Shield 380 EZ range report

[Flyingfool]

I have read that rhe 380EZ is having some issues with missfeeding the last round from the mag. The speculation is that in an sfdort to make the mags EZ to load, the spring is a bit too light and doesn’t have enough umph to properly feed that last round.

Is there any truth to this? At least wide spread problems. Or possibly just a few isolated incidents??

 

[Targets Guy]

Great range report. Thanks.

 

[Dpris]

Working with the Smith EZ, the Springfield 911, and the Taurus Spectrum.

The Smith functioned perfectly through five different bullet weights & three different bullet types, including the X-tipped Black Hills Honeybadger that doesn't always feed in other guns.

Accuracy between the Smith & the Springfield was roughly comparable off a rest at 10 yards.
The Springfield had several glitches, the Taurus none, and despite its 5-mile trigger & tiny nub sights, outshot the other two markedly.
Denis

 

[bedbugbilly]

Interesting read.

I picked up my Shield 380 EZ the other day along with a Beretta 84 - DOB late 1970s in pristine, unfired condition. But back to the EZ . . .

I'm an older guy - a revolver guy - but I do own a 9mm Shield and like it very much and I often use it for a carry piece. I have to kind of chuckle when I see all the videos and hype about the 380 EZ being for "women" or "older" people. I'm sure that Smith probably planned it for that niche . . . but I have to say that I am really impressed with mine. Seems to have a good trigger and the grip safety doesn't bother me at all.

I was looking for a .380 for plinking and carrying in the woods, etc. - a "fun gun". I reload and only shoot cast and that's all my EZ will see. Some folks don't think the .380 is powerful enough for "carry" . . . and to each their own. Personally, I have no qualms with a .380 but that's me. I got the model with the thumb safety . . . doesn't bother me as it's not hard for a person to learn to thumb sweep a safety . . . or, if carrying, leave it off. y trigger seems smooth as silk.

As far as accuracy, I haven't had the time to get out and shoot mine yet. However, I won't pass judgement based on a few hundred rounds of different brands. As I said, mine will only see reloads and cast . . . but it's like any other handgun . . . you need to work up a load and see what it likes best - then stick with that load. It also takes time to "learn" the pistol. In this day and age, when so many of us have a number of different handguns, do we really concentrate on "one gun" enough to really learn it. Maybe, if you are using one handgun to shoot competition . . . but I doubt it if just going to the range once in while and putting a hundred or so rounds though it with days in between. Just my thoughts . . might or might not agree.

In the long run . . . I think Smith has a real winner with the 380 EZ. It's reasonably priced, has gotten great reviews as far as function and reliability and if a person wants a .380, whether it be for a plinking gun, HD or CCW . . . it will certainly do the job for those that like the 380 cartridge. Yep . . it fits the market for women shooters, beginners and "old people", like me . . . but I have to think that there will be a lot of manly men getting this pistol for fun . . . they just might not admit it due to testosterone levels.

 

[Dpris]

When I asked for a test sample, I had no intention of keeping it.
After working with it, I think Smith & Wesson can live without this one.
Denis

 

[trikerdon]

I have read that rhe 380EZ is having some issues with missfeeding the last round from the mag. The speculation is that in an sfdort to make the mags EZ to load, the spring is a bit too light and doesn’t have enough umph to properly feed that last round.

Is there any truth to this? At least wide spread problems. Or possibly just a few isolated incidents??

I took my new EZ to the range the other day and fired about 125 rounds. Never had any problems with it at all. 100 rds was PMC Bronze ball ammo and 25 rounds of Underwood Xtreme Defender. Purchased some Precision One 90 gr HP/XTP and will be going back to the range and give it a try. This will be my carry loads.

 

[cnj]

Were you able to run any defense loads through it and if so were there any malfunctions ?
The 4 you mention in 150 rounds is unacceptable especially if they were all ball ammo loads.

Rule of thumb is no more than 1 failure per 3000 rounds. (in the military it's 1 in 10,000)
Now grant it it's a new gun, so perhaps exceptions can be made.
But if you did not test it with defensive loads I would not carry it yet until you do.

Just my 1 1/2 cents worth's.

I must say I'm very intrigued by this new S&W offering.
I'm a fan of the .380 cartridge, it can get the job done, it is after all a 9mm short.

If they come out with a snubby chambered in it I'll be all over it.

I have not tried any defense rounds through the gun to date. In all honesty, we have been busy with projects around the house, and simply haven't had time to go shooting much lately.

Regarding the initial failures......these all happened with my wife at the helm. I noticed her grip was just a bit low on the gun, so I had her adjust slightly, and she had no further issues. When I shot the gun, I had no issues whatsoever.

The gun has since been back to S&W for the manual safety retrofit, and has been flawless since that was done.....just a point worth mentioning. I will reiterate that the initial failures all occurred within the first 150 rounds. There have been no failures since.

 

[Dpris]

Four of the five test loads I used were defensive.
Denis

 

[webfarmer]

Picked up my manual safety EZ a couple weeks ago and fired just 48 rounds this past weekend (all functions were so easy!). Benched at 15 yards, I achieved a 1 3/4" 5 shot group with Hornady American Gunner (90 grain XTP @ 955 FPS) & 2 1/4" 5 shot group with WWB (95 grain FMJFP @ 891 FPS). I know I can very much improve those groups as time goes on. Bullets hit POA versus a little left and low for me with other new pistols. What a joy to shoot! Not ready to turn my 9mm Shield into a safe queen but for this 65 year old, the EZ is a swing and a hit!

 

[sdb321]

Thanks to all you guy's & doll's for the great info on the EZ. All this good info has convinced me to take a look at one!!!!

 

[windhampensacola]

Just somewhat off the wall thought's. First the 380 guns have been around for many, many years and used in wars and by police. There has been vast improvement in the 380 ammo in recent years. At say 7 yards is there that much diff between a modern 380 defense round and a modern 9mm defense round assuming the hit is in the kill zone or major body damage areas? What about the ability of follow up shot/s due to the in my words the kick of the round?

These are the thoughts on my mind with my old body. Yes I own 22/380/9mm/38sp/45 along with rifles.

 

[windhampensacola]

Made my first trip to the range with my new M&P Shield 380EZ. Yes it shot to the left and slightly down. The only problem I had was that the first ammo I tried to use was the Winchester Train & Defend FMJ which failed several times after it fired and would not shot the second round until you cleared and shot again which again had to clear. So at least my 380EZ does not like this ammo. I when through about 200 rounds including Critical Defense, Remington UMC (2 boxes), PPG, and Winchester Kinetic HE without any problems.

I will say compared to the Springfield line XDs, XD9 4 in, & XD9 M2 Compact I by far like the Springfield Grip Safety better. I believe the reason for that is the thickness of the pistol grip makes it easier for me to depress the Grip Safety on the Springfield pistol easier and more comfortable. Both range officers at the range felt the same, but then again both were carrying Springfield's.