I’ve had the opportunity to spend quality time with two impressive pistols: the Taurus G3c Vs Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ.
As a professional shooter, my aim was to dive deep into the capabilities of each gun, put them through their paces, and figure out which one came out on top.
My goal here is to share my findings with you so you can make an informed decision if you’re considering adding one of these to your collection.
| Feature | Taurus G3c | Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ |
| Type | Striker-fired semi-auto centerfire | Internal hammer-fired autoloader |
| Caliber | 9mm Luger | 9mm Luger |
| Capacity | 10+1 or 12+1 | 8 rounds |
| Barrel Length | 3.2 in. | 3.83 in. |
| Overall Length (OAL) | 6.3 in. | 7.0 in. |
| Height | 5.1 in. | 4.85 in. |
| Width | 1.2 in. | 1.46 in. |
| Weight (Empty) | 22 oz. | 23.2 oz. |
Overview of Taurus G3C
The Taurus G3c is a compact, striker-fired 9mm pistol designed for everyday carry. It offers reliability and performance at an affordable price.
Specs
- Type: Striker-fired semi-auto centerfire
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Capacity: 10+1 or 12+1
- Barrel: 3.2 in. stainless steel
- Overall Length (OAL): 6.3 in.
- Height: 5.1 in.
- Width: 1.2 in.
- Weight: 22 oz.
- Construction: Tenifer-coated slide, stippled polymer frame
- Trigger: 4.5 lb
- Sights: Steel; serrated rear, white-dot front
- Safety: Manual thumb, trigger block
Overview of Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ Specs
The Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 Shield EZ is crafted for ease of use, combining the trusted M&P series features with enhancements for improved handling and performance.
Specs
- Type: Internal hammer-fired autoloader
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Barrel: 3.83 in.
- Overall Length: 7.0 in.
- Width: 1.46 in.
- Height: 4.85 in.
- Weight, Empty: 23.2 oz.
- Grips: Integral to polymer frame
- Finish: Matte black Armornite with a silver barrel, trigger, and grip safety
- Sights: Drift-adjustable Hi-Viz LiteWave H3 rear; Hi-Viz LitePipe front
- Trigger: 5.18-lb. pull (as tested)
- Safety: Manual thumb safety; grip safety; firing pin block
Features Comparison of Taurus G3C Vs Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
1. Ergonomics and Grip
Taurus G3C
The Taurus G3c shines with its ergonomic design, prioritizing comfort and control for the shooter.
Its grip, measuring 5.38 inches in circumference, is meticulously designed to fit medium-sized hands like a glove, ensuring a firm and comfortable grasp.
The grip is enhanced with six panels of fine texturing, which wrap around it entirely, providing a non-slip surface that enhances the shooting experience.
This careful attention to detail in the grip’s design ensures that the shooter maintains a secure hold on the firearm, even in challenging environmental conditions, thereby improving overall control and accuracy.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ matches the G3c in providing a comfortable grip circumference of 5.38 inches but adds a unique feature with its integrated grip safety.
This safety feature is seamlessly incorporated into the gun’s ergonomic design, offering an additional layer of security without compromising comfort.
The grip is adorned with fine texturing on the sides, frontstrap, and backstrap, just below the grip safety, ensuring a solid grip. This thoughtful integration of safety and ergonomic design highlights the Shield EZ’s commitment to user-friendly handling without sacrificing security.
Winner
Both pistols excel in ergonomics and grip, making this a closely contested feature.
However, the Taurus G3c slightly edges out the competition by offering a straightforward, highly effective grip design that focuses purely on user comfort and control without the added complexity of grip safety.
This makes the G3c a touch more appealing for those who prefer traditional handling characteristics.
2. Sights
Taurus G3C
The Taurus G3c is equipped with robust steel sights, featuring a serrated rear sight paired with a white-dot front sight, designed to offer a clear and simple sight picture for quick target acquisition.
The rear sight’s drift-adjustability for windage enables shooters to fine-tune their accuracy, catering to personal preferences and shooting conditions.
This straightforward sight design, while favoring simplicity and durability, may pose limitations in low-light conditions, where visibility becomes paramount. Nevertheless, its design is well-suited for shooters who appreciate the reliability and traditional appearance of metal sights.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
Elevating sight technology, the Shield EZ incorporates Hi-Viz LiteWave H3 steel sights, which include vibrant green fiber-optic inserts at the rear and a single green fiber-optic insert at the front.
This innovative sight design significantly enhances visibility across a range of lighting conditions, facilitating quicker and more intuitive target engagement.
The sights’ adjustability for both windage and elevation further allows shooters to achieve optimal accuracy tailored to their specific needs.
Winner
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ triumphs in the sights category thanks to its advanced Hi-Viz LiteWave H3 fiber-optic sights.
These sights offer superior visibility and faster target acquisition, especially in varied lighting conditions, setting a new standard in optical performance compared to the more traditional metal sights of the Taurus G3c.
3. Slide Operation
Taurus G3C
The G3c stands out for its slide operation, a noteworthy achievement for a striker-fired pistol. Striker-fired mechanisms typically necessitate stiffer springs to ensure reliable functioning, which can make slide operation challenging for some shooters.
However, the G3c successfully balances the need for reliability with user-friendly handling, requiring approximately 24 pounds of force to rack the slide.
This balance demonstrates Taurus’s commitment to creating a firearm that is accessible without compromising on performance, making it an attractive option for a broad range of shooters.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
True to its name, the Shield EZ sets the benchmark for ease of slide operation, thanks in part to its internal hammer-fired mechanism.
This design choice significantly reduces the force needed to rack the slide, with only about 19 pounds of force required, making it exceptionally user-friendly, especially for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity.
This ease of operation is a critical feature for many shooters, emphasizing Shield EZ’s design philosophy of accessibility and ease without sacrificing the quality of the shooting experience.
Winner
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ emerges as the definitive winner in slide operation.
Its design significantly lowers the physical effort needed to rack the slide, offering an unparalleled level of accessibility and convenience, particularly for those who find the stiffer slides of striker-fired pistols challenging to operate.
4. Safety Features
Taurus G3C
The G3c boasts a manual thumb safety and a trigger block, offering a traditional safety approach.
These features provide a tactile, deliberate method for securing the firearm, which is appreciated by many shooters for the conscious control it affords.
The manual safety is straightforward, requiring a physical action to engage or disengage, which can be seen as both a pro and a con depending on the user’s preference.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
The Shield EZ includes a manual thumb safety, grip safety, and a firing pin block.
This multi-faceted approach to safety not only ensures that the firearm is secure but also adds an automatic layer of safety through the grip safety, which must be fully depressed to fire.
This design is especially beneficial for new shooters or those who prioritize safety features in their handguns.
Winner
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ excels in this feature, offering a more comprehensive safety system compared to the gun it’s being compared with.
The addition of the grip safety, on top of the manual thumb safety and firing pin block, provides an extra layer of security, making it the preferable choice for those who prioritize safety.
Pros & Cons of Taurus G3C
Pros
- Compact and lightweight, ideal for concealed carry
- Affordable price point
- Good ergonomic grip design
Cons
- Limited safety features compared to the Shield EZ
- Slide may be harder to rack for some users
Pros & Cons of Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
Pros
- Easy-to-rack slide, suitable for users with limited hand strength
- Advanced safety features, including grip safety
- High-visibility Hi-Viz sights
Cons
- Higher price point compared to the G3c
- Wider and slightly heavier, which might affect concealability for some
Similarities between Taurus G3C & Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
- Both are chambered in 9mm Luger
- Each has a polymer frame and matte black finish
- Manual thumb safety featured on both models
- Similar grip circumference, accommodating medium-sized hands comfortably
- Offered by well-respected manufacturers in the firearm industry
Differences between Taurus G3C & Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ
- G3c is striker-fired; Shield EZ is internal hammer-fired
- G3c has a 10+1 or 12+1 capacity; Shield EZ has an 8-round magazine capacity
- G3c uses a simpler sight system; Shield EZ features Hi-Viz fiber-optic sights
- G3c’s overall length is 6.3 inches; Shield EZ’s overall length is 7.0 inches
- Shield EZ includes a grip safety and more comprehensive cleaning kit
- G3c is slightly lighter and more compact, making it potentially better for concealment
- Price difference, with the Shield EZ generally being more expensive
Final Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis of both the Taurus G3c and the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ, I’ve come to a conclusion.
While both pistols offer remarkable features and performance, the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield EZ stands out as the winner in my book.
This decision doesn’t hinge on a single feature or specification but on the overall shooting experience, ease of use, and the comprehensive safety features it offers.
FAQ’s
What is the Taurus G3c the equivalent to?
The Taurus G3c is comparable to compact pistols like the Glock 26, Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0, and Springfield Hellcat, offering a balance of size and capacity.
What is the difference between M&P9 Shield and EZ?
The Shield EZ differs from the Shield lineup by being an internal hammer-fired pistol, which significantly reduces the slide tension, making it easier to use.
What is the jamming issue on the Taurus G3c?
The Taurus G3c can experience jamming when a spent cartridge does not fully exit the ejection port, potentially colliding with a new round.
Which gun is better, Taurus G2C or G3c?
While the G2C is budget-friendly and compact, the G3c offers refined features and enhancements, making it a better choice for a more polished shooting experience.
