Smith and Wesson MP Shield EZ 9mm

Richard Steven · Dec 22, 2024

Hello to everyone,

I just came across this forum. It looks like a really great platform.
My spouse and I would like to purchase a EZ9 for many different reasons, including all the easy features and functions of this handgun. There are most likely other handguns that also have low recoil, including the Ruger All American Pro and several others. For some reason we both like the functional utility of the S&W EZ 9.

I am in the process of procuring ammo and I thought I would stay with the Speer Lawman 9mm Luger Ammo 124 Grain Total Metal Jacket OR the Federal American Eagle 124 grain for range use. My thoughts are when I make the next ammo purchase, I would like to stay with the same grain weight but for the defensive home protection go with the Hornady Critical Defense 124 grain. I do not practice that much so I am hoping these would be good choices without have to try different brands in different loads.

So, I guess my questions is if any members have any input on both the ammo and handgun choice, I would be happy to hear your input. Many thanks. Richard

MikeNV · Dec 22, 2024

Welcome to the forum.

I bought a 9EZ back in Jan '22. I made the mistake of buying one that came with a CT Laserguard. I never got use to the laser. It not a bad gun, just never a favorite. You probably know it only comes with 8 roung magazines - they're easy to load but limited in capacity.

A year later, I picked up an Equalizer and really like it. A slightly larger gun (grip), but with 10, 13 and 15 round magazines, compatable with a Shield Plus. The Equalizer has the same EZ rack technology as the EZ, and I believe it's worth a look if those are the features you're looking for. The Equalizer also comes with an optic cut.

As for ammo, you don't say why you lean toward 124 grain? Personally, I've always been happy with 115 gr for practice and self-defense ammo. It's cheaper, more readily available and gets the job done. There are lots of expansion and penetration test results of Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr FTX (my choice) online.

Richard Steven · Dec 22, 2024

Good input

Thank you for the input, Mike. The 9EZ is mostly for my spouse. I have a Sig Sauer 40. I was not sure about the 115 grain and the 124 grain. I believe they both work well. At first, I thought the 115 grain, thinking possibly less recoil but I am not sure if this is really the case. With the 40 Cal Sig the recoil not bad at all. It is a soft shooter for a 40. I do not believe the difference of 9 grains will matter too much. I think if shooting at the range the 115 for a flatter trajectory might beneficial. I was thinking the 124 for self-defense purposes, even though I may never be in that situation. So, that is why I figured I would try and stay 124 across target and self-defense. If the 115 has less recoil for her maybe this is the way to go. I might have been thinking faster out the barrel might increase the recoil. I also know it is a hard decision especially when not trying the different loads in the EZ9, which is what I was hoping not to do. This is the part of the equation I am not sure about. Hope this helps.

The 115 gr Lawman is 26.5 cents per round per 1,000 rounds at targetsportsusa and the 124 Lawman is 27 cents per round per 1,000 rounds. I have not ordered the ammo. It would be amazing to see if anyone with a S&W EZ9 has shot both. I might have also been thinking here in Maine and the cooler climate the 124 grain might penetrate better. Maybe, I am just over thinking. I liked the full size 9. I believe the Equalize was slightly smaller.

Oldsalt66 · Dec 22, 2024

My wife, who is an accomplished firearms enthusiast in her own right, bought an EZ 9 to replace the EZ .380 she carried everywhere because the .380 wasn't adequately reliable with any type of ammunition.

The EZ 9 has proven reliable, offers service pistol accuracy, and is very easy to manipulate for those with weak wrists and/or hand injuries.

The limited capacity is probably it's weakest point.

She carries 124 grain Federal HST and practices with 124 grain Fiocchi, Sellier and Bellot, and whichever other range ammo is available cheaply in bulk.

Another failing of the EZ 9 is that unlike as is the case with the EZ .380 and every other pistol either of us owns, you can't drop the slide with the slide catch (slide release) lever, and must slingshot the slide, making dropping the slide always a two handed manipulation.

An operation one can't perform with a seriously injured hand during an emergency.

Beju · Dec 22, 2024

I think that the S&W EZ line are excellent home defense pistols for their intended markets (women and elderly with limited hand strength). They can be a bit tricky for petite females to conceal, but there's no free lunch.

I like 124 gr for breaking in new handguns, as lightly loaded 115 gr can sometimes cause malfunctions in new guns with tight springs and wear surfaces that haven't smoothed out yet.

It's also nice to know that POA/POI will be more consistent with 124gr carry ammo, though that's arguably less important for home-defense than LE usage. That may not apply if you've got a much bigger house and/or more land than me. If your needs include being able to take an opportunistic shot at a coyote on your farm from 25+ yards before it can think about eating your chickens, that's entirely valid.

gc70 · Dec 22, 2024

Richard Steven said:
So, I guess my questions is if any members have any input on both the ammo and handgun choice, I would be happy to hear your input. Many thanks. Richard

I'm with @MikeNV - look at an Equalizer and there is nothing wrong with 115-grain ammo.

The Equalizer is basically dimensionally the same as the EZ9 (more below). The Equalizer provides more capacity at 10/13/15 rounds, includes a third magazine, is optics ready, and gun.deals shows the Equalizer is selling for about $25 less than the EZ9.

The EZ9 is a half inch taller than an Equalizer with a 10-round mag, the same height as an Equalizer with a 13-round mag, and not quite as tall as an Equalizer with a 15-round mag.

Below is a comparison of the Equalizer and EZ9 from the HandgunHero website. The last photo shows my EZ9 compared to my Equalizer with a 13-rd mag.

CajunBass · Dec 23, 2024

I've got three EZ's. 9mm, 30 Super Carry, and 380. To me the lower magazine capacity is one of the big things I like about them. The 9 and 380 are both 8 round magazines, the 30 SC has a 10 round I believe? Being an old revolver guy, those sound more than adequate to me. I've got a bad back and a little extra liightness goes a long way. I carry the 380, it's just slightly smaller and lighter, and the ammo weighs less. I can and do carry an extra mag "just in case."

As to ammo, I pretty much stick to Blazer Brass FMJ for the 9mm and 380 for range use. It works and is releatively inexpensive. I can't say I have a favorite carry anno, it's been pretty much whatever I can find when I'm looking for it. Gold Dots for the 9mm and Fiocchi for the 380 at the present time. The 30 SC is pretty much limited to Remington and Federal for FMJ. Remington for SD ammo. If anyone else makes it, I haven't seen it, but I don't shoot that one often anyway. I also reload for the 9mm, using Berry's 115 RN.

I've got other options both a Shield from the Performance Center (9 mm) and a Bodyguard 2 (380) but the EZ is one that will go in the holster this morning. I shoot that one best of all by a rather wide margin. I guess I fall right into that demographic they were looking for. Older, bad back, hands getting weaker and so on.

And it's fun to shoot.

Richard Steven · Dec 23, 2024

All great input

I am looking differently now at the handgun choice and ammo. It appears the Equalizer gives more functional utility with the magazine capacity. Also, with the optics which would be a great add on later. The grip is slightly larger than the 9EZ, the sights slightly tapered, and the grip safety (on the top) appears to be a bit square compared to the EZ9. Not sure if this would ever be a comfort issue between the thumb in the soft part of the hand.

Otherwise, right now the dealer in Maine I am working with is researching the Equalizer and getting a price. I saw an Equalizer with thumb safety, without crimson laser on Smga.com for $359.99 with free shipping. The dealer I am working with is not going to charge me the FFL fee if he orders it. So, it turns out less expensive than the EZ9 with expandable options later on with a higher magazine capacity.

If my dealer cannot get a better price on the Equalizer (better than $359.99) I will order from SMGA and pay the $35.00 transfer fee back to the dealer. Thank you for all the great information, diagrams and overlays. I think the ammo is splitting hairs. Either way, 115 or 124 I think will be fine as long as the 115 grain ejects and cycles well.

otis24 · Dec 23, 2024

An EZ9 is probably in my future due to hand strength issues. I like how the magazines load. Not too concerned about magazine capacity. The size is a bit of an issue for me. I like something that is small enough for pocket carry. With my Sig P365, it’s small enough for pocket carry with the flat base plate. I have two mags with magazine base plate extensions that give it a full size grip.

Pubtym · Dec 23, 2024

I've had the EZ for over a year. Easy to rack with my arthritis hands and easy to clean and disassemble. I have 4 eight round mags for it. never had FTL with the mags. Accurate and easy to shoot with OE sights at 5 yards. I use 115 grain FMJ.

zonzin · Jan 16, 2025

Oldsalt66 said:
Another failing of the EZ 9 is that unlike as is the case with the EZ .380 and every other pistol either of us owns, you can't drop the slide with the slide catch (slide release) lever,

Yes you can. Just push down on the lever like any other semi. Doing it right now on my EZ 9 Performance Center, works as expected.

.

smoothshooter · Jan 16, 2025

I have a question that the OP might find of interest-
Has anyone that has one of the EZ’s had any trouble with the weaker recoil spring not returning the slide to battery, especially if the chamber is dirty?
Never having fired one, that has been something I have always been curious about.

smoothshooter · Jan 16, 2025

gc70 said:
I'm with @MikeNV - look at an Equalizer and there is nothing wrong with 115-grain ammo.

The Equalizer is basically dimensionally the same as the EZ9 (more below). The Equalizer provides more capacity at 10/13/15 rounds, includes a third magazine, is optics ready, and gun.deals shows the Equalizer is selling for about $25 less than the EZ9.

The EZ9 is a half inch taller than an Equalizer with a 10-round mag, the same height as an Equalizer with a 13-round mag, and not quite as tall as an Equalizer with a 15-round mag.

Below is a comparison of the Equalizer and EZ9 from the HandgunHero website. The last photo shows my EZ9 compared to my Equalizer with a 13-rd mag.

Is your Equalizer wider in the grip area than your EZ ?

gc70 · Jan 16, 2025

smoothshooter said:
Is your Equalizer wider in the grip area than your EZ ?

No and yes.

- Both are 0.971" above the mag release at the level the thumb and trigger finger rest.
- Both are 1.032" below the bottom of the grip safety at the level the ring finger rests.
- At the bottom of the grip the EZ narrows 0.027" while the Equalizer flares 0.018".

So, the grips are the same width where most hand contact occurs and most gripping force is applied, with a difference only at the bottom of the grip where the little finger rests.

Cary · Jan 17, 2025

smoothshooter said:
I have a question that the OP might find of interest-
Has anyone that has one of the EZ’s had any trouble with the weaker recoil spring not returning the slide to battery, especially if the chamber is dirty?
Never having fired one, that has been something I have always been curious about.

I have both the 380acp and 9mm EZ pistols. I've had no problems with returning to battery with these guns. I usually clean my guns after approximately 200 rounds. I've no complaints on these guns.

Smith and Wesson MP Shield EZ 9mm

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