"Fun" with my Equalizer

[GaryS]

Late last year I decided to buy a "modern" S&W semi auto. A large gun store chain had a special on the Equalizer, with five magazines, UpLula magazine loader, can case for under $500.00. It was just too good a deal to pass up, even if I decided I didn't really like it. I even rented one at the store's range before I committed.

Since I mostly carry and shoot 3rd Gen 9mm guns, this was a big departure from what is usually in my holster.

After taking it to the range a few times, I decided that I didn't like the thumb safety. A little research revealed that the safety can be "easily" removed and that S&W sells the frame plugs to end users. I called them and ordered a pair, which came in due course.

Today I had some time so I decided to take the gun apart, remove the safety and install the plugs.

Easy, I just followed the instructions for the M&P 2.0 EZ. I got everything apart and then discovered that for whatever reason the plugs I received won't fit properly. I decided to just put the safety back in and forget about it.

Which is where the fun started. When I took the hammer group out, two pieces fell off. One ended up being the disconnector, I never learned the name of the other part, but it's part of the safety. Great.

After searching YouTube I found a complete disassembly/reassembly video. That was very helpful, but getting everything to hold together was tricky.

Then the detent and spring that locks the safety lever in safe/fire position fell on the carpet.

Amazingly, I found them pretty quickly.

I got the hammer assembly back together, but some how another piece which mount inside the frame with a spring disappeared. I didn't see it fall out, but it wasn't on my work surface, wasn't on the floor, wasn't stuck to my clothes. Finally, after running out of other options, I turned the frame upside down and tapped it on the work table. It just fell out.

I put that back, lifted the trigger bar, slid the end of the disconnector into the trigger bar and got the hammer group seated.

All of that took over an hour to do, with much cursing under my breath.

I cycled the slide and dry fired the gun a few times. Tested the grip safety. Tested the thumb safety.

I just have find time to get to the range and shoot it to be 100% sure.

Well, that was "fun." At least I was able to get it back together and avoided send a partially disassembled gun back to the factory. Where I'm sure that the repair guys would have a good laugh.

Back to my 3rd Gens!

 

[tarheel13]

Well, that was "fun." At least I was able to get it back together and avoided send a partially disassembled gun back to the factory. Where I'm sure that the repair guys would have a good laugh.

Back to my 3rd Gens!

I'm a Glock guy who has recently ventured into Smithland with the purchase of a Bodyguard 2.0. I can do anything with a Gen 1-3 Glock, but for the reasons you have illuminated, I would not try to disassemble a S&W. I know so little about these pistols that I am not sure what you mean by "3rd Gens". Are there 3rd Gen Smith and Wessons or are you talking about Glocks?

 

[GaryS]

3rd Gen S&W semi auto pistols. I know just about nothing about Glocks other than you have to pull the trigger when field stripping them. I had one for a short period of time, but sold it to finance the purchase of yet another 3rd Gen.

 

[dajogejr]

If you replace a few triggers, replace a few sear and sear springs on these 1.0 and 2.0 pistols, this all becomes pretty second nature. I have XXL hands, which, can make small parts and intricate work a little tricky sometimes… but watching videos and knowing what is under spring pressure, what is not… as well as what pins may or may not just slide out, half the battle.
I feel very confident I can take apart anything and reassemble on these M&Ps.

Shorter story…one we can all appreciate. It was time to freshen up my Staccato P. Replaced the recoil spring, firing pin spring…and just because, the mainspring.

If you’re a 1911/2011 guy, you know that cap on the mainspring, once you move the pin, is under pressure. I did know this. So disassembly was quick and painless.
I put the new mainspring in, went to push the cap down…and it shot itself into my garage.. I heard the distinct tink of it hitting the top of my Weber grill I store in my garage.
The next day, I tore apart and cleaned my whole garage looking for it (previous night I just ordered all new parts, just in case). I’m 90% done, I move my snow blower (big, 2 stage type), which I previously looked under with a flashlight.. and lo and behold.. there it was.
I mean…I was gonna clean the garage and straighten it anyways…right?

Glad you got it back together…get some range time in and have fun.

 

[GaryS]

I was working on one of my 3rd Gens and the cup that holds the mainspring in place launched itself into orbit, with the spring following along as a "booster." Of course it landed behind the free standing shelves conveniently located near my work bench.

I found the spring fairly easily but even after taking everything off the shelves and moving them, the cup was gone. Fortunately, I had a spare in my parts box, so it was easy to put it all back together.

Fast forward to late 2023 (approximately seven years) and we were packing up for selling the house and moving. I packed all of my stuff in boxes, broke down my work bench and the shelves. Swept the entire area. Still no sign of the missing spring cup. It will forever remain somewhere in that basement.

I was amazed that I was able to find that tiny spring and detent that landed on my carpet, but I did.

If you replace a few triggers, replace a few sear and sear springs on these 1.0 and 2.0 pistols, this all becomes pretty second nature. I have XXL hands, which, can make small parts and intricate work a little tricky sometimes… but watching videos and knowing what is under spring pressure, what is not… as well as what pins may or may not just slide out, half the battle.
I feel very confident I can take apart anything and reassemble on these M&Ps.

Shorter story…one we can all appreciate. It was time to freshen up my Staccato P. Replaced the recoil spring, firing pin spring…and just because, the mainspring.

If you’re a 1911/2011 guy, you know that cap on the mainspring, once you move the pin, is under pressure. I did know this. So disassembly was quick and painless.
I put the new mainspring in, went to push the cap down…and it shot itself into my garage.. I heard the distinct tink of it hitting the top of my Weber grill I store in my garage.
The next day, I tore apart and cleaned my whole garage looking for it (previous night I just ordered all new parts, just in case). I’m 90% done, I move my snow blower (big, 2 stage type), which I previously looked under with a flashlight.. and lo and behold.. there it was.
I mean…I was gonna clean the garage and straighten it anyways…right?

Glad you got it back together…get some range time in and have fun.

 

[tarheel13]

I was working on one of my 3rd Gens and the cup that holds the mainspring in place launched itself into orbit, with the spring following along as a "booster." Of course it landed behind the free standing shelves conveniently located near my work bench.

I found the spring fairly easily but even after taking everything off the shelves and moving them, the cup was gone. Fortunately, I had a spare in my parts box, so it was easy to put it all back together.

Fast forward to late 2023 (approximately seven years) and we were packing up for selling the house and moving. I packed all of my stuff in boxes, broke down my work bench and the shelves. Swept the entire area. Still no sign of the missing spring cup. It will forever remain somewhere in that basement.

I was amazed that I was able to find that tiny spring and detent that landed on my carpet, but I did.

There is some carpeting near my work bench and small parts seem to preferentially launch in that direction. One thing that works for me is to run a hand vacuum over the carpet area in question, empty the contents of the vac onto a flat surface, and run a magnet over the dusty contents. I've found tiny springs using this method.