S&W 9mm M&P Shield EZ bullet or boolit weight

[algaeguy]

I am looking for a bit of advice as I venture into the semi auto country. I have always been a revolver guy myself, but I ordered a 9mm M&P EZ for my wife. Given the state of supplies these days and the lack of available test options, I was hoping someone could recommend a jacketed bullet weight or a lead boolit weight that this gun might prefer? I regularly cast for my .44 but I am open to buying those copper-coated things too to get her started, and I several weight options available. Are there pros and cons for this pistol in say 90gr vs 115gr vs 124gr? She will be using it mainly for target shooting, and to carry in the woods as she is afraid of bears and coyotes......

 

[AzShooter1]

I find 90s to be too light to cycle the EZ. 115s do o.k. but I use a steady diet of 125 grain bullets.

If you are going to cast them get the 125 rn 6 bullet mold from Lee. I've probably made 30K of them for my guns and they just work.

 

[splattergun]

You need enough energy to reliably cycle the action, so you need to be careful with light loads. Your wife, might want to try a few commercial loads in various bullet weights to get a feel for what is preferable for her. 115 gn is the lightest you would want.
My personal favorite is about 4.3 gn W231 under a 124 gn bullet. Your charge might very due to the differences in her gun and mine. This will work well with FMJ, plated, or coated cast bullet. It is great for target shooting, easy to shoot with low recoil n my full size 9mms, and it will chase off a coyote. I wouldn't want to use it against an adult black bear boar, though, unless i forgot my pepper spray and had no other choice. It might just make him very angry. But... whatever helps her feel safer...

 

[RMH]

Mine has been flawless with RMR 124 gr MPR and 4.2 gr WSF.

 

[algaeguy]

Thanks. Ill look for the Lee mold as i like the oned i have for other calibers. Seems like the 124gr it is! Wisconsin black bears run off with a loud sneeze - im sure she doesn't intend to shoot one with this gun. Although i would like a coyote pelt for a quiver...

 

[AJC1]

I love 115 grain rmr matchwiners and I load for my neighbors 9mm ez. 4.0 grains tg is accurate and very easy on those who dont love recoil. If your loading for protection I recommend a hornaday xtp or other premium hp. The meplat on the matchwiners is huge so a yote or small critter would not be happy if engaged.

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I've run about everything through all of mine, I have three, one that I carry, my wife's and my son's .... but for everyday practice I use either Speer TMJ 115s and I push them hard or the Berry plated 115s and you can take those up to 1250 fps no problem.

I'll run either of those over 5.6 grains of Unique and it's a fun day on my range. Even with today's prices I've been able to roll those for under .17 cents a piece so I figured why go to the trouble of casting and coating at that price. Used to be I could do it closer to a nickle a piece but still, comparatively speaking ... and those work real well in all three of my little EZs.

BTW ... great gun. I recently just stepped-up to the plus but haven't had the weather to break it in yet so I am still carrying the EZ Shield and it is one heckuvan accurate little pistol.

 

[mdi]

I like to start a handload for a particular caliber with the bullet weight the cartridge/gun was designed for. For 9mm my first reloads consisted of 124 gr. jacketed bullets and 125 gr cast. So far my favorite cast 9mm is Lee's 358-125-RF. I use this bullet for my 4 9mm pistols and my 38s and 357 Mag. My "JIC" load in either a RMR 124 gr. JHP or a Nosler 124 JHP over an upper load of Universal. Works quite well in all my 9mms...

 

[Cliff6]

I load a light load for my girlfriends 9mm EZ. I use a 95gr Bayou LRN and 4.5gr Titegroup. Works perfect and is a very light recoil.

 

[algaeguy]

Lots of choices. I guess it is a matter of what I can find for bullets until I can cast some loads. I appreciate all of the advice! I like the idea of the 95gr - saves on lead.