I would think that it has a decocker. My friend wanted to buy one for his wife, but she decided she wanted something else. I doubt he would buy her a gun that wa too complicated. I would ask the gun shop dealer for a better demo.
I do not know many people, including the many ladies who shoot around here, who think the P238 has a lot of recoil. The Shield is just a few ounces heavier and shoots a caliber that has a lot more energy than any .380. I have had both and never have shot a 9mm that has less recoil than a .380 but recoil is subjective. I have one person bugging me to buy my P238 because he feels it has much less recoil for his 70 year old hands than his Ruger SR9. Go figure.238 has some kick. Didn't like it at all when I shot it. I like the shield much better![]()