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

FP 6.5Peak Launch Fusion Terminalascent Peakalloy 19
FP 6.5Peak Launch Fusion Terminalascent Peakalloy 19

Federal's New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak: The Peak Alloy Case Goes Mainstream

Federal introduced its high-pressure Peak Alloy case design with the 7 mm Backcountry in 2025. Now, the company is incorporating it into high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor loads with the +Peak design.

I Carry: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC in a JM Custom Kydex Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, a Springfield Echelon 4.0FC is outfitted with Aimpoint's new COA enclosed-emitter red-dot optic, and to carry this optic-equipped handgun, we've selected a JM Custom Kydex holster.

The Armed Citizen® June 5, 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.

Multi-Caliber MK24 to Replace SCAR-H For SOCOM

U.S. Special Forces will soon be replacing their 7.62-NATO-chambered SCAR-Hs with a new, barrel-swapping MK24 Mid-Range Gas Gun-Assault (MRGGA) gun capable of running either 7.62 NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.

Rifle Renaissance 2026: Exploring Rifle Skills Beyond Marksmanship

Being able to shoot in contextual situations, shoot from unusual positions, manipulate the rifle quickly and rapidly adjust one’s position based on distance are all essential skills for a well-trained rifleman. To train these abilities, The Complete Combatant hosted the first annual Rifle Renaissance event in March 2026.

New Guns For 2026: A Full Guide

While it’s claimed the firearms industry is experiencing a slowdown, that hasn’t meant a stall to innovation. It means gunmakers are working harder than ever to earn your business.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.