Apex Parts Question

[howard829]

On my new M&P 9 FS I have the "gritty trigger" most talk about on here. I'm so new to this that I really don't know what some of the components actually do. Not sure exactly what to replace but I could start out with the Apex USB. I've had my LGS take it down and check/smooth the bore area out but still have somewhat of the gritty feel. Maybe that will go away in time? What would replacing the "hard sear" do? Not using the pistol to carry or any competition so replacing springs etc. doesn't make sense unless it's related to the gritty feel. I've seen Bob's videos about this and believe just replacing the striker block might do the trick. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Howard

[Jasonm43]

My opinion buy the apex duty carry kit and never look back
I have it in my 9c and shield 9 without a Doubt the best upgrade
I feel however with the 9 c the kit it a bit to light for my liking for carry
I'm one of them safety lovers and the C don't have the thumb
The shield however great kit! Love it

[scattershot]

I just bought the carry kit for my .45c. I don't plan to replace the springs, as I understand that the factory springs allow a lighter trigger when you replace the other parts, but the price is pretty close whether you buy the kit or the USB and sear separately.

I think the "gritty" trigger is due to the USB being a little rough, and I understand the Apex part will fix it.

Oddly enough, my .40c has a pretty good trigger.

[ColumbusJBR]

Originally Posted by howard829

On my new M&P 9 FS I have the "gritty trigger" most talk about on here. I'm so new to this that I really don't know what some of the components actually do. Not sure exactly what to replace but I could start out with the Apex USB. I've had my LGS take it down and check/smooth the bore area out but still have somewhat of the gritty feel. Maybe that will go away in time? What would replacing the "hard sear" do? Not using the pistol to carry or any competition so replacing springs etc. doesn't make sense unless it's related to the gritty feel. I've seen Bob's videos about this and believe just replacing the striker block might do the trick. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Howard

If you simply want to get rid of the gritty trigger, the USB alone will do that. I installed that first as part of my DCAEK on my FS .45, and after the USB the pull was smooth as glass.
Installation of the USB is very simple provided you have a vice and some punches

[Hillbilly77]

Originally Posted by howard829

On my new M&P 9 FS I have the "gritty trigger"...
Not sure exactly what to replace but I could start out with the Apex USB.

What would replacing the "hard sear" do?

The gritty feeling comes from the striker block. The Apex USB will fix that.

The Apex Hard Sear makes the trigger pull lighter and improves the trigger reset. *Note - S&W has updated the OE sear to fix the "vague reset" complaint, but the Apex sear does still lighten the trigger considerably.

If you change the sear, while the gun is apart, some 2000 grit sandpaper can smooth out the contact surfaces on the trigger transfer bar where it contacts the sear & the striker block.
Remember - you're not sanding! You're polishing.

[howard829]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly77

The gritty feeling comes from the striker block. The Apex USB will fix that.

The Apex Hard Sear makes the trigger pull lighter and improves the trigger reset. *Note - S&W has updated the OE sear to fix the "vague reset" complaint, but the Apex sear does still lighten the trigger considerably.

If you change the sear, while the gun is apart, some 2000 grit sandpaper can smooth out the contact surfaces on the trigger transfer bar where it contacts the sear & the striker block.
Remember - you're not sanding! You're polishing.

Thanks for the comments and opinions. I have a better understanding of what's doing what in there. The Trigger Transfer Bar has been polished already. I believe I will get the DCAEK and replace the USB and Hard Sear leaving the OEM springs in there. Since my purpose will be home/range use and not carry, I think this should work out fine. If I decide to change the springs I'll have them for the future.

Howard

[Robotech]

Originally Posted by howard829

...Since my purpose will be home/range use and not carry, I think this should work out fine. If I decide to change the springs I'll have them for the future.

Howard

Exactly. That's the point I'm at now. The trigger feels very good so far, but I want some time with it at the range to see if this is the way I want to leave it. The springs are there if I want to try them.

The other positive thing is that I now have an example of the APEX USB, so if I want to carefully grind and polish the original one for another slide or gun, I have something to try and match rather than just guessing.

[Snapper134]

I just ordered the Apex DCAEK and can't wait for it to show up, but, for the opposite reason of what you are saying. My trigger is not so much gritty, the trigger pull is way to hard. I took both it and my Springfield XD to the range last weekend for a little comparison. The Springfield trigger is hands down better than my M&P. It's both smoother and has a lighter pull. Just thought it was odd how we both have the same gun, but the trigger being opposites from one another.

[scattershot]

My trigger was so stiff I actually sent my M&P 45c back to Smith. They said it was working properly. Can't wait for the Apex kit, but it seems a shame to have to spend another $100 to fix that trigger.

[JMike]

With regard to your trigger lightness, did you replace the trigger return spring that came with the DCAEK kit?

The reason I ask is that if you don't replace the spring with the kit spring you will have a trigger pull that is noticeably lighter. Like you, I felt it was too light for a carry gun.

I installed this kit on my M&P 9c. Prior to the installation, the trigger pull was measured at 6.5 lbs, quite gritty and no perceivable trigger reset could be felt.

After the installation, I did not install the spring that came with the kit. The trigger pull was smooth as glass but measured 4.25-4.5 lbs. Trigger reset was very noticeable.

Then I replaced the stock spring with the kit spring and now I am at 5.5 lbs, very smooth pull and noticeable trigger reset.

This is a very nice upgrade for these pistols IMHO.

Originally Posted by Jasonm43

My opinion buy the apex duty carry kit and never look back
I have it in my 9c and shield 9 without a Doubt the best upgrade
I feel however with the 9 c the kit it a bit to light for my liking for carry
I'm one of them safety lovers and the C don't have the thumb
The shield however great kit! Love it

[JMike]

Howard,

Please reference my response to JasonM43 with regard to the OEM spring and the kit springs.

Mike

Originally Posted by howard829

Thanks for the comments and opinions. I have a better understanding of what's doing what in there. The Trigger Transfer Bar has been polished already. I believe I will get the DCAEK and replace the USB and Hard Sear leaving the OEM springs in there. Since my purpose will be home/range use and not carry, I think this should work out fine. If I decide to change the springs I'll have them for the future.

Howard

[howard829]

Originally Posted by JMike

With regard to your trigger lightness, did you replace the trigger return spring that came with the DCAEK kit?

The reason I ask is that if you don't replace the spring with the kit spring you will have a trigger pull that is noticeably lighter. Like you, I felt it was too light for a carry gun.

I installed this kit on my M&P 9c. Prior to the installation, the trigger pull was measured at 6.5 lbs, quite gritty and no perceivable trigger reset could be felt.

After the installation, I did not install the spring that came with the kit. The trigger pull was smooth as glass but measured 4.25-4.5 lbs. Trigger reset was very noticeable.

Then I replaced the stock spring with the kit spring and now I am at 5.5 lbs, very smooth pull and noticeable trigger reset.

This is a very nice upgrade for these pistols IMHO.

Mike,

I'm not exactly sure what springs you are talking about Mike. I'm assuming my trigger pull out of the box should be 6.5lbs. If I keep the stock springs it seems the trigger pull will be anywhere from 4.25-4.5 lbs if I read the post correctly. I actually thought without replacing any springs the pull would be around 5.5 lbs. I don't intend to carry but will use the pistol for range/home use. I understand with a carry situation you wouldn't want a light trigger. Would I be wrong to keeping the stock springs in there or is it a matter of feel etc.? I only intended to replace the usb and hard sear originally. No big deal to replace a spring but which one if I did replace one? My M&P 9 FS only has a mag safety btw.

Howard

[Hillbilly77]

Originally Posted by howard829

Would I be wrong to keeping the stock springs in there or is it a matter of feel etc.? I only intended to replace the usb and hard sear originally. No big deal to replace a spring but which one if I did replace one? My M&P 9 FS only has a mag safety btw.

I think all of these options are just based on personal preference.
I put the Apex USB in my new M&P9c the same week I bought it.
I just put the Apex Hard Sear in yesterday after comparing the updated OE sear to a gun with the Apex in it. I liked the Apex sear much better. I left the factory sear springs alone. With just the USB & Hard Sear, I'm happy with it.

Also a very personal individual decision, I removed the magazine disconnect in mine.

[JMike]

Howard,

See the PM I sent.

Originally Posted by howard829

Mike,

I'm not exactly sure what springs you are talking about Mike. I'm assuming my trigger pull out of the box should be 6.5lbs. If I keep the stock springs it seems the trigger pull will be anywhere from 4.25-4.5 lbs if I read the post correctly. I actually thought without replacing any springs the pull would be around 5.5 lbs. I don't intend to carry but will use the pistol for range/home use. I understand with a carry situation you wouldn't want a light trigger. Would I be wrong to keeping the stock springs in there or is it a matter of feel etc.? I only intended to replace the usb and hard sear originally. No big deal to replace a spring but which one if I did replace one? My M&P 9 FS only has a mag safety btw.

Howard

[dullh]

The USB is the part that removes the "grit". Install the APEX USB with supplied reduced-power spring and the grit is gone...

[scattershot]

Anybody ever polish the heck out of the factory striker blocker and cut a coil or two from the factory spring? How did that work out?