The Smith & Wesson Equalizer is the Shield EZ's easy-racking slide and grip safety in a slimmer, higher-capacity 9mm with a 3.675-inch barrel and an optics-ready slide. It was built for people who found other carry guns hard to operate, and it has found a much wider audience than that. Holster support lagged the gun. We stock an IWB holster molded to the Equalizer, and this guide covers it and how to carry the gun.
Quick specs: S&W Equalizer IWB holster
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fits | Smith & Wesson Equalizer |
| Type | Inside the waistband |
| Carry positions | Appendix, strong side, hip, back, cross draw |
| Cant | User adjustable, -5° to +20° |
| Retention | Adjustable Posi-Click |
| Clip | 1.5" fiber-reinforced stealth belt clip |
| Claw | Compatible |
| Material | .08" kydex |
| Hand | Right or left |
| Warranty | Unconditional lifetime |
| Price | $41.95 |
Holstering the Equalizer
Two things set the Equalizer apart for a holster maker. The grip safety on the backstrap means the gun has to sit in the holster without anything pressing that lever, and the mold has to be cut for it. And the slide is optics-ready, so the holster must clear a dot and suppressor-height sights. The holster below is formed on an Equalizer-specific aluminum mold and handles both.
The holster, reviewed
Smith & Wesson Equalizer IWB Holster
Formed over a CAD-designed, in-house-milled aluminum mold in .08-inch kydex. Adjustable Posi-Click retention with an audible click, a 1.5-inch fiber-reinforced stealth belt clip adjustable from 5 degrees negative to 20 degrees forward cant, claw-compatible for appendix carry, undercut trigger guard for a clean draw, over-cut open muzzle for threaded barrels, clearance for suppressor-height sights, and a full-length sweat guard with a rear sight shield. Black oxide hardware with threadlock, right or left hand, black or carbon-fiber pattern. Made entirely in the U.S.A. on American-made machinery, unconditional lifetime warranty.
How to carry the Equalizer
Appendix
The Equalizer's slim frame carries well at appendix with the clip near neutral. The grip is tall for its width, so a claw helps; the holster is set up for one.
Strong side
Ten to twenty degrees of forward cant at 3 or 4 o'clock. The most comfortable position for longer barrels when sitting.
Optics
The holster clears a slide-mounted red dot and suppressor-height sights.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Shield EZ holster fit the Equalizer?
No. The Equalizer's slide and frame are different. Use an Equalizer-specific mold.
Is the holster optic-ready?
Yes.
Does the holster work with the grip safety?
Yes. It is molded to the Equalizer, so nothing in the holster presses the grip safety.
Can I add a claw?
Yes, it is claw-compatible.
Left-hand version?
Yes.
The bottom line
The Equalizer IWB holster is molded to the gun, clears the optic, respects the grip safety, adjusts every way that matters, and is warranted for life.
Related reading
Best holsters for the S&W Shield EZ
What makes a good concealed carry holster
Concealed carry clip holsters explained
