Shield EZ .380

gunny4053 · #1 01-21-2023, 12:57 AM

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.

Funflyer · #2 01-21-2023, 04:21 PM

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.

MikeNV · #3 01-21-2023, 04:21 PM

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.

MTC(SS)Ret · #4 01-21-2023, 04:40 PM

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

LVSteve · #5 01-21-2023, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTC(SS)Ret

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

Yeah, that Security 380 could end up kicking the shins and stealing the lunch money of the EZ380.

Oldsalt66 · #6 01-21-2023, 07:39 PM

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.

robrossk · #7 01-21-2023, 10:46 PM

We really like our380 EZ. One issue with the very first magazine but flawless in several hundred rounds later. No hesitation is recommending to you.

Paul in Nevada · #8 01-22-2023, 12:20 PM

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.

HEADKNOCKER · #9 01-22-2023, 06:19 PM

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

Paul in Nevada · #10 01-22-2023, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEADKNOCKER

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

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.

Flyingfool · #11 01-23-2023, 12:32 AM

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.

gunny4053 · #12 01-23-2023, 07:09 PM

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.

smithra_66 · #13 01-23-2023, 07:39 PM

Go with the 9mm. Not much difference in recoil and much easier and cheaper to get ammo, unless you're a reloader.

Michaelp57 · #14 01-23-2023, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunny4053

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.

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.

URIT · #15 01-23-2023, 09:53 PM

The Walther PDP F-series was designed for women. Check out this article at...
americanrifleman dot org/content/walther-pdp-f-series-a-win-for-women/

NukeRef · #16 01-23-2023, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunny4053

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.

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!

NukeRef · #17 01-23-2023, 11:38 PM

BTW, spare mags are available at Midway for $30.

Paul in Nevada · #18 01-24-2023, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NukeRef

If ... If you experience the "last round stovepipe" it is rectified very easily

Please share with the rest of the class. What is this "easy" solution? The new (three year old) yellow paint springs? Roughing up the followers? Maybe some duct tape?

christak · #19 01-24-2023, 02:01 PM

Roughing the followers will help, but S&W should be ashamed of its response to the 380EZ stovepipe issue. What a joke...

HEADKNOCKER · #20 01-25-2023, 10:16 AM

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???

kstewart61 · #21 01-25-2023, 11:29 AM

I own the new equalizer and it's flawless eats each and every round in my magazines. The springs area super tough to load in the beginning but after 1500 rounds it's getting easier I highly recommend the equalizer if you can handle a 9mm round. It comes with a maglula to help load the magazines.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

NukeRef · #22 01-25-2023, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEADKNOCKER

So, I assume you are putting Gorilla Tape on the top of the follower to give it more grip on the last cartridge???

Either that or scuff the follower with sandpaper.

NukeRef · #23 01-25-2023, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christak

... S&W should be ashamed of its response to the 380EZ stovepipe issue.

Can't speak for S&W.

HEADKNOCKER · #24 01-25-2023, 03:38 PM

I have seen another thread on AR-15.Com where the followers were modified & wondered about that too.
These are not my photos & I have not done this to mine BUT thought about it...

HEADKNOCKER · #25 01-25-2023, 03:40 PM

MORE Photos Here

NukeRef · #26 01-25-2023, 09:09 PM

That's a lot of work compared to snipping a piece of tape ... just sayin'.

The Preacher · #27 01-25-2023, 09:56 PM

A lot of work for a faulty system....Sand paper and duct tape fixes everything! We did our homework and by-passed any potential issues with the EZ 380. My wife bought herself a Glock 42... No issues and couldn't be happier. Smith should be at the fore of these issues but apparently haven't been so. Shame on Smith. Good platform, but some issues remain...

asn · #28 01-25-2023, 10:03 PM

I have an early model, and have 8 or so mags, and never had an issue. usually shoot Federal ammo

Paul in Nevada · #29 01-25-2023, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NukeRef

Either that or scuff the follower with sandpaper.

You mean to tell me you would trust your life to that piece of duct tape?

Goldstar225 · #30 01-26-2023, 09:11 AM

My wife has a 380 EZ and we experienced the last round stove pipe. I cut 3 or 4 shallow groves across the follower and solved the problem. Saw that method recommended by someone on this forum.

NukeRef · #31 01-26-2023, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul in Nevada

You mean to tell me you would trust your life to that piece of duct tape?

Well, I never said that. I said that the gun is fun to shoot and having put a piece of Gorilla Tape on 5 of my magazines and having scuffed the other 5 of my magazines with sandpaper I have not experienced the 'last round stove-pipe' in the last 1300 rounds fired through my 380 EZ.

gunny4053 · #32 02-19-2023, 02:21 AM

Finally got to the range with it. Not a single failure of any kind. Accurate enough for up close self-defense work, groups in about a 4" circle at 7 yards. I found an EZ 9 at the LGS yesterday with an asking price of $324, so under $300 with my discount. I'm debating taking the 380 in and doing a swap. That would bring her gun in line with everything else we have, making 9mm standard across the board.

LVSteve · #33 02-19-2023, 03:28 AM

Great price on that EZ9! You could easily add $75 for one in Vegas.

cnj · #34 02-19-2023, 07:20 AM

Our 380EZ was a jam-o-matic. I am looking at the Ruger Security 380 now.