesome with the 9 Recon producing a 100% score. I attribute the improvement in accuracy to the solid and smooth operation of the slide which seemed to dampen the felt recoil while the smooth and crisp trigger enabled me to put shot after shot in and around the x ring. These PC pistols took the stress out of qualifying and replaced it with pure excitement and joy.

I always thought the S&W pistol was the better looking pistol, and they fit my hand well. I started collecting them because of their looks, fit and quality, the S&W lifetime warranty not withstanding. Over the years the Performance Center has produced a variety of models and collecting a representative sample of these pistols will provide a lot of excitement in the hunt and pride in the investment value of the covey. However, the performance experienced when shooting one is priceless. Shooting a PC collection just doubles the pleasure and doubles the fun. I expect to spend less time collecting and more time shooting. Nevertheless, I will continue the hunt for one or two more of the elusive ones (CQB and DPA 4006) so my grandchildren will have something besides Tupperware to shoot.

 

[Shorty4T]

Nice post RedCardinal, The PC guns are great and one is always my go to gun. It is amazing to see how well these guns perform.

I don't have a large collection, only a couple of early Shorty 40s. One is NIB while the other had been fired when I purchased it in '94. The fit of these guns are superb, and the gun is way more accurate than I am.

It is hard to tell someone what makes these guns so great but they truely are. Service at the PC is above any I've seen from a manufacturer. And a trip for a firearm there will normally yeild goodies that weren't sent with the gun.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[CTPete]

RedCardinal - What a coincidence! I have exactly 21 PC pistols myself. All 9mms and 45s. I keep a few JUST for shooting, the others are all NIB safe queens.

+1 on the grandkids not having to shoot just plastic!

 

[SmithNut]

Fantastic post.
I agree 100% with your assessment of the PC experience. It's unfortunate that it took you so long to actually taste the sweet experience of shooting them, however.
I'm sure the beauty of these outstanding products is now fully magnafied in your mind.

Congrats on qualifying....!

 

[Grinder]

Because my wife won't let me collect pretty girls

Glad to see you posting again RC.
I see I'm a bad influence
The secret is to buy used ones in the models you want to shoot and then pass them around to your friends

 

[rbert0005]

RC,

I concur 100%.

Great guns, for sure.

Bob

 

[bad_man_ one]

Originally posted by Grinder:
The secret is to buy used ones in the models you want to shoot and then pass them around to your friends

Grinder,
That works for me.

Best regards,
BM1

 

[RedCardinal]

Originally posted by Grinder:
Because my wife won't let me collect pretty girls

Glad to see you posting again RC.
I see I'm a bad influence
The secret is to buy used ones in the models you want to shoot and then pass them around to your friends

Grinder, I would not call it a bad influence. It may be the next best thing to collecting pretty girls and not as expensive. You not only have the collection but do a fantastic job of posting the best PC porn on the forum. Every time I see one of your PC photos, I get the PC fever. And there is always the easy justification to buy another. Like, I have the stainless one and just need a black one or I have the 3.5" barrel so I need a 4", 5" and 6" to fill out the suite. There's 90 ways from Sunday to justify continuing to collect if you have the cash, but the current economy has made me rethink that. I have begun selling and trading other guns to get PC pistols. Now that I have started shooting them, I have a treatment for your PC porn. Temporarily, at least. So you just keep on collecting, photographing, and posting. And if you ever buy any used ones, I want to be first in the friends line. I'll even bring the ammo.

 

[orangehole]

I think collecting pretty girls might be cheaper than buying PC autos/Revos these days.It might also be cheaper to feed a pretty girl than to feed my Shorty 45 with the crazy price of ammo!

 

[84CJ]

My theory with all my firearms is "It is not a collectable until I wear it out"

I buy PC guns to shoot. And have a great time doing it. Some folks think I am an awsome shot they shoot sub-par pistols. The gun can make a difference if it is nothing more than convidence in your equipment. Shoot and enjoy.

 

[Catshooter]

The first eight rounds out of my then new to me Shorty .45 at 20 yards went into a hole that will hide completly behind a quarter.

They do shoot.



Cat

 

[RedCardinal]

Originally posted by rbert0005:
RC,

I concur 100%.

Great guns, for sure.

Bob

Yes Bob, and it was pictures of your black 945 that I could not get out of my mind. You also gave the heads up on my first 945, a black 4". Then there was at-home-daddy's black 945 4" photo that made me keep looking for more. The 945 4" is balanced all around--looks, size, and performance. Now that my confidence is up, I will be qualifying one more PC pistol, the 945 3.75". I will be using a Black Hills paddle holster purchased on your recommendation. It fits the 945 better than the Kramer I used when qualifying the 945 4". Both work fine, but I like the Black Hills best not to mention that it cost less. Thanks again Bob.

 

[SwampWolf]

My theory with all my firearms is "It is not a collectable until I wear it out"

Great original post and a great response. Compared to all the so-called custom operations out there, I consider the Smith PC guns to be the best bargains of the bunch, bar none.

 

[rbert0005]

You know, I saw a two tone full sized like mine on one of the auction sites the other day.

For not too bad money too !

Bob

 

[NAYTH]

Proudly own a first year issue 945 and a matched pair of "K"-Comps; a stainless "F" and a Teflon coated "K".

They are all wonderful guns to shoot, deadly accurate and are by no means "wall hangers". I have replaced two mainsprings in my 945 and the barrel on my K.

Go with the Performance Center; the equipment may be a bit pricey, but well worth the price of admission.

Nayth

 

[martialcomp]

Yep...

PC guns rock. IMHO, they are the best value for the money out there today.

I still don't understand why people buy Nighthawks, Wilson's, Les Baer's, etc. when the PC guns will match their performance.

On one of our trips to the desert, we put out several, water filled, glass globes at about 25 yards.

I hit mine with the Shorty 40 in about 2 shots. I then watched and waited while the other guys shot through an entire magazine. Some had to go to a second magazine to hit the globe.

 

[furyalecto]

RC's post helped inspire me to take my PPC Smith out today & have some fun. Joy! joy!

 

[orangehole]

PC guns rock. IMHO, they are the best value for the money out there today.

I still don't understand why people buy Nighthawks, Wilson's, Les Baer's, etc. when the PC guns will match their performance.

On one of our trips to the desert, we put out several, water filled, glass globes at about 25 yards.

I hit mine with the Shorty 40 in about 2 shots. I then watched and waited while the other guys shot through an entire magazine. Some had to go to a second magazine to hit the globe.

Shhh..Don't let the secret out. Let the fools buy the high priced 1911's while we, the truely enlighted can appreciate the Performance center products!

 

[martialcomp]

Lol...

Exactly Orangehole

I still have never seen a magazine test on any pistol out there that beat a Smith and Wesson 952.

The best group came in at .70" for 10 shots at 25 yards.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_160_26/ai_92585776/

I think everyone here would be shocked at how mediocre the highest priced 45's are in the accuracy area compared to PC guns.

There are some that easily do 1" at 25 yards, while others come in at 1.5" inches or higher.

However, even a 4" barreled PC 5906 will do an honest 1" at 25 yards and it has a shorter barrel than most of the custom 1911's out there.

I challenge everyone here to find a better accuracy grouping from one of the magazine tests than a 952. Les Baer, Ed Brown, Wilson, Springfield Custom, Nighthawk, etc.

Yes, I know that Les Baer makes a claim to 50 yard accuracy however one must account for the trajectory drop at that range which comes in at around 1". (the lowest trajectory drop at 50 yards is actually the 357 Sig).

I still think that S&W could sell the Shorty series of PC pistols like hotcakes if they chose to produce them again. (Shorty 9, 40, 45, and a newly added 357 Sig).

 

[RedCardinal]

Well said. I would just like to add a PC 4" 10MM to the list for S&W to consider making. I would really like to see it in a 10 CQB style. And then a 945 in 10MM and call it a 1010. Are you listening Vltor, uh...ah, I mean S&W.