First Range Trip Shield 9 EZ

[jnichols2]

I bought the Shield 9 EZ yesterday to upgrade my Shield 380 EZ to 9mm. At 72, my arthritis is beginning to be an issue. It probably won't be long before I want to have a weapon that's easier to manipulate with arthritic thumbs.

It compares well with my 380 with just a few differences. They are very close to the same size, but the 9 is a good 5 ounces heavier. Mainly because the slide is much beefier.

It is a little harder to rack, but still worlds easier than my Shield.

On clean and lube, I found three issues. Two were corrected.

First Issue: Grip Safety a Little Sticky. Won't engage with a sloppy grip. Lubed internal surfaces. Much better now. No disengagement during range test.

Second Issue: Slide Lock won't release the slide. Two Reviews said the same. Many pistols are like that. I'm kinda stuck with it. I'm used to slingshot anyway.

Third Issue: One magazine will only load 7 rounds. Didn't take apart. No mags are available now. Follower was hung up on the outside of the spring. Re-inserted into center of the spring. Loads all eight now.

I took the Shield 380 along to the range for comparison. The 9 is louder, but doesn't really have a lot more recoil. The don't really handle much differently.

Expended 90 rounds during test. No feed or battery issues of any kind. Nor did I have any signs of the dreaded stovepipe on my Shield 380 EZ.

Noticed shots were 2" low at 7 yards. Tried 10 yards, shots were 3" low. Slightly right at both ranges.
All shots with Shield 380 EZ were on center.
Tried shooting from a rest, pretty much the same, but only 1.5" low at 7 yards.

After I got home, I measured the front sight height on both 380EZ and 9EZ. 380EZ = 0.200", and 9EZ = 0.165".
Tried a sight picture on my white computer screen.
When top of sights were aligned, the front dot was high. When dots were even, front sight top dipped low.
I wasn't able to see this in the dimmer light of the indoor range.

The dot is uncentered on the front sight. Do I really want to send it in for this???
Maybe just re-shape front sight dot? I bet I can do that easily with bright white nail polish and a toothpick.

I guess we have to expect some glitches once in a while. I'm very happy with how the Shield 9 EZ performs. Now, to find some more magazines.

 

[exxonv]

I bought the Shield 9 EZ yesterday to upgrade my Shield 380 EZ to 9mm. At 72, my arthritis is beginning to be an issue. It probably won't be long before I want to have a weapon that's easier to manipulate with arthritic thumbs.

It compares well with my 380 with just a few differences. They are very close to the same size, but the 9 is a good 5 ounces heavier. Mainly because the slide is much beefier.

It is a little harder to rack, but still worlds easier than my Shield.

On clean and lube, I found three issues. Two were corrected.

First Issue: Grip Safety a Little Sticky. Won't engage with a sloppy grip. Lubed internal surfaces. Much better now. No disengagement during range test.

Second Issue: Slide Lock won't release the slide. Two Reviews said the same. Many pistols are like that. I'm kinda stuck with it. I'm used to slingshot anyway.

Third Issue: One magazine will only load 7 rounds. Didn't take apart. No mags are available now. Follower was hung up on the outside of the spring. Re-inserted into center of the spring. Loads all eight now.

I took the Shield 380 along to the range for comparison. The 9 is louder, but doesn't really have a lot more recoil. The don't really handle much differently.

Expended 90 rounds during test. No feed or battery issues of any kind. Nor did I have any signs of the dreaded stovepipe on my Shield 380 EZ.

Noticed shots were 2" low at 7 yards. Tried 10 yards, shots were 3" low. Slightly right at both ranges.
All shots with Shield 380 EZ were on center.
Tried shooting from a rest, pretty much the same, but only 1.5" low at 7 yards.

After I got home, I measured the front sight height on both 380EZ and 9EZ. 380EZ = 0.200", and 9EZ = 0.165".
Tried a sight picture on my white computer screen.
When top of sights were aligned, the front dot was high. When dots were even, front sight top dipped low.
I wasn't able to see this in the dimmer light of the indoor range.

The dot is uncentered on the front sight. Do I really want to send it in for this???
Maybe just re-shape front sight dot? I bet I can do that easily with bright white nail polish and a toothpick.

I guess we have to expect some glitches once in a while. I'm very happy with how the Shield 9 EZ performs. Now, to find some more magazines.

Great review, thanks! That front sight would concern me, but if you can fix it, less hassle than sending back. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[ken158]

Your slide stop is just that and it was not designed to be a slide release. See in the instructions where it states to pull slide back and release. Many Shield owners think the stop should also be a release, some force release and some file on it until it releases... but the engineered intention is a slide stop.

 

[lkabug]

OK, were you using a 6 o'clock hold or dead center?

 

[jnichols2]

The correct term is "Combat Hold", with the front sight dot covering the target. (Not my first Rodeo)

By my reckoning, had I tilted the muzzle up so the top of the sights were aligned, it would be on target. That would make the front sight dot hover above the rear sight dots.

Unfortunately, the lighting obscured the black sight tops, so my eyes eyes lined up the three dots, causint the muzzle to tilt downward.

 

[jnichols2]

Your slide stop is just that and it was not designed to be a slide release. See in the instructions where it states to pull slide back and release. Many Shield owners think the stop should also be a release, some force release and some file on it until it releases... but the engineered intention is a slide stop.

I did say I always use the slingshot method.

But, a lot of the folks on this forum prefer using the "Slide Stop" as a "Slide Release". (Not my first Rodeo)

I made mention of it because it is of interest to a lot of the readers.

 

[mmb617]

By my reckoning, had I tilted the muzzle up so the top of the sights were aligned, it would be on target. That would make the front sight dot hover above the rear sight dots.

That's interesting as I find the same thing on my Shield 1.0. As you mentioned if the three dots are perfectly in line it shoots a little low. I need the front sight dot slightly above the rear dots to be on target at 10 yds.

 

[Rastoff]

The dot is uncentered on the front sight. Do I really want to send it in for this???
Maybe just re-shape front sight dot? I bet I can do that easily with bright white nail polish and a toothpick.

The correct term is "Combat Hold", with the front sight dot covering the target. (Not my first Rodeo)

By my reckoning, had I tilted the muzzle up so the top of the sights were aligned, it would be on target. That would make the front sight dot hover above the rear sight dots.

Unfortunately, the lighting obscured the black sight tops, so my eyes eyes lined up the three dots, causint the muzzle to tilt downward.

The term "combat sight picture" is a made up internet term. The sights are not designed to be used by lining up the dots. The dots only serve to help find the sights. The tops of the sights should be used for precision shots. S&W will not make any changes to your sight dot if you send it in. They might replace the sight, but the new one will have the same problem.

Your assessment here is correct. Align the tops of the sights and you'll likely be on target.


It sounds like you've got a good gun here. The grip safety should work with a regular grip. It shouldn't take any extra force to make it work. I bet it'll get better with a little time. Same for the slide stop. You should be able to release the slide with it, but it may take a little time to break in.

Thanks for the review.

 

[Maddmax]

I bought the Shield 9 EZ yesterday to upgrade my Shield 380 EZ to 9mm. At 72, my arthritis is beginning to be an issue. It probably won't be long before I want to have a weapon that's easier to manipulate with arthritic thumbs.

Expended 90 rounds during test. No feed or battery issues of any kind.

I'm very happy with how the Shield 9 EZ performs. Now, to find some more magazines.

Nice review. I got mine a few days ago and started breaking it in after I cleaned and lubed it. My range is my backyard. I have zero complaints. I shoot dead on and was hitting what I aimed at. Went through a couple boxes of ammo (100 rounds). I like to shoot 25-50 rounds, then break a new weapon down and check for any possible issues. Reassemble and back to shooting. I'm very happy with it and had zero issues shooting.

Only thing I noticed, you have to make sure that the recoil spring end has the flat sides out when you put/clip it back on the barrel. And don't have any pressure on the grip safety when re-installing the slide. (That's just a side note for all those people, when all else fails read the manual)

I'm old school too. You got me by 3 years.

 

[jnichols2]

The term "combat sight picture" is a made up internet term. The sights are not designed to be used by lining up the dots. The dots only serve to help find the sights. The tops of the sights should be used for precision shots. S&W will not make any changes to your sight dot if you send it in. They might replace the sight, but the new one will have the same problem.

Your assessment here is correct. Align the tops of the sights and you'll likely be on target.


It sounds like you've got a good gun here. The grip safety should work with a regular grip. It shouldn't take any extra force to make it work. I bet it'll get better with a little time. Same for the slide stop. You should be able to release the slide with it, but it may take a little time to break in.

Thanks for the review.

With this much info, it was easy to miss.

Before going to the range, I tore it down again and lubed all the Grip Safety surfaces. It worked perfectly throughout the range session.

I have some five year old pistols that the Slide Stop doesn't work as a Slide Release. No problem.

 

[max503]

I have never ever used those dots as a sight picture when shooting any gun. I ignore them. Maybe I could give them a try.

 

[spirit4earth]

I have never ever used those dots as a sight picture when shooting any gun. I ignore them. Maybe I could give them a try.

Do you mean you point and-shoot?

 

[Wavygravy]

Do you mean you point and-shoot?

I took it to mean sight focus -- Focus on the exact tip of the front sight. If that's above the dot, so be it. The bullet goes where the tip of the sight is pointed.

 

[Execpro]

Just picked up a 9mm ez Friday. Took it to the range today.
When I get a new gun I always take it down along with the magazines and clean/lube and check for any noticeable issues along with function testing.
The indoor range had horrible lighting at the shooting station. Difficult getting a good sight picture but here goes the results:

The EZ feels really good in the hand. Good balance. Natural pointing.
Grip as mentioned in other post, is a little less aggressive than the M&P 2.0. It doesn’t
tear up your hand while shooting and provides an excellent grip. I carry AIWB in a holster with sweat guard.
Of all the many 9mm defense Pistols I’ve owned and shot over 50 years, this was
the most pleasant I have ever shot. Recoil is very manageable.
As advertised, you can rack the slide with 2 fingers (I sold my 9mm Shield 1.0 because of arthritis & hand strength issues) and the magazines are the easiest of ANY gun I’ve ever shot including 22 calibers.

As mentioned in the above post, if you align the dot on the front sight with
the 2 on the rear, your groups will shoot low. I tried this and the group was
low (group not in pictures). I NEVER use that sight picture. I always bring the top of my front sight
to the top of my Rear sight which is the proper way. IMHO

For the pictures below I again mention that the back lighting for a good sight picture was absent (But I got 1 hour free range time with the purchase). I did Not use a sand bag, but just rested my hand on the shooting stations shelf. I also want to mention that in the approximate 50 rounds shot, there were NO issues ( Failure to feed or stovepipes ).The gun ran flawlessly.
I shot 4 types of ammo as listed on the targets. Interestingly the NON Plus P shot low.

Speer Gold Dot both +P and non +P 124gr Jhp
Federal HST non +P 124gr Jhp
Winchester white box black letters (NATO) 124gr fmj

Hope you find this review helpful.
—————————————————-UPDATE ———————————————
My son is the training/range instructor for his Police Department. In speaking with him, I shared the results you see below. He suggested that the Box of SGD ammo could Be defective
and suggested trying another box from a different lot number. I then remembered that the ammo
I used was 15 to 20 years old. I will get a new box online after Christmas and see what happens.
Point being that the SGD 124gr non +P may group up with the other ammo shot if a different box
or a newer box is used.


Be SAFE and Shoot often!

 

[LVSteve]

Surprised that the standard pressure Gold Dot shot so low.

 

[jnichols2]

As mentioned in the above post, if you align the dot on the front sight with the 2 on the rear, your groups will shoot low. I tried this and the group was
low (group not in pictures).

I NEVER use that sight picture. I always bring the top of my front sight
to the top of my Rear sight which is the proper way. IMHO

You are right. When I learned in the late fifties there were no dots. Just black sights. And my 11 year old eyes could track them, even in near dark.

Fast forward 60 years. Now I know why white dots were invented, especially against a black or dark background.

 

[Execpro]

This is the first gun I’ve ever owned or shot where the dots don’t
Line up straight across for the proper sight picture!
I painted the front sight bright yellow from and including the dot to the
top of the front blade. This allows me to see Where the top of the sight is!
I am considering painting the rear sight flat black(painting over the white dots) This should allow a sight picture like most of the revolvers I have owned over the years.
I will put night sights on the gun when they become available.
Sorry the pictures are blurred. You can see however that not all of the front sight is painted, however
the yellow segment completely fills the rear sight and makes the top of the front and back sight
even with each other for the proper sight picture. My cell phone won’t focus as I would like it to, but
you should get the picture ( no pun extended ).

————————————-UPDATE ——————————
Painted the 2 dots on the rear sight with a drop of flat black paint. Until night sights are available this
Will do. These old eyes go straight for the yellow front sight now.


Be SAFE and Shoot Often!

 

[Spokes]

Now you all have got me interested in the EZ9...

 

[Eminence]

Good info from all who posted. I received mine yesterday and already don't like it. This is the very first firearm I ever owned that I didn't like. I purchased it (on line) without first handling it. Mistake! I have a .380EZ which I love and thought the 9EZ would be a nice upgrade. Seems to me that the trigger contour between the two is somewhat different. On the 9EZ on trigger reset, my trigger finger is pinched between the top of the trigger and the underside of the frame. I have never had to alter my trigger finger placement on any of my firearms and I own over 130 and have been shooting and teaching shooting for umpteen years. If I could have the same trigger contour of the 380 on my 9mm, I would be very satisfied. A call to S&W after the holidays will be placed. Here's hoping they can help.

 

[Erich]

Thank you for taking the time to share these solid reviews.