New Shield 9mm EZ

[southerncomfort]

I just got an email from Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore about the new(!) M&P Shield EZ in 9mm. I guess I've been a little out of touch recently, and not checking this forum, but didn't know this was on the way.

Found it on the S&W website:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/9ez

This may be the SD gun I've been waiting for to get my wife. Like with the .380, they're saying this one is easy to rack. I'll be interested to know how they changed the design over the previous 9mm Shields to make this possible.

No reviews found yet, but I'm sure we'll see them.

Photo from the SOS website.

 

[moonpup]

Interesting

 

[URIT]

Sweet. I checked the link and found a 1.47m video on the new 9EZ.

 

[gonerydin]

Mrgunsngear gushes all over it

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdb7OuZqGWM&feature=em-uploademail[/ame]


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[gnystrom]

I think the premise of having an easy to rack, grip safety, and super low recoil firearm is a good one. Having participated in demonstrations with Vista Outdoors shooting various calibers into ballistic gel, I saw very little difference in penetration between 380, 9mm, and 40 cal.
As an instructor, the primary reason for poor marksmanship with new shooters is flinching and it is always the recoil that produces that flinch.
I have a lot of respect for Mrgunsngear and his ability to shoot quickly. Watch his video and notice the difference in muzzle flip between the two calibers and multiply that in the hands of a 110lb. female.

The ammo manufacturers have really stepped up to the plate and out of a 3" barrel and the much reduced recoil coupled with the near equal results, I will opt for the 380 all day. It's all about shot placement.

 

[LVSteve]

Mrgunsngear has an interesting definition of double action trigger.

 

[markmiela]

I don’t get it smith can produce an Ez 9mm but can’t create the 3.6 barrel in ten rounds that isn’t Massachusetts 10lb trigger compliant.


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[Ranger17]

I watched a Fb vid with Julie Golub where she did some nice general comparisons between the std Shield and the 2 Ez models. From sizing to operations; for a shorter vid was pretty informative.

With hand issues not going away I have been looking at options to my Pc Shield which i love. I had no interest in dropping down to the Ez 380 but this new Ez 9 does peak my interest. Will be curious to handle one in person.

 

[S&W Rover]

This is a good option for anyone with limitations in grip or hand strength... or anyone who likes a grip safety (J. Browning knew a thing or two about handguns)... or anyone not totally comfortable with a striker-fired pistol.

The Shield 9 EZ will not be everyone, though -- I remember there were some very negative views expressed on this Forum when the .380 EZ came out. The .380 EZ has proven to be popular though and the M&P9 EZ may as well. The good news is that S&W is not forcing anyone buy it - but if it settles in around $325 retail, I might just have to get one.

Since it has a hidden hammer, it might have been called "hammerless," which would be a misnomer, but was used for the famous Colt 1903/1908 pistols and S&W Centennial revolvers. Since the DAO hammer is at rest until the trigger is pulled, there is no need for a hinged trigger as is found on S&W's striker-fired pistols. [Edit: I am revising this last sentence, which is incorrect. The hammer appears to be SAO - that is, it is cocked by the action of the slide and stays cocked until released by the trigger, rather than cocked by a long trigger pull, so it is not DAO].

 

[LVSteve]

Since the DAO hammer is at rest until the trigger is pulled, there is no need for a hinged trigger as is found on S&W's striker-fired pistols.

It's not a DAO trigger. It's a hidden single action. I assume the grip safety replaces the hinged trigger in the minds of the designers and many users.

 

[g27racing]

This is a good option for anyone with limitations in grip or hand strength... or anyone who likes a grip safety (J. Browning knew a thing or two about handguns)... or anyone not totally comfortable with a striker-fired pistol.

The Shield 9 EZ will not be everyone, though -- I remember there were some very negative views expressed on this Forum when the .380 EZ came out. The .380 EZ has proven to be popular though and the M&P9 EZ may as well. The good news is that S&W is not forcing anyone buy it - but if it settles in around $325 retail, I might just have to get one.

Since it has a hidden hammer, it might have been called "hammerless," which would be a misnomer, but was used for the famous Colt 1903/1908 pistols and S&W Centennial revolvers. Since the DAO hammer is at rest until the trigger is pulled, there is no need for a hinged trigger as is found on S&W's striker-fired pistols. [Edit: I am revising this last sentence, which is incorrect. The hammer appears to be SAO - that is, it is cocked by the action of the slide and stays cocked until released by the trigger, rather than cocked by a long trigger pull, so it is not DAO].

Don't count on it getting to $325 retail anytime soon. Even buying in Smith and Wesson packages it costs more than that. Its a fair amount more expensive than its .380 counterpart.

 

[Ranger17]

Thought I saw PSA has it for $399; though I would doubt in a new model that retails for $479 that we would see it much lower. At least not initially

 

[sotexas]

For those that can handle the recoil but have difficulty with the slide and don't have faith in a 380 round this might be a good choice. With the understanding the Shield popularity I am starting to grow weary of the continual changes of the same line. Let's see there is 1.0, 2.0, 2.0 PC, EZ, and 4". How about adding caliber or other model changes. I would love to see something new in 10mm, .357,and if possible .357 mag semi auto (realizing a small market for these). Other than the (EZ concept and the trigger in the 2.0) I'm not sure all of the changes have drastically improved the ability to point, squeeze, and hit for most shooters.

 

[Ranger17]

For those that can handle the recoil but have difficulty with the slide and don't have faith in a 380 round this might be a good choice. With the understanding the Shield popularity I am starting to grow weary of the continual changes of the same line. Let's see there is 1.0, 2.0, 2.0 PC, EZ, and 4". How about adding caliber or other model changes. I would love to see something new in 10mm, .357,and if possible .357 mag semi auto (realizing a small market for these). Other than the (EZ concept and the trigger in the 2.0) I'm not sure all of the changes have drastically improved the ability to point, squeeze, and hit for most shooters.

I am sure some of the reasoning for variations is for marketing purposes as we all know the Shield sells well.
I view it like a car; the Honda Accord does a lot of things well and sells high #’s each year.... but if Honda didnt tweak it now and then it would become stale and sales would drop.

 

[sotexas]

I am sure some of the reasoning for variations is for marketing purposes as we all know the Shield sells well.
I view it like a car; the Honda Accord does a lot of things well and sells high #’s each year.... but if Honda didnt tweak it now and then it would become stale and sales would drop.

I agree with what you are saying but they also tweak all models. I just feel S&W is over "tweaking" when it comes to this line. How about a new line.

 

[southerncomfort]

Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore and The Modern Sportsman (no personal affiliation) both have it for $359.99 with free shipping.

 

[Funflyer]

If and when I want a 9EZ, I'll just wait and get one like I did the 380EZ, under $250. Patience is a virtue

 

[Erich]

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a single-action, concealed HAMMER-fired pistol in 9mm with an easy-operating/working grip safety and a positive ambi safety. It's a good size and a good weight. The Shield 9 EZ's capacity is right there with the 3900 series (but lighter, longer barrel and SINGLE ACTION only trigger).

I'm not even looking at the easy-use features for feeble people: this just strikes me as a smart design. I'll be real curious to see the reviews ... I notice the factory video shows the gun appear to recoil rather a lot and that's with Julie Golob (an expert shooter, for sure) at the controls ... I halfway wonder if it's grievously undersprung or something and would like to see more on that.

Think about it: It's essentially the same footprint as a Glock 19 (shorter barrel than the G19, tho - slightly shorter overall, too), which we all know is just dandy for most folks to carry.

Glock 19
7.36" L
1.18" W
4.99" H
4.01" BBl
6.02" Sight radius

Shield 9 EZ
6.85" L
1.04" W
5.05" H
3.675" BBl
5.875" Sight radius

And, just for kicks, because I'm wearing one right now . . .

Beretta PX4 Compact
6.8" L
1.42" W
5" H
3.27" BBL
5.2" Sight radius

Anyhow, I seriously think this gun with the external safeties might be one of the best guns out there for non-gun people right now. If it works and doesn't recoil too badly (due to my aforementioned underspringing concerns).

 

[DonD]

Hey there Erich, a question for you?

While I don't need another 9mm semi, (I have two Ruger SR9cs and a S&W M&P9 M2.0 5" barrel, I'd like to know what you like about the Beretta, I've always wondered about it and the rotating barrel feature. Thanks, Don

 

[LVSteve]

I'm not even looking at the easy-use features for feeble people: this just strikes me as a smart design. I'll be real curious to see the reviews ... I notice the factory video shows the gun appear to recoil rather a lot and that's with Julie Golob (an expert shooter, for sure) at the controls ... I halfway wonder if it's grievously undersprung or something and would like to see more on that.

First thing I noticed was how S&W beefed up the slide on the 9 EZ. Mass in the slide is one way to mask recoil as the slide moves a bit slower. However, it can lead to more muzzle flip, depending on bore axis, as eventually that moving mass must reverse direction. Sig builds guns with beefy slides and a highish bore axis and they do muzzle flip a bit, but the actual recoil pulse is gentle, at least to me.

Ruger put a lot of mass in the slide of the P95, but the recoil is gentle and it is far easier to rack than a Steyr M9 or a M&P 9.

It will be interesting to see if S&W have managed to strike the right balance. It's an interesting physics conundrum for sure.