Fri. Dec 26th, 2025

M&P SHIELD® EZ PISTOL IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

ByAaron C.

December 3, 2020

Springfield, MA: Smith & Wesson has identified two M&P Shield EZ Pistols on which the hammers manufactured by our supplier were cracked.  In those firearms, the hammer failed to fully engage the sear, causing the round to fire, cycling the slide, and potentially resulting in multiple discharges without depressing the trigger.  This issue can occur in the following two scenarios:

  1. With a loaded magazine in the firearm and the grip safety depressed, releasing the slide (by pulling it back, or releasing the slide stop), may ignite the round as the slide closes, without engaging the trigger.  The condition may occur, regardless of the manual thumb safety position if equipped.  This may also result in multiple discharges.

  2. With a loaded magazine in the firearm, the grip safety depressed, manual safety in the fire position, slide closed, and a round in the chamber, pulling the trigger will cause the round to fire normally, however as the slide cycles, the next round may be ignited as it is chambered by the hammer failing to fully engage the sear, causing multiple discharges.

In all cases, the firearm will NOT fire unless the grip safety is depressed.  While this condition has been found only in two hammers, and our investigation suggests that these two incidents are very isolated, any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury.  Therefore, we have established this Safety Recall as a precautionary measure to ensure that all M&P Shield EZ Pistols in service meet our design specifications.

Stop using your M&P® Shield™ EZ pistol until you determine whether it is included in this safety recall, and if so, until it has been inspected and repaired by Smith & Wesson, if necessary.

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PRODUCT AFFECTED:

This notice applies ONLY to M&P® Shield™ EZ pistols (including Performance Center® models) manufactured between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020, and only to a small percentage of that population. It does NOT apply to all SHIELD™ pistols. 

To determine whether your M&P Shield EZ Pistol is affected, check the label on the box to determine date of manufacture (see image below), and if manufacture date is between March 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020 – your pistol may be affected. In this case (or if you are unsure of your date of manufacture), simply go to MPShieldEZrecall.com and input your serial number, or call 888-871-7114.

REMEDY/ACTION TO BE TAKEN:

If your M&P Shield EZ Pistol is included in this recall, we will arrange for the return of your firearm to Smith & Wesson for inspection.  After inspection, if the hammer from your firearm is affected, it will be replaced at no cost to you.  We expect that this entire process will take no longer than 10 business days, and your pistol will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible.  All shipping and replacement costs will be covered by Smith & Wesson.

HOW TO LOCATE YOUR SERIAL NUMBER AND DATE OF MANUFACTURE:

NOT ALL M&P SHIELD EZ PISTOLS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2020 AND OCTOBER 31, 2020 ARE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

If your pistol was manufactured between these dates, please enter the serial number inscribed on your pistol in the field at the bottom the Smith and Wesson Shield EZ Recall website to determine if it is included in this recall.  You may enter multiple serial numbers.  After you have checked all of your serial numbers, you will be asked to complete a pre-paid return label request form.

Everyone be safe out there!

ByAaron C.

I was born and raised in NC and I have grown up around firearms with shooting BB guns at the age of around 3-4. I serve my county as a Paramedic and work part-time at my local gun shop. I have been writing for Epic Tactical since May 2016 and have been doing firearm reviews on YouTube for about the same amount of time. My enthusiasm is geared towards the medical side, yet I am always there to help out new shooters find that perfect gun and work on their technique. My wife usually accompanies me to the gun range and she is always there to help female shooters with their techniques and to answer questions.