Equalizer Trigger

[kelljor]

I have, as the title suggests, an Equalizer. Fine gun. I also have a number of semi autos, included in that bunch are a 9mm EZ, a 380 EZ, and a Rock 9mm so I am not unfamiliar with the grip safety.

My problem with the Equalizer is the trigger. In all my semi autos, even the ones without the grip safety, there is some....I suppose the proper term is "take up" or maybe "slack"....anyway some trigger movement before you hit the point where that final little press fires the gun. On the Equalizer, there is virtually none. Just touch the trigger and off it goes. I do mean just touch it. Once I get the gun up and pointed and while I am putting my finger inside the trigger guard it goes off if I just brush the trigger. I have had it fire while I was bringing it up to eye level, luckily it was pointed downrange.

If it were my only gun I suppose I could train for that, but I alternate it with my other semis at the range and they all have some slack.
I would not consider this weapon for CCW, although that was the purpose of me buying it.
Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what did you do to the gun to correct the problem. Is there some small adjustment that I can make. To the gun not to my technique. My technique works fine with everything else I own.
TIA

 

[Crookedcreek]

I'd be interest in less subjective accounting of the actual effort required to 'trip the sear'. Have you 'measured' the trigger pull with an actual gauge? I would expect that 'any' such pistol as 'factory produced' (meaning no after market 'fiddling') would be anywhere from 5-8 pounds. "Brushing" such a trigger should not cause a release. Sounds like something is wrong with your particular gun, have you contacted Smith?

P.S This article seems to conflict with your experience. It says they measured 5 pounds 12 ounces, and that the pistol had a 'longer than normal' stroke than a typical striker fired pistol. See this: Smith & Wesson Equalizer: Full Review - Guns and Ammo.

 

[M1A4ME]

The Equalizer I bought for my wife is the "take up the slack in the trigger, hit the wall, pull harder and it finally fires" category. It has worn in and is smoother now on the wall to fire section of the pull but the slack from trigger forward resting point to the wall is still the same as when new.

If there is no pretravel and the trigger is lighter than 3 or 4 lbs. you should contact S&W. Something isn't right inside the frame there.

 

[kelljor]

I'd be interest in less subjective accounting of the actual effort required to 'trip the sear'. Have you 'measured' the trigger pull with an actual gauge? I would expect that 'any' such pistol as 'factory produced' (meaning no after market 'fiddling') would be anywhere from 5-8 pounds. "Brushing" such a trigger should not cause a release. Sounds like something is wrong with your particular gun, have you contacted Smith?

P.S This article seems to conflict with your experience. It says they measured 5 pounds 12 ounces, and that the pistol had a 'longer than normal' stroke than a typical striker fired pistol. See this: Smith & Wesson Equalizer: Full Review - Guns and Ammo.

Yeah I saw that article; had forgotten about it. That's for one particular gun, I am sure they are all not exactly the same. It also stated that there was little perceptible take up that I missed before. Anyhow, mine measures on average around 3.5#. Trigger pull isn't the problem, its the travel; Maybe I stated my problem wrong. On most of my semis I have 1/4 to 1/2 inch travel, this particular one it is more like 1/8" My 9mmEZ and 380 EZ both have between 1/4 to 3/8, like I said the EQ has about 1/8, and that's what I am trying to find out about. Could be this is all normal so I haven't contacted Smith yet. I put it on here to see what other people say........easier than going through the warranty return process. I would like to see a little more travel to feel more like my other guns, but if others say this seems normal I will just live with it......or sell it. Haven't thought that far ahead yet.

 

[Crookedcreek]

3.5# is pretty light for striker guns (a lot of people would love that!), so I would be calling Smith on both counts (pull weight and pre -travel) as something seems out of 'spec. norms'.

 

[Yendor357]

If you have a striker fired pistol with a 3.5 pound trigger, that you don’t want…..and there are people who would love to have it, Sell it!

I don’t know anything about those guns, but if you have a Unicorn, turn it into money. Then get what you want.

Why send it back to the factory? Anybody can put a heavier spring in a pistol.

 

[kelljor]

3.5# is pretty light for striker guns (a lot of people would love that!), so I would be calling Smith on both counts (pull weight and pre -travel) as something seems out of 'spec. norms'.

The Equalizer is internal hammer fired, not striker. All my EZ models measure about the same.
I know the article said theirs was around 5 which makes me wonder about the accuracy of that article......or any article for that matter.
OTOH the article also said there was little perceptible take up.....so now mine seems normal.
Thanks for pointing me back to that article, gave me some good info (in spite of the trigger pull weight part).

 

[kelljor]

If you have a striker fired pistol with a 3.5 pound trigger, that you don’t want…..and there are people who would love to have it, Sell it!

I don’t know anything about those guns, but if you have a Unicorn, turn it into money. Then get what you want.

Why send it back to the factory? Anybody can put a heavier spring in a pistol.

The Equalizer uses an internal hammer, not a striker. One of the reasons I bought it, I don't like strikers much. I have a couple of other EZ models in 9 and 380 with intenal hammers and they measure the same.

 

[gc70]

My records show that multiple measurements of my Equalizer's trigger pull have been between 4-3/4 and 5-1/4 pounds, averaging roughly 5 pounds. I do not routinely record the trigger movement of my guns, but I measured my Equalizer and the bottom of the trigger has 1/8" of free movement.

I think something is wrong with an Equalizer with no trigger travel and a trigger pull of less than 3.5 pounds. At least contact S&W and ask if those parameters are within design specifications.

ADDED: My wife's 380 EZ and my 9mm EZ also had average measured trigger pull weights of about 5 pounds.

 

[kelljor]

My records show that multiple measurements of my Equalizer's trigger pull have been between 4-3/4 and 5-1/4 pounds, averaging roughly 5 pounds. I do not routinely record the trigger movement of my guns, but I measured my Equalizer and the bottom of the trigger has 1/8" of free movement.

I think something is wrong with an Equalizer with no trigger travel and a trigger pull of less than 3.5 pounds. At least contact S&W and ask if those parameters are within design specifications.

ADDED: My wife's 380 EZ and my 9mm EZ also had average measured trigger pull weights of about 5 pounds.

yeah I got about 1/8" travel. As far as the pull goes, it might be the difference between our scales. Mine is a cheapie from Amazon. I got mainly to measure the pull on my revolvers after I changed springs; got the 442 down to 10.5-.75 by changing the rebound spring, but it feels a little less than that. At any rate, the pull is about the same as my 380 ez and 9mm ez so I don't think there is a problem there. My brushing the trigger statement was probably exaggerated; by trying it at home it doesn't feel that light. Could be the adreneline from playing with live ammo!

 

[kelljor]

I have concluded that the problem lies between my ears. It is just a lot different than my other guns.....the travel I mean. Was just wondering if anyone else noticed it.

 

[Elder Shooter]

The trigger on my Equalizer has very little slack or free travel. In fact, it surprised me the first time I fired it at the range. For some reason I had not even noticed it when I was trying it before I purchased it. I soon got used to it and it is just one thing to be aware of when you are shooting it. I have several 9mms and 380s, both hammer and striker, and they all have different trigger sensations.