NRA Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson M&P380 Shield EZ Pistol

by
posted on June 16, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

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













Latest

Franchi Momentum MULE rifle
Franchi Momentum MULE rifle

New for 2026: Franchi Momentum Mule Rifle

Franchi’s do-it-all MULE rifle is designed as a general-purpose carbine.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson Spec Series M&P9 and R Handguns

Smith & Wesson expands its Spec series with the Spec Series IV M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact pistol and the Spec Series R revolver.

New for 2026: Henry Provider and Protector Rifles

For 2026, Henry adds two new product families, one designed for hunting, the other for protection.

Gun Of The Week: Daniel Defense DDPCC 9 mm Carbine

Daniel Defense's pistol-caliber carbine, the DDPCC, offers AR-15-style operation in a more budget-friendly caliber.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 23, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New for 2026: Stoeger STR-45 Combat Pistol

For 2026, Stoeger adds the .45 ACP chambering to its Combat line of STR handguns.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.