Just curious where everyone with experience lands on these two guns. I've got a G42 but looking for something with a little less snap for the wife and her friends.
I have a Glock 42 and my friend just got a 380 EZ for his wife. I don't consider the G42 snappy at all but the Smith does have less recoil. Since it is a bigger gun I really don't compare it to the G42 though.
One thing about the Smith is that is is a hammer fired gun with a longer trigger pull. Both my buddy and his wife were kind of surprised at the length of pull (they mostly do 1911's). They both shot low left with it.
For me, it is the Shield 380 EZ, larger grip to distribute the recoil, more weight than the Glock 42. Shooting last weekend with my wife and her sister (first time shooter), they both preferred the Glock 42. Go figure. Smaller hands? Also, the Talon grip tape may have helped to some extent.
I currently have 4 380s including a Glock 42 and a EZ 380. I can say i've grown fond of the EZ 380. I think some of it is the grip feels very good to me and it feels comfortable to shoot for me. I have not had a chance to shoot the newer PK380 so can not say much at this point about it.
I haven't shot any of these guns, nor am I timid. With that out of the way, I voted for the Shield. It has a grip safety and optional frame-mounted manual safety (much easier to operate than the Walther's slide-mounted one) for the timid, as well as an external slide stop/release. For the timid, IMO the little Glock - which is more of a pocket pistol - isn't even in the running.
Posts: 28962 | Location: Johnson City, TN | Registered: April 28, 2012
I bought a S&W M&P .380EZ, it was on sale for $310 with a lock box (S&W promo deal), I just couldn't pass it up. Very easy to operate and shoot, just like its name implies. I figured if the arthritis in my hands gets too intolerable, it will come in handy. Right now it just sits in my safe, while my LCP performs .380ACP mini gun duty.
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Posts: 13727 | Location: Michigan | Registered: July 10, 2004
I have the EZ and its not reliable. Bunch of folks on the Smith forum are saying the same thing. I dont think its ready for prime time yet.
The Smith 380EZ with thumb safety is too darn easy to put on safe in the middle of firing a mag. (mine has no safe). I was at a Smith & Wesson range day and everyone that shot the Smith 380EZ with thumb safety kept accidentally bumping the safety and putting the gun on safe in the middle of the firing string. And this was EVERY shooter that shot the gun, perhaps 10 folks I saw shoot it.
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Posts: 6708 | Location: Floriduh | Registered: October 16, 2004
Bought a M&P 380 EZ last Fall. Have used a number of different types of ammo and have had zero issues. Great gun.This message has been edited. Last edited by: 4859,
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Posts: 5772 | Location: Montana | Registered: May 13, 2008
I voted for the EZ because field stripping he Walther is silly with their stupid plastic key to take it apart. I’ve shot both and both shot fine for me, but I haven’t put a huge number of rounds through either of them so I don’t know about long term reliability.
Originally posted by bubbatime: I have the EZ and its not reliable. Bunch of folks on the Smith forum are saying the same thing. I dont think its ready for prime time yet.
The Smith 380EZ with thumb safety is too darn easy to put on safe in the middle of firing a mag. (mine has no safe). I was at a Smith & Wesson range day and everyone that shot the Smith 380EZ with thumb safety kept accidentally bumping the safety and putting the gun on safe in the middle of the firing string. And this was EVERY shooter that shot the gun, perhaps 10 folks I saw shoot it.
Maybe a return to S&W is in order, wouldn't hurt to call their CS and inquire.
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Posts: 13727 | Location: Michigan | Registered: July 10, 2004
Mine went back to smith on their dime and is better now. Used to get a lot of double ejections (I.e., one round fired and one round Unfired). Still need to run it more before I’d trust it for carry. But for range work it’s delightful. Son and fiancée both love it. I have the manual safety and wish I didn’t. The new EZ Performance Center looks interesting. They also sell a version with laser sight factory installed. I agree with the other poster that the EZ is easier in all regards to handle and manipulate vs the G42....and the G42 is pretty darned easy.
Love the 42 as well. I’m a Glock guy. Its what you think it is. It’s very soft and perfectly reliable. It’s a bit smaller than the EZ so not as easy for me to grip but still a hoot to shoot. If they ever come out with a G42x or the like I’ll be all over it.
The Walter would never get on my radar.
The Bersa Or SIG 238 would be my distant 3rd or 4th choice in no particular order...I’ve owned the SIG before but it moved out with my ex.
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Posts: 4327 | Location: ALABAMA | Registered: January 05, 2008
I have two S&W 380 EZs. One for me and one for the wife. We're both getting a little long in the tooth and these are easy to load (mags have a button like .22 mags), easy to rack, and nice shooters to boot.
Chris Faith, Family, Charity
Posts: 45 | Location: Austin | Registered: January 18, 2013
With that out of the way, I voted for the Shield. It has a grip safety and optional frame-mounted manual safety (much easier to operate than the Walther's slide-mounted one) for the timid, as well as an external slide stop/release. For the timid, IMO the little Glock - which is more of a pocket pistol - isn't even in the running.
