Page 46 - American Rifleman (February 2020)

SMITH & WESSON

There are slight
differences in length
and width between
the M&P380 Shield EZ
(top) and the M&P9
Shield EZ (bottom).

The Change To 9 mm Luger
In upgunning the EZ to 9 mm, Smith engineers tried to GDHP has a muzzle velocity of 1210 f.p.s. delivering
keep as much the same as possible. Overall length for the 374 ft.-lbs. of energy. That’s a 73 percent increase in energy.
9 mm is 6.86" with a 3.67" barrel, and the height is 4.98", Pressure for the .380 ACP is around 21,500, while standard
pretty close to the .380. There are dimensional variations 9 mm loads are at about 35,000 p.s.i. For 9 mm +P (for
to the frame, which had to be completely re-molded, and which the M&P9 Shield EZ is rated), it moves up to
S&W believed the demand is there to justify that expense. 38,500 p.s.i. You can’t defeat or eliminate physics; even
Even though the polymer grip frame is slightly deeper to with 4.5 ozs. more weight and a heavier recoil spring, you
accommodate the longer 9 mm cartridge, trigger reach is the are still looking at additional recoil. Make no mistake, the
same for both at 2.69" thanks to a slight difference in trig- 9 mm EZ is snappier than the .380, although we did not
ger geometry. None of the major components—meaning the nd it as punishing as some of the new lightweight com-
frames, slides, magazines and springs—are interchangeable pacts that seem to be proliferating.
between chamberings. The 9 mm EZ was red for accuracy at 15 yds., and
One of the ways you deal with additional recoil is by the accuracy results can be found in the accompanying
increasing mass. Weight on the 9 mm is 23 ozs., as com- table. Two guns were function- red—one a slick-slide and
pared to 18.5 ozs. with the .380. The M&P380 EZ’s slide another with the thumb-safety—by nine different staffers
weighs 6.9 ozs., while the blockier 9 mm slide weighs without a hitch to the tune of more than 600 rounds. One
10.2 ozs. That difference is appreciable in the hand—and small-statured shooter who had trouble with a stock M&P9
appreciated due to the increased recoil of the 9 mm. Shield going back into battery ran the EZ without issue.
There is also an increase in recoil spring tension—
the 9 mm has a single coil at spring. With the frames So Why A 9 mm, Anyway?
chucked into a vice with a sturdy clamp on the slides and Self-defense is probably the main reason for upping the
using a sh-type scale, the .380 EZ came in at 9 lbs. of EZ to 9 mm. No one disputes that the 9 mm Luger is more
cocking effort while the 9 mm EZ registered 13 lbs., which effective than the .380 ACP given proper defensive ammu-
is in marked contrast to the 23 lbs. required for a stan- nition. But there’s more to it. One of the reasons for the
dard M&P9 Shield in 9 mm. increased popularity of the 9 mm is cost. When you make a
lot of something, you gain ef ciencies and ultimately can
By The Numbers charge less for it. All of the major ammunition factories
A petite neighbor of mine liked the .380 EZ very much, in this country, and frankly all of the world, make 9 mm
but her ex-federal-of cer husband talked her out of it, tell- pretty much all day every day.
ing her that .380 was an inadequate defensive cartridge. He One of the things that the 9 mm EZ does is serve as a
argued her gun had to be 9 mm or larger. Period. Instead crossover platform. If the user can handle the increased
of the M&P380 EZ she liked and handled at the gun shop recoil, it opens up a whole new world in terms of afford-
counter, she ended up with the gift of a .40 S&W Glock 23 able ammunition. The M&P9 Shield EZ takes the platform
she can barely rack and tends to avoid shooting. into a new arena by retaining the ease of operation, while
Volumes have been written about .380 ACP and 9 mm. increasing its defensive capability, and reducing the cost
Both have projectiles that measure 0.355" across, but the of shooting for practice and for fun.
difference comes in the case length and cartridge overall Every gun is a compromise. Those who embraced the .380
length; 0.680" and 0.754" for the .380, while for the 9 mm EZ knew it was on the lower edge of the accepted threshold for
it’s 0.984" and 1.168", respectively. In short, the 9 mm has defensive cartridges, but balanced its ease of operation with
more case capacity, meaning more propellant, and it can its shortcomings. With the M&P9 Shield EZ, thanks to modern
accommodate heavier projectiles than the .380. Selecting defensive 9 mm Luger, you are not compromising on bullet
from a popular and effective self-defense line, Speer Gold performance. Maybe these guns will get shot a little more, and
Dot Personal Protection, can give us some numbers to com- their owners will become more con dent and pro cient.
pare. According to factory data, the .380 ACP 90-gr. Gold That neighbor I mentioned earlier? Her husband is get-
Dot Hollow Point (GDHP) leaves the muzzle at 1040 f.p.s. ting a slightly used Glock for his birthday … and half a
with 216 ft.-lbs. of energy. Speer’s 9 mm Luger 115-gr. box of .40 S&W.
44 FEBRUARY 2020 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN