Decision time

[REP1955]

Hello folks, my first post here so please hang with me. I am in the market for two new pistols and I currently have my choices narrowed down to 2 options. I currently own the S&W EZ .380 but now want to go to a 9mm. My choices are the EZ 9mm and the new Equalizer. At first I thought I'd get the 9mm EZ, that decision was financially driven. I can buy the EZ for $50 less than the Equalizer, plus S&W now has a $75 rebate on the EZ. Doing the math when buying two guns, that's a savings total of $250. And I was fine with that decision until I picked up the Equalizer. Yes the Equalizer has advantages like being optic ready and higher capacity mags, but the truth is those don't really come into play. For me it was just how good the Equalizer felt.. nothing more, just the feel of the gun in my hand. And that's not to say the 9mm EZ felt bad because it did not. But it didn't feel as comfortable as the EQ. Also I was worried that the EQ might be a bit harder to conceal, but not really sure about that. So if I could get some feedback I would certainly appreciate it... Is it silly of me to still consider the EQ when I can get the EZ's for $250 less? Is concealing the EQ an issue? Any advice from some of your personal experience with these two guns will certainly be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your input.

REP1955

 

[Baxter6551]

Greetings REP and welcome. I’m sure you will get other replies shortly. I don’t own either gun but I think you should listen to your instincts about how the gun feels. In my opinion that will be a big factor in how much you enjoy the gun and how well you shoot it. Good luck.

 

[hardluk1]

Welcome to the forum. BUT You should decide on the handgun You want Not what others tell you to buy . I do not own the ez or equalizer model or have a need for a smaller pistol but friends up the hill side do and like them and both carry the EZ .

A number of gun stores with indoor ranges may let you shoot several different handguns with in a caliber for one rental fee and there ammo purchase but ask when rental hours are at there slowest so you have a better chance to try different handguns .

 

[bigwheelzip]

No comment about your choices, but be aware that "feel" can be substantially changed on these plastic guns by applying a grip sleeve. The use of a Hogue brand sleeve on my Shield 9mm made a huge difference in feel and shootability.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Ranger17]

I own the EZ in 9 (among other MP models) but have not looked at the Equalizer. What I can say is for me, how a handgun feels in my hand is critical for me to even own or shoot it. Not talking the texture (I hate the 2.0 roughness) but just overall feel and comfort. I had a Compact 1.0 and while I shot it just fine I did not care for how it felt. In fact I only liked shooting it with the full size mags and at that point I’d leave it home and take my full size MP to the range or property. Adding this is also a hobby for me and I enjoy shooting, so if a gun isn't making the range trips then no need for me to keep it.
So long story short, for me if a gun feels better when held then that is a main consideration for owning one. Just my .02

 

[Inusuit]

Buy once, cry once. I understand the desirability of having a duplicate of your EDC. Have you thought about buying one of each? They appear to be similar enough in operation that you would not have to change the manual of arms transitioning between the two firearms.

 

[WR Moore]

Either a duplicate of a carry gun or something close enough that the change doesn't matter is a very good thing. Should you be unfortunate enough to have to use it for defense, the original is going to disappear into evidence for an unknown time. This isn't the time to either learn a new gun or have to go gun shopping as you're likely to have other unexpected expenses.

 

[haywood]

I also have none of the guns mentioned here. Last summer I was trying to decide what I liked better. I won’t say the makes. It was size, how they fit my hand, and how I shot them. The lightest was a 9 shot and single stack. I added the slip on Hogue Slip on and while better it just wasn’t right. My next gun was double stack around the same size just thicker. I shot it better and it carries just as easy. Then I went to a full grip gun with 3.8 “ barrel. While a bigger and heavier gun it fits my hand nice. I shoot it pretty good and it has become my favorite. Now that I bored you all, it comes down to fit and feel for me. Revolvers the same. J-Frames with Pachmayr Compacts fit me best and I love shooting them.

 

[somorris]

If you think the Equalizer would fit better, I think you will forever regret not choosing it. “If only” is hard to overcome.

 

[Buzzzer]

I agree, go with what "feels" good in your hand. It's amazing how that alone can instill confidence with all aspects of shooting, IMHO anyway...

 

[Bumpus13]

Sounds to me like you already know which one you really want.

If the $250 extra is currently a deal breaker, I’d wait a bit and save up some more.

You don’t want to find yourself always wondering what it’d be like to have what you really wanted in the first place.

 

[OldGoat]

Your decision dilemma is appreciated. I'm debating getting a Equalizer as well simply because of the rebate. Kinda foolish since I have a Shield 1.0 (as "backup") and a Shield Plus both of which I bought new, shoot occasionally at range, and virtually never carry. Do I NEED to drop $$$ for a new EQ ? Naah.
My Dad had a GREAT saying:
"Son, I have terrific will power, but I really need better WON'T POWER."
So, I'm gonna pass and not tap my insulin budget.
Have a nice day. YMMV

 

[MikeNV]

Welcome to the forum.

I own both a 9EZ and an Equalizer and thought I would add a few differences between the guns for you to consider.

They both shoot pretty equally once you get the sights in order – I’ve had bad luck with S&W sights being miss-located from the factory. Both of mine needed sight adjustments. The 9EZ is easier to adjust – the rear sight adjusts with an allen wrench, the front is a C-clip. The Equalizer sights need to be drifted – doable but more work.

The grips are about the same with the 8 and 10 round respective magazines. But with big hands, the Equalizer has the advantage with it’s 13 and 15 round magazines increasing the grip length. I’ve never had a feeding problem with either gun or any of the magazines.

In terms of carry weight, the 9EZ has the advantage with the lighter 8 round magazine. The 15 round Equalizer has the advantage at the range requiring less reloading. I have 4 – 15 round mags since they are interchangeable with my Shield Pluses, which is nice at the range.

I’ve heard people call the Equalizer a 9EZ Plus because of the extra capacity and being optic ready.

If price were no issue, I would choose the Equalizer. If you are in the market to buy two guns, I would consider an Equalizer and one of the Shield Plus models. I just got a 9 Shield Plus, SKU 13536, 3.1 barrel, optic ready with night sights for $449 before the rebate. You would have magazine interchangeability and another great carry option.

Good luck with the choice!

 

[CGhelofxr]

Just my $0.02...... the equalizer will give you more room to grow. What I mean by that is you my not be considering an optic now, a few months down the road you'll possibly have reconsidered this.
Higher magazine capacity is always a plus. As the saying goes "no one has ever wished they had fewer rounds when needed" !
As for concealability...if I can carry a 5" M&P9 the Equalizer won't be a problem, even with an optic.

As stated earlier buy once cry once!

 

[REP1955]

Thank you for your reply, and I agree, the way the gun feels is more important than the cost or the rebate offered. I"m really leaning toward the Equalizer.

 

[REP1955]

yes sir, they are very similar.. to the best of my knowledge, the Equalizer has everything that the 9 EZ has, but the EQ also has 3 mags, a 10, 13 and 15 round magazines compared to a single stack 8 round clip for the EZ. The EQ comes optic ready. Both the EZ and the EQ gun butts are at an 18 degree angle which feels good in my hand, but with the EQ I could use the 13 round clip which has a small extension on it and allows me to get all my fingers wrapped around it when as with the 9 EZ I can still wrap all my fingers around it, but my pinky is just barely on there.. and for a difference in price of only $50, I think I'm really leaning toward the EQ. Thank you for your response sir, I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

 

[REP1955]

I agree and I am really leaning toward that Equalizer. I went to a local sporting goods store tonight and held it in my hand again.. really liked the feel with the 13 round clip in it as far as being able to wrap all my fingers around the butt. Unfortunately ( or fortunately depending on how you look at it ) I inadvertently left my credit card at home, so that stopped that deal... but pretty sure I'm going back over in the next day or so and get it. Thank you for replying to me. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

 

[REP1955]

yes, it shows, doesn't it. lol. Yep, really leaning strong toward the Equalizer. Pretty sure that's what I'm going to do.. and thank you sir for your reply. I own several Colt pistols, semi auto and revolver, but this purchase would be only my 2nd S&W. I already own the S&W 380 ez, and really like it. My only issue with it is that I can barely get all my fingers wrapped around the butt, the pinky is on there, but there's no room to spare where the EQ has nearly an extra 1/4 inch with the 13 round mag which leaves more than enough room. So I'll take the EQ and my wife will carry the 380. Thank you for replying to my original post. I certainly appreciate the help from all you S&W owners.

 

[REP1955]

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate the advice sir. Just one thing, in your reply you said you were debating getting the Equalizer because of the rebate. Unless I'm mistaken, there is no rebate being offered on the Eq. There is on several other models, including the EZ 9mm, but not on the EQ. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[REP1955]

Thank you sir for your reply... and I certainly agree that the EQ would allow room for growth. A salesman at one of the sporting good stores I was at this past weekend said now that the Equalizer is out, there's really no reason to buy the 9 EZ, stating the EQ has everything the 9 EZ has plus it's optic ready and of course the big reason, the ability to carry up to 15 +1 rounds. I'll probably go pick up the EQ in a day or two. thank you again for your reply.

 

[kstewart61]

I own the equalizer and have shot the ez 9 both are great pistols but I prefer the equalizer as my go to pistol.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

 

[ken158]

My thoughts are that saving $250 should have no effect on what gun you buy. If $250 makes that much of a difference in your lifestyle, then perhaps you should put off your purchase until your finances improve. Buy cheap - get cheap. There is a reason the rebates even exist.

 

[retnavyshooter]

Have owned both EZ 9 and equilizer. Sold EZ after I bought Equilizer. Two very obvious reasons for me. The optics ready and increased capacity main reasons for buying the Equilizer ,very comfortable with both.

Mick

 

[Bullet Bob]

Well, thanks to this thread and google, I now know S&W has something called the Equalizer. New stuff is coming out faster than I can keep up with them.

 

[OldGoat]

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate the advice sir. Just one thing, in your reply you said you were debating getting the Equalizer because of the rebate. Unless I'm mistaken, there is no rebate being offered on the Eq. There is on several other models, including the EZ 9mm, but not on the EQ. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

You are 100% right! My mistake - no current rebate on EQ.
Sorry.

 

[REP1955]

Have owned both EZ 9 and equilizer. Sold EZ after I bought Equilizer. Two very obvious reasons for me. The optics ready and increased capacity main reasons for buying the Equilizer ,very comfortable with both.

Mick

Mick, first of all, thank you for your service to our country. Believe me when I tell you that it is much appreciated.... I have two good buddies that I went to school with that joined the navy right after graduation and then spent the next 20 plus years there. so again, thank you. You said you have owned both the EZ 9 and the EQ. After owning the EQ now, what are your feelings on it. I am like 90% sure that's what I'm going to end up buying. Have a great day sir and I look forward to your reply.

 

[retnavyshooter]

Mick, first of all, thank you for your service to our country. Believe me when I tell you that it is much appreciated.... I have two good buddies that I went to school with that joined the navy right after graduation and then spent the next 20 plus years there. so again, thank you. You said you have owned both the EZ 9 and the EQ. After owning the EQ now, what are your feelings on it. I am like 90% sure that's what I'm going to end up buying. Have a great day sir and I look forward to your reply.

I really like the Equilizer. I put a Holoson 507 green dot on it and find my 83 year eyes pick it up very quickly. Function with my reloads and factory ammo is excellent. Comfortable to carry and shoot.

 

[REP1955]

Just a quick thank you to all of you who responded to my original post. Thanks in large part to your replies, and the way the gun feels in my hand, I went with the Equalizer. Hated that there's no rebate on the EQ, but I couldn't get past just how comfortable the gun felt in my right hand. Again, thank you all for your input.