Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P Shield X Carry Comp

A trend that is catching significant traction in the firearms industry is ported or compensated barrels. However you want to describe it, a handgun that vents its excess gases upwards makes for a better shooting experience - whether it is for concealed carry or not. Smith & Wesson recognizes this and has added Carry Comp iterations to their Performance Center M&P Shield X lineup.

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Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P Shield X Carry Comp

In total, there are 3 new Carry Comp offerings that carry an MSRP of $699 for the Performance Center M&P Shield X. You can choose from Thumb Safety, No Thumb Safety, and a 10-round compliant model as well. All are linked below for additional information:

• Performance Center® M&P® Shield X™ Carry Comp No Thumb Safety | SKU: 14269
• Performance Center® M&P® Shield X™ Carry Comp Thumb Safety | SKU: 14270
• Performance Center® M&P® Shield X™ Carry Comp Thumb Safety 10RD Compliant | SKU: 14271

The secret sauce that these pistols are imbued with can really be boiled down to the attributes present on the slide and barrel. Smith & Wesson elaborates on that in their video and features list below:

• Carry Comp® - Our strategically designed PowerPort™ diverts gas upwards to reduce felt recoil when firing.
• Aggressive Slide Design - Aggressive front and rear serrations for effective racking.
• ClearSight™ Cut - Our unique design diverts gasses away from your optic letting you maintain an unobstructed view when firing.

A Word from Smith & Wesson on their Performance Center M&P Shield X Carry Comp

“Maryville, Tennessee - November, 2025 - Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of the Performance Center® M&P®9 Shield X™ Carry Comp®.

Engineered to enhance the M&P Shield X platform, the new PC Shield X Carry Comp delivers a superior shooting experience. Chambered in 9mm with a capacity of 13+1, 15+1 or 10+1 for compliant states, it is an ideal choice for those looking for a premium sub-compact concealed carry option. The innovative PowerPort™ feature integrated into its 3.6-inch fluted barrel effectively harnesses high-pressure gases to mitigate muzzle rise during firing, thereby reducing felt recoil. Similar to the standard Shield X model, this pistol features aggressive front and rear serrations for enhanced racking ease, a reversible magazine catch, and a longer, ergonomically designed grip that maximizes capacity. Additionally, it encompasses an integrated front rail and squared-off trigger guard to accommodate various light and laser accessories.

Out of the box, it comes equipped with an Ameriglo® Trooper LumiGreen front sight and a blacked-out serrated u-notch rear sight to improve visibility in low-light or daylight conditions. The PC Shield X Carry Comp utilizes an RMSc/K optics-ready footprint that provides direct-mounting capabilities for red dot sights and also includes a ClearSight™ Cut design intended to divert gases away from the optic glass, ensuring an unobstructed view.”

Final Thoughts

The new Carry Comp models from Smith & Wesson not only look sexy in the Shield X lineup, but they should be performers as well. We all know that 9mm doesn’t have enormous recoil, but if you can maintain your sight alignment through recoil, shoot faster, and more confidently, that will all translate into us being better shooters (hopefully). As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Smith & Wesson and their new Performance Center M&P Shield X Carry Comp pistols in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.