Shield EZ .380

gunny4053

gunny4053

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I'm considering getting an EZ .380 for my wife. She struggles racking the slide on her other gun and I thought this would make it easier for her. Are there any issues I should be aware of? I've been shopping spare mags a well, and locally they seem to be few and far between. Is there a better option before I drop the cash? Thanks in advance.
 
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The biggest issue with the 380EZ is that it has a tendency to stove-pipe the last live round in the magazine. Lots of us have experienced the issue and as far as I know S&W hasn't corrected it. I experienced the problem enough that I eventually sold mine and won't be buying another. I'd suggest you look into a lightweight .38 revolver for your wife.
 
My wife has a 380 EZ and really likes it. It is much easier to rack than my 9mm M&P 2.0 and 9mm Shield Plus. We have both put quite a few rounds through it without a problem. It was purchased in Aug '21 so it's a relatively new gun.

As for magazines, I picked up 2 extra at my local Scheels a while back (had them in stock). I also see a lot of stores online with them. We've had no stove piping issues with any of the 4 magazines. Unfortunately, the S&W mag is only 8 rounds.

As you probably know, S&W has a $75 rebate going on EZ's through 4/2/23.
 
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Ruger just came out with the Security 380, about the same size as the EZ but can hold 15 rounds with extended mag. The reviews I've seen and read so far have been positive, priced in the low 300's
 
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My wife has both the .380 and 9mm EZ models, and she's replacing the .380 with the 9mm as her carry gun.

Have your wife handle the 9mm version, it's a soft shooter, easy to manipulate and shoot, and is reliable as well.
 
Avoid the EZ380. Too many of us have had the last round malfunction. The EZ9 seems to be free of this defect so I would go that way instead. If she absolutely must have a 380 I would look at something else.
 
S&W Now has a stronger magazine spring for the 380EZs.
Of course, leaving one fully loaded & use compresses the spring.
I received the new springs about a week ago.
Threw the shorter & weaker springs in the trash.
Range test due ASAP
 

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HEADKNOCKER said:
S&W Now has a stronger magazine spring for the 380EZs.
Of course, leaving one fully loaded & use compresses the spring.
I received the new springs about a week ago.
Threw the shorter & weaker springs in the trash.
Range test due ASAP
Click to expand...
They've had those springs out for three years. All six of my mags have those springs and all of them do the last round flip. It's not just the springs. It's the follower and feedlips as well.
 
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What limited experience I have had in defensive training classes. Doesn’t matter what brand or style. 380’s are just not as reliable as 9mm. Again this is just anecdotal from my visual experience of others at the range having issues.

Go with the 9mm EZ or the new higher capacity equalizer.

You may also want to check out the new S&W CSX. Single action trigger and easy to rack. Metal frame and lighter yet recoil impulse is said to be felt much more differently and some say softer than a polymer frame.
 
Thanks everyone. I went ahead and did the deal. We're going to give it a try and going forward knowing there's the potential for an issue, at least we know and can work through it. There's no plan for her to carry this at this time, but it gets her shooting again, and practice is what she needs.
 
Go with the 9mm. Not much difference in recoil and much easier and cheaper to get ammo, unless you're a reloader.
 
Heck yeah

gunny4053 said:
Thanks everyone. I went ahead and did the deal. We're going to give it a try and going forward knowing there's the potential for an issue, at least we know and can work through it. There's no plan for her to carry this at this time, but it gets her shooting again, and practice is what she needs.
Click to expand...

Glad to see you made a decision and went for it. And even more that that, I love the last sentence you typed there. Some people just need the right gun the get them back into it. And practice is always a must. Wish I could find the right gun the get the bad Taurus taste out of her mouth.
 
gunny4053 said:
Thanks everyone. I went ahead and did the deal. We're going to give it a try and going forward knowing there's the potential for an issue, at least we know and can work through it. There's no plan for her to carry this at this time, but it gets her shooting again, and practice is what she needs.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you did. The 380 EZ is a nice gun for range fun. Too many people bad-mouth the gun, but many, many more really like it. My wife loves hers.

If ... If you experience the "last round stovepipe" it is rectified very easily and the gun is fun, fun, fun. PM me if you have the problem and I'll help you fix it with $0.02 worth of gorilla tape and two minutes of your time.

Enjoy!
 
Roughing the followers will help, but S&W should be ashamed of its response to the 380EZ stovepipe issue. What a joke...
 
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So, I assume you are putting Gorilla Tape on the top of the follower to give it more grip on the last cartridge??? WOW!

I need to talk to a supervisor in customer service about this issue on the 380EZ, they should have gotten it fixed by now 2-3 years later...

Maybe they sell more magazines this way???
 
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