Smith & Wesson Equalizer Optic Ready 9mm Pistol - Blue/Black, 3.675" Barrel, 15+

[Graybeard]

Smith & Wesson Equalizer Optic Ready 9mm Manual Safety

Capacity: Three Magazines Included. 10+1, 13+1 and 15+1

FEATURES

– Easy-to-rack slide.
– Slide cut for optics.
– Reversible magazine release
– Manual thumb safety
– Loaded chamber indicator
– Crisp, single-action trigger with tactile and audible reset
– Optimized grip texture allows the user to manage recoil, keep a firm grip and it’s comfortable when concealing
– Picatinny-style equipment rail for light or laser
– Optimal 18-degree grip angle for natural point of aim
– Disassembles without pulling the trigger
– Armornite® durable corrosion resistant finish
– Maglula UpLula® magazine speed loader included
– Easy-to-grip, deep front and rear slide serrations
– Backed by Smith & Wesson’s Lifetime Service Policy


Product Information
Finish   Blue/Black
Type   Pistol
Action   Semi-Auto
Caliber   9mm
Barrel Length   3.675
Capacity   15+1
Safety   Manual Safety
Sights   3-Dot


5 Stars
75%
4 Stars
25%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
0%
1 Star
0%
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Cheryl M on 01/06/2023
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

This is the softest racking pistol I now own. Even the grip safety is softer than my other firearms. I cannot wait to take it to the range.
Amado O on 12/23/2022
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

Very smooth trigger, easy to rack. The large serrations are very useful.
Anders S on 12/07/2022
Rating:   4 of 5 Stars!

Nice gun as a compact, but not micro compact. Slide is not difficult to operate, but does not seem as easy to me as in some videos. Shoots accurately as far as I can tell, but I have only used it to shoot cans and have not done any serious testing. My main complaints are that it sometimes ejects the casings straight into my face. Not a problem I have had with other guns. Also, while I like grip safeties in general, this one makes it tricky to disassemble the gun because you can't do it if the grip safety is at all depressed. I like thumb safeties and on this gun, it is very helpful if you are wearing gloves.
Darras D on 11/24/2022
Rating:   5 of 5 Stars!

This Smith & Wesson Equalizer is an extension and refinement of the wonderful Smith and Wesson EZ series. I’m surprised they didn’t mark it as an EZ. It’s compact and fits in my 380 EZ Kydex holster. It’s as easy or easier to rack the slide as the 9EZ and considerably easier than the M2.0 compact I have. It holds 10+1 rounds in the flush mag and comes with a 13 and 15 round mag, three mags in the box. It has the various grip replacement panels to size the grip to your hand.

The small panel is similar in size to the 43X handle but the Smith had the preferred grip angle and not the Luger style grip of the other. I have smaller hands and I love the out of the box sizing. Shooting it is really a dream. With the single action internal hammer, the trigger is very smooth and crisp and a delight.

The design really does mitigate recoil from the 9mm round. It’s very soft shooting. I’ve shot S&W products for over 45 years and this is one of the best they’ve put out. I’m honestly surprised how well I can shoot this gun.

At 70, there’s several things different than shooting at age 35. I was afraid I would be permanently relegated to the 380 pistols, 380EZ and P238. This gun means I can still carry and operate a 9mm for the time being. I still shoot a police qualification course annually to meet the needs of LEOSA. Shot the Oklahoma CLEET course two days ago with this gun. It’s a challenging course and I shot 100%. If you’re looking to up your EDC game due to what’s going with crime in our country, this is a perfect fit. I highly recommend making the switch.

[Graybeard]

This is the new S&W pistol I mentioned a few days ago. I've seen NOTHING on it in magazines or online. I picked this up from Bud's website and it is the most I've seen or heard on it so far.

I've been wondering if it's just another full size S&W M&P but from the reviews above it would seem not. It appears to be same size as the S&W M&P EZ which is what I currently carry but with larger capacity magazines similar to the S&W M&P Plus which I've been wanting to change to but I still can't come up with a holster for. I have the gun but I only have one holster that actually fits sit and the others I have that are SUPPOSED to fit don't.

Anyone have any additional info on this?

[Dee]

Sounds good. I'm just getting used to this Sig, and as far as holsters,  I make my own.

[Graybeard]

Got this from S&W site:



Product Features
THE NEW SMITH & WESSON® EQUALIZER™

Level the playing field with our best-performing micro-compact to date. Next-gen EZ technology, low recoil impulse, and versatile magazine capacity all in a compact footprint, make the EQUALIZER™ an ultimate CCW. This 9MM offering provides the perfect balance of power and capacity across 10, 13, and 15-round magazines. The EQUALIZER™ features a single-action trigger that allows for a short take-up, clean break, and fast reset to make follow-up shots quicker. The slide operates using easy-to-rack technology to cater to a wide variety of needs and the frame includes a picatinny-style rail to mount lights or lasers for any defense scenario. A new optic cut pattern allows the user to mount their choice of sight for enhanced accuracy and the 3.675” barrel gives a longer sight radius for increased iron sight precision. The EQUALIZER™ also features a new grip texture and pattern designed to give you more control when firing and more comfort when carrying.



• Easy-to-rack slide
• Slide cut for optics
• Reversible magazine release
• No manual thumb safety
• Loaded chamber indicator
• Crisp, single-action trigger with tactile and audible reset
• Optimized grip texture allows the user to manage recoil, keep a firm grip and it’s comfortable when concealing
• Picatinny-style equipment rail for light or laser
• Optimal 18-degree grip angle for natural point of aim
• Disassembles without pulling the trigger
• Armornite® durable corrosion resistant finish
• Maglula UpLula® magazine speed loader included
• Easy-to-grip, deep front and rear slide serrations
• Ships with (3) Magazines: 10, 13, and 15 Round

Specs
SKU 13592
Model S&W® EQUALIZER™ NTS
Caliber 9mm Luger
Capacity 10+1, 13+1, 15+1
Length 6.75
Front Sight White Dot
Rear Sight White 2-Dot
Action Internal Hammer Fired
Grip Polymer
Barrel Material Stainless Steel with Armornite® Finish
Slide Material Stainless Steel with Armornite® Finish
Frame Finish Matte Black
Barrel Length 3.675" (9.3 cm)
Weight 22.9 oz.
State Compliance

Link to spec sheet:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/sites/default/files/spec-sheets/13592_Equalizer_NTS_specsheet.pdf

[Dee]

I don't think I'd like the two safeties.

[Graybeard]

Only one safety the grip safety. It has no thumb safety. See photo. Can also be had with thumb safety tho for those who feel the need. I'm amazed at the number of folks who think a mechanical thumb safety makes you and the gun safer. I'm not one of those folks. Gun safety resides between the ears of the person carrying the gun.

I have the same grip safety on my 9mm EZ that I carry and so far at least I've had zero issues with it. If I have a grip on the gun that safety is off and the gun fires.

[Dee]

Mistook the red by what I guess is the slide stop as a thumb safety.

[Graybeard]

Dunno why that red is there. Here is a photo of the one with the thumb safety:

[Dee]

Looking at it closely, I think the red is the magazine follower. The pistol looks good, but I'm starting to like this Sig better the more I shoot it.

I had a couple a Shields in 40, and both shot good.

[Lloyd Smale]

love my sheilds. I have 4 of them. This is interesting. One thing i dont like is a grip saftey. Shouldnt be on a self defense gun you have to used in chaotic situation. Guess you could disable it. I like the fact it has no safety and like the capacity. Dont much care if the slide is easy to rack. I think id prefer the shield plus over this. Bottom line is like i said i already have shields and lcps, lcps and my favorite little 9 the 43. If i want high capacity theres a glock 26 27 29 and 30 in the safe and those guns have been combat proven. Make mine the 30. There really not that harder to conceal then a little gun. Truth be told im not that concerned about printing anyway. Isnt like im going into Bloomingdales in nyc.

That said if i didnt have a carry gun id still probably pass this one because of the grip safety and get a sheild plus. Thought about taking two of my shields to the gun dealer and swapping them on a plus but i have like a dozen mags for them and there not cheap and id never get my money back out of them. Ive also got a number of different holsters for them.  I keep a 9mm shield in all three of my vehicles with 4 mags and an iwb and owb holster. That way i always have a gun and choices how to carry it if i dont put one on in the morning. If i put one on  in the morning its usually my shield 45 or my glock 30. On rare occasions my 43. My buddy has a shield plus the lc9 plus (or whatever they call it) a hellcat and the sig that dee has. Out of all of they he said hed take the sig hands down. Said it just feels the best in the hand (hes got big hands like me) and its dead reliable and the most accurate of the bunch (if that really matters at combat ranges) I like my M&Ps and my shields but truth  be told if shtf and i had to grab a gun or two theyd stay home and id have a couple glocks with me. Are they any better? Maybe not but they make me feel more secure

I have one more concern and maybe im just paranoid but ive always been skeptical when it comes to easy rack slide guns. Back in my days shooting comp with 1911s i used light springs for target loads. Usually a 12lb spring. What would happen is if the gun got dirty the gun would choke. ammo wouldnt go into battery. If you ran full power ammo it beat the hell out of your gun. I know if i was carrying one it would be well oiled and squeaky clean and id be changing out springs often. I guess most of them are bought and test fired with maybe a couple mags and might not ever get shot again or if so rarely. If im wrong id like to know how smith and others got around this.

[Graybeard]

I have the original Shield, Shield EZ and Shield Plus.

For now still carrying the EZ cuz none of my holsters properly fit the Plus except an old IWB leather holster which fits perfectly. None of my plastic paddle holsters fit properly even tho they are supposedly made for it.

If I ever fit a properly fitting OWB holster I like I plan to carry the Plus. I've tested it and is reliable tho I sure can't force all 13 rounds into those 13 round mags I have for it. That's one reason I was thinking this new one might be good. It is easy to load all rounds into the EZ mags. They have tabs like .22LR mags to help so it's easy to get all rounds into them. They just don't hold enough, only 8 rounds.

I like the EZ and have no issues with that grip safety. So far in all  my shooting with it, the safety has not been a problem, all rounds have fired.

BTW to me that slide isn't really easier to operate but the magazine sure is easier to load. I really don't have enough left hand strength anymore to operate slides on anything but rimfires. I have to change hands, hold gun in left hand and use right hand to function the slide. My left is becoming useless to me. I can't even put on a button up shirt by myself anymore. I wear pull overs almost exclusively for that reason.

[Lloyd Smale]

I sure cant argue that sheild mags are a pain in the ass to load. I can get the last one in but even for me its a struggle and loading 5 or 6 mags for the range would be about impossible without a maglula. they make it a breeze to load any pistol mag. Even stuffing the last round in a glock is a bugger. But not as bad as a shield. I dont know if ets makes a mag for a shield. Ive got them for glocks 19s and one for my 43. i dont use them for carry. Ill only use a glock mag for that but for the range there great. MUCH easier to load. 

I have the original Shield, Shield EZ and Shield Plus.

For now still carrying the EZ cuz none of my holsters properly fit the Plus except an old IWB leather holster which fits perfectly. None of my plastic paddle holsters fit properly even tho they are supposedly made for it.

If I ever fit a properly fitting OWB holster I like I plan to carry the Plus. I've tested it and is reliable tho I sure can't force all 13 rounds into those 13 round mags I have for it. That's one reason I was thinking this new one might be good. It is easy to load all rounds into the EZ mags. They have tabs like .22LR mags to help so it's easy to get all rounds into them. They just don't hold enough, only 8 rounds.

I like the EZ and have no issues with that grip safety. So far in all  my shooting with it, the safety has not been a problem, all rounds have fired.

BTW to me that slide isn't really easier to operate but the magazine sure is easier to load. I really don't have enough left hand strength anymore to operate slides on anything but rimfires. I have to change hands, hold gun in left hand and use right hand to function the slide. My left is becoming useless to me. I can't even put on a button up shirt by myself anymore. I wear pull overs almost exclusively for that reason.

[Lloyd Smale]

here you go bill   https://themagshack.com/shop/pistol-magazines/9mm/ets-group-smith-wesson-mp-shield-9mm-7-round-magazine/  might want to try one before you buy more then that.

[Graybeard]

Shield mags don't work in either the Shield Plus nor the EZ. I stopped carrying my regular Shield a very long time ago. Like you I have far too many magazines for it and can never get my money back so haven't sold or traded it but that original Shield is excess to my needs.

I'd buy an easier to load mag for the Shield Plus in 13 round capacity tho. I've tried using a loader made specifically for the Shield Plus and I can't get any rounds loaded with it, not even the first few easy to load ones.

[Lloyd Smale]

bill that easy load mag i posted the link for is the single stacked shield. Figured maybe you shoot it if you could load it. Have you tried a maglula mag loader. I love the things. Cool thing is you only need one and it will work on just about any pistol mag. Another thing i do with mags like shields and glocks that are tough to get the last one in is get it loaded all the way and let them sit loaded. After a year or so they seem to load a bit easier. That said even mag in the house is loaded. If i have to grab one i sure dont want to accidently get an empty one. Its like a gun. every gun in my house except for 22s and deer rifles are loaded and have one in the chamber. Even the ones in the safes.

[oldandslow]

I just can't get the warm fuzzies for another striker fired little gun. I think the M&P is the best full sized striker fired offering made today but I am just tired of all the different brands that are basically alike and the differences are measured in 1/32nd of inches. I had the Sig P365 XL and it was pretty good but I passed it on to my daughter. I am currently small gunless and don't really see anything of interest. If the S&W GSX had been DA/SA I might have perked up to it.