American Rifleman Television: Inside the Smith & Wesson Performance Center

Published on August 17, 2018
Duration: 8:11

The Smith & Wesson Performance Center offers custom-shop-level features on production firearms at a fraction of the cost. They utilize advanced CNC machining for precision parts, followed by hand-fitting to achieve superior performance. Key enhancements include ported barrels for reduced muzzle flip, improved trigger components for a crisper reset and smoother pull, and optics-ready slides with interchangeable plates for easy red dot sight installation.

Quick Summary

Smith & Wesson Performance Center firearms provide custom shop features like hand-fitting, improved triggers, and ported barrels at a production gun price. They utilize advanced CNC machining combined with meticulous hand-fitting to achieve superior performance and ergonomics, making them highly desirable for enthusiasts and competitors.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction to Performance Center
  2. 00:39History of the Performance Center
  3. 01:06Manufacturing and Hand-Fitting Process
  4. 01:52Performance Center M&P Ported Shield Features
  5. 02:35Performance Center 1911 Features
  6. 03:25Optics Ready Equipment (CORE)
  7. 04:50Evolution of the Performance Center
  8. 05:36Inside the Ported Shield
  9. 06:56What Defines Performance Center Products
  10. 07:22Employee Heritage and Quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes Smith & Wesson Performance Center firearms from standard models?

Performance Center firearms offer custom shop-level features such as hand-fitting, specialized triggers, ported barrels, and enhanced ergonomics. These are produced in larger batches than true one-off custom guns, allowing them to be offered at a significantly lower price point than traditional custom builds.

How does the Performance Center achieve superior trigger quality on its firearms?

The Performance Center enhances trigger quality through components like a Performance Center sear for quicker reset and a striker plunger with a larger radius for a smoother engagement with the trigger bar. This results in a lighter, cleaner trigger pull and improved feel.

What are the benefits of ported barrels and slides on Performance Center firearms?

Ported barrels and slides are designed to reduce muzzle flip during firing. This allows the shooter to get back on target more quickly, improving the speed and accuracy of follow-up shots, which is particularly advantageous in competition or defensive shooting scenarios.

What is the Optics Ready Equipment (CORE) system offered by Smith & Wesson?

The CORE system allows for the direct mounting of red dot sights onto the firearm's slide without requiring additional gunsmithing. It typically includes a set of interchangeable plates to accommodate a wide variety of popular red dot optic footprints.

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