So, add me to the club. I got super excited when I saw the announcement, as my 77 year old mother has limited hand strength due to arthritis, yet still wishes to be able to defend herself. She has revolvers, but she can't deal with the recoil of lightweight revolvers, and has an issue with the weight of heavier revolvers - as well as having difficulty with the long, heavy double action trigger. In the meantime, she has been consistently unable to rack the slide of any semi other than a .22, so she's stuck with the revolver.

The Shield EZ seems like the absolute perfect gun for her. Easy to handle, lightweight, 8+1 capacity - nothing not to like, other than caliber - but I'd much rather see her with a .380 she can and will use (and practice with, even) than a 9, .38, or .45 that gives her issues. I have some Gold Dots on order, and feel secure that they'll do the job if needed.

Anyway, went to an LGS yesterday and they'd just gotten some in. First one they showed me was with the thumb safety, and while I loved it, I am NOT in love with manual safeties on defensive firearms. Luckily, they also had at least one without the safety, priced at $359, so I bought it on the spot. I have .380 ammo on order, so hope to get to the range with it around the end of the week. I did show it to mom yesterday, and she is THRILLED with it - had absolutely NO problem manipulating the slide, using the thumb assist for loading the magazine, seeing the sights, or disengaging the grip safety. She said it finally makes her feel like she'd be able to effectively defend herself (she does have her CCW, but never had a gun she likes). I am so pleased that S&W saw fit to make a gun that caters to her market, rather than us gun guys.

I look forward to giving a range report, and have faith that it will perform as an M&P should.

Just checked my tracking and mine is supposed to be here today. Bad thing it it's super windy here today, but I doubt that stops me from trying out this evening. Living in the country on my own land has its advantages, internet speed be damned!

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

Congratulations. Nothing like keeping mom safe and happy!

p.s. I'd love to hear a report back after she gets a chance to fire it. Particularly, how she feels the recoil compares to a J frame 38.

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Dave

A good friend of mine's daughter likes to shoot his pistols and would like to have one of her own. He has a M&P shield in 9mm and IIRC she's shot it and thought it to be a bit to snappy for her. I told him he could let her shoot this whenever they have another father\daughter day and she's back in town.

I'm liking what I'm hearing about, anxious to try it out and let the GF shoot it.

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

I think it was brilliant marketing coming up with a product that addresses an entirely new demographic.

Eight rounds of: Gold Dot in the EZ 380 and she/he are Good to Go! Should be a fine defensive pistol for us Seniors!

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

That's certainly my take on it.

She will love it! And so will you. It's a great little auto for the intended audience.

Congratulations. I Love mine.

Pretty cool little pistol. I don't like that it is slightly longer than the Shield, but all things being equal, pretty nice little gun. I too chose the non-safety version.

I have not achieved 8+1 on my .380 EZ, don't want to force it. Anyone else have this issue trying to load a full mag with 1 chambered?