I have not but check out the Smith and Wesson Shield compact great review and can find them cheaper than the equalizer I have one ,nice little gun

 

The Shield is harder to rack, and may be a little snappier. I would not give it to my wife.

FWIW, I carry a Shield 70%-80% of the time.

The wife has a small-frame, steel, 4" .357 loaded with .38 Special wadcutters, "Keith-style" lead, or Hornady reduced-recoil (pink plug). She has arthritis and a bunch of other issues. There's a Beretta Tomcat if she needs something smaller. Way better than a sharp stick.

Have to get past the dogs before the wife needs to worry about much.

 

What's wrong with a revolver ? My winter pocket coat gun ....first 2 never needs to leave the coat pocket then out it comes for direct placement
Granted speaking close point blank range
They function .....38+p hp
Hammerless bodyguard small and lightweight

 

I bought a S&W .380 EZ about five years ago and I can rack it with two fingers. It was more for my wife to use if there were some rogue possums or meth-addicted muskrats trying to break in while I wasn't here.

 

I’ve shot a few, easy racking. Not being into the new generation stuff can’t remark on dependability or durability.

 

If she is having issues with a revolver your best bet (IMHO) would be a Beretta Tomcat or something along those lines.

 

Have you tried a Wolff trigger action spring kit? If you are capable of doing it yourself you be surprised how can turn a Smith revolver into a smooth action.

 

Her smith revolver pain is from the recoil way more than the trigger. It’s getting to the point that practicing isn’t any fun for her. I found a heck of a price on the 9 equalizer. Much cheaper than the shield. Was hoping someone had the pistol. Another option is to just have her practice with a smith .22 mag revolver I have and then carry the .38 daily. If something bad did happen I’m sure the recoil wouldn’t be noticeable. Thanks for the replies.

 

There is also the Shield EZ

Made specifically for folks with limited hand strength.

 

Why not just carry a 22 mag? An already devastating round and virtually 0 recoil. Put a few of them into an active threat at self defense ranges it's going to stop them.

 

Definitely will ruin a bad guy's whole week

 

I'm glad that I read this. My wife and I walk in a couple of municipal parks here and there are times that it's only she and I and a questionable character or two. I've never carried a handgun but as we talked this morning I stated seriously that I'm thinking about doing so. The world has changed and though I can't do anything about it, I still have to live in it and I'm just too cantankerous to live in fear or intimidation.

 

I'm glad that I read this. My wife and I walk in a couple of municipal parks here and there are times that it's only she and I and a questionable character or two. I've never carried a handgun but as we talked this morning I stated seriously thinking about doing so. The world has changed and though I can't do anything about it, I still have to live in it and I'm just to cantankerous to live in fear or intimidation.

Times are changing and is not getting any better. wife and I were walking our lab in the LCMP which I do every week and some POS came up and asked if we could take him somewhere and bring him back. I laughed. Told him you got 5 secs before I speed dial a ranger buddy to come and have to call coroner van. Never seen him again.

 

My brother carries the S&W 22Mag so they will do well with proper shot placement. If you shooting 38+P then they are quite a bit more recoil over the standard 38. As for the 9 Equalizer have seen a few and they are not too bad but the whole idea is to rack the slide easer but not reduce recoil. 115/124 JHP will recoil more so over the 147 gr. 9mm short barrel ammo. If you want to mitigate recoil a heavier gun is the key along with right ammo. All modern ammunition have really came a long way.

 

I carry all the time except to work. We live in crazy world. We have two compact 9mm . Glock 43 and Ruger lc9 . Also 380 Ruger lcp they all preform well.

 

My wife was having problems with the recoil and mostly working the slide on most 9mm. She tried my ec9 and a couple others at a gun shop. Salesman had her try a Springfield 911 380. She could easily work the slide. It's a nice small frame that's easy to carry. Best of all she likes to shoot it.

 

My normal carry gun is a sig 380sl....dang thing shoots great and a little snappy, I can feel it in my palm, kick ....a holes is a hole placement is everything
Haven't tried the sig 365 -9mm compact yet

 

Ive carried the Sig 365 for the past couple years. Love it. Shoots great, concealable, even has both 10 and 12 rd mags

 

You could look into a compensator to reduce recoil.

 

Bought shield EZ for my better half in .380 as she has tough time gripping the slide and spring tensions. I liked it so much I bought a 9mm for myself. The .380 does rack easier than the 9mm. Was told that the .380 EZ is easiest racking pistol out there.

 

.

 

I worked on construction around Cleveland back in 80s. This was before any CCW laws in Ohio. I carried on the job and off. Today if I was to go into those neighborhoods I would want something belt fed. The guy that drove the tool van would make it backfire. Even back then Clevelandnites had the “hit the dirt” reflex to sudden loud noises. He got his jollies making people hit the dirt. Once he did it to a crew that were finishing concrete in front of a business. They got some overtime that day.

 

I own the M&P 9 2.0 compact and is very concealable. I don't CC much (I need to more), but mostly have it if going to questionable parts of town, out at a late hour, while hunting and while walking my dog. I've had to shoot at coyotes thinking my Scottish terrier would be an easy snack. It's got a snap to it.

 

Mama Santas on the Hill is still outstanding. And thanks

 

Stinking cops 😂. Retired Greene County

 

I use an ankle holster, velcro closure and carry a Ruger ec9, small er than my shield, bigger than the lcp. I like the ankle holster when not wearing a coat and too big a gun carried anywhere is a pain and heavy. Only downside is reaching down for it but if you hear trouble and get down you are right next to it.

 

I wear sweats or shorts so ankle carrying is out. With a LCP I can wear cargo shorts and have a place for it if I decide to take it with me.

 

I like carrying the LCP but do not like shooting it, you really have to hang on to it being so small and it kicks around.

 

My buddy go the S&W Bodyguard 380 for his wife. He said he was surprised how little recoil it had and it's crazy small in size. He really likes it.

 

Ankle Holster ?? at my age and health if I bent down I would never get back up I suppose that could be used at a advantage The threat would take one look at that and belly laugh

I carry a ISW Holster and a Large 9 mm they don't laugh LOL

 

Ruger lcp2 max 380, female wife unit loves it, she's happy, can shoot better than most, has a piece of mind that if something goes wrong outside, good to go.

 

Okay guys…this thread has derailed to just about everything but what the OP is inquiring about.
Which is the S&W Equalizer.
Can we please get back on topic?
Thanks!!!