380 EZ magazine springs

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RGBellCSI

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I just received a new magazine from S&W for my 380 EZ. I had the last round stovepipe issue with this gun several months ago and S&W's first response was to send new springs and followers, which did not solve the problem. They finally ended up replacing the gun, which greatly improved the issue, but did not totally eliminate it. I decided to accept the occasional failure and keep the gun.
I received the new magazine and immediately noticed that the spring was MUCH stiffer than the replacement springs that they had sent to me. I compared the springs and the new one is much longer. (see the attached photo). Does anyone know if they have changed the springs again in an attempt to eliminate the stovepipe issues? I plan to contact them to see if they will send me new springs for my other two magazines.
 

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RGBellCSI said:
I received the new magazine and immediately noticed that the spring was MUCH stiffer than the replacement springs that they had sent to me. I compared the springs and the new one is much longer. (see the attached photo). Does anyone know if they have changed the springs again in an attempt to eliminate the stovepipe issues? I plan to contact them to see if they will send me new springs for my other two magazines.
Click to expand...

Both springs in your photo have 12 coils.
 
The length difference is normal because the springs wear very quickly. The springs have been changed at least once months ago, the "new" springs have yellow paint on the first few coils. The old ones had no paint. That said that didn't fix the issue.
 
The new springs that we have been getting very shortly take a set and arrive at the same length as the first ones. The stove pipes even occur on a new mag. and spring set I received. S&W either cannot figure out the problem or they have and find it too expensive to follow up and do a general recall to correct it. Quick
 
I initially thought of getting one for the wife even though I don’t really consider it much of a caliber for self defense. I’ve seen enough problems with the ez to deter me from ever getting one. RG why would you keep it, it’s unreliable for self defense and certainly not a gun to use for target practice. I’d go for a refund unless you get lucky and get one that works, although myself I’d never be able to trust one.
 
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Thank you guys for this info. I was getting ready to buy my wife an EZ for Christmas since the present rebate makes the price attractive, but am not interested in a pistol that has continuing stovepipe problems.
 
I've read probably Every post on the 380EZ since I brought mine when it first came out in February 2018. Since then I've shot 3,000+ Remington UMC FMJ rounds. I have 8 magazines that I rotate at the range and carry. I have have Only Two Rounds (2) that stovepipe to date! My EZ IS my Daily Carry, the Only semi automatic I have ever owned after owning .357 magnum revolvers since the 70's. I have the no thumb safety model so I don't know if the thumb safety models have anything to do with the problem but I won't give up mine. More rounds and lower recoil on the target equals better stopping power.
 
In my opinion the stovepipe scandal is equilivent to the Sig P365 striker problems. They are few and far between and as a RSO I see dozens of EZ's as well as my own with no issues after many firings. Not saying it can't happen but life is dangerous. Test your gun, decide for yourself but neither my EZ, or either of my 2 P365's, will be benched because of fear of malfunction.
Given the inherent problems with ALL semi auto handguns, time would be well spent learning how to, and then practicing, clearing all potential malfunctions.
6:22 well worth watching over and over.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfyULpEhmug[/ame]
 
My 380 Bodyguard has weak magazine springs as well. I have a couple spare mag springs in my parts kit along with a couple recoil springs. I have not had any malfunctions, but it is something I noticed. Compared to the S&W Shields and other M&P's in 9.40.45 , the 380 pistols from S&W seem to have weak springs in general. Something to watch in the future?
 
mrmike7189 said:
My 380 Bodyguard has weak magazine springs as well. I have a couple spare mag springs in my parts kit along with a couple recoil springs. I have not had any malfunctions, but it is something I noticed. Compared to the S&W Shields and other M&P's in 9.40.45 , the 380 pistols from S&W seem to have weak springs in general. Something to watch in the future?
Click to expand...

Galloway Precision has 10% increase magazine springs for the Body Guard. i've used them with no problems.
 
RGBellCSI said:
I just received a new magazine from S&W for my 380 EZ. I had the last round stovepipe issue with this gun several months ago and S&W's first response was to send new springs and followers, which did not solve the problem. They finally ended up replacing the gun, which greatly improved the issue, but did not totally eliminate it. I decided to accept the occasional failure and keep the gun.
I received the new magazine and immediately noticed that the spring was MUCH stiffer than the replacement springs that they had sent to me. I compared the springs and the new one is much longer. (see the attached photo). Does anyone know if they have changed the springs again in an attempt to eliminate the stovepipe issues? I plan to contact them to see if they will send me new springs for my other two magazines.
Click to expand...


Looking forward to seeing if these new magazine springs are the longterm solution.

In the meantime, could you weigh both old and new springs with a digital scale and post those values?

Interested to know if the new springs are not only longer but also a heavier gauge.
 
Update

Sorry, I don't have digital scale. I went to the range yesterday and tested with my original two magazines and the new one. I shot full mags with each one. I had a last round stovepipe with one of the original mags. I then shot 24 rounds, loaded two at a time in the failed magazine with no more failures. This was using Blazer Brass.
 
Just weighed the springs on an RCBS powder scale---- Spring out of newly received mag.,41.2 gr. Extra springs sent separately 41.2gr. Orig. springs that came in the EZ,41.2gr. All of my springs even those first ones have all had yellow paint. Still waiting. Quick
 
D.L.Quick said:
Just weighed the springs on an RCBS powder scale---- Spring out of newly received mag.,41.2 gr. Extra springs sent separately 41.2gr. Orig. springs that came in the EZ,41.2gr. All of my springs even those first ones have all had yellow paint. Still waiting. Quick
Click to expand...

I spoke with Smith and Wesson last week and they are sending me new springs. I will post length and weight comparisons once they arrive.

I'm not hopeful though seeing as your weight measurements are the same for both the original springs and the new springs.

Unless of course spring tension (rate?) and spring weight have no correlation... could be same weight but higher tension (rate) just due to different in material and temper?? not an engineer, no clue :-|

The original springs and the ones painted in yellow are so weak that conventional plus 10% power springs from the likes of Wolffe Springs would still NOT be enough added tension in my opinion.
 
I'm experiencing the exact same problem with my Shield .45. The gun's been back to S&W for a feed ramp polish and tune and it didn't fix the issue. I was just looking at purchasing new + 5lb mag springs from Wolff and then found this thread. I'll save my money for the time being and give S&W another shot at fixing the problem. Good luck
 
Why did S&W make the springs so light? Does everything on this gun need to be EZ? The magazines have the little thumb levers to help load the mags. Make the spring heavier already! There is clearly an issue with the stove piping. It happened to Hickock45 twice in one video. Saw it happen to another YouTube reviewer while shooting 100 rounds. These are both gun guys. I’m thinking of getting one and the current rebate is attractive. I only have an M&P Bodyguard and it’s been reliable but it’s no range gun so I admit it doesn’t have a ton of rounds through it. .380 ammo is too expensive so I reload for it and it would be nice to have a more range friendly .380 to shoot.

But there’s clearly an issue and S&W knows it, so stop the denial and admit it already.
 
theothermikeg said:
I'm experiencing the exact same problem with my Shield .45. The gun's been back to S&W for a feed ramp polish and tune and it didn't fix the issue. I was just looking at purchasing new + 5lb mag springs from Wolff and then found this thread. I'll save my money for the time being and give S&W another shot at fixing the problem. Good luck
Click to expand...

Your Shield 45 stove-pipes the last round?
 
Update

I went to the range today and did some more testing of my 380 EZ magazines. I loaded each of them with two rounds and shot them. Two of the magazines had no failures. The third stovepiped on the last round. I load two rounds in the failed magazine and it failed 3 times in a row. I went back to the other two magazine and loaded two rounds in each for a total of 15 attempts per magazine with no failures.
Time to call S&W AGAIN and request another replacement magazine.
It sure would be nice if they would get their sh*t together!
 
Could limp wristing or ammo choice be a possible cause of these problems in some cases?
 
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