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Old 07-12-2017, 02:17 AM
clinttho clinttho is offline
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Default New 45 shield- opinions on upgrade?

I picked up a new Shield 45acp a couple of weeks ago, I've put about 300 rounds of ammo through it. Although it is very accurate and has a good trigger I'd like to improve it by reducing trigger travel/uptake/reset. I have lots of 45 ammo and plan to shoot it a lot- which is the best way, obviously, to get proficient with the gun (more proficient).

I don't plan on changing sights anytime soon as I like them. Eventually night sights will be installed but not now so I am not wanting to install the complete Apex kit.

I'm looking for feedback/opinions on the best upgrade I can make first. Any help is appreciated.

I have 3 potential upgrades in mind:

1 Apex hard sear- heard it's the best bang for the buck

2 Apex trigger- I'm not a fan of the two piece M&P trigger, but I've never installed one so I don't know how much difference it will make. I like the look and the design/metal of the Apex compared to the stock, i prefer flatter triggers.

3 Lastly- a polish of the sear and trigger bar/striker block (ala the 25 cent glock trigger job). I'm not familiar with the difference the Apex Hard Sear is compared to the factory one, so this is a far 3rd option IMO. I'll likely polish regardless (using a q-tip and towel to avoid removing metal).

I realize a lot of this is personal preferance but if anyone could help or give an opinion/provide any feedback it would be greatly appreciated. I'll continue to research these options but in the meantime I would be very grateful for any info or opinions on my first trigger customization to my 45 Shield. It was a steal at 350 minus the 75 dollar rebate IMO. It's my daily carry so I don't want to make it a race gun, just make it more easy to hit the intended target.

Thank you in advance for any and all help.
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Old 07-12-2017, 07:12 AM
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sandog sandog is offline
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I too am confused about all the Apex options, maybe someone with knowledge about the Apex products will come along.
The trigger on both my Shields are not bad, but it does seem like they have a mile of pre travel.
I'm thinking that, in a pistol that uses the trigger as a safety, that the hinged trigger ( and all that pre travel ) helps to make it safer, so I'm not sure if a non hinged trigger is the way to go.
After all it is a close range, concealable carry gun, not a competitive target puncher.
I know some (most ) Shields have a thumb safety, both of mine do, but it is so small it would be hard to positively disengage in a hurry.
Me being left handed, especially so.
I've read a lot of threads about improving M&P triggers, and still don't have an idea about what I want to order as far as Apex parts.
Their metal trigger sounds good, better than having a polymer trigger.
My full size M&P really needs some improvement. After shooting my Shields, the full size trigger seems incredibly heavy. I'm surprised I can do as well with it as I can the way it is.
My .45 Shield has a pretty decent trigger, almost as good as the PC .40.
I only notice how much pre travel they have ( and how heavy the pull on my FS M&P is ) when shooting off a rest to test loads, trying to shoot the best groups.
Shooting off hand, rapid fire, etc., more in line with what these pistols are meant for, the stock trigger seems fine.
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Old 07-12-2017, 07:26 AM
Dad_Roman Dad_Roman is offline
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The OP specifically stated travel/uptake/reset.

Im off to work so Ill be more specific in a bit.

To change the travel you have to change the trigonometry. Somehow they do that with the trigger itself.

The sear wont do that. It has a different strike angle and polished catch face but that just makes things slicker and crisper. It DOES change the uptake and reset

The kit includes springs, which can crisp up the pull. Depending on combination of springs used it can be softer or harder.

The biggest modification to change the pull travel is to open the loop. There is a tutorial on here for doing that.


Last edited by Dad_Roman; 07-12-2017 at 07:36 AM.
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Old 07-12-2017, 07:28 AM
Arik Arik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clinttho View Post

It's my daily carry so I don't want to make it a race gun, just make it more easy to hit the intended target.

Thank you in advance for any and all help.
Ammo! Lots and lots of ammo! That's the best way to hit the intended target.

300 rounds is not much at all. See what it feels like at a 1000, 1500, 2000. If you still find it hard(er) to hit the target then look into the Apex package. The one thing that I would not do is polish. Apex makes good stuff and there no need for it.

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Old 07-12-2017, 09:23 AM
Watchdog Watchdog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clinttho View Post
I picked up a new Shield 45acp a couple of weeks ago, I've put about 300 rounds of ammo through it. Although it is very accurate and has a good trigger I'd like to improve it by reducing trigger travel/uptake/reset. I have lots of 45 ammo and plan to shoot it a lot- which is the best way, obviously, to get proficient with the gun (more proficient).
My advice is to do just that...shoot it a lot before spending money on upgrades/modifications. As Arik mentions, 300 rounds is basically nothing. My personal opinion is 600-700 rounds is a good place to evaluate the pistol's performance and your own satisfaction with it.

You say the trigger is already good. And I'd agree with that. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I fired mine. And it's certainly better out of the box than any Glock I've fired.

Frankly, I don't believe the modifications you want (other than better sights) will be that significant of an improvement over a stock pistol.

Keep in mind, this is just an opinion, okay?
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Old 07-12-2017, 10:23 AM
1sailor 1sailor is offline
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I installed the Apex hard sear after about 600 rounds. It made a hugely significant change in the trigger. Much smoother and lighter. For $40 it has to be a pretty good bang for the buck. If your Shield is for carry only and you don't do much target shooting with it then I think the factory trigger is actually pretty good. I did change to the Truglow TFX sights which I put on all my semi pistols. Much faster acquisition and easier to see with my old eyes.
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Old 07-12-2017, 11:36 AM
clinttho clinttho is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Watchdog View Post
My advice is to do just that...shoot it a lot before spending money on upgrades/modifications. As Arik mentions, 300 rounds is basically nothing. My personal opinion is 600-700 rounds is a good place to evaluate the pistol's performance and your own satisfaction with it.

You say the trigger is already good. And I'd agree with that. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I fired mine. And it's certainly better out of the box than any Glock I've fired.

Frankly, I don't believe the modifications you want (other than better sights) will be that significant of an improvement over a stock pistol.

Keep in mind, this is just an opinion, okay?
Thank you very much for your advice. Agreed on your opinion and Arik's that the best way to improve it is to shoot it and I plan to do that- it should smooth the gun out and will improve my skills. The trigger isn't bad, the weight is very good for a stock 350 dollar pistol - I like it enough to know that I'll keep it and probably buy another one so I would like to set it up for optimal performance. I'm thinking now the Apex trigger may be the only mod aside from sights as I do not care for the hinged polymer trigger.

I think I'll buy a set of Ameriglo I-dots or TFX sights and the Apex trigger to reduce the creep. This is a carry gun but I like to compete in the Limited class and will do so with this gun at least once, probably monthly.

Thank you again.
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Old 07-12-2017, 11:47 AM
clinttho clinttho is offline
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Dad_Roman, thank you for that info and the video. I will definitely check it out. Much appreciated for letting me know the sear/trigger difference.
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Old 07-12-2017, 12:20 PM
Dad_Roman Dad_Roman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clinttho View Post
Dad_Roman, thank you for that info and the video. I will definitely check it out. Much appreciated for letting me know the sear/trigger difference.
....and welcome to the madness

After its all been said, yea, shoot it. I have about 2K through a Shield9 and only 500 through a couple of Shield45's.

I recently put the sear in the 9 just to see what its all about. I like it but could also do without it. It DOES lower the pull about 1.5lbs. Also, lots of threads recently about these subjects. Just look down through them.

So it was 2 years before I even considered a mod. The trigger systems slick up fairly nice after 1K rounds.

Thats a lotta fun while letting it polish itself out

Last edited by Dad_Roman; 07-12-2017 at 12:22 PM.
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Old 07-12-2017, 01:20 PM
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I'm a huge Apex parts fan, I have them on almost every M&P I own, but IMO the Shield 45 besides the hinged trigger it doesn't need any upgrades, it probably has the best factory trigger that most M&P's.
I installed the apex duty/carry kit on mine, it improved a lot probably too much for my liking on a carry gun, after a few range visits I decided to go back to the factory trigger.
If you want to improve the OT and reset, the apex enhancement trigger will do that without changing anything else.
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Last edited by Shield9mm; 07-12-2017 at 01:21 PM.
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Old 07-12-2017, 02:07 PM
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John Reid John Reid is offline
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As others have stated, buy ammo, lots of ammo. Additionally I put Talon Grips on my Shield 45 and they have worked out great. The grips keep the gun from rubbing my skin raw as I carry IWB. I have been thinking about installing the Apex Action Enhancement Trigger & Duty/Carry Kit for Shield 45 but it is a bit expensive so I may just install the sear and see how it goes. Best of luck to you and please keep the forum updated.
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Old 07-12-2017, 04:24 PM
ultratec00 ultratec00 is offline
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Owning 3 M&P 45s, M&P9C, and Shield 9, all of which are Apexed, My Shield 45 trigger out of the box only needed cleaned up/polished to be as good as my others. I did add an Apex trigger, which does reduce travel quite a bit and provides a solid stop on the back end. Only other add was a set of I Dot Meprolight night sights. Good to go, shoot good, last long time..
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Old 07-12-2017, 07:32 PM
bsmiley bsmiley is offline
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I put in the Apex duty kit in my Shield 9 and the trigger is the best. I will put a duty kit in any future M&Ps I purchase.
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