M&P 380 EZ

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 9/6/2018 | T Engel

[w1n1]

In days of yore, I might have pointed my doubters – usually women and seniors – toward a SIG P238, a Walther PK 380 or, more recently, a Glock 42.
But each of those came with caveats related either to cost (SIGs are pricey), functionality (Walthers are a pain to break down) or useability (for better or worse, beginners are skittish about Glock’s lack of a manual external safety – thankfully, most of them eventually get over that!).
Now, however, I smile slyly and trot out Smith & Wesson’s most recent contribution to the concealed carry market – the M&P 380 EZ.

EARLY REVIEWS OF this slim little handgun expressed shock that Smith & Wesson would serve this particular segment of the gun market (i.e. those who aren’t avid shooters and are simply looking for a “simple” self-defense tool).
One reviewer even admitted that he initially thought S&W had designed a solution to “a problem that didn’t even exist.”
Clearly, these gun writers have never sold firearms or taught shooting classes, because the EZ achieves the enviable goal of addressing virtually every complaint I have ever heard about semiautos since I began teaching concealed carry classes in 2005 and working behind a gun counter five years later. Read the rest of the M&P 380 EZ here.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Something on which to keep an eye on. May turn out to be a really popular handgun.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Local CCW instructor had one, many of the ladies and older shooters really liked the ease of working the slide.

[V_TWIN]

“It’s like Smith & Wesson actually talked to firearms salespeople and instructors before designing this piece – revolutionary!”

Or asking the consumer what they want, that would REALLY be revolutionary.

[Big Red Badger]

Pictinny Rail,,,Yes!

[moovova]

“I’ll be back tomorrow to get one,” she said breathlessly. “I’m so excited to find something I can shoot!”

Hah. “Breathlessly”. I love this lady. Wish she’d talk to my wife...won’t touch a gun, darnit.

[bk1000]

It looks huge for a .380. I have a Sig 365 on backorder since June. 10+1 9mm smaller than the EZ. I understand how this large (for a .380) would be popular with some as there is likely almost no recoil.

[circlecity]

For me, a mag has to hold at least 10 rounds for a semi to be worth the trade off of the superior reliability of a snub nose revolver.

[Larry Lucido]

Which one were you using when you shot your wife in the chest so you could post incoherent clickbait about it?

[yarddog]

It looks nice and there is nothing wrong with the .380.

I noticed long ago that beginners do much better with good quality hearing protection. It is mostly the roar which makes them flinch.

Recoil is something you can get used to but the noise, not so much.

[Reno89519]

I had a S&W Body Guard 380, this is just a friendlier version, maybe without the 12-pound trigger pull? Went through 3-4 guns since looking for a small concealable handgun. At the beginning of the year Sig Sauer came out with the P365, which is practically the same size as the Body Guard 380, Kimber Micro, and Glock 42/43, but barely fatter and is 12+1 using 9mm. Not sure why, but even with 9mm, it is the easiest of all to shoot. Skip the S&W BG 380 EZ and get a Sig. Maybe a few more dollars but 100% more gun. And 9mm 12+1, not 380 8+1. Big difference

[Big Red Badger]

Won’t touch a Gun,,,
.
Nights must be Lonely.

[dirtboy]

mark for later

[PapaBear3625]

MP-380: .380, Capacity: 8+1, Overall Length: 6.7", Weight: 18.5 oz / 524.5g

Glock 26: 9mm, Capacity: 10 + 1, Length (Overall) 6.42 inch, Weight without magazine 550 g | 19.40 oz

Why go .380, when you can get 9mm in a smaller package?

[moovova]

Oh no! 😀

[Mr Rogers]

“The name Shield tells us the size and proportions of this pistol. Our measurements put the M&P 380 Shield a little larger with an overall length of 6.64 inches and 4.98 inches in height, with a width of 1.43 inches. It would measure 1.15 inches if you omitted the width added by the ambidextrous manual safety levers.

By comparison, the last M&P9 Shield M2.0 with a thumb safety that Guns & Ammo had on hand for testing measured 6.1 inches in overall length, was 4.6 inches tall and was only 1.03 inches wide.”

Read more: http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/first-look-easy-to-rack-sw-mp-380-shield/#ixzz5QKU7pVq4

Easy to build an easy recoiling gun. Make a big gun and shoot a small bullet. That gun might conceal well in a purse, but it isn’t remotely a good concealed weapon. Not when you can have a 9mm Shield that is SMALLER.

[Yo-Yo]

Why go .380, when you can get 9mm in a smaller package?

You missed this from the article:

"The “gun snobs” may look down their noses at the EZ, but those of us trying to teach beginners, women and senior citizens are rejoicing. Just the fact that a gun manufacturer is paying precise attention to this segment’s wants and needs is wonderful – that the gun actually performs as promised is even more significant. A few of the EZ’s notable achievements include a genuinely easy-to-rack slide, a crisp, comfortable trigger pull, a price south of $400, recoil rivaling that of a .22 mag firearm, an easy-to-load magazine featuring a load assist button like you might see on a .22 LR such as the Ruger SR 22 or the Walther P22, and the added assurance (for those who still need it) of an optional ambidextrous manual safety. It’s like Smith & Wesson actually talked to firearms salespeople and instructors before designing this piece – revolutionary!"

Not everybody is a tactical operator like you.

For what it's worth, Ruger did this first with their LC380, which is the larger LC9 frame and slide, with a lighter recoil spring and chambered in .380ACP, with a very easy to rack slide.

I own and carry a G26, so I'm a snob as well, but my latest purchase was a Ruger LCP for pocket carry. Much smaller than the S&W Shield 380 EZ or the Ruger LC9/LC380, and smaller even than my wife's G42.

[Mr Rogers]

Glock 26:

Length 6.5” / Width 1.26 / Height 4.17” / 10+1 rounds 9mm

M&P 380:

Length 6.64” / Width 1.15 / Height 4.98” / 8+1 rounds 380

Height is pretty important in a concealed gun.

[No.6]

It also seems large for its type. Compare Beretta Pico @ 5.1” & 11.5oz.

Not vs. 9mm as this is not an “or” question but an “ and” one :)

[Yo-Yo]

It's supposed to be large for its type. A heavier slide allows the use of a lighter recoil spring, which in turn gives the Shield EZ a much easier to manipulate slide. The larger frame and slide weight, coupled with the weak .380 also provides for the reduced recoil.

Keep in mind the target audience for this gun: New shooters, women, and senior citizens.