-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Equalizer - Thoughts? Comparisons?
- Thread starter gun1
- Start date
@hardluk1 - I do really like the Equalizer. It fits a few environments/scenarios really well and one of those is getting others in to shooting. I think it is a great starter pistol. My progression right now is an older M&P 22, the Shield 380 EZ, then the Equalizer in 9mm for a heavier round. The M&P 22 is obvious - .22LR = light and cheap, but the down side is it is a full size frame and for new shooters with smaller hands it can be awkward. But it is still good to learn the basics of getting rounds on-target without eating up more expensive ammo.
Personally, there are a few other pistols I would like to add to my collection down the road. I am a big fan of the Springfield EMP's - their mini 1911's in 9mm and .40. I also still really like the Kahr K40. They just are too expensive. My $ went a lot further with M&P's.
Back many years ago now when I went for a smaller carry pistol than the .40 Compact I went with the Kahr MK9. I had shot a number of various pistols at that point and had a bad experience with tiny 9mm's (just way too snappy for me). I pegged the MK9 because it is all stainless steel (not a polymer frame) and it is still pretty small. At the time I couldn't have made a better decision. There still isn't anything I have that compares. The 9mm Shield is bigger and lighter so I get the same firepower in the MK9 with a smaller profile and more stable pistol. That isn't to say the Shield is bad, it isn't - it is a comfortable pistol. It just doesn't quite stack up to the MK9.
Personally, there are a few other pistols I would like to add to my collection down the road. I am a big fan of the Springfield EMP's - their mini 1911's in 9mm and .40. I also still really like the Kahr K40. They just are too expensive. My $ went a lot further with M&P's.
Back many years ago now when I went for a smaller carry pistol than the .40 Compact I went with the Kahr MK9. I had shot a number of various pistols at that point and had a bad experience with tiny 9mm's (just way too snappy for me). I pegged the MK9 because it is all stainless steel (not a polymer frame) and it is still pretty small. At the time I couldn't have made a better decision. There still isn't anything I have that compares. The 9mm Shield is bigger and lighter so I get the same firepower in the MK9 with a smaller profile and more stable pistol. That isn't to say the Shield is bad, it isn't - it is a comfortable pistol. It just doesn't quite stack up to the MK9.
You most have small hands . My wife is 5-2 wears small gloves but has no trouble with M&P 4.25 core 9mm and carrys a p365 xl with the larger circumference wilson grip module or a kimber ultra 9mm with the stock thin grip panels but I changed to a short trigger for her . . Guess your just a smaller handgun person . No m&p 22 . My 22lr I learn with back in '61 , a colt huntsman . No little handguns for me . I reload family practice ammo .
Now buy what YOU want . Not what other think your should .
Now buy what YOU want . Not what other think your should .
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2024
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 2
Sold my CZ-07 and got the Equalizer w/thumb safety a few months back
I really bought the Equalizer so my wife could shoot as well. She had trouble racking the slide on the P07. I now have more than a 1000 rounds through the Equalizer. No real problems. It seems to shoot any ammo I throw at it. I've had only 2 miss fires because of the grip safety because I was loosening my grip when I road my thumb on top of the thumb safety. It was not comfortable under the safety, so it really became a training issue to keep my grip strong with a high thumb position. If I had it to do over, I'd probably opt for no thumb safety. I added the EPS Carry red dot and an Olight Mini 2. It looks and functions great in this configuration.
I am working out a trigger issue. It has changed in the last couple weeks. It may be some lubricant got in places it shouldn't. If so, I'll have to figure out how to tear it down further and clean. It used to have a short take up to a wall then a short plateau ending with trigger release. Now the wall and plateau are less noticeable making it harder to stop on the plateau just before firing.
I really bought the Equalizer so my wife could shoot as well. She had trouble racking the slide on the P07. I now have more than a 1000 rounds through the Equalizer. No real problems. It seems to shoot any ammo I throw at it. I've had only 2 miss fires because of the grip safety because I was loosening my grip when I road my thumb on top of the thumb safety. It was not comfortable under the safety, so it really became a training issue to keep my grip strong with a high thumb position. If I had it to do over, I'd probably opt for no thumb safety. I added the EPS Carry red dot and an Olight Mini 2. It looks and functions great in this configuration.
I am working out a trigger issue. It has changed in the last couple weeks. It may be some lubricant got in places it shouldn't. If so, I'll have to figure out how to tear it down further and clean. It used to have a short take up to a wall then a short plateau ending with trigger release. Now the wall and plateau are less noticeable making it harder to stop on the plateau just before firing.
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2024
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 2
Looking for a second "Home Defense" gun to compliment my Equalizer.
I've looked at a lot of pistols and Pistol Caliber Carbines. I have small hands and felt I could not grip my CZ P07 well enough to get good control. I really liked the PDP F-series from Walther that I rented at the range. But I'd have different mags for it. I see the Shield Plus uses the same mags as the Equalizer and although I have not shot one, that would be in the running. It would have to be the new Optics Ready Shield Plus.
I've also considered the S&W FPC folding carbine. I found a biometric safe I could fit the FPC folded in and keep it bedside. I also think it would be a hoot to shoot at the range.
What I don't fully understand is the difference in S&W double stacked magazines. It appears that the Plus and Equalizer use different mags that are not interoperable with the main lines of S&W. So I'm assuming that the 17rd for the FPC would not work in the Equalizer or the Plus.
I am retired, on a fixed income, so economics are a factor.
So, I'm down to the Plus, FPC or the F-Series.
Anyone have experience with the F-Series Walther compared to the 4" Shield Plus or any other suggestion you might have.
I've looked at a lot of pistols and Pistol Caliber Carbines. I have small hands and felt I could not grip my CZ P07 well enough to get good control. I really liked the PDP F-series from Walther that I rented at the range. But I'd have different mags for it. I see the Shield Plus uses the same mags as the Equalizer and although I have not shot one, that would be in the running. It would have to be the new Optics Ready Shield Plus.
I've also considered the S&W FPC folding carbine. I found a biometric safe I could fit the FPC folded in and keep it bedside. I also think it would be a hoot to shoot at the range.
What I don't fully understand is the difference in S&W double stacked magazines. It appears that the Plus and Equalizer use different mags that are not interoperable with the main lines of S&W. So I'm assuming that the 17rd for the FPC would not work in the Equalizer or the Plus.
I am retired, on a fixed income, so economics are a factor.
So, I'm down to the Plus, FPC or the F-Series.
Anyone have experience with the F-Series Walther compared to the 4" Shield Plus or any other suggestion you might have.
LVSteve
Member
it may not be an issue, but more just the way the parts have worn in. It sounds like you are staging the trigger, which is something a lot of trainers have gone away from. "Pull through" is an often heard mantra these days, and the manufacturers have been been producing triggers that favor such a technique. Of course, it could be a "chicken/egg" situation, maybe "pull through" came as a result of the typical striker trigger
. Sure, it probably does not maximize accuracy, but it could be argued that most pistols are not target guns, and nor do they need to be.it may not be an issue, but more just the way the parts have worn in. It sounds like you are staging the trigger, which is something a lot of trainers have gone away from. "Pull through" is an often heard mantra these days, and the manufacturers have been been producing triggers that favor such a technique. Of course, it could be a "chicken/egg" situation, maybe "pull through" came as a result of the typical striker trigger
@ladeurksen said he had an Equalizer in post #24 just before describing his trigger issue.
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
I've had my Equalizer now for almost 5 months. I have had no trouble whatsoever with the grip safety, not one failure to fire. My wife was interested in getting her own gun, but during practice she had multiple FTF's because of the grip safety.
I saw a video from NDZ performance about their new grip safety for the Equalizer, so I purchased one. After installation it worked great for me and my wife. She no longer has had any FTF's and was very pleased with the gun, especially the ease of racking the slide.
My Equalizer is now my everyday carry gun.
Here is a link to a NDZ video on their new safety, plus links to the grip safety. There are actually 2 versions; I bought the Performance Center one.
https://ndzperformance.com/smith-wesson-shield-ez-9mm-grip-safety-sw-shld-ez9-gs-v/
https://ndzperformance.com/ndz-grip...rformance-center-gold-sw-shld-ez9-pc-gs-tgld/
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAT24Gc8AUI[/ame]
I saw a video from NDZ performance about their new grip safety for the Equalizer, so I purchased one. After installation it worked great for me and my wife. She no longer has had any FTF's and was very pleased with the gun, especially the ease of racking the slide.
My Equalizer is now my everyday carry gun.
Here is a link to a NDZ video on their new safety, plus links to the grip safety. There are actually 2 versions; I bought the Performance Center one.
https://ndzperformance.com/smith-wesson-shield-ez-9mm-grip-safety-sw-shld-ez9-gs-v/
https://ndzperformance.com/ndz-grip...rformance-center-gold-sw-shld-ez9-pc-gs-tgld/
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAT24Gc8AUI[/ame]
NDZ describes their grip safety as having "a nearly flush fit when depressed, unlike the factory part which can protrude from the gun even when fully engaged."
I'm a bit confused about how making the grip safety protrude less could make it easier and more reliable to fully depress.
Could you post a side/profile photo of you Equalizer's new grip safety?
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
Here you go...first one shows the safety before being depressed, the second is fully depressed.
Like I mentioned before, I've never had a problem with the original or the NDZ safety. My wife would get 1 or 2 failures to fire with each mag with the original, none with the NDZ safety.
Attachments
Last edited:
Thanks for the photos, but I'm still left scratching my head.
On 1911s, the solution to unreliable grip safeties has typically been to put a 'speed bump' on the bottom of the safety to make it stick out even more. That is clearly the opposite direction from NDZ's solution. That leaves me wondering if there is a difference between why 1911 and S&W grip safeties fail to disengage.
I have a hard time looking at a lite 9mm as a step up handgun from a 22lr and a 380acp if its not a blow back design do to recoil . I always used a 4"or 4.25 full size 9mm as that step up pistol with standard pressure ammo .
As a person gains experience moving up from a 22lr to centerfire I rather move a person to a full size 9mm or a 38sp revolver and let them pick the time to try a lighter handgun in a cartridge there comfortable with carry .
I have a daughter that unlike her sister was recoil sensitive but she got here concealed carry with an old taurus 38sp and lite reloads I had and used for a number of people . I also let her try a number of handguns for carry we had in the family or handguns friends had and she settled on a buddy's colt government 380 I had to haggled for . 10 years later my recoil sensitive daughter CC's a kahr cm9 with 147gr hst for carry and she has a m&p 4.24 40sw for HD after range time with mine !! Go figure .
I started with a 1911 for carry 37 years ago and still carry a lw commander or m&p full size 40sw today . No small handgun for carry .
Buckeye63
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
- Messages
- 238
- Reaction score
- 267
I welcome any manufacturer that makes a pistol that is a bit easier to rack ..Due to a cervical injury a few years back that caused cord pressure and the surgery afterwards.. my grip strength has diminished some along with some coordination in my hands … I have adapted the way a rack a slide, which has helped quite a bit . At this time I’m alright with racking a slide on any of my pistols.. but Im sure in time I will have problems.. I purchased a Ruger Security 380 a couple of years ago .. and it is extremely easy to tack and is incredibly soft shooting…
The Equalizer is one pistol I’m definitely looking at for a future purchase.. I just don’t hear alot about them anymore.
The Equalizer is one pistol I’m definitely looking at for a future purchase.. I just don’t hear alot about them anymore.
I went to a gun show this morning just to walk around and look. I didn't plan to buy anything unless one of the few 3rd Gens that are still on my want list were there (they weren't).
I saw a few Equalizers. Some had a laser, some didn't.
I picked the one without up to see how it felt in my hand. The answer was "not bad." I could see myself buying one and even carrying it once in a while.
As far as size goes, it seems to fall somewhere between the 3913 and 6096, although I think S&W markets it as more like the CS9. The ones I saw came with 10, 12, 15 round magazines which I expect make the grip length longer.
The best price I saw for the none laser was $479.00 which is reasonable.
Not sure I'll actually buy one, but it's a definite possibility.
For the 3rd Gen guys reading this, there was a decent 6946 for sale, but I never asked about the price. There was also a magazine vendor and he had some 3rd Gen magazines. I talked with him a bit and then joked that I couldn't do business with him because he knows the value of 3rd Gen mags.
I saw a few Equalizers. Some had a laser, some didn't.
I picked the one without up to see how it felt in my hand. The answer was "not bad." I could see myself buying one and even carrying it once in a while.
As far as size goes, it seems to fall somewhere between the 3913 and 6096, although I think S&W markets it as more like the CS9. The ones I saw came with 10, 12, 15 round magazines which I expect make the grip length longer.
The best price I saw for the none laser was $479.00 which is reasonable.
Not sure I'll actually buy one, but it's a definite possibility.
For the 3rd Gen guys reading this, there was a decent 6946 for sale, but I never asked about the price. There was also a magazine vendor and he had some 3rd Gen magazines. I talked with him a bit and then joked that I couldn't do business with him because he knows the value of 3rd Gen mags.
I fondled a couple of Equalizers at a gun show last weekend. The only thing I'm not sure of is the "clunk" just before it goes into battery. I didn't like it back when I had an early M&P9c and it feels the same. I think I'll have to go to a range and see if I can rent one before I decide.
The prices I've seen are very reasonable, at least some of the prices.
The prices I've seen are very reasonable, at least some of the prices.
pistolpete10
Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2020
- Messages
- 319
- Reaction score
- 253
I have an EZ9, don't have a regular striker fired Shield but I have yet to try any striker fired gun that has a trigger pull as good as the EZ. Bear in mind I don't care about reset which worries some people. I didn't even know it was a thing until a few years ago, maybe cause I'm a revolver shooter. The EZ is easier to rack, eazier to load, it has less muzzle flip than my G19(haven't figured that out yet). So far totally reliable.
