Smith & Wesson M&P380 SHIELD EZ 380ACP ORC/BK
We’ve had the opportunity to test and evaluate various handguns. Today, we’re excited to share an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ. This compact and user-friendly handgun has gained popularity among concealed carry enthusiasts for its ease of use and reliability. This comprehensive analysis will delve into the key features, performance, and overall user experience of the M&P .380 Shield EZ. So, let’s jump right in!
Table of contents
About the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ
The M&P .380 Shield EZ lives up to its name by offering a user-friendly design. Its slide is remarkably easy to manipulate, even for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity. The unique grip texture provides a secure hold, ensuring confidence and control while shooting. Additionally, the 8+1 round capacity strikes a balance between compactness and firepower.
Reliability and ease of use are paramount when choosing a concealed-carry handgun. The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ checks all the right boxes in these areas.
Getting to know the M&P .380 Shield EZ
The history of the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ dates back to its initial release in 2018. As part of the M&P (Military and Police) series, the Shield EZ was designed to provide a reliable, user-friendly option for concealed carry and self-defense. The development of this particular model was influenced by the increasing demand for a compact and easy-to-operate firearm, especially among individuals with limited hand strength or manual dexterity. Smith and Wesson’s focus on making this slide easy to manipulate is amazing. This may be the best pistol option for shooters with limited hand strength or medical conditions; I’ve certainly never seen one like this.
The M&P .380 Shield EZ was built upon the success of its predecessor, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, which was chambered in 9mm. Understanding the need for a more manageable caliber, Smith & Wesson introduced the .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) version. The aim was to provide a firearm that balances stopping power and reduced recoil, making it easier for shooters of all experience levels to handle.
Its simplified operation is one key feature that sets the M&P .380 Shield EZ apart. The slide has a unique easy-racking feature, reducing the force required to chamber a round. The single-action trigger with a tactile and audible reset allows for a consistent shooting experience. These features, combined with the ambidextrous manual thumb and grip safety, offer enhanced safety and ease of use.
Specifications
- Caliber: .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)
- Capacity: The pistol has two magazines – an 8-round magazine and an extended 10-round magazine.
- Barrel Length: The barrel length is 3.675 inches.
- Overall Length: The overall length of the pistol is 6.7 inches.
- Height: It has a height of 4.98 inches, making it compact and easy to conceal.
- Width: The width measures approximately 1.15 inches.
- Weight: The unloaded weight of the M&P .380 Shield EZ is around 18.5 ounces.
- Frame Material: The frame is made of polymer, providing durability and lightweight.
- Slide Material: The slide is constructed with stainless steel, ensuring strength and resistance to corrosion.
- Sights: The pistol features white dot sights.
- Grip: Textured grip panels for enhanced control and comfort.
- Safety Features: It includes an ambidextrous manual thumb and a grip safety.
- Trigger: The pistol has a single-action trigger with a tactile and audible reset.
- Finish: The pistol is available in a black finish.
- Accessory Rail: Built-in Picatinny-style accessory rail for attaching lights or lasers.
Barrel & Slide
The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ barrel is 3.675 inches. It is precisely engineered to provide optimal accuracy and muzzle control. Made of durable stainless steel, the slide ensures longevity and resistance to wear. Its sleek and polished finish enhances the pistol’s aesthetics and reduces friction, allowing for smooth and reliable cycling of rounds.
The easy-racking feature of the slide sets the M&P .380 Shield EZ apart, requiring minimal effort to chamber a round, making it accessible for shooters with limited hand strength. The well-designed barrel and slide combination make it an excellent concealed carry and self-defense option.
Ergonomics
Smith & Wesson has paid careful attention to the ergonomics of the M&P .380 Shield EZ. The grip contour and size fit comfortably in hand, offering a natural point of aim. The trigger pull is smooth, with a crisp break and a short reset, enabling precise shooting.
Concealed carry comfort is a top priority for many users, and the M&P .380 Shield EZ excels. It’s slim profile and lightweight design make it comfortable to carry throughout the day. The rounded edges prevent discomfort or printing, ensuring a discreet and comfortable concealed carry experience.
Finish
The finish of the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ is not just about aesthetics but also about durability and protection. The sleek black finish adds to the pistol’s overall appearance, giving it a professional and sleek look. Beyond its visual appeal, the finish serves a practical purpose by providing protection against wear, corrosion, and the elements. The attention to detail in the finish reflects the commitment to quality craftsmanship by Smith & Wesson. Whether you carry it concealed or showcase it at the range, the durable finish of the M&P Shield EZ stands up to the demands of daily carry and enhances the longevity of this reliable self-defense tool.
Frame
The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ frame provides comfort and functionality. The frame is a durable polymer material with a lightweight yet sturdy foundation. Its ergonomic design contours smoothly to the hand, promoting a natural grip that enhances control and accuracy. The textured grip panels enhance the grasp, even in challenging conditions or rapid-fire scenarios. The well-placed finger grooves and generous trigger guard allow for a secure and comfortable shooting experience. Additionally, the frame incorporates a Picatinny-style accessory rail, enabling you to attach lights or lasers easily.
The attention to detail in the frame design of the M&P .380 Shield EZ ensures that it not only feels comfortable in hand but also provides the necessary features to adapt to different shooting preferences and personalization options.
Grips
The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ grips are comfortable. The textured grip panels offer a secure and non-slip surface. The ergonomic contours of the grips fit naturally into the hand, promoting a confident and comfortable shooting experience. Whether you have larger or smaller hands, the M&P .380 Shield EZ grips offer a balanced and comfortable fit for shooters of various sizes.
Magazine
The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ has two magazines: an 8-round magazine and an extended 10-round magazine, providing shooters with options to accommodate their preferences and needs. Loading the magazine is a breeze, thanks to its easy-to-load design that minimizes the effort required to insert rounds. There are clear witness holes on the side of the magazine, allowing for quick and easy visual inspection of the remaining round count.
The magazine feeds smoothly and reliably.
Safety
The M&P .380 Shield EZ incorporates several safety features. The grip safety prevents the firearm from firing unless the grip is held firmly. The manual ambidextrous thumb safety provides an additional layer of security, allowing users to engage or disengage it with ease.
Sights
The sights on the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ are designed to provide a clear and precise sight picture, enhancing the shooter’s accuracy and target acquisition. The pistol features white dot sights, which stand out against the black background, making them easily visible in various lighting conditions.
The three-dot configuration allows for quick alignment of the front and rear sights, facilitating rapid and accurate target acquisition. The rear sight is adjustable, enabling shooters to fine-tune their sight picture based on personal preferences and shooting distances. The sights are robustly constructed to withstand the rigors of regular use, ensuring durability and longevity.
Trigger
The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ trigger is a single-action trigger that offers a crisp and smooth pull, giving you a predictable and precise break. The tactile and audible reset enhances the shooter’s control and follow-up shot capability.
With a moderate pull weight, the trigger balances safety and ease of use, making it accessible for shooters of varying experience levels. Whether for self-defense or target shooting, the well-designed trigger of the M&P .380 Shield EZ
Shooting the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ
Shooting the M&P .380 Shield EZ confirms many things we speculated on during the review. The trigger did perform excellently, the recoil is very comfortable, and the slide is extremely easy to manipulate. Overall the M&P .380 Shield EZ is an excellent all-around handgun, except…
Oddly, the Smith and Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ regularly produced a “Stovepipe” jam in every 2nd or 3rd magazine. We’ve started researching the problem because this is a rather big problem for carrying concealed handguns. We will update this post as we isolate the cause of the malfunction and find a resolution for the problem.
Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ Review Wrap
In conclusion, the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ is a, user-friendly and accurate compact handgun.
Its ease of operation, enhanced safety features, and comfortable ergonomics make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced shooters. If you’re in the market for an easy-to-use concealed carry handgun, the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ should be considered. Whether the malfunctions we experienced are widespread or a 1-off on this particular handgun remains to be seen, and we will follow up. We do recommend you do your diligence on this as well. If it is a widespread problem that Smith and Wesson are addressing, this handgun has some attractive features that make it well worth consideration.
Remember, responsible firearm ownership and proper training are essential. Stay safe and carry responsibly!
M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact Review FAQs
Absolutely! The M&P .380 Shield EZ is excellent for beginners. Its user-friendly features, manageable recoil, and enhanced safety mechanisms make it an excellent choice for those new to firearms.
The M&P .380 Shield EZ is a reliable and capable self-defense handgun. Its ease of operation, comfortable handling, and sufficient firepower make it well-suited for personal protection.
Smith & Wesson offers a variety of accessories for the M&P .380 Shield EZ, including different grip options, holsters, and magazines. These accessories allow users to customize their firearms to suit their preferences and needs.
Yes, the M&P .380 Shield EZ is for individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity. Its easy-to-operate slide and user-friendly features make it accessible to many users.
The Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ is not designed to handle +P ammunition. The M&P .380 Shield EZ is specifically chambered for .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) ammunition, which operates at standard pressures. Using +P ammunition, loaded to higher pressures, can cause excessive recoil, increased wear and tear on the firearm, and potentially compromise its reliability and safety. It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and only use ammunition specifically rated for your firearm to ensure safe and proper functioning. Always consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for any questions regarding ammunition compatibility.
