I found myself with some unexpected free time yesterday afternoon. So, what does one do when you have free time? You install the Apex trigger and spring kit, and extended slide release takedown plate into your SD9.
For self-education purposes I watched Apex’s tutorial video and also Sootch00’s on YouTube. Sootch’s is an HD version based on Apex’s, which is SD.
Installing the two springs in the slide took about 10 minutes. Changing out the trigger and trigger return spring, and take down plate took about another 20 – 30 minutes. Everything went smoothly according to the aforementioned tutorial videos. The only problem I had was the trigger pin that holds the locking block, return spring and slide release. The slide release spring was getting stuck between the frame and the slide release arm preventing the spring from locking into the trigger pin. When looking at it, it looked good, but the pin would not “click” into place. Once I noticed my error it clicked right in. Yay!
Function testing showed that my work was good. As instructed by Apex, I could see the sear properly engaged with the trigger bar. I also pressed down on the release tab several times as recommended. All looked good.I reassembled the pistol and dry fired several times pulling the trigger normally. I thought I would be one of the lucky ones and not have to file the back of the trigger for added relief. That was until I pulled the trigger slowly. It didn’t work every time. No good.
After double checking my work on the inside, I started filing the area on the back of the trigger, as instructed by Apex, using the small files I have for guitar work. As Apex recommended, small amounts at a time. I decided 10 strokes at a time (one down/up motion = one stroke). After each one of these processes I would check the trigger. No improvement. In fact after four or five of the filing processes it seemed to be getting worse, not better. Checked my work on the inside again. All seemed good. More filing. Apex said you may have to remove .015 to .020. Seemed like a lot to me, but I took their word and kept at it. After more filing the dry firing was definitely getting worse. I was not happy, but noticed when I pulled the trigger with my left trigger finger, which exerted a little pressure to the right the gun would fire fairly consistently. And even though I had at this point checked my work several times, I could feel in the trigger pull something akin to two smooth parts rubbing against each other, which I hadn’t noticed before. I initially attributed this to the new springs/trigger, but took the slide off one more time just to be sure. Slow trigger pulls watching the mechanism. Good. Hit the release tab several times again. Good. Looked for any foreign objects that may have found their way inside. Nothing. Turned the frame upside down and tapped it against my hand. Nothing. Inspected the function again. Looked good. Put the gun back together. Slowly pulled the trigger. Click. At this point I’m pretty sure I could hear the Hallelujah Chorus going on in the background.
The trigger pull felt smooth. It reset perfectly. In fact it reset perfectly another fifty or so times. I don’t know what I did, but the rubbing feeling I felt earlier was gone. The trigger pull was smooth and consistent. Mr. Lyman showed an average pull weight of 5-3/4 lbs. This down from the stock weight of 8-1/2 to 9 lbs. Take up was a little shorter. Reset slightly shorter. Emphasis on slightly. Was it worth the time and investment? Yes. The trigger is much better than stock. I estimate I had to file off about .010 to .012 off the specific part of the back of the trigger before finding the sweet spot, which admittedly was a frustrating process. I hope to get to the range tomorrow to live fire test this new setup. I’ll post an update after that.