Comments at the 7 min mark: That's exactly right. If the gun is easy to shoot, it inspires confidence. This things market demand will outlast every single one of those new micro 9s.
Lol thanks :) it’s not about being macho, I heard a long time ago, shoot the largest gun you can handle, and shoot accurately otherwise you’re more of a danger to yourself and others. For some that’s a 22, others a .380, others a 9mm
You may have the last round in the mags jam for a while, many people had that issue including me. I left my mags loaded for like a year now and it doesn’t do that anymore
I do leave loaded mags in all my guns, as you’ve said I hope it helps. If I have an issues I’ll try to remember to post here. I have found that putting 7 in a mag instead of 8 is easier to insert the mag. That 8th round, for me, made the mags in my regular 380 shield EZs a little harder to push in. Thanks for your advice. 👍
@@Nigol66 I’ve been trying to find better methods to load, as I have several handguns that are hard to rack the slide when a full mag is inserted and the slide is closed. Not sure if the manufacturer expects to lock the slide back, then insert the mag, and release the slide (never or rarely ever read the manuals). However, it makes sense as that process is exactly what happens when the slide locks back on an empty mag,
I have other guns in 380, but when I shot this one I knew instantly that it would be my primary. EZ to load, rack, shoot...like you said, "who wouldn't want easy?" Others can call it a granny gun or sissy gun...like I care. I care about placing rounds accurately, and any gun that makes it EZ for me to do that is a winner!
You bet!! My .380 EZ has had a bunch of different ammos through it WWB, primarily like 300 rounds of that, Norma MHP, Aguila, S&B, Federal JHP, Federal HST, Lehigh Ext. Pen., ditto +P, Underwood 68 gr Ext Def., ditto +P, Remington, PMC, some of that odd steel/aluminum jacket stuff I can't remember the name of, Others. My favorite has turned out to be the std velocity 100gr LHC at an advertised velocity of 975 fps that Underwood makes. I don't really know how many rounds I've put through that pistol, but it hasn't had a problem/hiccup yet. I've never owned a semi-auto this reliable. Sorry. Didn't realize I'd already watched and commented. Still... It's a great gun.
I’m very happy with how mine performed, even with the three stovepipes. I knew it was a possibility that may happen, so I wasn’t disappointed when it did. It may just need more rounds through it to rough up the mag followers- seems that’s what most people say fixes it
I have the standard version of the .380 EZ (performance center grip safety was awful in my hand, didn’t feel like going through the hassle to get S&W to swap it with the standard like many have done based on forums etc), I personally prefer my FMJs to match the grain of my defense ammo so I use the PMC Bronze 90gr and Hornady Critical Defense 90gr, only issue I’ve had is an occasional fail to lock back the slide after firing the last round even after cleaning it the first time but still not bad at all. I’ll take being able to rip the hole out of a bullseye at 10 yards with it over my old 9mm
I want one of these! I'm able to get free gun rental at gun club near me and tried one the other night - sooo easy to load and fun to shoot! only drawback was it was so comfortable to load, rack, and shoot that I went through $38 in ammo in no time - eeks!
Yeah there has been issues with the EZ models. My mom bought the non performance model and had zero cartridge feeding and ejecting issues when shooting, runs great. I read online that Smith and Wesson corrected what your experiencing by using more robust springs. Which is where my mom's gun has issues, namely that one of the two magazines that came with the gun when fully loaded is very difficult to put in the gun. Which sucked because she is older and suffers from arthritis... Strange thing is she bought two extra mags and yep both those were also very difficult to get them to seat with eight rounds in the magazine (7 rounds are like butter). I mean very difficult, and when you did get it in and went to chamber a round if you didn't pull back and let go really fast it would just stop due to the tension. I called S&W about five months ago and asked if they would send some springs and followers and they said they would, well after five months and another two follow up calls still have not received them. Those two follow up calls they said they had none in stock...(calling them Monday 😑) I thought if the springs they were to send didn't fit the problem I'd clip one spring a little bit at a time to see if that would fix it... I also seen people talk online about sanding the follower, but until I received extra parts from S&W I was just going to wait... I did load up all the problem magazines and have left them loaded for months and even one in the gun... I think the one that has been in the gun loaded for five months might seem to be a little easier to put in the gun fully loaded now. Maybe the time under tension has helped... IDK.. But for EDC she is leaves a hard to insert mag in as initial at ready magazine and then has the easier to insert mag as her backup. Anyways if you made it this far, good for you 😆 Maybe this post will help address others concerns searching for solutions for a similar problem... God bless
You’re really supposed to load a full mag with the slide open, then release the slide to chamber a round. If the mag is full, it is always hard to load on a closed slide. That is the same with many guns I own, various brands
@@crankygunreviews It's marketed as an 8+1. I don't want to say your wrong but.... If they know there is an issue they need to fix it! Time for me to give them a call also as my mags won't go in with 8 in them either. Haven't had any stove pipes but then again it's new and only shot 3 mags thus far.
@@kansasgardener5844the reason he never commented back is because what you said is redundant. He didn’t say anything about loading the mag to 7. He said firearms are supposed to be loaded from an open slide position. Lock the slide back, load the mag, then send the slide home. You mentioning how many rounds are in the slide mean absolutely nothing. But then again the majority of Americans struggle with reading comprehension so it’s no surprise either way.
Great range review… Not sure if the warranty is transferable. Would check into that. If not, try contacting one of the senior gunsmiths at Gunsite Training Academy in Arizona. They may have a solution to make those two stove pipes disappear.
Could be, but lots of people have issues with stove pipes, new guns, used ones, new mags, used ones- I don’t think it’s my grip, I’m usually a gorilla on the gun. I’ve heard it can be from the mag follower being too slick, or the mag springs being too weak… I don’t know
It's not always smoother and faster. not all "slide releases" are created equal... many of them are simply slide stops with grooves or gnurling and are difficult to overcome the spring pressure to drop them. I just get used to reaching over the slide and racking to release which works with every gun whereas the "Slide release" Slide stop" do not work on every platform.
It gets better- I’ve left my mags loaded in my safe, and mine is way more reliable- some say scuffing the follower in the mag helps, some say stretching the mag spring helps… for me just leaving the mags loaded, and shooting it helped mine
That is a loaded question… they retail around $550 typically so anything less than than is a “deal” - I bought mine used for I think $475. I thought that was fair- always check condition, and see if it comes with original packaging or extras- if they’re in rough shape or don’t have any extras, then they’re worth less
Awesome! I found a used one at cabelas I don’t think they knew or cared that it was a performance model. It was $330 out the door after tax. Excited to shoot it
It’s a stovepipe- a round can stovepipe before it fires too. when the last round is on the mag follower and the slide strips it off, it pops up into the ejection port standing bullet up- people say because the friction of the follower isn’t enough, the round pops loose before it can chamber.
@@crankygunreviews Well, I learned something new. I have had a few stovepipes with centerfire handguns but never with a live round. The good news is, as you pointed out, you know what the cause is and it should be fairly easy to correct.
That is a known issue on these. Something about the follower in the mag needing to be roughed up. I knew that going in to the Shield .380 EZ. That isn’t a gun malfunction, it’s a mag issue, and I know I can fix that.
honestly cranky i would be ashamed if a gun that came from the performance center that didnt perform i think smith feels that way too colt is not a cmpany im fond of due to the stuff they did with their ar15s and the ban era but they had some really nice guns and the mustangs and their other 380s werent all great sad yours wasnt great
It’s not easy, but there’s a solution- lock the slide back, Insert the mag, then close the slide. I think a lot of guns are designed to be loaded that way- many are hard to insert the mag on a closed slide
Well, if you choose to “top off load” which is how you get 8+1, make sure the safety is on, lock the slide back, insert a mag, close the slide to load a round in the chamber, drop the mag, insert another round into the mag, then put the mag back in the gun. Then you have 8 in the mag, and one in the chamber hence 8+1. Mag may still be hard to insert though as you’re compressing the spring on a full mag.
Why does this problem only occur with the S&W 380 EZ? This isn't a problem with the Colt 1911, the Taurus G3, the Ruger Max 9 or any other semi-automatic handgun that I know of.@@crankygunreviews
It's not just this gun- a lot of my handguns don't like a full mag shoved into a closed chamber. My Glock 23 is hard to push a mag in on a closed chamber... my 1911 as well... some are probably more evident based on the design of the gun and the design of the magazine. I don't think it's a problem, just think they design them to load a mag with a slide back, and then drop the slide to pick up a round. @@johnlychwick6134
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Comments at the 7 min mark: That's exactly right.
If the gun is easy to shoot, it inspires confidence. This things market demand will outlast every single one of those new micro 9s.
Completely agree!
"Why wouldn't you want to shoot a gun that's easy to shoot" Cranky Gun Reviews. Best quote in a while.
Lol thanks :) it’s not about being macho, I heard a long time ago, shoot the largest gun you can handle, and shoot accurately otherwise you’re more of a danger to yourself and others. For some that’s a 22, others a .380, others a 9mm
Excellent posting! I've put 500 rounds through mine, different ammo with no problems 😊
Mine has gotten better the more I shoot it
Got mine today in gold... I'll be at the range in 2 weeks. Can't wait! If it runs well it'll be my CCW. Great video, thank you! 👍🎄
You may have the last round in the mags jam for a while, many people had that issue including me. I left my mags loaded for like a year now and it doesn’t do that anymore
I do leave loaded mags in all my guns, as you’ve said I hope it helps. If I have an issues I’ll try to remember to post here. I have found that putting 7 in a mag instead of 8 is easier to insert the mag. That 8th round, for me, made the mags in my regular 380 shield EZs a little harder to push in. Thanks for your advice. 👍
@@Nigol66 nah, run 8 rounds, lock the slide back insert the mag, drop the slide- won’t load hard like that.
@@crankygunreviews I’ll give that a try. Thank you 👍🍺
@@Nigol66 I’ve been trying to find better methods to load, as I have several handguns that are hard to rack the slide when a full mag is inserted and the slide is closed. Not sure if the manufacturer expects to lock the slide back, then insert the mag, and release the slide (never or rarely ever read the manuals). However, it makes sense as that process is exactly what happens when the slide locks back on an empty mag,
Just bought the 380 ez PC as my first gun. never shot a Gun in my life i cant wait to learn how to use this properly and go shooting
They run great but sometimes the last round will stovepipe when trying to load.
I have other guns in 380, but when I shot this one I knew instantly that it would be my primary. EZ to load, rack, shoot...like you said, "who wouldn't want easy?" Others can call it a granny gun or sissy gun...like I care. I care about placing rounds accurately, and any gun that makes it EZ for me to do that is a winner!
Try a Ruger Security 380- I like that even more than the S&W
You bet!! My .380 EZ has had a bunch of different ammos through it WWB, primarily like 300 rounds of that, Norma MHP, Aguila, S&B, Federal JHP, Federal HST, Lehigh Ext. Pen., ditto +P, Underwood 68 gr Ext Def., ditto +P, Remington, PMC, some of that odd steel/aluminum jacket stuff I can't remember the name of, Others. My favorite has turned out to be the std velocity 100gr LHC at an advertised velocity of 975 fps that Underwood makes. I don't really know how many rounds I've put through that pistol, but it hasn't had a problem/hiccup yet. I've never owned a semi-auto this reliable.
Sorry. Didn't realize I'd already watched and commented. Still... It's a great gun.
I’m very happy with how mine performed, even with the three stovepipes. I knew it was a possibility that may happen, so I wasn’t disappointed when it did. It may just need more rounds through it to rough up the mag followers- seems that’s what most people say fixes it
I have the standard version of the .380 EZ (performance center grip safety was awful in my hand, didn’t feel like going through the hassle to get S&W to swap it with the standard like many have done based on forums etc), I personally prefer my FMJs to match the grain of my defense ammo so I use the PMC Bronze 90gr and Hornady Critical Defense 90gr, only issue I’ve had is an occasional fail to lock back the slide after firing the last round even after cleaning it the first time but still not bad at all. I’ll take being able to rip the hole out of a bullseye at 10 yards with it over my old 9mm
Great range review Thanks!!!!
Thanks for stopping in!
I want one of these! I'm able to get free gun rental at gun club near me and tried one the other night - sooo easy to load and fun to shoot! only drawback was it was so comfortable to load, rack, and shoot that I went through $38 in ammo in no time - eeks!
I don’t think you’ll be sorry if you get one
@@crankygunreviews have you shot the 9mm?
@@938quilt not the EZ no, but I have regular shield in 9mm and I love it
Nice video, exercising pistol showing how to deal with stovepipes. Good explanation throughout.
Thanks for watching!
Yeah there has been issues with the EZ models. My mom bought the non performance model and had zero cartridge feeding and ejecting issues when shooting, runs great.
I read online that Smith and Wesson corrected what your experiencing by using more robust springs. Which is where my mom's gun has issues, namely that one of the two magazines that came with the gun when fully loaded is very difficult to put in the gun. Which sucked because she is older and suffers from arthritis...
Strange thing is she bought two extra mags and yep both those were also very difficult to get them to seat with eight rounds in the magazine (7 rounds are like butter). I mean very difficult, and when you did get it in and went to chamber a round if you didn't pull back and let go really fast it would just stop due to the tension.
I called S&W about five months ago and asked if they would send some springs and followers and they said they would, well after five months and another two follow up calls still have not received them. Those two follow up calls they said they had none in stock...(calling them Monday 😑)
I thought if the springs they were to send didn't fit the problem I'd clip one spring a little bit at a time to see if that would fix it... I also seen people talk online about sanding the follower, but until I received extra parts from S&W I was just going to wait...
I did load up all the problem magazines and have left them loaded for months and even one in the gun... I think the one that has been in the gun loaded for five months might seem to be a little easier to put in the gun fully loaded now. Maybe the time under tension has helped... IDK..
But for EDC she is leaves a hard to insert mag in as initial at ready magazine and then has the easier to insert mag as her backup.
Anyways if you made it this far, good for you 😆
Maybe this post will help address others concerns searching for solutions for a similar problem...
God bless
You’re really supposed to load a full mag with the slide open, then release the slide to chamber a round. If the mag is full, it is always hard to load on a closed slide. That is the same with many guns I own, various brands
@@crankygunreviews It's marketed as an 8+1. I don't want to say your wrong but.... If they know there is an issue they need to fix it! Time for me to give them a call also as my mags won't go in with 8 in them either. Haven't had any stove pipes but then again it's new and only shot 3 mags thus far.
@@kansasgardener5844the reason he never commented back is because what you said is redundant. He didn’t say anything about loading the mag to 7. He said firearms are supposed to be loaded from an open slide position. Lock the slide back, load the mag, then send the slide home. You mentioning how many rounds are in the slide mean absolutely nothing. But then again the majority of Americans struggle with reading comprehension so it’s no surprise either way.
Saw the title and first thought was "wouldn't take much". Never pay the Pony tax.
Lol very true.
great seeing the target shots, would like to see it at ~20yds!
Next time 😉
The video of that same gun at 25 yards th-cam.com/video/uqSFM3FEqco/w-d-xo.html
I love mine for sure
But it’s still not as good as the Security 380
Great range review… Not sure if the warranty is transferable. Would check into that. If not, try contacting one of the senior gunsmiths at Gunsite Training Academy in Arizona. They may have a solution to make those two stove pipes disappear.
I’ve had to warranty a couple guns, I’ve never registered them, and never had anyone ask if I was the first or second owner, always had them fixed.
Great gun just bought one my every day carry
It’s a fantastic gun
Thanks again for the great video!
Thanks for watching
Great review, thanks. Looking to pick one of these up but also want to check out the 9mm version. Your take at 7:00 is spot on! My thoughts exactly.
I have both. I like them both, although with the Equalizer out now, I kinda want to get that, then reevaluate if I nees the 9EZ
Your stovepipes may be caused by your grip getting a little weak. try to shoot slow and concentrate on holding a good grip on the retest.
Could be, but lots of people have issues with stove pipes, new guns, used ones, new mags, used ones- I don’t think it’s my grip, I’m usually a gorilla on the gun. I’ve heard it can be from the mag follower being too slick, or the mag springs being too weak… I don’t know
Hate to be that guy but they have a slide release for a reason is over all faster better for the gun and smoother transition
It's not always smoother and faster. not all "slide releases" are created equal... many of them are simply slide stops with grooves or gnurling and are difficult to overcome the spring pressure to drop them. I just get used to reaching over the slide and racking to release which works with every gun whereas the "Slide release" Slide stop" do not work on every platform.
Great view. Long live the Republic.
Amen!
Any thoughts on the PC vs Equalizer?
Haven’t shot the equalizer so I don’t know.
I’ve had three stovepipes in the first 150 rounds. Bought this for my wife and I’m not sure if I will keep it😢
It gets better- I’ve left my mags loaded in my safe, and mine is way more reliable- some say scuffing the follower in the mag helps, some say stretching the mag spring helps… for me just leaving the mags loaded, and shooting it helped mine
I noticed what looked like a trigger reset problem on the first round out of a magazine. Is that a gun issue or shooter issue?
Shooter issue. Was the first time I shot it.
What’s a good used price for this?
That is a loaded question… they retail around $550 typically so anything less than than is a “deal” - I bought mine used for I think $475. I thought that was fair- always check condition, and see if it comes with original packaging or extras- if they’re in rough shape or don’t have any extras, then they’re worth less
Awesome! I found a used one at cabelas I don’t think they knew or cared that it was a performance model. It was $330 out the door after tax. Excited to shoot it
@@tonyveliz6948 that’s a great deal for a performance center!
Why can’t they just make this thing double stack
The could… maybe they will
Can you put a red dot sight on this gun
Probably a micro red dot on the rail
👍
Well worth checking out if you haven’t
We’re the two stovepipes from two different magazines?
Yeah it’s happened with just about all my mags
that wasn't even a stovepipe that was a ftf?
It’s a stovepipe- a round can stovepipe before it fires too. when the last round is on the mag follower and the slide strips it off, it pops up into the ejection port standing bullet up- people say because the friction of the follower isn’t enough, the round pops loose before it can chamber.
@@crankygunreviews Well, I learned something new. I have had a few stovepipes with centerfire handguns but never with a live round. The good news is, as you pointed out, you know what the cause is and it should be fairly easy to correct.
09:30 I would give up on
.380 ...
That is a known issue on these. Something about the follower in the mag needing to be roughed up. I knew that going in to the Shield .380 EZ.
That isn’t a gun malfunction, it’s a mag issue, and I know I can fix that.
honestly cranky i would be ashamed if a gun that came from the performance center that didnt perform i think smith feels that way too colt is not a cmpany im fond of due to the stuff they did with their ar15s and the ban era but they had some really nice guns and the mustangs and their other 380s werent all great sad yours wasnt great
Yeah I’m sad too- but I’m completely over it- this gun so soooo good!
@@crankygunreviews guess you getting one in 30 super carry too 🤣
@@joemorganeatmyshortschannel no, not looking to buy that caliber- too expensive, and to me not necessary
@@crankygunreviews aside from having 10 round mags over 8 in a ban state i see nothing special about it
@@joemorganeatmyshortschannel supposed to be almost as powerful as 9mm but less recoil.
Does anyone else out there find inserting a fully loaded magazine nearly impossible while the slide is closed?
It’s not easy, but there’s a solution- lock the slide back, Insert the mag, then close the slide. I think a lot of guns are designed to be loaded that way- many are hard to insert the mag on a closed slide
This handgun is advertised to hold 8+1 rounds. So how do you do that using your method of loading this handgun?@@crankygunreviews
Well, if you choose to “top off load” which is how you get 8+1, make sure the safety is on, lock the slide back, insert a mag, close the slide to load a round in the chamber, drop the mag, insert another round into the mag, then put the mag back in the gun. Then you have 8 in the mag, and one in the chamber hence 8+1. Mag may still be hard to insert though as you’re compressing the spring on a full mag.
Why does this problem only occur with the S&W 380 EZ? This isn't a problem with the Colt 1911, the Taurus G3, the Ruger Max 9 or any other semi-automatic handgun that I know of.@@crankygunreviews
It's not just this gun- a lot of my handguns don't like a full mag shoved into a closed chamber. My Glock 23 is hard to push a mag in on a closed chamber... my 1911 as well... some are probably more evident based on the design of the gun and the design of the magazine. I don't think it's a problem, just think they design them to load a mag with a slide back, and then drop the slide to pick up a round. @@johnlychwick6134
hahaha "Normal people" hahaha
🤣🤣