CORE Slide Kit General Questions; Holosun 507C

[kenh999]

New guy here. We're a M&P family with aging eyes. Got a Vortex Venom a while back to see if a RDS would work for us. Used a dovetail adapter on my M&P 9FS. Practicing with it confirmed for both of us to move forward with RDS. Two different use cases for our FS'. Her FS is used for training, teaching and some IDPA. She's a TWAW leader and instructor and works with women shooters. She prefers her Shield as EDC. I used to EDC my FS but the Shield has been for a couple years. I need the RDS for eyes so will return to the FS for EDC.  

 

Been researching costs of milling slides but saw posts here about just going with CORE Slide Kits that piqued my interest. I've found them for ~ $345-360 online (do you know of cheaper?). In comparison, it looks like milling a slide could easily run around $150-200+, add suppressor sights at $120+. I'm in the CORE Kit ballpark there. Plus get the porting, new barrel, multiple plates and the aesthetics. Almost a no-brainer if I'm not missing something? 

 

Questions:

 

1. Are there any compatibility issues to be aware of?

 

A. Her FS is a 4.25 in. 2012 Talo edition (NiB slide and barrel) w/Apex DCAEK. (got it in a trade few yrs ago)

B. Mine is a 2015 4.25 in. also with an Apex DCAEK with the stock M&P trigger spring. 

 

2. Besides the porting, do the CORE Kit barrels perform better than stock barrels? If so, why?

 

3. Does the porting REALLY improve recoil impulse? We normally run 147gr in our FS, we like the flatter recoil. HST 147gr for EDC. Wondering if the porting makes 124 or 115 gr flat or just reduces flip? 

 

3. We're going with Holosun 507C for a few reasons: RMR cut, Shake Awake, reticle (she loves that), solar, and most of all - they're on sale now. Watched a few review vids but Aaron Cowan's torture test blew me away. Does anyone run this RDS on a CORE slide? Co-witness ok with the CORE sights? Co-witness not a big deal for hers but will be on mine w/EDC. Have a green dot model on the way for her. I'll order a red for me soon. Will move the Venom to something else (AR, .22, etc.)

 

4. I've seen the posts here about light strikes with the COREs. Some seem to be assoc. w/Apex. Are these issues outliers or common?

 

Appreciate any advice, suggestions or corrections.

 

Ken

Edited January 22, 2020 by kenh999
added text

[slodsm]

I can’t help with the CORE stuff, I don’t own any or know any of the compatibility answers.

 

But I do run 507c’s and you won’t be disappointed. It’s an outstanding little sight, standard RMR cut like you mentioned. The shake away is freakin quick and a great feature. They’re tough as nails. I’m a big fan. I get smoking deals on Vortex and Leupold gear but I still prefer the Holosun. 
 

I don’t have personal experience with an RMR though so I can’t say better/worse/equal. I’ll let other people argue that but whenever I decide to pick up a CORE of I feel like trying it out in CO instead of my Glock 17, I’ll be ordering another Holosun. 

[kenh999]

14 minutes ago, slodsm said:

I can’t help with the CORE stuff, I don’t own any or know any of the compatibility answers.

 

But I do run 507c’s and you won’t be disappointed. It’s an outstanding little sight, standard RMR cut like you mentioned. The shake away is freakin quick and a great feature. They’re tough as nails. I’m a big fan. I get smoking deals on Vortex and Leupold gear but I still prefer the Holosun. 
 

I don’t have personal experience with an RMR though so I can’t say better/worse/equal. I’ll let other people argue that but whenever I decide to pick up a CORE of I feel like trying it out in CO instead of my Glock 17, I’ll be ordering another Holosun. 

 

Thanks for the validation!

[kenh999]

I just realized that I did not see adapter plates listed with the Slide Kits, both at S&W website and other retailers.  I guess I just assumed so after looking at the CORE pistols.

 

Are the adapter plates available separately from S&W?

[Shep]

I've never experienced any light strike issues. This thing has been disgustingly reliable. I have apex trigger and the FSS.

[ryan45kim]

I bought a core kit to try carry optics. I’ve not had any reliability issues, overall I’m happy with the kit. Every light strike issue I’ve seen with an M&P is either tied to interference with the firing pin safety or running a light striker spring. I can’t comment on the ported barrel as I never fired around out of it I just installed an Apex. Every core kit I’ve seen including mine has come with the five adapter plates. I run a vortex venom on mine so cannot comment on the holosun. I’d recommend the kit and good luck to you and your wife.