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[Placed in this section because of the typical carry nature of these guns]
Okay, kinda rant time. I'm getting tired of "gun culture" folks who rant about the grip safety on the S&W EZ series. Two main things I keep hearing is that:
1) You have to have strong grip strength to defeat the grip safety so it is not a good choice for older people or those with low grip strength
2) Shooters have a hard time with the grip position and the gun won't fire
We (mostly my shooter / trainer wife with me in tow) were early adopters of these guns and frequently used by students at the range. After a good testing period with both the 9mm and 380, with manual safeties and without, we frequently find ourselves recommending these to shooters, typically after they try them at the range. Actually, little recommendation is needed after they shoot them since most like them so much, we are more of a confirmation.
So, fast forward to the alleged issues. 1) Grip strength. Want to guess how much force is needed to defeat the safety? Just over one pound. You don't need the crush grip of a three toed sloth to depress the safety. If you can't defeat a one pound safety, how are ever going to pull a fiveish pound trigger? Sorry, but this argument is just stupid, and I hate to use that word but words matter. (Side note, these are not striker fired guns, they are internal hammer and have much better triggers than many guns.)
2) Grip location. Yes, this can initially be a problem with inexperienced shooters...like grip problems can be with any gun and new shooters. Fix their grip, fix the problem. If a shooter is not depressing the safety then a) their hand is not high on the grip and b) there is a gap between their hand and the grip. These both need to be fixed no matter what gun you have. If a shooter cannot do this with a gun this is going to be a big problem for them. Now, could it be that the EZ series grip design is not compatible with a particular shooter? Absolutely. Not saying this is a gun that everybody can shoot or should buy. Some other type / brand of gun may be a better fit for some shooters, but please "instructors," stop blaming the gun because you spend more time hacking on a keyboard than with your students. Sorry, kinda harsh, but this has been stewing for a while (and NOT directed at ANYONE in this community btw!)
Case in point. Recently helped the bride with a class while she was working with the new shooters. There were nine shooters on my side. How many were shooting an EZ? Every. Single. One. Malfunctions during the session? Zero of any type.
There, I feel better now.
Okay, kinda rant time. I'm getting tired of "gun culture" folks who rant about the grip safety on the S&W EZ series. Two main things I keep hearing is that:
1) You have to have strong grip strength to defeat the grip safety so it is not a good choice for older people or those with low grip strength
2) Shooters have a hard time with the grip position and the gun won't fire
We (mostly my shooter / trainer wife with me in tow) were early adopters of these guns and frequently used by students at the range. After a good testing period with both the 9mm and 380, with manual safeties and without, we frequently find ourselves recommending these to shooters, typically after they try them at the range. Actually, little recommendation is needed after they shoot them since most like them so much, we are more of a confirmation.
So, fast forward to the alleged issues. 1) Grip strength. Want to guess how much force is needed to defeat the safety? Just over one pound. You don't need the crush grip of a three toed sloth to depress the safety. If you can't defeat a one pound safety, how are ever going to pull a fiveish pound trigger? Sorry, but this argument is just stupid, and I hate to use that word but words matter. (Side note, these are not striker fired guns, they are internal hammer and have much better triggers than many guns.)
2) Grip location. Yes, this can initially be a problem with inexperienced shooters...like grip problems can be with any gun and new shooters. Fix their grip, fix the problem. If a shooter is not depressing the safety then a) their hand is not high on the grip and b) there is a gap between their hand and the grip. These both need to be fixed no matter what gun you have. If a shooter cannot do this with a gun this is going to be a big problem for them. Now, could it be that the EZ series grip design is not compatible with a particular shooter? Absolutely. Not saying this is a gun that everybody can shoot or should buy. Some other type / brand of gun may be a better fit for some shooters, but please "instructors," stop blaming the gun because you spend more time hacking on a keyboard than with your students. Sorry, kinda harsh, but this has been stewing for a while (and NOT directed at ANYONE in this community btw!)
Case in point. Recently helped the bride with a class while she was working with the new shooters. There were nine shooters on my side. How many were shooting an EZ? Every. Single. One. Malfunctions during the session? Zero of any type.
There, I feel better now.