Smith-Wesson’s (S&W) Shield is one of the best values and often used concealed carry handguns, and now they have added another model to the line…. the M&P 380 Shield in .380 AUTO caliber with the M2.0 features. In 2017 and 2018, Smith-Wesson introduced the M2.0 features to its M&P pistol lines, and now a new .380 model with the M2.0 features was added yesterday. To update you with the most recent handgun developments, I want to give you some of the specifications and features for this new .380 Shield EZ, as well as my first impressions. I have requested one to review thoroughly and will share that later when I receive it.
S&W said in their announcement yesterday that the new M&P 380 Shield EZ is “built for personal protection and every-day carry… and is designed to be easy to use, featuring an easy-to-rack slide, easy-to-load magazine, and easy-to-clean design.” Well, this is a good summary of the new gun and, hopefully, it will prove to be all that and more when I test and evaluate it up close.
Here are the 380 Shield EZ’s Specifications and Features as provided by SW:
One interesting feature of the new M&P 380 Shield is the Grip safety. While some other manufacturers offer this, this is new to me for M&Ps. I like the grip safety on some of my other handguns that do not have manual thumb safeties.
Grip Safety on M&P 380 Shield EZ
Another feature that I really like on all the M&Ps with the M.20 is the just-right Texturing on the grip. It makes for a very firm and solid grasp of the gun, without a lot of abrasion.
M&P 380 Shield EZ M2.0 Grip Texturing
Other features of the new 380 Shield EZ include a rail for adding accessories, like lights or lasers, and front slide serrations.
M&P .380 Shield EZ -M2.0 RAIL- SERRATIONS
This Close-Up Shows Several of the 380 Shield EZ’s Features
Well, I hope this initial glance at the new S&W M&P 380 Shield EZ has spurred your interest for my follow-up review, to learn specifics about how it handles and shoots. I hope to share that with you soon. For sure, the original M&P Shield met my 12 main and several key concealed carry factors for my top concealed carry handguns. I evaluated it in depth with specific drills and then ranked it in my Top 21 concealed carry guns in my recently-published second-printing of my book “Concealed Carry & Handgun Essentials.” I ranked the 21 guns by width, weight, capacity, trigger press, price, features, Overall, etc. and based on their accuracy, reliability, and performance. This new 380 Shield EZ M2.0 is a very serious competitor, and I am anxious to see its accuracy, reliability, and performance. I want to field test the trigger, its press weight, and see the ease of slide racking, felt recoil, etc. Stay tuned my friends!
Continued success!
Photos by Smith-Wesson and Author as Marked
Contact:
Smith & Wesson for M&P 380 Shield EZ M2.0
1-800-331-0852
* This personal opinion article is meant for general information & educational purposes only and the author strongly recommends that you seek counsel from an attorney for legal advice and your own personal certified weapons trainer for proper guidance about shooting & using YOUR firearms, self-defense and concealed carry. It should not be relied upon as accurate for all shooters & the author assumes no responsibility for anyone’s use of the information and shall not be liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information or any damages or injuries incurred whatsoever.
© 2018 Col Benjamin Findley. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part by mechanical means, photocopying, electronic reproduction, scanning, or any other means without prior written permission. For copyright information, contact Col Ben Findley at [email protected].