Question about the Equalizer trigger

I had a Shield EZ that had a terrible trigger. It was a bit spongy and in order to reset, the trigger had to be completely released. No short reset like the regular Shields. I'm considering one for my wife, but don't want to take her from a crisp trigger with a predictable reset to something soft and having to fully release it to break the next shot.

Is the trigger on the Equalizer more like the Shield or the EZ when it comes to feel and reset? What are your experiences?

You might just be feeling the difference between the mechanics of a modern striker system and a concealed hammer system. Maybe the hammer system needs a full, or near full, trigger release.

Some shooters think I'm weird because I have no expectation of a short reset on a pistol just because it is semi-automatic. It's probably because I had no experience of the 1911 or similar pistols in my youth. Consequently, full the DAO system as found on the Sig P250 series and SCCY CPX guns does not bother me. It's just the way those machines work.

Next time I go to the range I can do an A/B comparison between a regular Shield in 9mm, Equalizer in 9mm, and a Shield 380 EZ. I have not paid attention to the resets, honestly.

The Equalizer is new to me so I don't have any range time yet.

I do have a Bodyguard in 380 that is the same internal hammer configuration and that one requires the full trigger pull to cock and release the hammer. The semi-auto function of the slide racking on the previous round does not cock the hammer to where the trigger pull is only releasing it, as with striker fired. That also brings with it a stiffer trigger pull as well.

I assume the same is for the equalizer also.

gun1 said:

I do have a Bodyguard in 380 that is the same internal hammer configuration and that one requires the full trigger pull to cock and release the hammer. The semi-auto function of the slide racking on the previous round does not cock the hammer to where the trigger pull is only releasing it, as with striker fired. That also brings with it a stiffer trigger pull as well.

I assume the same is for the equalizer also.

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The Equalizer is single action only; the hammer is cocked by the slide moving to the rear, either manually or by firing a round. The trigger breaks at about 5 pounds, has a good reset (not all that important to me), and is equal to, or slightly better than my Shield Plus. The grip safety is a non-issue for me. It has no mag safety, and mine is without a thumb safety. Frankly, it's the best gun from S&W that I have ever owned.

Lee in Quartzsite said:

The Equalizer is single action only; the hammer is cocked by the slide moving to the rear, either manually or by firing a round. The trigger breaks at about 5 pounds, has a good reset (not all that important to me), and is equal to, or slightly better than my Shield Plus. The grip safety is a non-issue for me. It has no mag safety, and mine is without a thumb safety.

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I was just coming back in here to update - I picked up mine today. Just as you state - its single action. That surprised me. S&W lists it on their website as "internal hammer", just as the Bodyguard is. That obviously wasn't clear from what I read, but there may be another spec elsewhere that spells that out. Its not much of an issue for me, but someone else that is picky about that it might be.

To the point on the trigger action and reset - I was surprised how stiff the trigger is on the Bodyguard, in comparison. The Equalizer feels like my striker-fired M&P's.

Lee in Quartzsite said:

Frankly, it's the best gun from S&W that I have ever owned.

Click to expand...

I was very impressed with the Shield 380 EZ. That is quite the popular pistol with the family now and after the 1st time I shot it I've said that would be my new favorite gun if it weren't for being a .380. I was debating on the 9mm version as it is essentially the same gun in a 9mm - a better defense round, in my opinion. However, its only a single stack. The Equalizer isn't much different and is a double stack. That alone is worth the upgrade I'd say. My hope is I can get some of my family on to the Equalizers also. The 380 EZ's are great, but you get more round capacity with the 15 round mags in the Equalizer and the better defense round. The hard part, as we all know, is the recoil. For someone that isn't accustomed to the kick of a pistol the .380 is a lighter round. And I still say S&W hit the jackpot on an easy to shoot .380 with the Shield 380 EZ. It is a fantastic balance in an accurate pistol.

I have a 9mm EZ and I'm pleased with the trigger pull. Reset is a non issue with me. Only problem I have with it is it shoots low. S&W doesn't have a fix for it so I may have to file down the front sight. Shame, it'll ruin the dot. I wish gun mfgs would sight in guns.

pistolpete10 said:

I have a 9mm EZ and I'm pleased with the trigger pull. Reset is a non issue with me. Only problem I have with it is it shoots low. S&W doesn't have a fix for it so I may have to file down the front sight. Shame, it'll ruin the dot. I wish gun mfgs would sight in guns.

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How do you know for sure it's the gun? Have you fired it from a stable bench rest? Have you let someone else shoot it with the same results? What's the distance to the target that you are shooting low?

If in fact it is the sight why not try and find an aftermarket sight with a lower height? Filing down the sight will ruin it's resale value.

Lee in Quartzsite said:

pistolpete10 said:

I have a 9mm EZ and I'm pleased with the trigger pull. Reset is a non issue with me. Only problem I have with it is it shoots low. S&W doesn't have a fix for it so I may have to file down the front sight. Shame, it'll ruin the dot. I wish gun mfgs would sight in guns.

Click to expand...

How do you know for sure it's the gun? Have you fired it from a stable bench rest? Have you let someone else shoot it with the same results? What's the distance to the target that you are shooting low?

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^ Exactly my thoughts.

I would venture a guess that 95%, or more, of "accuracy issues" are the operator, not the tool.

If you are serious about dialing in sights - you can get bore lasers that will give you a reference point from the perspective of the barrel from which to adjust the sights to.

A lot of pistols only allow for windage/side to side adjustment. This is the dove tail you see a lot of with a set screw or two from inside the slide up in to the rear sight. Adjusting the sight height for your elevation adjustment is not very common with iron sights on pistols.

In line with the thought of the operator being the likely issue - one of the pistols I have I repeatedly shoot lower right of where I aim if I aim directly with the sights. So I compensate by aiming upper left and I'm right where I want to be. The offset is a combination of my grip, trigger pull, and the particular gun. In my case, I am familiar enough and comfortable with the gun to do that.

In the OP's case - maybe they are too bothered by the "offset" they are experiencing to make such a tweak to their aim. However, if it is a gun they like, otherwise, if they can dial in the "offset" they need and are repeatable with it they can build confidence in it. Just a thought.

I put some snap caps in both the single stack/base 9mm Shield and Equalizer.

The Shield has a trigger safety. The apparent dead trigger pull until it engages is "longer" than the Equalizer.

The Equalizer has a noticeably lighter pull once engaged, but not by much. Just enough to notice.

I can't tell what the "reset" is as I haven't live-fired both side-by-side yet and have no way to reset without fully racking the slide again.

gun1 said:

I can't tell what the "reset" is as I haven't live-fired both side-by-side yet and have no way to reset without fully racking the slide again.

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After you pull the trigger, keep it to the rear. rack the slide to reset the hammer, then slowly let the trigger go forward to hear/feel the reset.

"Reset" in a carry gun will never be a concern in an actual encounter.....

My results from the range:

Shield, single stack, has a "smoother" and lighter reset than the Equalizer. I can't tell much of a difference in the length, however the Equalizer, if I were to describe it, may be a touch longer.

Both guns are stable and feel really good with any of the extended mags. The single stack shield does have a bit more muzzle flip being shorter but not much.

Maybe because I shoot revolvers but reset isn't a thing with me. Watched Bill Wilson shoot a 1911, his trigger finger went all the way forward, completely off the trigger. Shoot and learn your pistol.

Trigger reset is a factor I never even realized existed until it became fashionable for folks to complain about it. Even after learning what it was I have never been able to discern any negative impact suffered by trigger resets long, short, quiet or loud. It simply is of no consequence to me in shooting different pistols.

I can only say that the Equalizer is a very easy gun to shoot fast and accurately.

gunny4053 said:

I had a Shield EZ that had a terrible trigger. It was a bit spongy and in order to reset, the trigger had to be completely released. No short reset like the regular Shields. I'm considering one for my wife, but don't want to take her from a crisp trigger with a predictable reset to something soft and having to fully release it to break the next shot.

Is the trigger on the Equalizer more like the Shield or the EZ when it comes to feel and reset? What are your experiences?

Click to expand...

EQ has less slack than the EZ, it fell like less pressure is needed, and since you aren't pulling the trigger as far back the reset is right there. If that makes any sense.