I am a 72 year old woman with bad arthritis in my hands. The S&W M&P Shield .380 EZ is a dream. The slide is easy to rack, it’s easy to shoot and super easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble.
I own a gun shop and the S&W EZ is one of the Smiths that I carry in the store. Grip safeties and thumb safeties have been around for over 100 years. The gun comes without a thumb safety. One thing to consider is that most gunfights happen at 3-5 yards. To expect this gun to shoot 4 or 5” groups at 15 yards is unrealistic. This gun is not meant to fill that roll. Give me a 5” 1911 and I can shoot 2” groups at 15 yards. The EZ is a good sized gun that will fit a wide range of hand sizes. It is easy to manipulate and is a good fit for women and older people that have hand strength issues. As for the gun shooting high, I think that may be an operator problem as the young ladies upper body position and her stance could use some improvement. If it still shoots high you can change bullet weights or adjust the sights. (Yes, fixed sights can be adjusted for bullet placement). All in all I think it is a good gun for a lot of people. Just for reference my EDC guns are a 1911 Combat Commander in a belt holster and my backup is a S&W 640 which I carry in my pants pocket in a pocket holster. If I did carry a Smith semiautomatic the EZ would be high on my list. For my background I shoot competitively, a gunsmith and NRA pistol instructor.
Hi there! 3 weeks ago I bought a S&W .380 EZ. So far I have 216 rounds through it. (16 rounds of hollow point). So far, no issues with it. I did a modified version of your course of fire, and did well. Also I did two magazines of rapid fire with no issues, and was within center mass at 7 yards or so. I do like the loaded chamber indicator, and that I can rack the slide with the safety on. I bought it because of the reduced recoil, and it is a fun pistol to fire. Thanks you for the review video.
I purchased a S&W .380 EZ for my wife. She was 78 years old when I purchased it, and she no longer had the hand strength to rack the slide of my 9mm or operate a double action revolver. She loved this pistol and enjoyed shooting it tremendously. Even with her poor hand strength she never experienced any failure of any kind. This pistol can be had with or without a manual safety, and I got her the version without the manual safety. When I shoot it, it feels a bit loosey-goosey to me too, but I cut my handgun teeth on N framed S&W revolvers, so I'm accustomed to a heavy handgun. i think that the light weight of the pistol has a lot to do with it feeling loose. I really enjoy your videos, please keep up the good work.
The 380 EZ was the first gun I ever bought about 6 years ago. I was 63 and had severe arthritis in my hands so it seemed like a good choice and it was. It had very few malfunctions all the time I owned it, most of which were probably caused by my weak hands, not the gun. It seems that people with hand strength issues like this gun for ease of use but their weak hands and grip can cause malfunctions. It was a good pistol for me to start out with and learn with. I'm convinced that learning to shoot pistols gave my hands some renewed strength. I now have an M&P Compact 9mm. This pistol fits my hands so well and it's easy for me to carry.
Just found this channel and video. A little background- I was terrified of guns. My ex threatened me a couple of times with a gun, and my aunt was murdered. I'm very pro 2A, but, again, terrified to handle or shoot. My son carries and I was getting pissed because he wouldn't accompany me to our rural property. We have game animals and the predators that chase them, we're in Wyoming. Then it dawned on me that MY safety is MY responsibility. So I started shooting with my Ruger SR22, got comfortable with it, then moved up to this gun. I've got small hands and fell in love with this one. I like the thumb safety, and the grip safety makes me slow down and evaluate my grip, in turn i have to evaluate posture, hold, everything. Got the EZ 9mm, but for some reason my hit rate is 1/10. So annoying. Sorry for the long comment, I'm glad you reviewed the 380 gun, so far the ONLY thing I don't love about it is the low-capacity mags. Whoops, time to go shopping for a higher capacity weapon. In the meantime, I'm learning to shoot my son's Glock 17..... not ready for the 556. Lol. Thanks again for the reviews.
I have the EZ .380 without the thumb safety. I bought it because I have EDS Hypermobility and shooting can cause joint fatigue or dislocation. I do love to practice but need to limit range time. I am lucky to have a range in my back yard so I just practice more often. Things I like about the EZ: ease of maneuvering the slide, easy to load the magazine and the lighter recoil. Things I don't like: the length of the barrel limits how I am able to carry (being stabbed in the leg or pushing the gun up into my ribs when I appendix carry and sit down), the mounting rail catches on "fabric" holsters (can't carry in my belly band or corset), the grip safety can cause hand fatigue (but the lighter recoil does offset that some). I don't remember where I learned it, but if I rotate my right arm slightly (turn my elbow up) it will lock my elbow and increase accuracy
My partner has EDS too and this is the best firearm for them that's not 22lr. Maybe it's not right for Mac, but there are people out there who it's the best option.
We also have one of each. I like shooting both, but the Equalizer has a considerably rougher grip surface, hurts my skin, and I may get a wrap for it. As I add more rounds of practice, I am getting the strength to grip both effectively for hitting the bullseye. I do wish I could get a slightly larger magazine for the EZ.
I think y’all see it as ‘flopsy’ because you are good with a normal firm slide. Those of us who struggle with slides and @#$** tight magazine find this gun a godsend.
Another great episode, congratulations on that. I own the .380EZ along with the M&P 2.0 9mm. I used the .380 to qualify for the CCW permit in NJ, easy to rack, easy to load the mags and it's a breeze to breakdown to clean. In the beginning, I noticed my shots were low and to the left when I was practicing. A little adjustment to the way I was gripping and it went away. I like it. As I get older (turning 70 soon), I'm finding the .380 isn't as tough on my hands. Again, great episode!!
Are you planning on a Ruger Security 380 review? I've been watching your series lately and listening to your comments about each gun. My wife has small hands and has trouble racking slides. I like to hear a woman's perspective on how a firearm works for her. Keep up the good work! 😊
I have the Equalizer with the thumb and grip safety. I evaluated the EZ at the time I bought. I noticed that putting the thumb on top of the thumb safety made me loosen the grip and occasionally engaged the grip safety. If I could do it again I would not get the thumb safety. I didn't notice any "flopsy" when I evaluated the EZ, but then it was a 9mm instead of the 380. Oh, I forgot to say, another great episode!
The EZ is the gun I use, and was my first. Did not get thumb safety. I am used to it, we try to practice every month or so. For carry I use different handbags with built in holster, no issues with concealment.
Good video & good series. People should try as many as possible before buying & you're giving a good starting point for reference. I agree on the thumb safety; use it if you have it. Thinking you can just leave it off is bad for 2 reasons: first you might need it for its intended purpose & not realize it was accidentally engaged & second not using an available safety is considered dangerous. The only thing I don't fully agree on is where you choose to disengage it. I was taught with a 1911 not to take the safety off until on target. As this is a different gun & may not warrant the same concern over taking the safety off sooner you may be fine doing it the way you do but something I thought worth mentioning.
We looked at the EZ, but went with the Security 380 instead and it has been fantastic. I was concerned about the 380 being a little light so over time my wife went with the Ruger Max 9 and is very happy with it. I'm carrying the Hellcat Pro but the jury is still out on it.
The S&W 380 was the one I got. I do have a hand issue that necessitated a firearm that I could actually operate the slide. And yes I had been shown other ways but they were not successful for me. I had a lot of people saying it was a junk gun and I don't have to worry about using the slide if a round was always chambered and my reply was if I can't use the firearm completely unassisted then I should not have it period and I stand by that! It did take some getting used to with the grip safety but now with practice it's not an issue. I'm very comfortable with it so I don't use the thumb safety.
You are awesome. I learned a lot from you. I could tell you I love to watch you. You have great gray ideas which I love. I was wondering I need you to do more videos on how to conceal your weapon either on you or on a purse and I only that different belts that we could use or attachments that we could use in our body that I can make it usable for me. If you could do that for me I appreciate you God bless you and thank you
The Ez was and still is my favorite, it was also my first. I don't have the thumb safety though, didn't want one and I shoot great with it. I also own the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard. I also have a harder time body carrying with guns due to a smaller frame. The Bodyguard I can body carry but I am not as comfy shooting,(due to recoil) but am still good.
I have 3 negative comments about the entire EZ line. 1) the elderly infirm, small females & those with limited hand strength cannot maintain a firm grip on the grip safety for more than a few seconds and certainly not more than 30 seconds before feeling discomfort & possibly actual pain whilst firing an EZ pistol of both .380 and 9mm caliber 2) the EZ are not subcompacts but full size compacts making them heavier and harder to conceal carry for its stated market segment 3) They are chronically short of ammo capacity for their stated purpose of being a primary defense pistol. Instead of 8 round mags they should come with 10 round & 12 round mags in the box and a 15 round mag option.
If you dont have enough grip strength to depress the gripsafety, you dont have enough grip strength for reliably shooting a pistol. But taking a revolver is also problematic because of the heavy double action trigger. A 15 shot mag would make a gun heavier. What are "full size compacts" this dont exist. The EZ 380 is not bigger than a G48 rather a bit smaller.
@@Gieszkanne I am fortunate enough to have the strength to rack a slide and grip firmly a pistol. My comment was based on checking out both a .380 and a 9mm EZ at my local dealers range, purely as a matter of interest and not as a matter of actual need. I was totally unimpressed with the EZ and if I was really in a position of needing an easy to rack light weight decent capacity pistol I would opt for the Ruger LCP Max
I actually agree. This one she is showing in this video is not for small hands there are other guns that are way better for people with weak hands. As a female I hate the thing is a gun for females and people with weak hand strength
@@ItsAMbutyoutubechangedmyname IMO S&W has blurred the lines (a polite way of saying blatantly lying) with describing the EZ on their website as a "Micro-Compact" as it has a 3.68" (and also a 3.83") barrel length compared to lets say the Glock 43 with 3.41" barrel length & the Springfield Hellcat OSP with a 3" barrel length and the EZ has an overall length of 6.8" or 7" compared to 6.26" for the G43 and 6.00" for the Hellcat. The dimensions of the EZ differ only slightly less than the Glock 43X at 6.50" which is a small end of the range Compact. You are 100% correct in saying this pistol is not for small hands as it is IMO a mid-size Compact. I personally recommend for those with small & weak hands (male or female) or infirmity such as arthritis to check out the 0.380 Ruger LCP Max. I don't own one but have checked it out at the range and it ticks all the boxes on size, weight, ease of racking the slide, conceal-ability, mag capacity, recoil and accuracy at 10-15 yards and I may one day make it my primary EDC pistol depending on my health as I age.
Look into the Ruger Security 380 then. Fits what you are looking for. I love mine. For the price, it's one of my keepers. I'm even considering letting my Canik METE and CZ Shadow Compact go before the Security 380.
I bought the 380EZ for my wife because she has weak hands. She had no issues racking the slide but she had many jams because of the grip safty(not strong enough to keep it depressed).
Hi Stav! Do you happen to have a video of other handguns that are easy on the hands like this one? I'm in my 30s but have weak/arthritic hands and need easy slides. This one is on the top of my list to try, but I really want to try others, too. God bless 💗
I love mine EXCEPT I hate the grip safety. If I go to grab or draw the EZ I never seem to be able get or maintain a strong enough grip to keep it depressed. My solution was to get a Hogue grip to slide over the grip and keep the safety depressed all the time. The gun would be perfect if they'd get rid of the grip safety.
I got a .380 Smith and Wesson Bodyguard to carry a tiny sidearm when conditions prevent carrying my S&W shield or M&P compact. I wouldn't carry something that is the same size as a 9mm like the shield in 380. And the 9's love running 124g Speer Gold Dot
Great content as usual. If I could suggest to you the H&K USP .40 Compact. I think you would drop all the others and carry it. Try it at the range and you will see what I mean. Thumbs up.
I own this gun and I can tell you I don’t like the grip safety. It’s also not an easy conceal. I bought the Sig P365 to conceal. Still getting used to it. In my opinion it’s snappy.
Have you considered using some sound material in the room you do your presentations from? Would help lower the echo and tin can sound. Love your videos, very helpful
I’m not sure if you’ve mentioned this before, but when you carry with the sticky holster, what do you do with it and the gun when you use the restroom? I’m not a fan of just setting it down. Do you hang on to it? Tuck it in your purse for a minute?
I love my .380 EZ!! The model I bought does not have a the thumb safety, just the grip safety. When trying out various guns (via rental), my two favorites (and the two I shot best with) were the .380 EZ and the Glock 48. I ended up choosing the EZ because the slide was easier for me to manipulate (I have arthritis and somewhat weak grip strength in both hands). Love your channel!! On a different subject, do you use size small of the Can-Can holsters? (I recently saw a couple of size smalls and can pass along the store’s phone number if you want to contact them.)
I carry my s&w ez9. I do love it. I have a question, do you ever carry a revolver? I’m thinking about getting one. I’m a small woman. I went to range the other day and tried the s&w revolver. I had an extremely difficult time pulling the trigger. What are your thoughts
I don't know when or why gun makers decided it would be a good idea to stop putting the red dot under the "safety off" position. Easy enough to correct that.
I wonder from a mechanical standpoint if the lightened recoil spring would be able to overcome tighter tolerances in manufacturing. Perhaps this is why it is so "flopsy". Side note: when I was a kid, my sister and I had a pet French Flops rabbit named Flopsy.
There’s an amazing interview on Colion Noir with a man who was shot 15 times with 45ACP. He fought back, cross drawing his firearm with his non dominant hand because his dominant arm was hit and immovable. He held the gun upside down, and pulled the trigger twice with his pinkie! Bad guy dead. I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure his firearm had no grip safety.
I'm new to handguns. I trained in the Army with an M16A1, and an M60 so when it came to handguns at my age mid 50s I thought I'd start out with something with little recoil. I don't have an external safety. When I draw it I have my thumb on the back of the slide then move it onto the grip safety. I reverse this to holster it. I recall Mac said a lower recoil gun helps with good habits. So this is my pistol until I graduate to the 9 mm. I think the way they market the gun for old people and women is wrong. Like you've said in previous videos if you like to shoot something you'll train more with it. This gun doesn't require one to think too hard to shoot it and that's a good thing I think. So when is Mac starting his "He Equips Himself" spinoff?
I know you and Mac reviewed the Ruger LCPMax when it came out, and you both talked about carrying it occasionally. I'm wondering why you've gotten away from the that and gone to the Glock 42 instead.
I don't like the .380 for carry. Would prefer my Shield Plus which is still small enough to conceal with more stopping power with the 9mm and more rounds.
I was highly considering this gun at first but I rented it and shot it at the range and had a stove pipe twice. I didn’t like that and decided against the gun
If you forget to put the safety on when chambering a round, or to turn the safe off when firing you,didn’t train enough to be proficient with that firearm. Basically the same thing as not being adequately trained to keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. This is perfect example of people who should not be giving shooting advice.
@@bobmacquarrie Hurry Mac, too many women are wasting their money on a worthless EZ .380. Agreed on the Glock 42 if one wants to avoid the snappy 9mm. 🔫😝
Hi, at one time in my life I wanted a decent handgun, for self protection and home defense. I then discovered how expensive they are, being n a limited income now, well that idea went out the window.
I just bought a used Equalizer from Bass Pro Shop for $250. They always have Smith & Wesson Shields around $250. The Taurus G3 can be found at this price point new all day long.
It's not the shooter, in this specific case, it's a lack of quality on part of the manufacturing.... JS Definitely don't want, like, or buy this pistol. Thanks for the review! ❤️
