After trying a number of pistols and revolvers, my adult daughter chose a .380 EZ for carry.

On her first outing we shot 84 rounds of 95 grn fmj Fiocchi Target Match through it with no problems. It is plenty accurate at 10 yards and in. I left the last 16 rounds loaded in her mags to condition the springs while I tune it up a bit.

The trigger let off after hitting the fairly long take up wall was gritty and a little long, as was the over travel. Learning to allow the trigger to go forward only to reset solves the long take up issue, but that is just one more thing to learn for a new shooter.

I checked inside to see if I could polish the trigger components as I have done with many other M&P’s. This design, with its wound, flat hammer spring looked a little challenging, so I decided just to dry fire it a lot. I removed the slide and worked the trigger while stopping the hammer just beyond the point of release. Very quick and not so cumbersome as racking the slide each time.

I performed about 200 reps in a few minutes. Put the slide back on and all the grittiness was gone. Easy.

I have to say the gun inspires confidence with its easy loading mags and easy cycling slide. She also decided to get the external safety, so with the drop safety and grip safety this thing is just not going off without pulling the trigger all the way.

However, the complexity of teaching her the right grip and to sweep the safety to start shooting failed once during her shooting. She wanted to rack the slide figuring there was no round in the chamber. I’m not used to a manual safety so I did a press check—even after noting that the Loaded Chamber Indicator was raised.

I was puzzled why it had not fired. Then I saw the safety was on. Whoops on me as well as her. Because she carries around her children, she wants all the safeties she can have. She’s got’em.

In short, great gun design that exactly meets the needs of many people. Kudos to S&W. Next outing will be to test the 80 grn Barnes TAC-XPD she will carry.