Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Gun Review
By Marion
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Specifications
Gun Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: M&P Shield EZ
Caliber: .380
Barrel Length: 3.675 in
Ammunition Capacity: 8+1
Price: $399.00 MSRP
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Usage and Features
Primary Use
Home Defense
Are you right or left handed?
Right Handed
What features does this gun have that appealed to you?
I was looking for a lightweight, easy to shoot a gun for practice and home defense, and this filled the bill.
Tell us about shooting this gun.
Easy, easy, easy. There is a grip safety in addition to the one on the frame, but it requires no more effort than having a good hold on the gun and I hardly know it’s there. Trigger pull feels smooth. The slide sometimes did not go all the way forward, but adjusting my racking technique fixed that. This gun is not heavy at all, and I can fire 200 rounds through it basically non-stop without even feeling it in my arms.
How would you describe the recoil, is it manageable?
Very manageable recoil. It’s a .380, so it’s not hard to handle at all.
How does it fit your hand, are the controls of this gun easy to use? (Safeties, slide pull, magazine release, trigger pull, etc.)
I have medium-sized lady hands, and it is easy for me to hold. I have next to nothing for grip strength, especially in my left hand, and when I pulled back the slide at the store, I actually said, “Holy crap!” out loud. It was so easy to pull back that it startled me. The safety is easy to reach with my thumb, and there is a toggle for it on both sides of the gun so lefties can do it too. I really like that I can pull back the slide and engage the stop without having to switch hands. The magazines that come with it have a lever on the side that you can push down with one hand while loading with the other, and it could not be any easier.
Do you like the sights on this gun?
They are ok. Three dot sights. The back ones are supposedly adjustable, but I haven’t tried to move them yet.
How reliable is it?
I have shot over 1000 rounds with this gun, using cheap ammunition. I noticed that somewhere in between 100-150 rounds, it will occasionally have difficulty lifting one into the chamber, and it will hang right before it goes into the barrel. If I was using better ammo, I think that wouldn’t be a problem. Cleaning the gun fixes it. I have not noticed any other reliability issues.
Any problems with any type of ammunition?
None other than what I mentioned above. Cheap ammo does it no favors, but a newly cleaned gun will still shoot about 100 or so easily.
Was it easy to take down and clean?
Ridiculously easy. The takedown lever is easy to move, and the slide is easy to pull off. The spring behaves nicely when you pull it out.
Is there anything you dislike about shooting this gun?
It’s really fun and easy. Haven’t found anything to dislike yet.
For someone considering this gun, what would you tell them?
Try it. If you have weak hands, this might be for you.
Would you recommend this gun? If no, do you have a preferred gun?
Yes.