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Stay Connected with The Mic Loop

Sometimes it’s the simple things that work the best. Take for instance the original Mic Loop. Until you’ve needed The Mic Loop you probably won’t understand The Mic Loop. Don’t make that mistake, just get one now and save yourself the problems. Many years ago I initiated a traffic stop on a wanted felon. He […]

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

Smith & Wesson M&P .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. […]

Shots Fired: FX-9 Pistol

The FX-9 from Freedom Ordnance has proven very popular. We were introduced to this affordable pistol-caliber carbine by Classic Firearms. Instead of adapting existing AR receivers to a blow-back action and pistol-sized magazine Freedom Ordnance did it right and built it from the ground up to run pistol calibers. This not only ensures that it […]

Holster Selection: Things to Consider

During my 1,900 hours as a defensive shooting instructor one of the dominating questions I was asked was about holster selection. In my experience this is the hardest one to answer. I have good news and bad new for you: The perfect holster match for your body shape, selected firearm, carry position, and attire exists. […]

Copper Basin Takedown Backpack, Comfortably Discreet: Graham Baates Video

Copper Basin Takedown Backpack is Comfortably Discreet: Graham Baates Video

Copper Basin has a bag specifically designed for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. We don’t own a Ruger 10/22, but were willing to take a chance, besides with a bag so well-built, how could we go wrong? Copper Basin has a bag specifically designed for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. We don’t own a Ruger 10/22, but […]

Wilder Tactical Evolution Mag Pouches: Hold Your Gear Together

Going back to my first deployment in 2005 I can account for difficulties with transporting magazines. The issued gear, and even some of the aftermarket options were all either too tight or too loose. That was of course despite the fact that all of our magazines were the same size. After a while it became […]

The 5.11 Defender Flex Jeans

“Oh, I get it now.” was the first thing I thought as I put on the Defender Flex jeans from 5.11. I’m a pretty frugal guy when it comes to clothes. It can be hard for me to justify spending 70 bucks on a single pair of jeans. That all went to the wayside as […]

“My Sights Are Off” and other Pistol Accuracy Myths

Alien Gear’s Cloak Tuck 3.5: A Holster that Fits Comfortably

Alien Gear Holsters Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB (Inside the Waistband) Holster is a holster that fits over 500 different pistols, comfortably. I’m a little more “girthy” than I wish I was. Inside the waist band or IWB holsters aren’t something I’m very drawn to – until I tried the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB […]

Sub-Minute of Angle .308 AR for Under a Grand? Diamondback Firearms

Diamondback Firearms’ DB-10 proves excellent in testing and has an price way below the competition. The group pictured was shot by Erika and consists of five, not three, rounds of Federal Match .308 from 100 yards. Everyone has an AR-15 or three, and so now we look for something different. The AR-10 is nothing new, […]

Tactical Assault Gear Padded Night Vision Utility Pouch

If you have ever had the privilege of wearing Night Vision Goggles (NVG’s) then you probably have experienced the neck strain associated with wearing them for too long. Depending on the op there is always a chance you may need to store your PVS-15’s or ANVIS-9’s or PVS-31’s if you’re super cool or whatever you happen to […]