Smith & Wesson’s new M&P380 Shield EZ pistol is a personal-protection and everyday-carry sidearm which is being marketed as easy to use (EZ), a test consideration that Gun Tests Magazine’s concealed-carry readers ask about all the time.
“This is a recent promotional trend in small pistols,” said Gun Tests Editor Todd Woodard, commenting on the S&W M&P380 Shield EZ chambered in 380 Auto. “Smith announced the handgun as being easy to use, having an easy-to-load magazine, and offering an easy-to-clean takedown. Those are the prime aspects of a test our readers want to know about as well, so it’s interesting that Smith & Wesson is rolling out this pocket pistol pushing those features.”
Jan Mladek, general manager of M&P and S&W Brands, said, “When we set out to design the M&P380 Shield EZ pistol, our goal was to deliver an all-around, easy to use personal protection pistol — from loading and carrying, to shooting and cleaning.
“Throughout the development process, we focused on key areas that customers told us were important — the ease of racking the slide and loading the magazine. With that in mind, we reduced the amount of force required to rack the slide, and developed a magazine that is both easy and efficient to load. We have incorporated both of these new features into the M&P380 Shield EZ pistol. The new M&P380 Shield EZ pistol provides an easy-to-use personal protection option for both first-time shooters and experienced handgunners alike.”
Woodard said the new EZ pistol is part of the M&P M2.0 family and features an 8+1 round capacity and a 3.675-inch barrel.
“Gun Tests readers don’t like when a gun they’ve purchased comes with only one magazine,” Woodard said, “so we’re glad to see the M&P380 Shield EZ pistol ships with two 8-round magazines. Other features our readers generally favor include load-assist buttons on the magazines as well as a Picatinny rail to accommodate accessories. In previous tests of small 380 pistols, we’ve found rail-mounted lasers vastly improve accuracy results.”
The pistol also features an 18-degree grip angle, white-dot front and adjustable white-dot rear sights, and an MSRP of $399
“As a category, these small 380s generally have crappy triggers with long, heavy, indistinct releases, so we’ll take a hard look at Smith’s claim that the EZ has a ‘light, crisp trigger.’ We are actively lining up 380s for future tests,” Woodard said.
I just purchased a 380 EZ and am totally pleased so far.
It racks with a finger and thumb, not much tension, takes down easy, great weight and hit the target first shot.
My 380 EZ is just great. Everything about it is easy, and my pistol adverse daughter loves it. The grip safety is a little less positive than that on my Springfield XDMs and XDSs, but gets the job done. I’m a big believer in grip safeties, and bought the EZ without the thumb safety. I’m anxious to try the 9mm version which wasn’t out when I got this.