Smith & Wesson sought to fill a market gap within its lineup of handguns with the 2018 introduction of the M&P380 Shield EZ pistol. The gun is built on the M&P22 Compact polymer frame and contains a slide fitted with a 3.52” barrel chambered for .380 ACP. The pistol is recoil operated and, in following the theme of “EZ”-to-operate, engineers incorporated a lightened recoil spring, flared cocking tabs and an eight-round magazine that, by way of loading wings attached to its follower, is much easier to load. The compact-size pistol weighs just over 18 ozs., and is well-suited for home defense or daily carry. To learn more, check out our NRA Gun of the Week video hosted by Mark Keefe.
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: M&P380 Shield EZ
Chambering: .380 ACP
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Slide: steel
Frame: polymer
Barrel: 3.52” steel; five-groove, 1:10” RH twist
Sights: white, three-dot; drift-adjustable rear, post front
Trigger: single-action; 4-lb., 7-oz. pul
Magazine: eight-round detachable box
Width: 1.45”
Weight: 18.5 ozs.
MSRP: $399
Additional Reading:
Tested: The S&W M&P380 Shield EZ Pistol
Smith & Wesson Expands M&P M2.0 Pistol Line
M&P M2.0 Compact Pistol Offered with Green Crimson Trace Laserguard