Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P® 45 Shield

 

S & W Performance Center Ported M&P® 45 Shield
SKU #	11629
Manufacturer	Smith and Wesson
Point of Origin	Springfield, MA
Type	Striker
Caliber	45 Automatic
Magazine Capacity*	6 and 7 Round Included
Barrel	3.3″ Stainless Steel Ported
Rifling	1:16″
Overall Length	6.5″
Overall Height	4.75″
Overall Width	0.95“
Weight	22.6 Oz.
Sight Radius	54″
Trigger Pull – Actual	6 Lbs. 3 Oz.
Sights – Windage Adj.	Hi Viz Red R Green F
Slide Material	Stainless Steel
Slide & Barrel Finish	Armornite® – Black Nitride
Frame Chassis	Stainless Steel
Grip Frame	Polymer
Safety	Passive Internal Sear Block
Magazine Disconnect	No
Loaded Chamber Check	Barrel Hood Viewport
MSRP	$609
* 7 Round Mag has extended finger support

The M&P Shield, introduced in 2012, is a slim, compact extension of the M&P produce line. The subject Performance Center ported M&P 45 Shield model was added to the catalog in 2017.

This pistol features precise hand assembly and hand fitted parts and assemblies. Ports cut down on muzzle jump to speed recovery for follow on shots, Hi Viz fiber optic sights make for fast target acquisition and Performance Center’s specialized sear and enhanced trigger makes for a crisp, and relatively light trigger pull.

The Shield’s non-reflective polymer grip frame and Armornite® matte black finish on slide and barrel leave no shiny pieces to attract attention, or create sight picture diminishing glare and Armornite® provides exceptional metallic parts protection.

 Full grip stippling makes for a non-slip hold. The grip is undersized compared to full size M&P pistols, which surely is inferred by the “compact” nomenclature.  and rear slide cocking serration ease slide racking, which is not always the case with compact 45 Autos where recoil spring tension must be added to compensate for reduced slide mass. Front cocking serrations are very… decorative.

The Hi Viz sights are very appropriate for a defensive firearm. The light pipes are thin enough to not overwhelm a sight pictures, but they really light up and stand in high contrast to just about any background. I like loaded condition viewports like the one at the union of barrel hood and frame. They are not an assembly that adds risk of mechanical failure and they are pretty conclusive in indication. They should never replace a proper check for empty, but a quick look down the port provides assurance of a loaded weapon.

The holes in the M&P 45 Shield’s slide look like exhaust headers exiting the fenders of a race car, which causes one to wonder how there would be enough gas pressure left in the barrel to drive a bullet. In reality, the holes on the slide are lightening cuts that reduce slide mass, as well as providing a vent for gases exit the barrel ports. The barrel ports align only within the front lightening cuts while venting, and venting is over before the slide moves far enough rearward to unlock from the barrel.

Clean assemblies, no surprises

Field stripping the Smith and Wesson M&P 45 Shield is straight forward and familiar; pop out the magazine, lock the slide open and check for empty, rotate the sear deactivation lever downward in the magazine well, rotate the takedown lever down, release slide and guide it off the frame. With the slide off, the recoil spring and then barrel lift out.

The frame is a modular assembly, a combination of polymer grip frame and stainless chassis containing fire control pieces and frame rails. The slide had no sharp or rough edges and all of the component parts moved feely. The double recoil springs and guide rod are combined as an assembly. The ported barrel is ramped to facilitate a rounds smooth transition from magazine to chamber.

The Shield is supplied with two magazines, a seven round with extension and a six round with a flat base. The appeal of the higher capacity magazine may be the extension for more finger support as much as the additional round. I did shoot the Shield with both short and long magazines and found the extended magazine to be the preference because it offered greater support and resulting control.

Works even better with ammo…

 

The price to pay for relatively shorter barrels is velocity and, in some cases, predictable bullet terminating performance. In this case, as supported by a good deal of accumulated test data; all of the bullets represented will fully expand at these velocities with the exception of the ARX that does not expand but uses its flutes to generate lateral hydraulic pressure, the Hornady TAP that penetrates well, but expands little and the Federal FMJ that does not expand, but will blow through 32″ of ballistic gel. A little something for everyone.

I was prepared to get my hand smacked and my wrists banged around, because of the M&P 45 Shields narrow grip and light weight, but it never happen. A light slide and reduced velocity took the edge off inertial recoil and the ports did a good job of dampening secondary recoil and keeping the muzzle down under fire. In fact, the 45 Shield is softer shooting than my own stainless steel Colt Officer’s Model, which is nearly twice the weight.

The Shield is surprisingly easy to hang onto, single hand or two hand holds, and it is easy to hold steady sights on a target. I like fiber optics sights to the extent I have installed them on most of my handguns, pistol and revolver. The light pipe diameter is about optimal and they are very bright in the slightest ambient light.

Smith and Wesson indicates this firearm is approved for use with +P level 45 Auto ammunition and both standard pressure and +P ammo were utilized during evaluation. Throughout live fire sessions, there were no jams, failure to fire or failure to cycle occurrences. Nothing shot loose, or broke, and clean up of the Armornite finish took little effort. A very well made and good performing compact.