S&W

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

Many of the guns I have purchased have been done so with the idea of being the “last rifle” or “last pistol” I’ll ever need to buy. Of course this never actually works out in practice – something new comes along and I catch the bug. Once in a while, though, I find something that … [Read more...]

Smith & Wesson has been updating and upgrading their lineup over the last year. The M&P 2.0 series quieted previous complaints about texture and trigger. We showed you the new Shield 2.0 in November. The Bodyguard hadn't been updated and fans of Browning's .380 ACP began to feel left out. Smith & Wesson heard those cries and has released a handgun that seems perfectly modeled for the non-operator types. Winged slide of the 380 Shield EZ The .380 Shield EZ is aptly named. The pistol has been made easy to operate. Starting with the largest concern for new shooters and those with reduced strength is the slide. While styling looks just like the other M&P 2.0 models the rear of the slide has subtle wings to aid in sling-shot style racking. The action follows the standard Browning locking system which is a rare find for the caliber. Thanks to the locking system the recoil spring is soft enough that I was able to rack the gun with a finger! I don't advocate doing that with a loaded gun, but tried it as a test to just how easy the gun is to rack. The external safety is easy to engage or disengage from either side. The grip safety threw the internet into a frenzy, but deactivation is easy and it serves as simple insurance for those who might carry the gun in a purse or bag. Another interesting feature is in the two included magazines. Clearly numbered magazines with thumb assist. The magazines feature a thumb knob like one might find on a .22. While not the most comfortable thing to push on, it does serve to assist in loading. The slide release/lock also feels to be more pronounced than normal. As stated earlier everything about the 380 Shield EZ is easy! The video above provides some more details on the gun. One more fun note: The 380 Shield EZ is hammer-fired! An internal hammer eliminates any of the negatives about hammer-fired guns and still provides that nice and clean break that we all love about the action. No mush from a striker, no risk of lint or filth preventing the hammer from striking. See the video for how Smith & Wesson managed to fit that system into this new design. For those of you who love to look at numbers, the specifications below are directly from the 380 Shield EZ product page. SKU: 11663 Model: M&P® 380 SHIELD™ EZ™ Manual Thumb Safety Caliber: .380 Auto Capacity: 8+1 Barrel Length: 3.675" / 9.3 cm Overall Length: 6.7" Front Sight: White Dot Rear Sight: Adjustable White Dot Action: Internal Hammer Fired Grip: Polymer Weight: 18.5 oz / 524.5g Barrel Material: Stainless Steel - Armornite® Finish Slide Material: Stainless Steel - Armornite® Finish Frame Material: Polymer Purpose: Concealed Carry, Home Protection, Personal Protection

Pistol

Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ

April 29, 2019 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

The .380 Shield EZ is aptly named. The pistol has been made easy to operate. Starting with the largest concern for new shooters and those with reduced strength is the slide. While styling looks just like the other M&P 2.0 models the rear of the slide has subtle wings to … [Read more...]

Pistol

Shots Fired: Smith & Wesson’s M&P M2.0 Compact

August 9, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

Previously we gave you an tabletop look at Smith & Wesson's new M&P M2.0 Compact in 9mm. The latest offering updates the M&P line not only cosmetically, but also in features. Now it's time to hit the range and see how the Compact performs. In the video below you'll … [Read more...]

Pistol

Smith and Wesson Governor: Range Review

August 2, 2018 by The Arms Guide Guest Writer Leave a Comment

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking the Smith and Wesson Governor to the range. My first impression of this big S&W wheelgun is that it is a ton of fun. The Governor is a multiple caliber handgun. It fires .45 ACP (with moon clips), .45 Colt, and .410 gauge shot shells, … [Read more...]

Pistol

S&W M&P 2.0 Compact: Fifteen rounds in a Perfect Package

July 9, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

After more than a decade Smith & Wesson has released the 2.0 of their M&P line. While most of the differences suggest a 1.5 or 1.7, the most exciting part of the launch is the new compact model. The sub-compact Shield and full-size models were aimed at the brand's … [Read more...]

Gun Culture

The Trump Slump Continues in 2018

June 27, 2018 by Rick Dembroski Leave a Comment

Since the Presidential Election in the fall of 2016 many experts in both the firearms industry and the financial industry have warned of what has been building a situation that many have dubbed the "Trump Slump". The situation that has grown since our nation elected Donald J … [Read more...]

Pistol

First Look: S&W Performance Center SW1911 Pro Series 9mm

May 3, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

S&W Walks the Line Between Competition and Basic with the Pro Series. The Smith & Wesson Performance Center SW1911 Pro Series 9mm has a long tittle and for good reason. This is not just another 1911. In fact, it's changed what I expect from a 1911 in terms of fit and … [Read more...]

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