The Smith & Wesson® M&P® Shield™ EZ™ is a purpose-built semi-auto pistol, that's easy to operate by most anyone. When designing the Shield EZ, Smith & Wesson focused on making the slide easy to rack and the magazine easy to load; as well as making the pistol simple and safe to use. A lightened slide with reduced recoil-spring tension, an easily cocked internal hammer, and plenty to grip onto at the rear of the slide, allow shooters to pull the slide back with minimal strength for loading and clearing the weapon.