Browning 1911-380 *vs* MP 380 Shield EZ

You can get the EZ without a thumb safety.


My wife picked up an EZ.. I really like the gun. However, I have no experience with the 1911-380. Despite 1911's being my favorite platform.

Who makes them for Browning?

Since I have big hands, I'll take the one with no manual safety. Smith for me. But if I were to carry, I'd rather carry the smallest 9mm versus the 380.

I've never had a Browning .380 but I did have a Llama 380. Reliable and fun little pistol but the EZ is definitely superior if you're looking for, well, ease of operation. A smart little piece of design.

tarosean said:

You can get the EZ without a thumb safety.


My wife picked up an EZ.. I really like the gun. However, I have no experience with the 1911-380. Despite 1911's being my favorite platform.

Who makes them for Browning?

Click to expand...

I believe Arms Technology Inc makes the Buckmark, 1911-22 and 1911-380.

We have both.
I'm a big 1911 fan, so I have the 1911-380 full size. Wife has the EZ. Her EZ does not have the thumb safety.
I'd only recommend the 1911-380 for a couple of reasons, you love the 1911 and it has a better trigger.
What the EZ has going for it, less expensive, easier manipulation of the slide, easier loading of magazines. Take down is much easier.

Notes:
1911-380: My hands are big enough that my usual thumb over grip makes the grip safety engagement "iffy" so I had to switch to thumb under. If you are carrying a 380, the 4" barrel seems like it will help considerably with ballistics over something like a LCP. I really dislike it having a magazine safety.
EZ, the barrel is not as long as the Browning but again better than something like a LCP. If you have any hand/grip issues get the EZ. The grip safety is ugly but you won't notice it when you shoot.

I shoot them equally well as does the wife. She says the 1911-380 is better looking, I agree.

Lucky Gunner has new review of the 380EZ;

I've owned both, and there's really no comparison. The S&W EZ .380 is the superior gun, my humble opinion. It's EZ to load, EZ to rack, EZ to shoot and most importantly EZ to take down, clean and reassemble. If you're single and have weak grip strength you'll appreciate that. And it's EZer on the pocketbook than the $$$ lightweight Browning with the paper thin barrel, fragile super thin polymer frame with the plastic trigger, finicky takedown and reassembly. Hold both in your hands. There's no comparing the two. I sold my unfired uninspiring Browning at a $175 loss and was left with more than enough money to get the Smith & Wesson EZ .380. Pleased as punch with it!

The M&P EZ line is the answer for old arthritic hands.

The Browning, not so much, and I can't stand thumb safeties that require breaking a full firing grip to actuate.

The circumference of the grip of the 1911-380 is smaller, so some people prefer it. But otherwise, I think EZ is a more practical gun. Try finding holsters or sights for 1911-380, you'll see.

My wife has the Ez and put the Tractiongrips ( I think that is the brand) overlay on it. Both of us like it better than the naked factory grip. It is an Ez gun to shoot.

I have an EZ. It lives in a Vaultek Lifepod in my car. It has a tummy full of Hornady Critical Self Defense. It's not a gun I'd invite into the range to play with. But for what it's intended, if I need it, it's patiently waiting and ready, and I trust it will do what's it called upon to do.

zaitcev said:

The circumference of the grip of the 1911-380 is smaller, so some people prefer it. But otherwise, I think EZ is a more practical gun. Try finding holsters or sights for 1911-380, you'll see.

Click to expand...

The old Yaqui slide will accommodate a variety of guns.

I forgot about my Yaqui slide, good holster within its limitations.

I got a very nice iwb holster for my Browning 1911-380 from Black Arch. I also have a holster from them that fits both EZ's.

Working at a range I see a few Brownings and a lot of EZ's in 380. I have shot both and now own the EZ and find it to be a really well designed firearm. Note the EZ in 9mm is harder to rack and has a much snappier recoil.

I've got a 380EZ without manual safety and find it a great little pistol for hanging in the suburbs. I like it so much I picked up a Performance Center version (with safety) today when I saw one in stock at the gun shop. I don't own a Browning 380 but have handled one and didn't like it enough to buy it.