“The Smith & Wesson Shield EZ is a great gun for those that need a little help in the racking department. The slide rides smoothly on the rails, making it easy to load a round in the chamber. Ergonomics are pretty good, except for the slide release which is just okay. Overall, it’s a soft and smooth shooter — perfect for those with hand difficulties, new shooters, or older shooters.”
The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 features a 2.75-inch barrel, a 6+1 capacity of .380 ACP, and an unloaded weight of only 12.3 ounces. This double-action-only pistol also includes a manual safety. With an extremely light overall weight and small footprint, the Bodyguard makes for a solid choice when it comes to concealed carry.
The Smith & Wesson Equalizer picks up with the M&P Shield EZ left off, with a very beginner-friendly design — complete with an easy-to-rack slide. We spent a full day at the range with Equalizer and during our 500 rounds of testing, found it to be a soft recoiling option. It’s easy to disassemble and maintain, which earns it bonus points with us. Plus, it ships with three magazines! The only downside is the short grip, which will be problematic for those with larger hands.
