From a shorty .500 S&W Magnum to ported slide and barrel upgrades for your M&P pistol to a 6.5 Creedmoor M&P10 rifle, Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center has a bunch of new products to announce for 2017. S&W’s press release and photos follow…

The Performance Center® By Smith & Wesson® Unveils Innovative Lineup for 2017

New Pistols, Rifles, Revolvers, and Slide Kits Lead the Way

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., January 9, 2017 – The Performance Center by Smith & Wesson announced today a number of new products including pistols, rifles, revolvers, and slide kits for 2017.  Performance Center fans have always appreciated the blending of world-class precision machining with the hand-work of Performance Center Gunsmiths.  In 2017, fans will be happy to see that tradition continue with the launch of a number of new products.

New Performance Center M&P® Rifles

When the engineers at the Performance Center first saw the 6.5 Creedmoor they knew they were looking at something special.  Ever since that first encounter, they have been working on a rifle that would enhance the performance characteristics of the caliber.  In 2017, the engineers are proud to introduce the M&P10 6.5 Creedmoor (sku: 10057.)  TheM&P10 6.5 Creedmoor is a rifle with a precision, two-stage match trigger, a 15-inch free-float Troy® Alpha Rail® with M-LOK® handguard, Magpul® buttstock and pistol grip. The threaded 20-inch barrel sends rounds down range with incredible accuracy. This rifle is a long-range shooter’s dream.

For years, three-gun competitors have been asking for a Performance Center model.  Fans have asked for custom shop features that will enhance their skills and give them the edge they need to win.  The Performance Center has answered the call with the M&P15 Competition (sku: 11515) rifle.  The competition-class rifle comes standard with a Performance Center muzzle brake, a two-stage match trigger, a 15-inch free-float Troy Alpha Rail with M-LOK handguard.  Also included is a VLTOR® I-Mod 6-position stock, and an 18” medium profile barrel with smooth cycling rifle-length gas system.  The barrel is coated with Armornite for durability and corrosion resistance.  The 5R rifling and a 1-in-8 twist enhances the rifles accuracy and reduces barrel maintenance.  The combination of these barrel features and the twist rate extend the rifle’s versatility.  Competitors will realize they don’t just want the newest offering from the Performance Center, they need it.

New Performance Center M&P Pistols

Since 2006, the Performance Center has gained a reputation for taking standard M&P pistols and adding the Performance Center touch.  The new Performance Center M&P45 Shield™ pistol (sku: 11629) follows in this tradition.  Consumers will quickly notice the factory ported barrels and slides. The factory porting helps keep muzzle flip down which assists the shooter to get the pistol back on target faster.  The Performance Center M&P45 Shield pistol can be purchased with either adjustable HI-VIZ® fiber optic sights or Tritium Night Sights (sku: 11727.)


Consumers will want to see the new ported M&P pistols in the Performance Center catalog.  Available in multiple configurations, the full-size pistols can be purchased in the standard 4.25” barrel or the 5” long slide.  Both barrel lengths can be available in two of the most popular pistol calibers, 9mm and .40S&W.  Shooters will appreciate the fast acquisition with the HI-VIZ sights and they will be quickly back on target with the reduced-recoil from the factory ported slides and barrels.  A Performance Center sear and an adjustable trigger stop provide a smooth shot with reduced over-travel.

New Performance Center M&P Slide Kits

For the first time in 2017, customers can “hot rod” their M&P pistol with the new Performance Center C.O.R.E .™ slide Kit (multiple skus).  Each slide kit comes with a ported barrel and slide.  The slide is cut to accept five different optic mounting plates.  The white-dot front sight and drift-adjustable rear sight allow for easy target acquisition.  Also included are three C.O.R.E. style palmswells.  The patented interchangeable palmswell system allows the user to customize the grip and feel of their M&P, enhancing the pistol’s natural 18 degree grip angle.  Slide kits are available for a number of different pistol configurations.

New Performance Center Concealed Carry Revolvers

In 2017 the Performance Center 38 S&W Special +P compact revolvers come in two new versions. Both variations come with a 1.88-inch barrel, Performance Center-tuned action and an internal hammer to reduce snagging while drawing.  One version (sku: 10186) comes with a custom textured wood grip and a matte silver finish, while the other version (sku:170348) has a cylinder that is cut for moon clips and a synthetic grip with a stylish wood insert.   The bright-finish on the cylinder flutes contrasts the black synthetic grips.  The thumb piece and side-plate screws complete the stunning appearance.

The Model 637 38 S&W Special +P (sku: 170349) revolver comes standard with a Performance Center-tuned action and an external hammer for easy cocking. The matte finish blends well with the custom textured wood grips, making this functional firearm at home in a holster or in a collector’s cabinet.

New Performance Center Hunting Revolvers

Big-bore fans will like the newest additions in the Performance Center Handgun Hunting category.  The new 460VXR™ revolver (sku: 11626) now has an option with a 7.5-inch barrel with muzzle break, holds five rounds of the 460 S&W Magnum, has a Performance Center-tuned action, chrome trigger and custom tear drop hammer. It has an integral scope base and a HI-VIZ green fiber optic front sight. A gun rug and carry sling are included, to make it a great option for the handgun hunting enthusiast.

The newest S&W500™ revolver (sku: 11623) comes with a 3.5-inch barrel and a Performance Center-tuned action.  The unfluted cylinder, chromed trigger, over-travel-stop, custom teardrop hammer and HI VIZ fiber optic front sight provides this revolver with modern style and superb ergonomics.  The 500 S&W Magnum comes with a Performance Center embossed gun rug to keep it picture perfect all year long.

Performance Center Mid-Frame Revolvers

The 2017 Model 586 L-Comp revolver (sku: 170170) comes with an integrated compensator for faster target acquisition on follow-up shots and reduced recoil.  Chambered in 357 Magnum and 38 S&W Special +P, this conceal-carry revolver has a three-inch, ported barrel and Tritium front night. The 586 has a Performance Center trigger and trigger stop as well as a teardrop hammer.  The action is tuned by the Performance Center gunsmiths.

Consumers looking for a carry gun will be interested in the compact 9mm Model 986 revolver (sku 10227.) The 2017 version features a seven round, CNC machined, titanium cylinder with a Performance Center-tuned action. The 2.5” barrel has a recessed precision crown making the revolver easy to conceal.  The chromed custom teardrop hammer, trigger and trigger stop add style and function, making this a great option for consumers and professionals.

For more information on these and other fine firearms, go to www.smith-wesson.com

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Corp. is a provider of quality firearms for personnel protection, target shooting and hunting in the global consumer and professional markets. Smith & Wesson is world famous for its handguns and long guns sold under the Smith & Wesson®, M&P®, and Thompson/Center Arms™ brands.  Through its Manufacturing Services Division, Smith & Wesson Corp. also provides forging, machining, and precision plastic injection molding services to a wide variety of consumer goods companies. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.

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25 COMMENTS

  1. 2″ .500? Cook your meat at the same time you shoot it! Hell, the concussion would probably tenderize it as well.

    • Just what I was going to comment on as well. At 3.5 inches, that “hunting” revolver is not a gun I’d be able to hunt with accurately, and follow up shots would take an eternity to bring to bear (pun intended).

      • My thoughts exactly. I own a Performance Center Model 500 with a 6.5″ barrel and in light of the intended performance of a magnum cartridge why would anyone find a snub nose barrel appealing ? It robs the cartridge of it’s potential.
        To me it’s like buying a Bugatti Chiron ( fastest production car in the world, 1500 hp ) and putting the skinniest tires you can find on it. I don’t get it.

  3. I love revolvers, and even own a Performance Center R8, but I have to say this 2017 line up is a bit of a let down.

    That L-Comp revolver is ugly as sin, and not in the good way.

    Take the more modern styling of the S&W500, make it an 8-round Performance Center tuned .357 L or N frame, and I’ll be in line to buy it. Maybe 2018?

  4. I noticed that all of the wheelgun pics show the right side. Could it be to hide the “Hillary hole” safety? Are PC guns available in safety-free models?

    • I really wish Smith & Wesson would realize that it’s 2017 and time to stop capitulating to ridiculous outdated notions of the internal lock as a safety device. The inclusion of that device was a sorry concession to gun rights opponents, and it’s time for Smith to roll it back.

        • …and less prone to failure.

          When I trust my life to a firearm, I’m all about additional potential points of failure…

  6. No Performance Center full-sized .45, sadly. I was out shooting the old PC 9mm this weekend, and it was sweet, except for the feel of the trigger. The PULL of the trigger was great, but it’s too curved, forcing the trigger finger to either go too high or get pinched.

    No sure if the porting really “helped” put it looked cool.

    • “Eh, I guess Ruger still gets my money.” I know they get mine. no time for S&W. Hillery Hole, caving to Clinton admin, spotty QC.

    • Yeah it’s not like Bill Ruger ever sold us out to the gun-control crowd by writing a letter to every member of congress strongly encouraging a federal ban on any magazine with a capacity over 15 rounds….

      • Which wasn’t a great thing to do, but as a company ruger has moved past that (AR/SR556, mini 14 with 30 rounders, 10/22s withe 25 round mags from factory). I’m happy enough to forgive past mistakes, however S&W hasn’t left theirs in the past.

  8. What’s the deal with S&W and the right side only pictures of their revolvers?

    You’d almost think they were trying to hide the hideous internal lock…

  9. I love it when a company releases a “new gun” that they already released. The 460 with 7.5 barrel sure looks an awful lot like the bone collector model that was released 2 years ago.

    • .500 Special with a (holy shit, is this right?) 700 grain flat nose? hahahahaha. I gotta buy one now.

  11. I can honestly say that I have had nothing but trouble trying to locate the ported .45 . I have gone to several gun shops and none of them have the ported .45 , but will gladly order from their warehouse cause they show 13 in stock ,please!!! The weapon is in my knowledge one of the best compacts on the market. I have checked out the shield .45 and it was instant lust!!! Now to locate one, and I’m not giving up.

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