Shield EZ dud

"If I got the 380EZ, i would install a houge grip sleeve to hold the grip safety in at all times and use itnlike any other no thumb safety gun like the other shields!

I do not understand why the geip safety was installed ar all???"
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Because it is not like other Shields. It is a single-action, hammer-fired pistol.

Bullet Bob said:

Because it is not like other Shields. It is a single-action, hammer-fired pistol.

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All Shields are single action.

single action yes, but the .380 EZ is hammer fired, not striker fired.

Flyingfool said:

If I got the 380EZ, i would install a houge grip sleeve to hold the grip safety in at all times and use itnlike any other no thumb safety gun like the other shields!

I do not understand why the geip safety was installed ar all???

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People want to be able to holster their weapons safely.

I hope Smith gets the EZ right. I believe that there is a good market for guns designed for novice shooters or those might be handicapped or seniors who cannot operate the slides on many auto pistols.

That being said, Beretta should bring back the Model 86 Cheetah, and market it to those people. A medium sized .380 with the tip-up barrel is a perfect solution for those with recoil sensitivity and who are unable to rack a slide.

CCantu357 said:

I believe that there is a good market for guns designed for novice shooters...

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There is a market for this and a .380Auto isn't it.

i disagree

Rastoff said:

There is a market for this and a .380Auto isn't it.

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I disagree...when I go to the lgs to buy ammo, the hardest to find is 380acp.....because it is so popular now....my bodyguard380 is one of my most carried pistols, but I have a hard time finding target ammo to practice !
Lots of new gunowners out there today looking to buy 9x17 and 9x19

Rastoff said:

The "limp wrist" or shooter induced malfunction is more complicated than that. It's not just less force, but a sweet spot between no holding force and solid as a rock.

I've seen a gun that was held as loosely as possible feed perfectly. Same gun with a nice solid grip feed perfectly. Same gun with a slightly less than solid grip malfunction. There's a spot that's not zero back pressure, but not solid, that will cause just about any semi-auto to fail.

S

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I've had to many auto to give an accurate count.. 30? 40? probably more..
My hold is less than solid, sometimes loosey goosey.. I draw and shoot off the hip one handed all the time..


I have NEVER had a semi that didn't function 100%..

why am I so lucky when others aren't..I don't buy into limp wristing.

We took the EZ out this weekend for round 2.

My wife took what is for her an overly exaggerated high and tight grip and had much better performance, not as good with shot placement but it functioned with only 4 feeding or extracting failures out of 6 magazines. However, out of her six magazines, the last round was ejected UNFIRED 3 times.

I gave it another go and had only one issue, a stove pipe, in all of the ten magazines I shot. It was still hitting a good amount left after adjusting the sight. And yes, it’s the gun.

However, out of the ten magazines I had the last round ejected unfired 4 times. We labeled the magazines and it happens with both. That’s a big issue.

Then as an experiment, I tried limp wristing a magazine and had 3 failures similar to my wife’s first outing.

Oh well! These things can happen.

I cleaned it up nice and traded it in yesterday. I told the shop owner and he’s interested in trying it himself.

I have had absolutely no issues in any of my other S&W semi autos. This was a first for me. Honestly, the only other time I had such a bad experience was with a Bersa Thunder .380 (shudder).

I know I could have sent it in to have it looked at, but I only bought it because I think it’s a great idea and was hoping to recommend it to some people. I can’t do that as of yet, but maybe after it’s been out for a while and everything gets smoothed out I’ll try it again.

mrmike7189 said:

I disagree...when I go to the lgs to buy ammo, the hardest to find is 380acp.....because it is so popular now...

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I never said it wasn't popular. I just said it's not a good first gun. The two are mutually exclusive.

bigggbbruce said:

My hold is less than solid, sometimes loosey goosey.. I draw and shoot off the hip one handed all the time..

I have NEVER had a semi that didn't function 100%..

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Never a single malfunction in over 40 pistols? OK, if you say so. But just because you haven't had a malfunction doesn't mean shooter induced malfunctions are impossible. Like I said, it's not always just about holding it loosely. It could be that you just never hit the sweet spot. Maybe your grip is better than you think.

USAF385 said:

I cleaned it up nice and traded it in yesterday. I told the shop owner and he’s interested in trying it himself.

...the only other time I had such a bad experience was with a Bersa Thunder .380 (shudder).

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Trading it in was probably the right thing for you. I've seen many of the .380Auto guns have lots of malfunctions. People keep telling me how great they are, but I have yet to see it. I would like nothing better than to see a .380Auto that really works well.

My sister-in-law bought a Sig Sauer P238 and she likes it a lot. I have not fired or even handled it, but she says it works good. Maybe try that.

Rastoff said:

I never said it wasn't popular. I just said it's not a good first gun. The two are mutually exclusive.

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What do you believe is a good "first gun" since a lot of people appear to favor the Shield EZ?

gc70 said:

What do you believe is a good "first gun" since a lot of people appear to favor the Shield EZ?

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A gun that doesn't have "EZ" in the name title of it. They're bringing that consumer marketing into the game now. Which usually means the opposite of whatever they claim.

Bullet Bob said:

"If I got the 380EZ, i would install a houge grip sleeve to hold the grip safety in at all times and use itnlike any other no thumb safety gun like the other shields!

I do not understand why the geip safety was installed ar all???"
___________________________________________________
Because it is not like other Shields. It is a single-action, hammer-fired pistol.

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Probably for the same reasons that the army wanted a grip safety on the model 1911. Makes it less likely to put holes in things you don't want them in.

iPac said:

A gun that doesn't have "EZ" in the name title of it. They're bringing that consumer marketing into the game now. Which usually means the opposite of whatever they claim.

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Oh, my!

What if the marketing claims are true? Colt did actually sell the Government Model to, well, the government.

Is it okay if guns companies camouflage the name with initials rather than making claims like Light Carry, or Easy Carry, or Every Day Carry?

Rastoff said:

My sister-in-law bought a Sig Sauer P238 and she likes it a lot. I have not fired or even handled it, but she says it works good. Maybe try that.

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My wife has had one for about two years now and loves it. It is really a great little shooter. The only issue we’ve had with the P238 is one of the magazines sometimes doesn’t lock the slide back.

We’re really not upset about the EZ not working out. Like I said, it was more of an interest in trying it out.

S&W should make a new EZ M&P, based on the Model 10 or 64 M&P revolver.

A three or four inch round butt Model 10 in a matte blue finish or 64 in black stainless with Pachmayr Compac or Hogue Bantam grips. Equipped with some high visibility/fiber optic sight. Have a DAO model and Crimson Trace model as options. This would be the easiest and softest shooting Smith & Wesson around, and when loaded with FBI loads, a far better solution than a .380 ACP.