New 9MM EZ owner

[MTC(SS)Ret]

Paid a visit to the local LGS/Pawn shop today and came home with a new 9MM EZ. Decided to trade in my Shield 9MM 1.0 as I was looking to upgrade to a 2.0 M&P and picked the EZ. I then ran by Academy and picked up a Crimson Trace CMR-201 rail mount red laser to slap on it. Because I wear bifocals I always have a hard time with front sight focus and I felt a laser would be a good choice. I considered a red dot equipped pistol but then thought what if I couldn't get focus on the dot?
Hope to get to the range next week and see how she runs and if I can hit anything smaller than minute-of-bad-guy.
So far I like the feel of the EZ in my hand with the longer grip compared to the shield, and the trigger is SO much better.

I have been searching the internet for holsters and was running into a dead end looking for something made specifically for a 9MM EZ with a CT laser. Then the light bulb over my head lit up and after a little digging around found that the 380 EZ is practically the same size as the 9MM (no more that 1/16" difference except for length) so I was able to find quite a few holsters available for the 380 EZ with CT laser that will fit. At least for now I dug out an Uncle Mikes size 16 nylon belt holster I had stashed sway and it fits nicely.

 

[Rastoff]

I hope you love the new gun.

For us presbyopia challenged folks, a laser is one alternative. Batteries are always an issue. Also, they can be difficult to see on the target depending on the lighting conditions and distance.

I considered a red dot equipped pistol but then thought what if I couldn't get focus on the dot?

The red dot is a better issue and you will be able to focus on it. You see, the red dot simulates a dot projected on the target. So, it's like focusing on a far away object. In fact, if you use your reading prescription, the dot will look blurry.

I know is sounds counter intuitive, but it works.

 

[13bentarm]

I have a bad feeling you're gonna find out the holsters do NOT match. In theory they should be compatible but there's a very slim chance. The 9mm is longer, wider and fits differently.

 

[trikerdon]

Holster

The .380 holster will not fit a 9mm EZ. I had the same thought when I got my 9mm EZ. I already had the .380 and holster. Didn't work.

 

[rwsmith]

I am looking forward to...

...a range report.


BTW Do Shield holsters work for the EZ?

 

[iowaMallard]

...a range report.


BTW Do Shield holsters work for the EZ?

No they don't

 

[Mario777]

Vedder holsters make quality IWB, OWB, AIWB holsters for the 9 EZ.

 

[reccpd101]

I have an open end Shield holster in leather. It will work but the slide protrudes some. I thinned the leather at the bottom so the front sight didn't snag on the draw. I don't think all of them would work.

 

[WR Moore]

About the front sight problem.....there are occupational lens grinds (often called mechanics grind) that can place your bifocal Rx at the top of the lens (or top & bottom). That way, you can get front sight focus with a slight forward tilt of the head. The folks who make safety glasses are familiar with this type of lens. I'm in the tri-focal tribe and have the intermediate grind at the top, distance in the middle and close up at the bottom.

I'm working with a red dot optic at the moment and having it mounted low enough to have at least a visible front sight is a must for getting the dot to show in the window all the time on a rapid gun mount. The primary advantages to the optics are at longer ranges and dim/low light. You also have issues with holster availability and bulk.

 

[sparkyvega]

Good choice, MTC(SS)Ret. My Dad likes his 9EZ. Easy to rack slide and easy to charge magazines. I've read several reports that their 9EZ shoots low, but my Dad says his shoots dead on with 124 grainers.

 

[Golphin]

Let us know how you like it. I hope you were having problems with your glasses when you took that picture. If not I need some.

 

[dickydalton]

Alien Gear makes holsters for it.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

Thank you all for your feedback and helpful information. I made it to the range yesterday and fed the EZ about 150 rounds of a mix of Blazer Brass 115 and 124gr FMJ, and some 124gr NATO loads I picked up from some company at a gun show several years ago, I believe it was Georgia Arms. The gun ran flawlessly with no failures of any kind. Shooting at first at 7 yards using only the 3 dot pistol sights I was getting most shots into a 3 inch circle. Elevation was spot on but the group was about 4-5 inches left so it took me a couple mags to get the rear sight adjusted which is so simple to do. Just lock the slide back to get access to the sight screw from underneath, loosen with supplied allen wrench and adjust as needed. Considering the front sight focus issue I talked about in my OP I am very satisfied being able to get 3 inch groups off-hand at 7 yards.
Then spent a couple mags getting the CT-201 laser sighted in at 10 yards. Was able to get 3 inch groups as well. Given my eyesight issues, slightly shaky hands and making no claim at being an expert pistol shot, I was very happy with the results.
I noticed the guy shooting in the lane next to me was using a SCCY CPX-1 with the with the red dot sight. We got to talking and we traded guns for a couple mags so we both could get a perspective on the laser versus red dot issue. I have to agree with Rastoff that a red dot functions very well as an alternative to standard sights. I was able to shoot groups well once I got the hang of picking up the dot in the window of the sight but they were a couple inches larger than my EZ. This I blame entirely on the trigger of the SCCY which is long and heavy. Another problem I had with the SCCY.....being the CPX-1 it was equipped with an ambi safety and below the safety lever there is a molded in fence the encloses the bottom of the lever, I would assume is there to prevent your thumb from engaging the safety as the pistol recoils. When the gun recoiled at my first shot the fence on the left side hit the web between my thumb and finger, hurt like hell and drew blood. There was no way I could adjust my grip to prevent this on the subsequent shots as I emptied the mag. I wiped my blood off the grip and gave it back to the guy with a "Thanks but no thanks" comment
Anyway, to sum up, I love the 9MM EZ.
The magazines are very easy to load (you get 2 with the gun), the slide is a breeze to rack, the safety is located in the perfect place and clicks off and on smartly (and there is no fence around it), and the trigger is about as good as it gets with very little creep, a crisp break and very short reset. I never had a problem with the grip safety as well. It is also very easy (there's that word again....LOL) and safe to field strip.
Although I have a Sig P365 that I recently purchased to replace my Shield 9MM 1.0 as my primary EDC gun (it gets too hot here in Florida to wear anything more than a T-shirt as a cover garment and my slightly "heavy" physique makes IWB very uncomfortable), the EZ 9 would definitely fulfill that role.

One last thing, my personal preference is using a laser. It is basically point and shoot and you will hit where the dot is aimed. In a personal defense situation if you have to shoot quickly and may not always get a good sight picture or have to "shoot from the hip" this could be the difference between winning and losing. I found with the red dot you still have to bring the gun up to get the target into the lens and locate the dot onto the target (which I am sure will become easier with practice). I found it took me a little longer to do than using the pistols sights when bring the gun up from the low ready position.

 

[Mario777]

Thank you all for your feedback and helpful information. I made it to the range yesterday and fed the EZ about 150 rounds of a mix of Blazer Brass 115 and 124gr FMJ, and some 124gr NATO loads I picked up from some company at a gun show several years ago, I believe it was Georgia Arms. The gun ran flawlessly with no failures of any kind. Shooting at first at 7 yards using only the 3 dot pistol sights I was getting most shots into a 3 inch circle. Elevation was spot on but the group was about 4-5 inches left so it took me a couple mags to get the rear sight adjusted which is so simple to do. Just lock the slide back to get access to the sight screw from underneath, loosen with supplied allen wrench and adjust as needed. Considering the front sight focus issue I talked about in my OP I am very satisfied being able to get 3 inch groups off-hand at 7 yards.
Then spent a couple mags getting the CT-201 laser sighted in at 10 yards. Was able to get 3 inch groups as well. Given my eyesight issues, slightly shaky hands and making no claim at being an expert pistol shot, I was very happy with the results.
I noticed the guy shooting in the lane next to me was using a SCCY CPX-1 with the with the red dot sight. We got to talking and we traded guns for a couple mags so we both could get a perspective on the laser versus red dot issue. I have to agree with Rastoff that a red dot functions very well as an alternative to standard sights. I was able to shoot groups well once I got the hang of picking up the dot in the window of the sight but they were a couple inches larger than my EZ. This I blame entirely on the trigger of the SCCY which is long and heavy. Another problem I had with the SCCY.....being the CPX-1 it was equipped with an ambi safety and below the safety lever there is a molded in fence the encloses the bottom of the lever, I would assume is there to prevent your thumb from engaging the safety as the pistol recoils. When the gun recoiled at my first shot the fence on the left side hit the web between my thumb and finger, hurt like hell and drew blood. There was no way I could adjust my grip to prevent this on the subsequent shots as I emptied the mag. I wiped my blood off the grip and gave it back to the guy with a "Thanks but no thanks" comment
Anyway, to sum up, I love the 9MM EZ.
The magazines are very easy to load (you get 2 with the gun), the slide is a breeze to rack, the safety is located in the perfect place and clicks off and on smartly (and there is no fence around it), and the trigger is about as good as it gets with very little creep, a crisp break and very short reset. I never had a problem with the grip safety as well. It is also very easy (there's that word again....LOL) and safe to field strip.
Although I have a Sig P365 that I recently purchased to replace my Shield 9MM 1.0 as my primary EDC gun (it gets too hot here in Florida to wear anything more than a T-shirt as a cover garment and my slightly "heavy" physique makes IWB very uncomfortable), the EZ 9 would definitely fulfill that role.

One last thing, my personal preference is using a laser. It is basically point and shoot and you will hit where the dot is aimed. In a personal defense situation if you have to shoot quickly and may not always get a good sight picture or have to "shoot from the hip" this could be the difference between winning and losing. I found with the red dot you still have to bring the gun up to get the target into the lens and locate the dot onto the target (which I am sure will become easier with practice). I found it took me a little longer to do than using the pistols sights when bring the gun up from the low ready position.

I've put hundreds of rounds though mine and my aim is still off. I've been practicing dry fire with the MantisX and doing well, but at the range my shots are all over the place. Wonder if my sights need to be adjusted? New to firearms, so I'm not comfortable messing with the sights yet. I just ordered the Crimson Trace CMR 201 and will try that out next time to see if it helps narrow the issue with the sights. Got a deal on the laser ($109 now on Amazon). Also getting the Pink Rhino laser to pair with MantisX to further dry fire training.

EDIT: canceled the CMR-201 and got the CMR-206 instead (green laser). Amazon has this for $161.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

I've put hundreds of rounds though mine and my aim is still off. I've been practicing dry fire with the MantisX and doing well, but at the range my shots are all over the place. Wonder if my sights need to be adjusted? New to firearms, so I'm not comfortable messing with the sights yet. I just ordered the Crimson Trace CMR 201 and will try that out next time to see if it helps narrow the issue with the sights. Got a deal on the laser ($109 now on Amazon). Also getting the Pink Rhino laser to pair with MantisX to further dry fire training.

EDIT: canceled the CMR-201 and got the CMR-206 instead (green laser). Amazon has this for $161.

Next time you go to the range get the Range Master tohelp with your sight adjustment. Or you can search YouTube for videos that show you how. You need to get your sights set before you try to sight in the laser.