380 EZ Shield grip safety

[TomIII]

My wife has a 380 EZ Shield that she likes, but the grip safety sometimes gives her issues. She would like to use it as her carry gun, but is concerned that the grip safety is unreliable. Are there any cures for this? She's ok with it at the range, when she concentrates on her grip. But drawing from a holster and shooting becomes an issue.

 

[SchemaEnigma]

I own an EZ 9mm, with the same style of grip safety. The high and tight grip does take a bit of getting used to.

Do not do anything to try to defeat the grip safety. It'll make the gun less safe. Its purpose is to prevent accidental discharge if the gun is dropped - the same purpose as the little trigger lever or hinge on other models.

The best solution is practice, practice, practice to build muscle memory on the proper grip.

This does not need to be at the range. Practice by dry firing. A lot.

She'll get there.

 

[Ranger17]

I too have an EZ-9, to be honest I never had much of an issue with the grip safety. Yes I “thought” about it the first few times at the range or at home using a laser system (got my EZ just before covid shutdowns), but as all of my 9’s are or have been SW MP models having that uniform grip angle and feel make it easy to transition between models. Not changing how I grab or hold any of them.
But yes practice can help resolve many concerns, and perhaps including holster work with dryfiring may give some confidence on the gun’s mechanics as well.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I really dislike the style of grip safety on mine. I have large hands, and if I grip it high I sometimes don't depress the safety far enough because of the short reach to the trigger seems to cause me to slack off some. If I remember to grip it slightly lower than usual, no problems. Not good, but I like it enough so far to not get rid of it.

 

[FLJoe]

I guess it's just a very personal thing. I've never given a moment's thought to the grip safety on mine and never had it fail to go bang when I squeezed the trigger. I guess I just naturally hold it in a way the gun likes and it feels very comfortable in my slightly-larger-than-average hand. Personally I like having the safety as I carry it condition 1.

 

[LVSteve]

I must be one of the lucky ones when it comes to hand shape. The grip safety on my wife's 380 EZ and the Remington R51 I own always work for me.

 

[TomIII]

Thanks folks. More practice does seem to be the way to go.

 

[Execpro]

There are aftermarket safety grips for this gun that bring the safety out further from the grip or closer. That could be another alternative.
It took me awhile to get used to mine on the 9mm, but I really like the gun.

 

[hardluk1]

The grip safety is NOT unreliable the shooter is . I've heard some less skilled shooters say the same thing about a 1911 until they have more range time and improve there skills then its natural to get a firm high and tight grip .

 

[Harmonica]

...it's the ''opposite'' of the 1911 grip safety ...you do need a good grip on it...and I have the thumb safety--but I think the chances of a negligent discharge is greater than being in a situation where I need to shoot immediately!!, etc
...my wife shot our EZ...first time she has fired any firearm for over 20 years....she didn't have any problems

 

[jschmidt]

I don't have one or know anything about it but I wonder if some lubrication might help. Where plastics have friction, ptfe lubes make a big difference.

 

[MPWhite]

Moved to a 380 EZ

After waiting for 8 weeks to have my Bersa Thunder plus repaired; upon it's return I visited my local gun shop and traded it in on a 380 EZ; (1) I had a huge amount of 380 ammunition and (2) was not about to wait another 8 plus weeks if something else might go wrong. I have since getting the EZ put 500 rounds though it without a single problem. It is a total joy to use, I know some have had a bit of a problem getting used to the grip safety but after years of using an M1911 it is just second nature to me. My EZ also has the thumb safety which I do not mind at all. I have found this an excellent backup carry to my normal carry which is also an M&P ( 45 Shield). Just my thoughts to anyone who might be considering this very fine pistol.

 

[D Brown]

I read somewhere, a long time ago, to grip a handgun just like you would grip a claw hammer when preparing to drive a sixteen penny nail. I don't know who originated this idea, but it's always worked very well for me.

If it works for others, that's all to the good. It may not work for you.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Don't dismiss that this pistol just may not fit her hand size/shape. Due to my long fingers and thin hands, I have trouble with 1911's that don't have the "hump" on the grip safety. They just don't work for me when I'm shooting with a two handed grip.

But definitely make sure that her grip technique is good first. If it is but still doesn't work for her, you may want to try the Sig P365 in .380.

 

[Pisgah]

Somehow, I never learned the "If a new gun isn't right in your hands, it's the gun's fault" lesson. Sometimes that's true, maybe -- but more often, it's the shooter, not the gun...

 

[EZLen]

I am with your wife. I've had fails with dry fire draw practice so I don't trust myself in a for real situation. Great gun. Easy to operate and fits my small hands well, but it's a range only toy for me. Has she tried a G42? Mine has the Taran 2 round mag extensions which gives me enough grip.

 

[trees4]

I read somewhere, a long time ago, to grip a handgun just like you would grip a claw hammer when preparing to drive a sixteen penny nail. I don't know who originated this idea, but it's always worked very well for me.

If it works for others, that's all to the good. It may not work for you.

You grip your gun down at the botttom of the frame?

Or do you drive nails with your hand right around the bottom of the hammer head?

Not sure how to picture your analogy

 

[D Brown]

You grip your gun down at the botttom of the frame?

Or do you drive nails with your hand right around the bottom of the hammer head?

Not sure how to picture your analogy

I'm going to assume you seriously didn't understand. I was referring to the strength of the grip, not the location.

 

[tarheel13]

I've noticed that the pistols that are very easy to rack are the same ones that are sold only in the "grip safety" configuration. Is there some mechanical relationship between having a grip safety and being easy to rack? As annoying as the grip safety is, you would think that Smith would offer the "easy rack" models without it, if that were possible.

 

[trees4]

I've noticed that the pistols that are very easy to rack are the same ones that are sold only in the "grip safety" configuration. Is there some mechanical relationship between having a grip safety and being easy to rack? As annoying as the grip safety is, you would think that Smith would offer the "easy rack" models without it, if that were possible.

Exactly what I hope they’ll do!!