I haven't seen a definitive solution to the stovepipe problem with the EZ 380. I am disappointed that S&W doesn't seem committed to the fix. For a defensive weapon, this is unacceptable. I reluctantly turned it loose with a warning to the new owner.. He can also address the thumb safety recall. Maybe the EZ9 will not have this stovepipe issue?
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EZ380: Enough of the Stovepipes
- Thread starter SpikeS
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MSgt G
US Veteran
My wife broke in her .380 EZ this weekend and was very happy with the results. Not one problem and so easy for her to rack the slide.
KayakPlinker
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Wife has the 9mm EZ. So far so good. She did have what appeared to be a FTF but we chalked it up to her not allowing the trigger to reset by (not) releasing it all the way between rounds.
Sent from my LGUS997 using Tapatalk
Sent from my LGUS997 using Tapatalk
kbm6893
SWCA Member
I haven’t shot my EZ 9MM a ton but I’d say 300 rounds. All my own reloads. Not one issue. If you go to YouTube, look for the Jerry Miculek EZ 9 video. He specifically mentions twice the groove at the top of the mag to prevent feeding issues. The 380 version does not have that groove. At least it didn’t at the time of that video. That video came out after lots of internet griping about the EZ 380. Hickock 45 and a few other you tube guys had that stovepipe on the .380. That was when miculek did that video. I figure the groove in the mag was the cure for the stove piping.
I’m happy with my EZ 9. Bought it last Christmas for I think $339. Surely a deal today.
I’m happy with my EZ 9. Bought it last Christmas for I think $339. Surely a deal today.
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lhump1961
US Veteran
Sorry for the drift but I'm amazed that you have been a member for over 12 years and have a grand total of 3 posts! That level of restraint is impressive.
Also sorry your 380EZ didn't work out for you. Hope you find something you're happy with.
Also sorry your 380EZ didn't work out for you. Hope you find something you're happy with.
yanici
US Veteran
I figured this should have been all ironed out by now. You guys are saying the stovepipe issue is still hanging around? I recently recommended this gun to two of my lady friends but maybe it would be better to warn them off and send them to a Sig P238 instead. No excuse for S&W not to have cured this problem by now.
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The Sig P238 is a far better gun...if they can rack its slide and load its magazines.
I have an EZ380 and have had no issues using every ammo under the sun. In OP he states the new owner can address the thumb safety recall. Does anyone know if this problem happens much with the grip safety only as well?
Morgan88
Morgan88
Echo40
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Sadly, it seems like the market for .380 Pistols has dropped off, so now any new .380 Pistols that come out are afterthoughts which receive no refinements whatsoever after they've been released, even when they have obvious flaws.
There was a huge demand for .380 Pistols a decade ago, but within the past few years the demand has dropped, with most folks who want a .380 Pistol satisfied with the numerous options currently available, and with little room for improvement, any new options which come along get passed on in favor of older, cheaper, proven designs.
Why they don't just discontinue these pistols when they have such glaring issues which only serve to hurt the company's reputation and apparently don't bring in enough money to justify putting in the time to fix is beyond me.
Personally, I would just sell the EZ380 and buy one of the many other options available. I carry a Ruger LCP as a BUG, which I absolutely love.
There was a huge demand for .380 Pistols a decade ago, but within the past few years the demand has dropped, with most folks who want a .380 Pistol satisfied with the numerous options currently available, and with little room for improvement, any new options which come along get passed on in favor of older, cheaper, proven designs.
Why they don't just discontinue these pistols when they have such glaring issues which only serve to hurt the company's reputation and apparently don't bring in enough money to justify putting in the time to fix is beyond me.
Personally, I would just sell the EZ380 and buy one of the many other options available. I carry a Ruger LCP as a BUG, which I absolutely love.
lhump1961
US Veteran
The recommendations for alternative guns in this thread I'm sure are good guns but for the most part don't offer what S&W is trying to do with the EZ...ease of operation in terms of racking the slide. For example the LCP is a small gun that requires a fairly strong pinch to operate the slide and it's not as easy to control being so small. I'm sure there are other good choices but the EZ is a bit unique. I can't say whether a person should try it or not. It's not a gun I'm looking for but I think it's a good idea with a significant market.
