At first glance, I think the .380 Shield is brilliant because it should be more user friendly to the novice, recoil averse, and hand strength challenged.

My first foray from revolvers to semi-autos was a SIG P238 because I could rack the slide easily. That SIG is a great but snappy platform. The larger Shield .380 should be less snappy thus easier to shoot, and the .380 ballistics have to benefit from the longer barrel.

If it had a decocker instead of the thumb safety, I'd consider it myself.