Smith & Wesson Performance Centre

I have been running an S&W M&P 15-22 TB (standard version) for well over a year now and I have to say it’s a great 22 semi-auto AR. In fact it’s the nearest thing you’re going to get to a real 223 black rifle, as all controls are identical, the best being the automatic last round hold open and manual bolt release. On the down side it’s a little different with its polymer upper and lower receiver halves and forend, and the trigger could be better. Some might say ugly, but I reckon Smith saw the proliferation of 22 ARs out there and decided to build something more for function than looks.

The layout shows a CAR15-type telescopic stock and A2 pistol grip. The upper receiver has a 22 LR-sized ejection port (no cover) with integral case deflector. The forend is a 4-way, free-float and the barrel a standard weight with a cage-type flash hider with a muzzle threaded 1/2x28 UNEF. Detachable, AR15-style iron sights are included and it comes with a 25-round magazine, with a 10 as optional.

PERFORMANCE CENTER SMITHS
S&W also offer the same rifle in what they call an MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) model, here they replace the butt, pistol grip and sights (new fold-down MBUS units) with Magpul equipment and add forend rail guards. You have the option of black, green or dark earth, probably does not make the rifle shoot any better, but they look far cooler. If you like you could have a TB in pink camo, it’s not as mad as you might think. Whatever they look like the M&P 15-22 is a popular gun in the USA and has a big following in the UK too.

As an old git S&W means handguns to me, be it for police or sports use and they have always offered ‘performance center’ options. Here an in-house engineering department will trick and slick up certain models that are then sold as specials. It’s a winning idea and one they have now incorporated the M&P 15-22 into.

SAME BUT DIFFERENT
So what I have here courtesy of Suffolk Rifle Co, the official UK retailer, is the M&P 15-22 Performance Center; henceforth known as the PC. I had heard a lot of rumours about this model that it was totally different with an amazing trigger etc, new bolt, was more ammofussy and super accurate. Smith’s website shows it has 2-stage match trigger, heavier, fluted, match grade precision chambered 18” barrel, Hogue rubber over-moulded pistol grip and Vltor stock. As before it comes with identical iron sights and a 1/2x28 UNEF muzzle thread but no flash hider, instead a protector and a 10-round mag is supplied as standard.

I was intrigued and thought the longer/heavier barrel, improved trigger and superior Vltor butt alone probably made it a good deal. Given the TB is around £600 and the PC £850 a big chunk of that £250 difference is taken up by the butt alone. Neal Parnham (of Suffolk Rifle) just got in a load of PCs and kindly loaned me one to test.

A FEW SURPRISES
The basic chassis remains the same as does the bolt. The Vltor stock is impressive with a rubber butt pad, twin storage tubes that make up ambidextrous cheekpieces, which can also hold small items like batteries. The Hogue grip has full finger grooves and is stippled to provide a very secure handle. The barrel is .72” in diameter and only fluted where it comes out of the forend, which to me indicates this is more a cosmetic touch. Weight difference between the TB and the PC is just 0.4 lb at 5lbs and 5.4 respectively. In terms of dimensions the two guns are near identical, with the PC showing a length of 35.75” and the TB 33.75”. The real difference is the barrel as the TB’s looks the same length due to its flash hider, which the PC does not have.

Operationally the trigger is better, but not the match unit S&W promises. The 1st stage is just take-up followed by a firm but crisp 4lb break, to me match means something sub-2lbs! In fairness it’s much better than the graunchy, military pull of my TB, however, weight and smoothness aside they do not feel that different. As far as I can see apart from the tweaking of the sear the real change is a low mass hammer is fitted, which should give a quicker lock time as it will fall fractionally faster. On that point when firing the two rifles the faster lock time of the PC is very apparent!

Checking cocking effort showed that the PC has a more powerful hammer spring, which I suppose makes sense as it has to fly forward faster to impart the same energy to the firing pin for consistent ignition. This as I discovered can be a mixed blessing especially with lower power rounds like sub-sonic and standard velocity.

OVER THE TOP
I set the rifle up with a Leupold 4.5-15x50 LRT in high, Warne QD mounts, OK a bit over the top but a good scope that would allow me to get precise. I selected a cross section of ammo; CCI and Remington subs, SK standard fodder and MagTech high velocity HP.

The Vltor stock much like the Magpul ACS I have on my modified TB is a vast improvement over the Rock River Arms type unit on the TB and does not wobble around. However, the Hogue grip was not deep enough for my hand and though providing a secure hold could have done with more back strap to position the trigger fi nger (first pad) on the blade. I would have sooner seen a Magpul M1AD unit or an ERGO, which can do all that.

Given the 18” barrel reliability was poor by comparison and not as expected with both subs and standard velocity. The PC fed 100% but was prone to ejecting, chambering the new round but not cocking the hammer. This was not an issue with high velocity fodder, which gives weight to my thoughts on the power of the hammer spring bleeding speed and energy from the cycling bolt as it tries to overcome the hammer and re-set the trigger mechanism.

FUSSY
Accuracy followed a similar route with subs and standards not being liked, as the PC tended to scatter its shots a lot more than I expected. Whereas hi-vel could hold around .75” at 50 and 1.5-2” at 100-yards. I did not experience any chambering problems, which for a match dimensioned unit is unusual as the Anschutz MSR I tested in October was very feed fussy, which makes me think the barrel is like the trigger – perhaps not quite as described! Match-type semi-autos can be fussy and more research into ammo would probably pay dividends as to finding what it really liked. I decided to remove the barrel support ring in the end of the forend, which effectively stops the tube from floating and pops out in seconds. I could never work out why Smith did this anyway and I binned mine as soon as I got it! This certainly improved consistency and shrank groups a little too.

At the end of the day I have to say I was a little disappointed with the Performance Center gun. The hype made me think it’s far better than the standard 15-22. Yes items like the stock and trigger do make a difference, but I was expecting a tack-driving machine by comparison to my TB, which it certainly isn’t.

However, it’s in a slightly different class and if you’re less bothered about what is essentially an M4 type as are the TB and MOE and dressing them up, then with the right ammo the PC could perhaps be what you are looking for in terms of a target-type semi-auto. It will probably run in a little with use and maybe live more up to its matchimplied promise; we shall see…

Better trigger and stock
Perhaps slightly less than the sum of its parts
Can be a little ammo fussy and prefers HV foddere

PRICE: £825