All,

Can those with Equalizers share their experiences and thoughts?

How would you compare it to a M&P Compact or Shield?

I have a Shield 380 EZ with the backstrap safety and really like it. Looking at the Equalizer vs the Shield Plus in 9mm - the Equalizer has the backstrap safety.

I have a Shield (non-plus, single stack) in 9mm also that I really like. I was just looking for higher round capacity and possibly the form factor. Though I admit, I am a bit partial to the Shields.

I bought a Shield Plus about 18 months ago. It has been a flawless shooter and up until a couple of weeks ago was my EDC gun of choice.

A month ago I traded my Sig P-365 for the Equalizer. I was a bit concerned about the grip safety, but it has been completely a non-issue. I bought the one without the thumb safety. Two weeks ago I installed the Holosun 507k red dot and have been practicing, both with dry fire and time at the range. It has turned out to be a great combination.

The ease of racking the slide is truly amazing, especially since I have some arthritis in my hands. The mags are interchangeable with the Shield Plus, plus the Equalizer comes with 3 mags. After putting around 500 rounds thru the gun it will replace my Shield Plus as my EDC weapon of choice.

I am pleased with my choice and it is a very nice gun. I will be carrying it in a Vedders IWB holster.

I have both the shield plus and the equalizer. Shield has a holosun 507k green dot on it and the equalizer has the holosun eps carry green dot. I haven’t shot the shield plus as much yet but I found the equalizer to be easier to shoot and quite accurate, at least with the dot. It’s a little bit heavier to carry compared to the shield but for me so far it shoots more like a compact to full size 2.0. I think the little bit longer barrel helps. I also like the grip safety and the thumb safety. I don’t normally like safeties but it works similar to a 1911 for me compared to the shield safety which is small and difficult to put on and off. I shoot mostly at 20 yards due to my home range set up and have shot some really nice groups with the equalizer. I think the internal hammer on it makes the trigger a bit better too.

I don 't want to steal the thread, but may I ask a question of those who have the Equalizer? I had a Shield EZ and while the slide was easy to rack, the trigger was terrible. I had to completely release the trigger to get it to reset. Does the Equalizer trigger reset like the EZ or more like the Shield?

Thanks, guys.

__________________
SFC, US Army, Retired

I would suggest posting this as its own thread. I think some of the responses will be interesting.

__________________
Release the Kraken

I've never handled the EZ, but I will say the trigger on my Equalizer is equal to my Shield Plus. It has a short reset and a smooth trigger pull of 5 1/2 pounds measured with my trigger gauge.

The drop safety is in conjunction with the grip safety so the trigger is a single piece and not like the Shield that has the drop safety as part of the trigger itself.

The Shield uses a striker to fire the gun, the Equalizer uses a internal hammer.

My girlfriend wanted to get a gun. She tried many of my guns and several others and landed on the Equalizer primarily because she can rack it and it shoots great. I’ve borrowed it a few times and really enjoy shooting it. Size-wise it’s right between my shield plus and my M&P 2.0 Compact (4”). The grip safety isn’t an issue for me even though I thought I wouldn’t like it.

I put another 200 rounds through my new Equalizer today, now a total of 700 trouble free rounds. Not one hic-up. The accuracy is excellent as well. It is putting my Shield Plus in the safe and moving up to my EDC.

How would you describe the recoil, muzzle flip, and aim recovery between the two?

Looking at the details - the Equalizer is about 3oz heavier with a .5" longer barrel. That is a difference numerically, but in practice how much of a difference does it make beyond the "placebo affect"?

There is about a $100 difference in the two. The extra round capacity, backstrap safety, and hammer-fire may account for that. I'm just trying to justify it.

I only brought my Equalizer to the range, so without shooting each individually I can't make a valid comment. But I will say I am shooting it with better results on target compared to my Shield Plus. I am using a Holosun 507k red dot and followup shots are no problem...the dot stays pretty much on target.

Best thing for you to do is find a range with rental guns, or ask a friend who has one, and shoot it for yourself. Frankly I am not too concerned about recoil from any 9mm...it's a lot less than my M&P 45! My Sig P-365 had a snappy recoil, but even that wasn't much of a problem. It's my everyday carry gun for self defense and if I ever use it in that scenario I doubt I will be thinking about recoil.

I have the EQ with thumb-safety. It is quite positive in both positions, FAR more so than any other MP model. Mine is also quite accurate, especially for a mid-size poly-9. I feel that the same spring which makes it EZ2Rack also serves to make it a bit snappier in recoil than it otherwise would. A-B'd with my son's MP Compact, it's quite noticeable.

Hey guys, thanks for the interesting input on the shield and EZ, but I still really need to know about OWB holsters folks could recommend. Vedder is the only Tier II I’ve seen on line that says theirs is designed specially to fit, but you’re looking at $79-$89. Several others have kydex “click-ins” but they’re not Tuer II (w/thumb or index finger release) specificity to fit the Equalizer. Anybody out there have a Tier II OWB they carry with their Equalizer?

Your post piqued my curiosity and I noticed you only have 2 posts at this point in time on the forum (IE - you just joined). So I went to the other post, your 1st one, on the same subject and see it is posted in the "other semi-auto pistols" forum, not the M&P specific line.

If I may make a suggestion - I would post a dedicated thread here in the M&P pistol forum. The Equalizier is in the M&P family (as is the Bodyguard) so it does belong in here. From a traditional perspective, the Equalizer is a different ball game than an M&P from the mechanical and form-factor perspectives, but S&W still has it associated with their M&P products which is what this forum is for.

Beyond that, it sounds like you have already done a good amount of digging on the subject. It may be that few manufacturers make what you are looking for.

Out of curiosity for myself - can you describe the use-case/environment where the specific class of holster you are looking for is required? Personal preference? Or service spec?

I am hoping by New Years I can get a range comparison between the 9mm Shield (single stack), Shield 380 EZ, and Equalizer. I got one coming. We'll see what the holiday processing and shipping bring - hopefully not too many delays.

I got some range time today and was able to compare the Shield and Equalizer together.

I really like both. They are comfortable to handle, more so with any of the extended mags (13 or 15 round, not just the 15 round in the Equalizer, or 8 round in the Shield) for my hands. With the small mags (10 round in the Equalizer or 7 round in the Shield) I loose my pinky finger having a good platform. I do have more grip with the Equalizer on the 10 round mag than the Shield on the 7 round mag, but it isn't enough when firing to give me the solid, stable grip I do with any of the larger capacity mags. That is just me and the way they fit in my hands.

The Equalizer being a bit longer doesn't quite have the muzzle flip the Shield can have, but unless you were really tuned in to that I would say it would be hard to notice much difference. I think the comfort of holding either is going to make a bigger difference, but they are both comfortable. From that stand point I can't really set either higher than the other.

What we can all set on a higher bar is the round count in the Equalizer. Being a double stack it has significantly more round capacity. The Shield Plus is in the same boat being a double stack, however I don't have access to one to compare. Between the Shield Plus and Equalizer the Equalizer has more going for it, in my view.

I am more than happy with the Equalizer. It is a nice addition in a more concealable double stack pistol to my .40 cal Compact (which I run a 15 round mag with grip adapter in it also).

I bought an Equalizer TS a week ago, and so far have run 200 rounds of mixed ammo through it with no troubles. This is pretty darned close to the pistol I have been looking for the past 50 years. My only gripe is that for a pistol designed for use by folks with compromised hand strength the need to adapt some uncomfortable and unnatural grip to avoid pushing the grip safety when field stripping the gun is less than ideal. Not a deal-breaker for me, but it could be for some folks.

And no one should expect a match-grade trigger. It's decent, and eminently useable when you get accustomed to it, but it won't remind anyone of a target gun. Again, nowhere near a reason not to like the gun.

__________________
Pisgah

I see the EZ and Equalizer line as specialized pistols for people with hand/grip strength issues who can benefit from the easy racking feature. If someone falls into that category, I'd go for one of them (likely the Equalizer, if they can deal with 9mm recoil.)

For someone who doesn't need the easy rack feature, I'd go with either the Shield Plus of and M&P 2.0 of some variety.

That is ironic you say this.

A while back I was at a gun shop and one of the associates I was working with demonstrated how the EZ could be racked one handed. They designed the slide grip with a protruding rear scale that can catch on to things, like the edge of a desk etc. He mentioned if you shake it hard enough (I wouldn't recommend trying it, but I suppose if you were in a quarrel and that was an option...) you could rack it without latching the slide grip on anything at all. I am not sure if you could actually do that, and certainly if someone didn't have much grip strength there would be no way. However, it is interesting to consider. I would never have thought about racking in any other methods than one hand on the grip and one hand on the slide.

As for the stiffer to rack options - the Shield or Shield Plus - what are your reasons for those above the Equalizer, say for the 9mm cal specifically?

The standard Shield you loose the round capacity. As for the Shield Plus - I'm not sure on that one but interested to hear other perspectives.

That is what makes forums, and discussion threads like this, great.

First, I need to admit I have a gun buying addiction. I believe I have every gun mentioned in this thread. Within my collection is an Equalizer, a 9 Shield EZ, a 380 Shield EZ, a 9 Shield 2.0 PC 3.1" ported barrel, a 9 Shield Plus PC 4" ported barrel, and a 9 Shield Plus 3.1" barrel with night sights. I like them all and believe each one has some unique feature or quality.

The OP asked about muzzle flip and recoil so here are my opinions. The Performance Center ported barrels definitely have less (about 1/3) muzzle flip and get back on target quicker. Between the 9mm non-ported barrels, the Equalizer probably has a little less flip/recoil due to additional mass. The Shield Plus 3.1" having the most flip/recoil.

As for round capacity, what's not to like about 15 round mags for the range. My Plusses and Equalizer all have 15 round mag compatibility which is nice. Capacity is a range/carry trade off in my opinion. When I carry, my priorities are weight and concealability. My favorite carry piece is the Shield 2.0 PC with an 8 round magazine. It is my most concealable gun and I carry it in a L.A.G. Tactical Defender OWB holster. I can't imagine a self-defense situation requiring 15 rounds - that would be a fire fight.

They all can be shot well with practice but I have my favorites. I get my best shot groups with the Shield Plus PC 4" barrel. It's probably attributable to the 4" ported barrel and added mass. It has an optic but so does my Equalizer. My second best shot groups come from the Shield 2.0 PC with a ported barrel. I guess that makes the Performance Center ported barrel guns the best shooters for me.

I'm 78 so my hands aren't as strong as they used to be. Although I can still rack a Shield Plus, I prefer the EZ rack technology guns when dry-firing due to all the racking required. Range shooting doesn't really require very much racking. I would highly recommend dry-fire practice to anyone not having a range in their back yard. I believe finger and grip control is the key to accurate shooting. My laser cartridges of choice are Quantum XG's from G-Sight in both 9mm and 380.

I like to keep pieces strategically located throughout the house in case a self defense situation should arise. That's where the 380 EZ comes in since my wife handles it the best. The Shield Plus 3.1" with night sights is a great shooter in the dark.

Overall, I like my Equalizer, it's a good shooting, easy to rack pistol. But, it's not my best shooter, nor the easiest to conceal and carry. It's just not my favorite pistol.

Attached Images

Shields.jpg (85.0 KB, 26 views)

There are elements of the EZ line (which in my mind includes the Equalizer) that turn me off. Some of these may not be entirely logical (like the fact that I don't like hidden hammer guns, but have no problems with open hammer guns, or strikers. I also don't want the grip safety, but do want a manual lever safety.

The EZ guns were aimed mostly at older shooters. While I'm getting closer, I'm not quite there yet, and don't want to have to make accommodations. And there is vastly more choices I prefer, not necessarily in Smith's line.

All that said, if/when I get to the point where I would actually need the features these guns offer, I'd consider them.

...............

@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.

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 this grip panles but I changed to a short trigger for her . . Guess your just a smaller handgun person . No m&p 22 . Mines a 22lr I learn with back in '61 , a colt huntsman . No little handguns for me . I reload reload family practice ammo .
Now buy what YOU want . Not what other think your should .

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'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.

"yes your honor, i did draw my equalizer and shoot the plantiff in the leg to stop him from commiting unnatural acts with his stuffed pikachu"

who comes up with these names..

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.

__________________
Release the Kraken

@ladeurksen said he had an Equalizer in post #24 just before describing his trigger issue.

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-wes...shld-ez9-gs-v/

https://ndzperformance.com/ndz-grip-...z9-pc-gs-tgld/

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?

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.

Attached Images

	EQ1.jpg (127.1 KB, 9 views)
	EQ2.jpg (69.6 KB, 8 views)

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 .

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.