Review of Smith and Wesson EZ Shield 380 or 9mm

I've taught a lot of new gun owners to shoot in the last two months.  The crazy events of the year 2020 drove many people to buy guns and get training in how to protect themselves.  Four of my recent students (all women) brought with them a brand-new M&P Shield EZ handgun.  This gun is built by Smith and Wesson and chambered in .380 Auto or 9mm.   I think these guns are very popular because they are affordable, easy to rack and comfortable in small hands.   

Everyone that brought it to my course plans to use it for self defense.   However, once we got out on the range and started shooting each of the four students had issues de-activating the grip safety.  Sometimes the gun would fire and something they would have to readjust their grip to get it to fire.  This happened with four out of four students using an M&P EZ!  A grip safety is supposed to be automatically de-activated when you grip the gun.  You shouldn't have to think about it.  These ladies each had a correct two-handed grip on the gun (strong-side hand high on the backstrap) and did not always de-activate the grip safety.  I've never seen someone have problems de-activating a grip safety on any other makes of gun (such as the Springfield Armory XD or a 1911).  Due to the performance I've seen with these guns, I would NOT recommend you purchase one for yourself.

Bottom line:

• Pros: They are easy to rack and small and concealable.  Good trigger, grip texture and sights.  
• Cons: Grip safety:  will it go bang when you need it to?