Apex Forward Set Sear and Trigger Kit in a CORE

Bkreutz · Jun 21, 2013

Just a heads up to those who are contemplating doing this. I attempted to install it in mine this morning, I thought "This is going to be easy because the sear block plunger is under the optics cover and not the rear sight" When I got the cover off, instead of the little puck over the spring there is a teardrop shaped cover that is secured to the frame with a "Allen" screw. The smallest I have is 1.5mm and that's too big. Looks like I'll have to order one from Brownells (they have a set that goes down to 0.5 mm). Even my local Snap On guy would have to order one. So I guess the install gets put off until I get the tool. Would have been nice if Apex had mentioned that (or maybe they don't know

), anyway I'll refresh this thread when I figure out exactly what size the screw is.

C4IGrant · Jun 21, 2013

Bkreutz said:
Just a heads up to those who are contemplating doing this. I attempted to install it in mine this morning, I thought "This is going to be easy because the sear block plunger is under the optics cover and not the rear sight" When I got the cover off, instead of the little puck over the spring there is a teardrop shaped cover that is secured to the frame with a "Allen" screw. The smallest I have is 1.5mm and that's too big. Looks like I'll have to order one from Brownells (they have a set that goes down to 0.5 mm). Even my local Snap On guy would have to order one. So I guess the install gets put off until I get the tool. Would have been nice if Apex had mentioned that (or maybe they don't know), anyway I'll refresh this thread when I figure out exactly what size the screw is.

Just go and buy a full sent of allen wrenches from HD or Lowes.

C4

OneJzsupra · Jun 21, 2013

I would go to your local sears and get a set of craftsmen allens. I have a set and the size I needed was there and they are a great quality as well so you won't have to worry about them getting rounded off as much.

Bkreutz · Jun 21, 2013

OneJzsupra said:
I would go to your local sears and get a set of craftsmen allens. I have a set and the size I needed was there and they are a great quality as well so you won't have to worry about them getting rounded off as much.

smallest size is 1.5mm from either Sears, Home Depot, and Lowes. I have Snap On ones that size too, just not small enough. (I'm a retired mechanic so I've got lots of tools, just not the right one this time). I have a standard set that goes smaller but they didn't help. A 1/16" was too big, and the next size down which was a .050 was too small. (I need the Goldilocks size

) Brownells has a set than includes a .5mm, .8mm and a 1.27mm, I figured those are strange enough sizes that one will fit, maybe not but I'll just have to muddle along with the standard trigger until then. One would think I'd have the right size somewhere in my tool box

Bkreutz · Jun 24, 2013

Well, I finally got the Apex kit installed. The major difficulty was removing the striker block as it was different on a CORE than on all the other M&P's, first the optic cover has to come off, 2mm hex key, make sure you get it completely in, S&W installs them with thread locker and they are tight.

After the cover comes off this is what you see.

It turns out the size of the screw head socket is 1.27mm (got the wrench from Brownells) but the socket head stripped out very easily so I used a T6 Torx bit and tapped it in making a new bearing surface. It appears the screw is some kind of alloy, not steel (or at least not magnetic and somewhat soft)

Anyway, this is the final result, much better.

AwfAxis · Jul 22, 2013

Hope no one minds bumping an old thread. I am about to put the Poly Forward APEX kit in my CORE, and got a 1.27mm wrench as mentioned above. I find it has slop, and am now going to buy a 1.3mm used by hobbyists.

I'll report back if this is a better fit.

By the way, is the trigger all you hoped it would be?

I shoot the M&P in USPSA comps, and then use a SW1911PC 45 Bobtail for IDPA. It's hard when using the M&P because I catch myself thinking there's a problem when the break is so far back.

Bkreutz · Jul 22, 2013

See my post in the other thread, it turns out the screw was a t-5 which I screwed up by trying to use an Allen wrench, after I got it out with a t-6 I got an email from Apex about the size. I like the trigger better every time I shoot. The problem is that I now want to get them for my other M&P's

AwfAxis · Jul 26, 2013

The 1.3mm I purchased to turn the screw also had a little slop, but it did not strip it.

Just finished up the install yesterday (see below).

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/327751-core-9l-new-apex-forward-set-trigger.html

Rastoff · Jul 26, 2013

Hmmm, 1.3mm is .051" so, the .05 wrench should fit. In fact, 1.27mm is exactly .05".

I hate allen screws that are that small. The T6 Torx is a much better choice. I may send an email to Apex about this.

AwfAxis · Jul 26, 2013

It was really negligible. The 1.27 wrench I had felt sloppy, and the 1.3 wasn't much better. However, it did not spin like the 1.27 did.

lsuvice · Jul 31, 2013

I was told to use a T5 and it stripped. Any ideas how I can get it out and where I can get a new one?

Rastoff · Jul 31, 2013

We have to remember that we're not talking about precision tools here. The screw may be a .05" allen, but it has a tolerance. The wrench may be marked .05", but it has a tolerance. So, mine might fit great and yours will be loose, but they are ultimately the same.

lsuvice said:
I was told to use a T5 and it stripped. Any ideas how I can get it out and where I can get a new one?

This is really an easy solution, but requires a new screw. Put a drop of super glue on the wrench and glue it into the screw. This will get it out.

Once out, go to the hardware store and get a new screw with the same diameter, length and thread pitch. Any good hardware store should have one.

The screw can be hammered off the wrench, but the screw is done. You might be able to save the wrench by scraping off the glue residue. Allen wrenches are so cheap I've always just tossed them when using this method.

Bkreutz · Jul 31, 2013

I tapped a T6 into the stripped hole and made a new set of splines. Took out the screw, completed the Apex install, and then put the screw back in. The screw material is some kind of alloy since it didn't take much tapping to get the end of the wrench to make new splines. Apex at one point told me that the screw was a T5 but after seeing pictures of an undamaged screw clearly it is a hex socket. I used the T6 because I'd already rounded out the socket trying to figure out the correct size.

pcgold · Aug 1, 2013

APEX and CORE

Bkreutz said:
Just a heads up to those who are contemplating doing this. I attempted to install it in mine this morning, I thought "This is going to be easy because the sear block plunger is under the optics cover and not the rear sight" When I got the cover off, instead of the little puck over the spring there is a teardrop shaped cover that is secured to the frame with a "Allen" screw. The smallest I have is 1.5mm and that's too big. Looks like I'll have to order one from Brownells (they have a set that goes down to 0.5 mm). Even my local Snap On guy would have to order one. So I guess the install gets put off until I get the tool. Would have been nice if Apex had mentioned that (or maybe they don't know), anyway I'll refresh this thread when I figure out exactly what size the screw is.

I did the same thing with mine and ended will worth it... did the comp mod and exactly what I wanted... well worth it

mmesa005 · Aug 2, 2013

Legal in California?

I was intrigued by this thread and went to the Apex Tactical web site for further information. Reading the customer feedback https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid54.html (posted on May 11, 2013)
one customer pointed out that using this product in a California M&P was not legal? Interesting that Apex Tactical left this feedback on their site without responding to it?

As I live in California I would appreciated any feedback as to the legal issues, if any with installing this kit.

BIGMAC116 · Aug 2, 2013

I'm not aware of any CA penal code stating upgrading the trigger on your handgun is unlawful. Could be wrong of course, but I don't think so.

Rastoff · Aug 2, 2013

There is no law in CA against modifying your trigger. Anyone that says so is just being ignorant. Because CA has some oppressive gun laws people just assume that everything is illegal. They are operating out of their paranoia rather than just looking it up.

The whole truth is right here: Bureau of Firearms | State of California - Department of Justice - Kamala D. Harris Attorney General The site is good and has all the laws of CA concerning guns. You won't find one that outlaws modification.

FSUDAL · Aug 24, 2013

I just installed the DCAEK kit to my M&P9L CORE last night. I watched the videos and read a lot of posts (including this one) before I even received the parts. As a new boot I did not have any gunsmithing tools yet so I wanted to order the tools at the same time so I had everything that I needed. According to Apex Tactical the teardrop sear block cover requires a TORX T5 wrench. I was skeptical so proceeded with caution. I just happened to have a TORX T5 available only because the Deltapoint Reflex sight I just received came with one. You need to pretend you are a jeweler operating on a fine watch with this particular screw. It is small and fragile not to mention the jack in the box that is waiting to greet you. The screw is also shallow so your TORX T5 bit will be easy to strip it you do not hold it straight. While I could not confirm visually whether it was an allen or TORX I can say that the TORX T5 fit snugly and worked perfectly for me. If you need to order one I found them here thanks to another poster on the site;

Torx Long Arm L-keys - 366 Series From Wiha

(had to order more so that I could "customize" it to fit between the Deltapoint Reflex and the rear iron sight so that I could loosen the locking set screws on the Deltapoint while still on the CORE.

RICKENBACKER53 · Oct 19, 2013

FSUDAL you are correct it's a t5 torx. I had one already and was able to turn this tiny little screw by hand using the bit. So maybe that is why others have stripped theres. No offense to anyone but guinea Pigs are often quite helpful.

Apex Forward Set Sear and Trigger Kit in a CORE

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