Shield 9EZ or Ruger SR9C?

I do not know how to "double post" this in this sub forum and the "Firearms & Knives - Other Brands" sub forum, but since this is, after all, the Smith & Wesson forum, I posted it here in the "Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols" sub forum.

I am considering purchasing a Shield 9EZ, and if so, I would likely try to sell the Ruger SR9c that I have had for several years. I shoot the SR9c ok, and it does not feel too bad in the hand, but it sometimes seems to be a firearm that I want to like more than I actually like. I have only the 10 round magazines for it, and like the safety features.

I have been interested in the 9EZ since it first came out, and researching it a good bit, some on this forum, as well as looking at other reviews on the internet. Today I rented and shot a 9EZ at my local indoor range. It was the version without the manual safety, but if I get one, it would likely be the version with the manual safety. It definitely felt better in the hand with its single stack grip than the SR9c. I have no problem with the loss of two rounds in magazine capacity, and believe I prefer the hammer fired single action of the 9EZ over the striker of the Ruger. I shoot both of them about the same (meaning I need to practice more!). The recoil may (?) have been a little "snappier" with the 9EZ, but certainly not a problem. I did not expect, and did not have, any issues with the grip safety.

They are pretty similar in length and height (actually, the Ruger is not quite as tall, but I generally use the "pinky" extensions on the ten round magazines, which brings them closer). The Shield EZ is thinner, and that helps.

I turned 70 not long ago, and the EZ might be better option going forward, although I can still handle the Ruger without serious issues. I do have other pistols with double-stack mags (CZ and a CZ clone) which I enjoy and do better with than the Ruger. I have average size hands. I do not have serious issues with arthritis yet, although there is a history of that in my family.

I would appreciate comments from those who have experience with either pistol, and particularly from anyone who might have experience with both. Thoughts on reliability and durability would be appreciated as well.

I would also appreciate holster suggestions (both IWB and OWB) for the 9EZ.

No experience with a Ruger, but did pick up an EZ 9 to replace my PC Shield. I’m in my late 50’s but have arthritis in my thumb/wrist (support hand) and the EZ’s been better to handle. And the mags are like loading a 22. Not a ton of rounds thru mine in the past year but the rounds I have shot have been reliable and accurate. Its a nice shooting gun.
I currently have a Reckoning holster from Crossbreed, can be used iwb and owb.

I had a Ruger SR9c, which is a great gun, but I sold it after getting a Shield 9EZ.

The Shield 9EZ balanced better for me and I like the stock sights better than those on the SR9C. Size factors were generally a wash, although I prefer the 9EZ's thinner grip and the fact that it is longer. The loss of 2 rounds in the 9EZ does not bother me. The two guns essentially weigh the same and I could not tell any difference in felt recoil.

I bought my 9EZ because I was impressed with my wife's 380EZ. She has had extensive hand surgery and the 380EZ is one of a very small number of guns that she can readily work the slide. Even if the strength and dexterity of my hands deteriorates a lot, I should be able to use the 9EZ for the rest of my life.

Both guns were reliable, although I have had the 9EZ less than a year. The Ruger was typically overbuilt, but I see nothing about the S&W to suggest it would not be durable.

Regarding holsters, I bought a simple OWB leather holster from a local maker at a gun show. It holds the gun securely, keeps it tucked tightly to my side and, most importantly, pulls the grip in toward my side more than most holsters do. Unfortunately, I don't know where I put the maker's business card.

Well my introduction to striker fired pistols was the Ruger SR9c. I had rotator cuff surgery to my right shoulder which meant any shooting while it was healing was with my weak hand. My daughter who happened to be living at home at the time brought a SR9c so we went shooting once a week. I enjoyed shooting the SR9c weak hand only and could actually put my shots in the black of the bullseye.

Fast forward a few years and my wife brought a S&W M&P 9mm 1.0 that has a APEX Duty Trigger. I love its trigger pull. The APEX Duty Trigger has made me enough a fan that I brought another M&P for myself.

It is a tough call which one I like the best. The SR9c gives the option of 10 round magazine for conceal carry and higher capacity magazine for home defense and the shooting range. But with the APEX Duty Trigger Kit I give the nod to the M&P.

I have no knowledge of the Ruger but my EZ9 is the best investment I've made recently. I can no longer rack the slide of many autos and wanted one for protection. When I handle the EZ at the gun store I was please with how I could charge the gun with little problems.

The trigger on mine is sweet. I've only shot about 400 rounds through it but they all functioned 100% and group well out to 15 yards. That's the furthest I've shot the gun because it's going to be for self protection, not target shooting.

Starting with 9 rounds in the gun I don't feel under gunned in a self defense situation. I also carry two backup magazines with me. They are so easy to load I don't mind the task when needed.

I have both the S&W 9 mm EZ with the safety and a Ruger SR9C. I prefer the S&W as a carry gun. It just seems to handle better for me. AS far as accuracy goes it 6 of one and half dozen of the other.

I owned the SR9 full size and the Compact. Nice guns but I sold them as I often do when my interests change. One thing about them I did not like is the serrations on the slide were abrasive and sharp and I really felt it when I racked the slide. Also it was “clunky” as Ruger’s have been known to be.

I have the 9EZ. Very smooth and easy to operate. Other than the decrease in rounds, which I don’t feel is a big deal, the EZ is superior in every way for me.

Sold my S&W Shield 9mm because I could not operate the slide easily anymore due
to issues with arthritis getting worse in both hands.
I have had my 9mm EZ for over a year and love it!
I carry AIWB with a Vedder holster at 1 o’clock with one spare magazine.
It is very accurate and 100% dependable.

My wife has an EZ 9 and she has problems with the grip safety. She has weak wrists from carpal tunnel surgery and has to concentrate on keeping the grip safety depressed. Also since the safety protrudes it digs into the web of her hand so she has to wear gloves or it hurts her hand. She has a Ruger LC9s she likes better. I kind of like the EZ 9. It is easier to load mags than the LC9s and the slide does rack easier.