S&W 380 or Browning????

[DOUBLESHOT]

I am looking for advice on which SD pistol to get. I live in the Republic of New Jersey and I am currently waiting for three Golden Tickets, and probably will be for a couple more months. I already know that I want a Victory 22. I was looking for a decent SD pistol and discovered the Shield 380 EZ. I am 65 and have a little arthritis in my shooting hand. It took me several weeks to research and become content with the idea of using the 380 for SD.I don't want a tiny pocket pistol that is hard to control and hard to rack. The 380 EZ seemed to fill all the blanks and my LGS even had one that they were holding for someone and they showed it to me. I could live with this gun. My 24 year old son however thinks I should get a better looking 380 and he suggested the Browning 1911-380. I just held two of them at my LGS and although they are twice the price of the 380 EZ, they look.....cute.....sexy.....cool! I have some time before my Golden Tickets arrive and I need advice from people who have experience with either or both firearms.

 

[Dpris]

I would, unquestionably, beyond doubt, and without hesitation, recommend the Smith.

Forget what your son thinks is pretty, and go with a gun YOU like and one built for a more "serious" market.
This is self-defense, not a beauty contest, and it's not your son who'll be carrying it.
Denis

 

[CB3]

For serious self defense, looks have nothing to do with your choice. Buy a gun that you can manipulate, shoot well, that is reliable and which you can conceal easily.

A 1911 style pistol is a hundred year old design adapted somewhat to modern needs.

The S&W .380 is a new, modern pistol designed specifically for your needs.

 

[kthom]

My wife bought a Shield EZ. Both she and I have been exceedingly positively impressed by it. This is the first handgun she's ever been excited about beyond the utility factor of self protection. She can operate it very easily, it does not tire her out to shoot it for many rounds, she can easily load the mags, and it fits her hand and she can reach the trigger and it has a good trigger! She fired 300 rounds through it on her first outing and said she could do it again, no problem. She loves it. I also like it very much, but can still operate my larger caliber Shields and revolvers just fine. My wife is 7 decades old and became unable to operate her Shield 9 effectively. No problem at all with the EZ.

It is accurate a plenty for it's purpose, and is large enough to easily hold and shoot well without being a heavy handgun to carry and manage. And as you say, you can buy two of them for what the Browning costs. In my experience, it is far simpler to own and operate and handle. Ours does not have the external safety and we feel no need for it to have that. It draws and shoots just like her previous choice, an M-442 J Frame, and she likes it much better. It has been reliable and has our full confidence. She keeps her rounds inside the bottom of a small paper plate, which is sufficient!

My strong recommendation for you is the Shield EZ between the two choices you have identified. It has certainly been the best answer for my wife's personal protection needs. It holds eight plus one fully loaded, and the spare mag she carrys holds eight more rounds that are easily and quickly reloaded. She is willing and ready to go to the range and shoot this handgun, and she learned from the first outing forward to take it apart and clean it for herself, for which she was proud. The Shield EZ has been a win/win/win for both of us all the way around.

 

[DOUBLESHOT]

I hear ya and if I wasn't leaning in that direction I wounldn't have asked. I also like the fact that the 380 EZ has a rail. The Browning has some models that also have a rail but it spoils the 1911 look. I don't have an unlimited budget and the S&W would leave more $$$ for ammo.

 

[Ranger17]

. I don't have an unlimited budget and the S&W would leave more $$$ for ammo.

And there ya go.



Seriously, if YOU found a model that fits all your needs and budget, no real reason not to go that route.

 

[Dpris]

The Smith is built with self-defense for a specific market base in mind.
The Browning is built more as a toy.
Denis

 

[donhov]

Also I think if I remember correctly the slide on the Browning is a bit harder to rack. Your earlier comments seem to mention that you have arthritus also so that need to be considered. Also the cost difference.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I've had my .380 Shield EZ since they came out in February and I've put over 1,100 rounds thru her. Always accurate with No problems at all. My EZ is my first semi automatic. Since 1976 I've owned only various Smith stainless 2 and 4" .357 magnums. I loved my 357's but I really enjoy shooting and carrying my .380 Shield EZ daily. A lot less recoil than .357 and I can put more rounds on target in a faster time. Easy to field strip and clean too.

 

[Dpris]

AND, they are MILD!!!!!
(Old Fart Joke, have to be a certain age to get it.)
Denis

 

[Triggernosis]

Another nice full-size .380 is the Browning BDA, which is the same gun as the Beretta 84FS (double stack) and 85FS (single stack).

 

[DOUBLESHOT]

I did rack the Browning today and while it was not difficult it was slightly harder than the Smith. The mags. don't have the thumb loading aids that the 380EZ has either. The Browning 1911-380 sure is a neat, cool looking gun but the 380EZ is a more realistic choice for me. That and the S&W 22 Victory will leave me with one permit to use. I still have a couple of months to dream about that one. BTW when we do get handgun permits here in Jersey, each one is only good for 90 days and you can only buy one gun every 30 days. They just passed a new law mandating that pistol mags. can hold no more than 10 rounds. Wait....am I in New Jersey or the old Soviet Union???

 

[Engieman]

Take a serious look at the Sig 239. A bit more expensive, but I think the easiest to rack and the least recoil of almost any .380. When a buddy offered to let me try his.....I was privately apprehensive (read - sissy) because a lot of the .380’s are snappy and very unpleasant to shoot. I was frankly astonished at what a sweet shooter it was; accurate as well. The little Kahr .380 is very nice as well, but a real bear to rack.

 

[Dpris]

You think the 239's easier to cycle than the EZ?
Really?
Denis

 

[swsig]

You think the 239's easier to cycle than the EZ?
Really?
Denis

I think he's referring to the SIG P238, which is a .380 and is very easy to rack. The P239 is an out of production gun that came in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 cal. only.

 

[lbm]

I would suggest you look at, and shoot, the Sig P365. Twelve rounds, small size, and very accurate, it is hard to beat.
lbm

 

[Engieman]

Thanks Swsig for catching my error, yes the correct # is P238. Very nice gun, easy to shoot

Dpris, glad you caught it for the OP. I am REALLY not offended.....I see you don’t like anybody’s posts....

 

[pakettle]

The Smith is built with self-defense for a specific market base in mind.
The Browning is built more as a toy.
Denis

Not a toy, I have a EZ380,a browning 1911 380 and a browning 1911 22 and they are all great shooters. I have to agree the browning looks better!

 

[DOUBLESHOT]

I went my LGS and range yesterday and had the opportunity to handle both the 380EZ and the 1911-380 and I have to admit it, the Browning felt better. I had to concentrate on squeezing the grip safety on the Smith but on the Browning I didn't have to think about it. I think I am going to go with the 1911-380.

 

[smoothshooter]

I did rack the Browning today and while it was not difficult it was slightly harder than the Smith. The mags. don't have the thumb loading aids that the 380EZ has either. The Browning 1911-380 sure is a neat, cool looking gun but the 380EZ is a more realistic choice for me. That and the S&W 22 Victory will leave me with one permit to use. I still have a couple of months to dream about that one. BTW when we do get handgun permits here in Jersey, each one is only good for 90 days and you can only buy one gun every 30 days. They just passed a new law mandating that pistol mags. can hold no more than 10 rounds. Wait....am I in New Jersey or the old Soviet Union???

In answer to your rhetorical question,that's easily fixed.
Move!