I have a new Performance Center 380 EZ. I've taken it to the range once and was very surprised by the number of malfunctions I experienced with it, including the dreaded LRS Syndrome. Internet searches about the problem led me here.

I didn't think to write down the details at the time, but I fired about 250 rounds and experienced about a dozen malfunctions. Mostly the Last-Round-Stovepipe, but also a couple of failure to eject. I think the failure to eject may have been ammo-related because it only occurred with one particular type of ammo, and only when loaded 8+1. (I had taken a variety of flavors to try out.)

I'm grateful for all of the work you folks have done to research this issue, and for the information you've shared. It's surprising and frustrating that there seems to be a lack of meaningful support from the manufacturer for this problem, but I'm still interested in trying to get my EZ to function properly.

I agree with what seems to be the general consensus that the magazines are a problem. The springs were very light to begin with, and are already noticeably weaker than they were just one week ago. One is weaker than the other, and so light that the last round just about falls out on its own if you are thumbing them out. Mine do have the yellow paint.

Before trying to make any changes to the magazines, I plan to take mine back to the range and collect some data. I'm also going to contact S&W, although I'm not really hopeful that they'll be of much help based on what I've read here. At least it will be one more trouble report to add to their database.

Another non-LSR quirk is related to magazine insertion. Loading a magazine when the slide is locked open requires a very narrow "sweet spot" level of force. Not enough, and the mag won't seat. But too much force, and the slide moves forward on its own and chambers a round. It was so difficult to consistently apply this "just right" level of force that after a while I just gave up and made sure to slap the mag hard enough to make the slide move back into battery every time.

It also seems to require more force than it should to properly seat the magazine when the slide is already closed. Not really a problem, I was just surprised by it. I saw another post where someone else mentioned this same quirk.

I received the new (longer) springs from S&W. They do have yellow paint on them. After installing new springs, The issue is STILL there. Nothing has changed as far as stove piping and ejecting live rounds.

Scuff the top of your followers where the follower makes contact with the cartridge/casing to increase friction. That's the only thing we've found that "fixes" the last round stovepipe issue.

I received the new (longer) springs from S&W. They do have yellow paint on them. After installing new springs, The issue is STILL there. Nothing has changed as far as stove piping and ejecting live rounds.

Phil,

I bought the .380 EZ for my wife. She has had the stovepipe issue and, on more than one occasion, has said "It only fired 4 times" (she loads only 5 rounds). One time the RSO thought she had a squib and actually disassembled the gun to make sure it was clear.

Anyway, I only found this forum last week and spent several hours reading through the threads on this issue. Friday we went to the range and I watched carefully as her EZ spit three perfectly good "last rounds" out onto the ground. There's my "Ahah!" moment. I've got work to do on the magazines.

I've seen Mr. christak's pictures of his scuffed followers; I may eventually go that route. But I was curious about the ongoing success of your solution of putting sandpaper on the follower. I have a couple of questions.

How did you attach the sandpaper? Double-sided tape? Glue?

Have you had any concerns over grit coming off the sandpaper into the chamber, extractor, or other parts? Grit, pieces of, or even the whole piece of sandpaper?

Have you had to replace the sandpaper? How long does it last, in terms of times the mags were used?

Do you think traction tape would work, or be too gritty?

You used 220 grit. I have some 400 lying around. Would that be course enough? I was thinking of sticking it on the followers with Command strips but I don't want to gum up the works before asking.

Thanks,

NukeRef

I purchased a Smith & Wesson #12718 Performance Center Shield EZ 380 back in November of 2020 and finally tracked down some ammo. Loaded the magazine with 8 rounds, but couldn't fully engage the magazine into the gun. Took out 1 round and it would engage just fine. Shot 6 of the rounds and the 7th, from what I'm reading elsewhere on this site, "Stove-piped". Any suggestions?

NukeRef,

First let me apologize for the delay in replying. I did not see your post until now (apparently, I have been looking in the wrong place). In any case let me answer your questions.

I have not been able to do any more testing of my fix mainly due to COVID-19 issues and eye surgery. Hopefully, all will be back to normal (for me) starting March 1st.

I attached the sandpaper strips using double sided tape; it has not come off or shifted. However, each of my 4 magazines has been used only 5-6 times each with the strips attached.

I have no concerns about grit or the strips coming off. My purpose was to see if it worked and prove my suspicions. It is only to be a short term fix. I'm looking into a permanent fix like sanding the tops of the orange followers or lightly sandblasting the top surface.

Yes, I think traction tape would work, too. It eliminates using the double sided tape.

If you use 400 grit, I think that would work just fine because it is still a vast improvement over the slick finish on the followers. Regarding your last question, I am not familiar what "command strips" are.

If you have success, please post it here and just maybe we can get S&W to change the design of the follower and send us all new ones. (That probably won't happen).

Again, my apologizes for a late reply.

Phil

I have a 380 EZ that occasionally have stovepipe and loaded round ejection issues in both magazines. However, I also have a 9EZ that I have never had either of those issues to date. The 380EZ mag springs are weaker springs than the 9EZ. I was thinking the follower issue may be solved by making the follower concave in stead of flat.

GUY, That is exactly what I did. I fabricated followers out of aluminum that are concave, allowing the last round to ride a bit lower in the mag. thereby being supported on its sides rather than riding on the flat surface of the plastic follower. I have seen the video on here of a round standing up on the magazine before the slide had completely opened. I've always thought that the last round was being "Tiddely Winked" by the slide passing over on its way back. My .02 Quick

Exactly what Quick said...

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