One Smith & Wesson is Obsolete: M&P Equalizer vs M&P Shield EZ

[@carlmontney7916]

When I saw the equalizer with the larger round capacity optics ready and three mags included plus the EZ rack slide which I need and the inclusion of an UpLULA. The decision was a no-brainer for me. I took my EZ 9 and traded it in on the Equalizer. Added bonus was the rebate at that time was three extra mags. Which they sent and were all 15 round mags. You can't beat that. For my hand size I find the grip of the equalizer to be just enough different from the EZ that it takes a little bit for me to readjust my grip. But not so much as to make it difficult to shoot. I find I prefer the 13 round magazine because it gives me a little bit more length and I can get my little finger around it I can shoot it okay with the 10 round but I don't like my little finger hanging out into space. For an optic I went with a lesser expensive option using the Veridian RFX11 just to see if I could adjust to using an optic. At age 72 with some vision issues I'm not sure that's going to be a good option for me iron sights may actually work better only time will tell. So far I'm happy with my decision.

[@nicholasrodriguez1166]

Which holster do you carry with?

[@lizzapaolia959]

Great review 😁. My husband just purchased the Equalizer for $ 447.00. It's a nice firearm in our view. Thanks again for your great videos 👌🙏

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you.

[@HalfCrazy520]

My wife carries the 9EZ and she has fired many thousands of rounds through it. Hers is custom Cerakoted and definitely one of a kind. We checked out the Equalizer at Bud's when we were in Tennessee, and I asked her if she wanted to upgrade. She said, "Absolutely not". She loves her EZ, she is surgical with it, and the grip safety makes me feel better about her carrying in a belly-band. Maybe I can talk her into trading her Beretta for an Equalizer (she hates her Beretta).

[@veteranredbeard6222]

I used to own both. The EZ stayed at home and had literally no use, so I sold it. Now I carry my equalizer and Glock.

[@jeffmcclendon3835]

I own the Shield EZ 9mm. I owned the Shield M&P 1.0 9mm. I owned the Shield Plus 9mm. I have had a chance to try out the Equalizer. I have used Uplulas since they were released. I am 67 years old, very fit and perfectly capable of loading any magazine. There is no comparison between loading the Shield EZ 9mm magazine and the Shield Plus/Equalizer magazine. The Shield EZ 9mm single stack mag with loading tabs is ridiculously easy to load for anyone. You can sugar coat it all you want. We are talking apples to oranges....... It is similar with the original single stack Shield 1.0 versus the Shield Plus mags even though the 1.0 mags don't have loading tabs. Galloway and others make optics plates for the Shield EZ models that slide into the rear site dovetail. I like the grip better on the Shield EZ 9mm just like I prefer the grip shape and angle of the Shield 1.0 compared to the Shield Plus. I enjoyed shooting the Equalizer. When the price comes down some, I may buy one. Otherwise, the Shield EZ 9mm for me anyway is like a super easy to operate and shoot 2011 in 9mm besides being great for people with less hand strength. Just my opinions.

[@semlohde1]

Agree. I have the Shield 40 and got the Shield plus 9mm that I carry. My osteoarthritis at 74 is surprisingly painful and the EZ I bought is so nice to load and rack. But I'm not dumping another $550 or so when the EZ is just fine. If someone is still there after 8 rounds, I'm in deep dookie and better load that 2nd mag.

[@andrewjordan4642]

I love the Equalizer name... it's like a Superhero

[@normbeauchamp7224]

The equalizer for the win. The name doesn't bother me at all.

[@EatTheMarxists]

I have a permanently bent right ring finger that’s stuck at a ninety degree angle, and yes it’s absolutely weakened my hand. While I have always just managed with different handguns like my Ruger P345, Santa brought me the S&W Equalizer because I had been a Very Good Boy all year and I love it. I’ve always been a .45acp guy so this is my first 9mm, and it’s great. Virtually no recoil, crisp trigger, and it’s ridiculously easy to manipulate the slide. The three included mags are quite nice and I just picked up a fourth the other day. I can see why some people don’t like the grip safety - if you and a Bad Guy were tussling for control of your handgun you couldn’t squeeze off a round unless your hand was on the grip properly enough to engage the grip safety, but that doesn’t concern me any. I really like the Equalizer - the name might be a little silly, but it’s a great handgun.

[@Kayman1963]

I want to comment that this is one of the better, more thorough, easy to follow gun videos I have seen. Great Job and I hope you put out more of this quality. The second comment is I believe sometimes there can be a stigma if you have hand issues, you’re old or maybe you’re weak (let’s be honest it’s mostly guys that think like this) If you were an athlete, especially doing sports like football with hand fighting in the trenches or you did martial arts with constantly punching bags or getting your hands smashed in judo or jiu-jitsu you could have hand issues from repetitive injuries. Don’t let your pride hold you back from enjoying shooting sports. Last comment I’ve heard many people say they don’t like the grip safety, thinking it won’t work. The grip safety has been on the 1911 guns since the 1800s and it is considered one of the most iconic styles out there. I’ve tried grip safeties on Smith & Wesson and Springfield compacts and as the poster said the lightest possible grip you can hold the gun with depresses the grip safety. The extra safety this brings into play when you’re carrying the gun in public can’t be overstated. I hate manual safeties for in the heat of a real confrontation despite how much you’ve trained you may not click it off. Also, if you have an impairment with your hands, it may make it more difficult to click off the safety, which I’ve always found to be in an awkward area on to reach on my shield. The grip safety provides the important safety element without interfering with using the weapon if/when needed. Great video and I compliment the poster for his thoroughness and easy presentation..

[@tulioalopez]

Just got my Equalizer, Thank you for the video.

[@TheLegoJoker]

Totally agree. Almost no reason to buy the 9mm Shield EZ. I’m not a fan of the name either, but that wouldn’t stop me from making the sensible choice if this were the direction I was going with my carry guns.

[@soulseeker42388]

Equalizer is a better name then yeet cannon. From hi point

[@romans6two338]

True@@soulseeker42388

[@mr.independent3501]

These are great guns for those who have hand comprising issues

[@ihavenoaffinity]

I think a case can still be made for the 30SC version of the EZ, since you end up with a 10-round capacity anyway. And the 380 version of the gun will still have less recoil and be more controllable to a less experienced shooter. It was a great idea for them to go with Shield Plus mag compatibility with the Equalizer though.

[@gregnavarra7062]

Another great comparison/review !

[@REDonFIRE]

Ugh why did they get rid of the easy loading slide?!?! 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@plowhand5591]

Like your excellent review. Subscribed. 👍✝

[@kevinmccarey5015]

Hello to you Mr Hammer, I absolutely agree with you. When I looked hard and long at this new firearm I said the exact thing you reported. (3) magazine’s , optic ready , a mag loader ect, a lot for your money here. I don’t care for the over all look of this Equalizer bigger serrations ect, but a lot of gun for your buck. Looking forward to S and W any new 380 model. Be well

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you.

[@608_diesel]

Just traded my Glock 48 in for a S&W Equalizer. Loving it so far, feels much more natural in the hand than the Glock did, at least for me. Like the extra included magazines, deep slide cuts, soft recoil spring and optics ready slide.

[@carpingnyland8518]

In a state with mag limits, like NY, the advantage of the Equalizer is reduced, especially if you can go with .30 Super Carry. In 9mm or .380, you're only talking 10+1 vs. 8+1. An advantage, for sure, but much less of one. In .30 SC, the E-Z gets 10+1, too (I don't know if they'll ever come out with an Equalizer in .30 SC, but obviously it would still be 10+1 in NY.) If you don't need/want to mount an optic, there isn't much benefit. Not that it means much, but for some reason, I like the looks of the E-Z more. I do wish that they would release a PC version of the .30 SC E-Z.

[@DesertAZ]

Great comparison review as usual. Do you think they will make a 380 acp Equilizer?

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you - I am not aware of immediate plans but I suspect they will as .380s are becoming popular again.

[@duaneridings6591]

NDZ Performance sells a performance grip safety $40 and you can't even feel it's there I put one on my EZ and when I get my equalizer I'm putting one on it too

[@fredfred3624]

looked seriously at both but finally decided on Equalizer because of the magazine capacity

[@tinkerman9434]

I've never let ammo capacity of a firearm judge whether I'd get it. I just carry more mags. If u practice it only talk .5 seconds to change out.

[@blackmagic8115]

I get finger bites from the Equalizer trigger, which seems pretty common. Is there any solution to this problem?

[@briancaine9130]

Great video. Why does this and EZ have grip safety but other hammer fired models don’t?

[@edwardcotter7096]

Because it is a single-action firearm. The internal hammer is cocked when a round is loaded. With the grip safety and thumb safety, it is much like a 1911 in that respect. Many hammer-fired models are double action or double-single and have less need for safeties.

[@briancaine9130]

@@edwardcotter7096 thank you.

[@claywynn4507]

Where is the pop-up flag for round-in-the-chamber indication on the EQUALIZER?

[@scottcampbell1611]

I’ll stick with my EZ 380 and EZ 9, in my 70,s arthritis has crippled my hands, I can still rack em.

[@mr.k5687]

Are the barrels the same?

[@lamarl9978]

Ever body makes much ado about compromised hand strength. I think it's about comfort.

[@blackmagic8115]

I’m almost 77 and arthritis is getting into my hands pretty bad. The Equalizer (bad name) makes racking the slide much easier, even when using the “special methods” which you can see in videos.

[@tinkerman9434]

Can the slids be swapped out with each other?

[@chltmdwp]

I never liked EZ due to the magazine capacity. Equalize is my first SW gun.

[@TheGizmoGarage]

Looks almost the same besides a different cut slide.

[@tomnelson5476]

I recently bought the 9ez as my mini Glock 40 cal was just to much anymore. I looked at a lot of 9mm's and so many felt like toys, no weight at all as they are made out of tin foil or something. lol I tried the EZ and I liked the weight and balance.. It felt like a gun. I bought it and it's an incredibly good weapon. Being a cop for over 25 years, I know that if you don't hit your target in those 8 rounds, your probably toast..lol (I always carry an extra mag or two, anyway) Also, the mag just slides out when the release is pushed. The only draw back to me is you have to pull back on the slide to rack the first round in instead of using your thumb to pull down on the slide release button. To be honest, if I had known that I probably would have looked at something else. It's a slide lock, not a release...I knew nothing of the equalizer but I'm sure it's the same. Over all, I got used to pulling the slide back. No buyers remorse, here. Great video...

[@HammerStriker]

Thank you.

[@natwolf687]

To be fair, if you train to chamber a round by pulling back the slide, you've just loaded every semi-auto ever.

[@tomnelson5476]

@@natwolf687 I trained on Glocks for 15 years on the job and another 15 after I retired. We pop the mag in, hit the slide release and we are ready to go. I wasn't used to the manual pull back on the slide to chamber the first round.. I got used to it but prefer to use the release. Oh well, can't have everything..LOL Have a great day, brother..

[@mdubb4855]

​@@tomnelson5476it's also impossible to fail to chamber due to riding the slide, if you use the slide release.

[@brucebradley6866]

A painters sponge will smooth the leading edge of the slide lock, making it release very easily. Just a very small sanding does miracles

[@davesmith3892]

I did not know Smith & Wesson has a recall on some EZ's

[@red9man2130]

I,m in Ocala. Where are You guys in Florida? I,m thinking of coming to see You.

[@HammerStriker]

We only do reviews. We don't have a storefront or any public facility.

[@Shadow__133]

That's not at all creepy... 😂

[@markcunningham6086]

Does a kydex holster style for your 380 also fit your Equalizer? The top of both are very close in looks on the vid.

[@marksprague1280]

I discovered that holsters for a Glock 19 are an almost perfect fit for an Equalizer.

[@donovanblair176]

I fucking love my Equalizer

[@marksprague1280]

Both are good range guns. However the design of the grip safety makes them unsuitable for an everyday carry gun. Unlike the 1911 that I've carried for 20 years, the slightest misplacement of the hand on the grip or anything less than a death squeeze with the thumb means that the gun won't fire. That's unacceptable.

[@thedustyengineer]

If only the equalizer slide wasn't so disgusting to look at

[@marksprague1280]

If you're staring at the side of the slide, you're not watching your front sight. Besides which, if you ever have use the gun for self defense, your attacker won't be critiquing its esthetic value.

[@thedustyengineer]

@@marksprague1280 obviously function is more important than form, but even 100 years ago people carried pearl and ivory handled revolvers, including notable men like General Patton. It’s not unreasonable to want a gun that looks good and functions well.

[@mdubb4855]

You just saved me a buying mistake.

[@tileman108]

its not just the name,its that they had to plaster it, a half inch deep across the the length of the slide. and why not offer it with 18 rounds of super carry? I mean is smith just going to abandon the caliber after going though the time and expense of developing it ???

[@mikedgg2]

Equalizer for me

[@expykanmuri]

I feel they should've called the Equalizer the Shield Plus EZ. That way it would've been known as part of the Shield and EZ families. I still like my EZ.

[@theumpteenthtime8854]

I think they tried to differentiate the M&P line from the civilian market with this one. Also, the mags don't fit with the EZ marketing, though almost everything else does.

[@expykanmuri]

@@theumpteenthtime8854 True though I feel EZ is more on the slide than the magazine but I get it. It's just a stupid name... lol...

[@theumpteenthtime8854]

@vangm94 It's all in marketing. The EZ road the M&P coattails, and now the Equalizer is dividing their lines. M&P for their premium line, Equalizer starts the civilian line, and the SD*VE maintains the budget. All fine firearms, but for different markets.

[@lustejon]

I agree. Beretta Cheetah it is.

[@natwolf687]

What are you going on about?

[@JohnDoe-i3q]

Im a .45 guy so it's the .45 🛡️

[@johnsilver7150]

I wouldn't buy because of grip safety. 1911 ok. Plastic grip safety is notchy.

[@clutchcargo1239]

The Equalizer's trigger pinches/bites my finger. The Performance Center 9mm EZ's grip safety sticks out too far when compressed, creating a hot spot in my palm. The 9 plus is the best choice for me. Inspite of it's inferior trigger design, I also think the CSX is a better shooter than EZ or Equalizer. Anything that is billed to be easier to shoot, shouldn't cause me pain.

[@beauhancock4922]

The Equalizer is its own line (technically). Notice it does not say M&P on the slide of the Equalizer. Because It's not an M&P. The Equalizer is an amalgamation of M&P, Performance Center, and load of legacy armaments S&W has made or experimented with in the past. It's appropriately named, go try one and you'll see. The day the Equalizer makes the EZ obsolete is the day they decide to chamber the equalizer in .380 acp or .30 super carry. Then the EZ will be simply put, unnecessary.

[@rossiilcapo]

Obsolete !!!!

[@LUVDOGS1954]

These minutiae comparisons are boring.