I just got rid of my easy and picked up one of these. The fact that they're able to get a large capacity into the pistol without greatly increasing the width of the grip is a great thing. I also like the fact that it has an optic ready slide and also the easy rack feature which was what drew me to the original EZ to begin with. Also, to come with three magazines and a maglula is great. Plus right now Smith has a rebate if you buy one of these pistols you can get three extra magazines and who doesn't like to have extra magazines? So far I'm impressed with this and I think that Smith& Wesson did a great job at realizing there was a market for an easy to rack and easy to shoot pistol and created some fine weapons to fill that void.
It's actually a great shooting gun. This week I did a side-by-side-by-side comparison between the EZ, the Shield Plus PC, and the Equalizer. I prefer the Plus, but the Equalizer was absolutely flawless in its first 200 rounds. All in all, a great gun that will be in high demand. With 3 included mags and the UpLula, it's at a great price point. ~Susan
I want to add to this experience. I took it to the range and only used the flush 12-rounder. My pinky is only half on. Even then, it was very pleasant to shoot. I actually laughed out loud and joyfully when shooting it rapidly. It was surprisingly fun to shoot. Although unlike you, I actually prefer it over the Plus. I did not like the Plus that much and sold it after about a month with it. My primary carry is either a G19 in cold weather or my P365XL with Mischief Machining metal grips and G10 grip panels. The Equalizer will now be part of my carry rotation. I had so much fun with it. And the grip safety was a non-issue. It's designed well so no matter how I try to see if I can mess it up, it still shot. And while none of my main guns have manual safeties, including my P365XL, I opted to get it for this one. I can easily turn the safety on, holster the weapon, and take it back off safety. I feel much more comfortable having this function. In addition, the location of the safety is perfect as it's an excellent thumb rest for single-hand shooting. I was able to control the recoil with that "thumb rest" even further.
Heck yeah, I want this one now,I love my es 9,this one is an awesome upgrade, I plan on getting one an putting a red dot on both,maybe have one for carry,an probably have one or take both to the rangs.
You don't need to be weak or fragile to enjoy a smooth action. I'm in my 40's 250lbs. No one would consider me to be weak. Love the EZ series and in stoked for my new equalizer.
I just bought an Equalizer and it is smooth. Is it manly to have a gun that you have to fight operate?? All reviews I have seen describe the gun catering to the weak and infirmed!!
The Equalizer will sell out so fast. I absolutely love the grip safety and sigh radius. This is Smith and Wesson’s best semi-auto 9mm for sure. I love the new Equalizer.
I think this will be a homerun for S&W. The EZ was very close, but the capacity held me back from recommending it unless hand strength was the first concern. This is the same size as the 8rd EZ with the 13rd Magazine installed. And the familial magazine sharing with the excellent Shield Plus is also fantastic.
The past couple of years my favorite carry pistol has been the 4” Shield Plus with a red dot optic. I have also developed an appreciation for the comfort of appendix carry. I am not a fan of carrying a pistol with a fully cocked striker in an appendix holster so when the Equalizer with the grip safety and thumb safety was released it addressed my concerns. I bought one recently and it shoots far more accurately than I had expected. Being used to carrying and shooting 1911s, the grip safety and thumb safety are not a concern. I have several pistols that may appear to be “better” on paper when comparing specs but I carry the Equalizer with a red dot every day. Fantastic pistol, especially for the price.
My wife is ringing steel with hers! And she loves all the safety features. She prefers the Equalizer over my Glock 19. Equalizer is a great option for a new shooter.
My brother in law loved how my ez 9mm shot at the range Saturday, so I m ay have him sold on getting the 380 or 9mm, even my sister who doesn't like guns is now considered getting one,she loves the ez line
Or take the original ez in 380 and make it optics cut and up the mag to 10-12 rounds, it would be nice to retain the ez to load mag and low recoil round just with an rds and a few more rounds
Thank you for all the information I really enjoyed watching your content. Had a hard time deciding If I should get the shield plus OR or the equalizer as my first gun. But ended up choosing the equalizer just because it already comes the 3 mags out the box, Optic ready from the factory and has the picatinny rail. The grip safety doesn't bother me when dry firing since i'm new to the scene but hopefully I can get it to the range soon for some practice
Yesh,I wished they'd com e out with after the market magazine capacity, other than that it's a great gun,but now I saw this one,I'm really excited about it an price point is great, 3 magazine an a uplula,man an optic ready an same size as the ez,I love both
I believe that the problem you were having taking the firearm apart was due to you putting pressure on the grip safety. If you attempt to remove the slide with the grip safety even partially engaged the lever gets in the way and makes it difficult if not impossible to remove the slide.
Well done. Very helpful. Looks like a good option. I have been looking at & considering a P365XL for my wife. Her grip strength isn't terrible but as she gets older we notice it is weaker/weakening. Any thoughts for comparison? Thanks
You may be having trouble taking it apart because you're touching the grip saftey. You are not supposed to touch it taking it apart or putting it together. If you are only partially touching the grip safety when taking it apart you can damage the slide or frame.
I don't have weak hands now, I might if I had a bullet hole in me though. Never know how it goes down. I could get shot and not even see it coming but still be able to draw. Who knows.
Hell yeah on this one smith an wesson, they won't be able to keep them stocked when word gets out,I do like it'll fit shield plus magazine too so you could hold more rounds,rather be on for carry or just extra rounds capacity for more time at the range.
I just got rid of my easy and picked up one of these. The fact that they're able to get a large capacity into the pistol without greatly increasing the width of the grip is a great thing. I also like the fact that it has an optic ready slide and also the easy rack feature which was what drew me to the original EZ to begin with.
Also, to come with three magazines and a maglula is great. Plus right now Smith has a rebate if you buy one of these pistols you can get three extra magazines and who doesn't like to have extra magazines?
So far I'm impressed with this and I think that Smith& Wesson did a great job at realizing there was a market for an easy to rack and easy to shoot pistol and created some fine weapons to fill that void.
It's actually a great shooting gun. This week I did a side-by-side-by-side comparison between the EZ, the Shield Plus PC, and the Equalizer. I prefer the Plus, but the Equalizer was absolutely flawless in its first 200 rounds. All in all, a great gun that will be in high demand. With 3 included mags and the UpLula, it's at a great price point. ~Susan
I want to add to this experience. I took it to the range and only used the flush 12-rounder. My pinky is only half on. Even then, it was very pleasant to shoot. I actually laughed out loud and joyfully when shooting it rapidly. It was surprisingly fun to shoot.
Although unlike you, I actually prefer it over the Plus. I did not like the Plus that much and sold it after about a month with it. My primary carry is either a G19 in cold weather or my P365XL with Mischief Machining metal grips and G10 grip panels.
The Equalizer will now be part of my carry rotation. I had so much fun with it.
And the grip safety was a non-issue. It's designed well so no matter how I try to see if I can mess it up, it still shot. And while none of my main guns have manual safeties, including my P365XL, I opted to get it for this one. I can easily turn the safety on, holster the weapon, and take it back off safety. I feel much more comfortable having this function. In addition, the location of the safety is perfect as it's an excellent thumb rest for single-hand shooting. I was able to control the recoil with that "thumb rest" even further.
Heck yeah, I want this one now,I love my es 9,this one is an awesome upgrade, I plan on getting one an putting a red dot on both,maybe have one for carry,an probably have one or take both to the rangs.
You don't need to be weak or fragile to enjoy a smooth action.
I'm in my 40's 250lbs.
No one would consider me to be weak.
Love the EZ series and in stoked for my new equalizer.
I just bought an Equalizer and it is smooth. Is it manly to have a gun that you have to fight operate?? All reviews I have seen describe the gun catering to the weak and infirmed!!
The Equalizer will sell out so fast. I absolutely love the grip safety and sigh radius.
This is Smith and Wesson’s best semi-auto 9mm for sure.
I love the new Equalizer.
I think this will be a homerun for S&W. The EZ was very close, but the capacity held me back from recommending it unless hand strength was the first concern. This is the same size as the 8rd EZ with the 13rd Magazine installed. And the familial magazine sharing with the excellent Shield Plus is also fantastic.
The grip safety looks like it was improved too. The old one kind of stayed stuck out and awkward. Great video HS!
The past couple of years my favorite carry pistol has been the 4” Shield Plus with a red dot optic. I have also developed an appreciation for the comfort of appendix carry. I am not a fan of carrying a pistol with a fully cocked striker in an appendix holster so when the Equalizer with the grip safety and thumb safety was released it addressed my concerns. I bought one recently and it shoots far more accurately than I had expected. Being used to carrying and shooting 1911s, the grip safety and thumb safety are not a concern. I have several pistols that may appear to be “better” on paper when comparing specs but I carry the Equalizer with a red dot every day. Fantastic pistol, especially for the price.
When is the performance center model coming out?
My wife is ringing steel with hers! And she loves all the safety features. She prefers the Equalizer over my Glock 19. Equalizer is a great option for a new shooter.
My brother in law loved how my ez 9mm shot at the range Saturday, so I m ay have him sold on getting the 380 or 9mm, even my sister who doesn't like guns is now considered getting one,she loves the ez line
Great review as always. Kudos to you.
EZ racking slide makes sense for adverse conditions too. Rain, cold, sweat, blood. It makes sense for most people.
Are the slides on the EZ9 and the equalizer interchangeable? Would like a short video demonstrating it.
I hope they make a 380 ACP version and a Performance Center model as well.
Or take the original ez in 380 and make it optics cut and up the mag to 10-12 rounds, it would be nice to retain the ez to load mag and low recoil round just with an rds and a few more rounds
Good for both new and experienced shooters. Now S&W need to make a Shield Plus with a rail. Good review 👍
Thank you for all the information I really enjoyed watching your content.
Had a hard time deciding If I should get the shield plus OR or the equalizer as my first gun. But ended up choosing the equalizer just because it already comes the 3 mags out the box, Optic ready from the factory and has the picatinny rail.
The grip safety doesn't bother me when dry firing since i'm new to the scene but hopefully I can get it to the range soon for some practice
great review ,i loved the ez but this with the 15+ magazine is even better
I just got me one
Yesh,I wished they'd com e out with after the market magazine capacity, other than that it's a great gun,but now I saw this one,I'm really excited about it an price point is great, 3 magazine an a uplula,man an optic ready an same size as the ez,I love both
Classy looking pistol. Definitely looking to purchase one for purse or briefcase carry.
Thanks for your review, Merry Christmas too you ⛄❄️🎄
Where did you get that little light from. TIA
I love the grip safety. Too many men acting likes girls complaining about the safety.
I believe that the problem you were having taking the firearm apart was due to you putting pressure on the grip safety. If you attempt to remove the slide with the grip safety even partially engaged the lever gets in the way and makes it difficult if not impossible to remove the slide.
How would you compare the equilizer trigger to the shield plus?
Well done. Very helpful. Looks like a good option. I have been looking at & considering a P365XL for my wife. Her grip strength isn't terrible but as she gets older we notice it is weaker/weakening. Any thoughts for comparison? Thanks
My lady just got one. Ease of slide and being hammer fired a plus. Not to mention lifetime warranty and it's heritage.
@@johnyoung4755 Thank you.
You may be having trouble taking it apart because you're touching the grip saftey. You are not supposed to touch it taking it apart or putting it together. If you are only partially touching the grip safety when taking it apart you can damage the slide or frame.
I bought an EZ a couple years ago as it was easier for the wife to rack.
This is the gun I WANTED back then.
I wonder if S&W will do trade ins.
I don't have weak hands now, I might if I had a bullet hole in me though. Never know how it goes down. I could get shot and not even see it coming but still be able to draw. Who knows.
I need one HS. :)
Hell yeah on this one smith an wesson, they won't be able to keep them stocked when word gets out,I do like it'll fit shield plus magazine too so you could hold more rounds,rather be on for carry or just extra rounds capacity for more time at the range.
Looks very close to the EZ 9. Not much different
I don't care for any firearm that has the safety at the rear of the grip like this one or any of the other s&w handguns like this.
Oh. Grip Safety? Next, please.