Smith & Wesson dropped a new pistol today, mixing the best of both worlds to unveil the aptly named Equalizer. While the name of the gun may sound a bit intimidating, it’s designed to be anything but. The newest member of an ever-growing concealed carry lineup, it sports a 15+1 capacity, but it comes with a 13 and 10-round magazine option as well, both of which are also included with purchase.
 

What Makes It Different?


S&W combined the Shield Plus grip width and magazine footprint with the popular EZ technology up top. They switched up the grip texture a bit but still kept the same width as the Shield Plus, thus allowing it to use the same mags. On the grip, it keeps the same grip safety as the EZ series, though you can also purchase options with an additional thumb safety if you’re into manual safeties. 
 

Smith & Wesson Equalizer
The Equalizer aims to blend the best of both worlds from two of S&W's best-selling pistols. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Smith & Wesson Equalizer
Note the enhanced grip texture wrapping all the way around the grip and the aggressive slide serrations, two welcome changes for this new pistol. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


The aggressive slide serrations are a welcome addition that should make gripping and racking the slide very easy to go along with the reduced spring tension. It features an internal hammer-fired system and a single-action trigger with a short take-up and clean break. The gun also comes red-dot ready with the S&W Core mounting system. Here are all the most pertinent specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10+1, 13+1, 15+1
Barrel Length: 3.675 inches
Overall Length: 6.75 inches
Width: 1.04 inches
Weight: 22.9 ounces
 

Whether you're looking for a new carry gun or just a new range companion the Equalizer is sure to be a good answer. (Photo: Smith & Wesson)


In addition to all of this, S&W is giving customers a Maglula speed loader to make trips to the range a bit more pleasant and productive. This, along with the EZ easy-rack technology, makes the Equalizer an ideal pistol for new gun owners or those with weakened hands. We caught up with John Myles, senior product manager at Smith & Wesson, to go through all the reasons why the Equalizer is the best new concealed carry option from Smith & Wesson.

"We do have an EZ firing control system in this as well. Easier trigger pull for those who have issues racking or pulling the trigger," Myles told Guns.com. Check out his full breakdown of the gun below. 

The MSRP on the Equalizer is $599. Keep your eye on Guns.com for more content on this pistol in the coming weeks and months. 
 

 

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