S&W continues to listen to the market by rolling out a tuned Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ, the model the company built for shooters who prefer easier-to-rack handguns. MSRP $588.
The new Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ is chambered in 9mm and features a variety of Performance Center upgrades.
Tony Miele, Sr. Director, New Products and Performance Center, said, “The Performance Center has the ability to design and manufacture specialty upgrades normally found in aftermarket work, straight from the factory. With the popularity of the M&P9 Shield EZ, we set out to develop Performance Center versions with porting, a tuned action, aftermarket sights, and more.”
The new Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ pistols feature an 8+1 round capacity and a 3.8-inch barrel. The Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ pistol ships with two 8-round magazines that feature a load assist tab for quick, easy loading, as well as a Picatinny-style equipment rail to accommodate accessories. The pistol also features an M&P pistol 18-degree grip angle for a natural point of aim, HI-VIZ Litewave H3 sights, and a light, crisp trigger. 
MODEL: Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ 13227
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Action: Internal Hammer Fired
Overall Length: 7.0 inch
Barrel Length: 3.83 inch
Weight: 23.2 oz.
Sights: HI-VIZ Litewave H3 Tritium/Litepipe
Frame Material: Polymer
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
Slide Finish: Armornite
Frame Finish: Matte Black
Thumb Safety: Yes
Model Numbers by Color, Thumb Safety/No Thumb Safety
| Black 13223/13224 | ||
| Silver 13225/13226 | ||
| Gold 13227/13228 | ||
FEATURES:
- Ported barrel to reduce muzzle flip
- Lightening cuts in slide for reduced weight
- PC flat face, gold colored anodized aluminum trigger
- PC enhanced gold colored anodized aluminum grip safety
- PC ported, Titanium coated, gold finish barrel
- Easy-to-rack slide
- Performance Center action, crisp, lightweight trigger with tactile and audible trigger reset
- HI-VIZ® Litewave H3TM Tritium/Litepipe Sights
- Tactile loaded chamber indicator (TLCI)
- Picatinny-style rail
- Two 8-round magazines
- Includes Performance Center Cleaning Kit
As a senior, potential buyer, your comments regarding the ported barrel are concerning, so re-thinking the purchase. Why would someone want one? I have small hands, decent strength, but struggle with some dexterity issues. I tried the regular 9mm EZ and could rack it, but it was hard sometimes to engage the palm safety and trigger. I was interested in this modification because they took that into consideration after consumer complaints, and made the safety easier (larger) and the trigger bare to address that issue. The ported barrel was a bad call for our demographic. Certainly a gun for a certain consumer, but if I’m going to have a gun I want one that is comfortable enough that I will continue to practice and enjoy using.