M&P40 - I'm Not A Trigger Diva, But......

[conchmariner]

I gotta say compared to the Glock and XDm triggers, the M&P is a little, well how should I say it, mushy and gritty at the same time, if that makes any sense. I know about the Apex upgrade, but I've also heard the stock trigger gets better over time. True? I've only got 220 rounds (all flawless) through the gun.

 

[bobkarno]

My M&P triggers all got a little better over time. But after about 1000 rounds through each to ensure good function, I still installed the Apex DCAEK in all 3 guns. You just can't beat that shortened over-travel after the sear breaks. Greatly improved my accuracy and consistency.

 

[growr]

No need for the APEX kits....keep shooting it and it will improve with each and every round fired. My .40 Full Size has over 15,000 rounds downrange in USPSA/IDPA matches and just keeps on getting better! Yours will too!
Randy

 

[The Viking]

Try the pro series. I have found the triggers on these to be a hair stiff, as compared to a match trigger, but very crisp and clean breaking and not as bad as the regular M&Ps. A friend of mine has a regular M&P 40 caliber and the trigger on it is terrible.

 

[ET.]

I bought a M&P 40 Pro Series gun because of the trigger. My neighbor bought a M&P 9L. I fired his gun at the range and knew that I needed something different. It was exactly as you say...a 6.5 Lbs. trigger that is mushy & gritty. The gunshop showed me the Pro & I purchased it because the trigger was 4 Lbs and smooth (no grittiness & crisp). It actually cost me 7 dollars less than the 9L they sold my neighbor. He had his trigger tuned to 2 Lbs. and now loves it, but it did cost him $150. (He doesn't do his own smithing.)

 

[OKFC05]

IMHO, a gun should be shot at least 500 times before any modifications are considered, other than deburring.

I prefer the Pro M&P trigger to the standard, and shoot the 9 Pro 5" in competition. The APEX kit can change a standard trigger to something similar to the Pro or lighter. I don't like anything lighter than 4# in any handgun, and consider ultralight 2# triggers in carry guns dangerous to the point of foolishness.

 

[Bicky Robby]

Most triggers do smooth out after some break in period. Each gun is different. The only mods I have done to my guns are .25 trigger jobs. The only exception is my Glock 22 which I installed a Ghost Trigger kit on.

In terms of out of the box triggers, both of my XDm's have been the best, smoothest - most consistent pulls. Based on my own experience, the M&P I have was not that bad but has gotten much better. Glock triggers, out of the box, are the roughest, smooth out quickly and benefit the most from a deburring or .25 trigger job. Just my thoughts.

The best out of the box trigger, by far, is found on my Para Ordenance PXT 3.5" 1911. I normally don't yap this much, but not much on TV right now.

 

[The Viking]

IMHO, a gun should be shot at least 500 times before any modifications are considered, other than deburring.

If the pistol is to be used as a match pistol you might as well go ahead and get the modification.

I prefer the Pro M&P trigger to the standard, and shoot the 9 Pro 5" in competition. The APEX kit can change a standard trigger to something similar to the Pro or lighter. I don't like anything lighter than 4# in any handgun, and consider ultralight 2# triggers in carry guns dangerous to the point of foolishness.

I usually buy two pistols. One I leave un modified and use as a carry pistol. I do not want the trigger modified at all. No tampering. I use the pro series as a carry.
The other I modify the trigger for a match pistol. Most guys I know shooting USPSA have 2lb triggers.

 

[conchmariner]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna give it at least 1000 rounds with the stock trigger. If it's not better by then I'll probably go the Apex route.

 

[ET.]

I don't like anything lighter than 4# in any handgun, and consider ultralight 2# triggers in carry guns dangerous to the point of foolishness.

I agree. I shot my neighbor's 2 Lbs trigger at the range and it has double tapped on me several times. I evidently keep enough pressure on the trigger to keep it at the reset point, but that is also enough pressure to fire the pistol again at times. I couldn't carry a gun that sensitive. My neighbor only has 2# triggers on his guns, but he doesn't carry them either.

 

[RooiValk]

I absolutely hated my m&p 9 trigger and replaced it with an Apex kit. I will admit to being really jealous of my buddies brand new FNX-9 because the trigger was so damned awesome!

 

[Aubie]

My M&P 40 FS was stiff and gritty at first but with 500 rounds it's getting smooth. I love it, it's new and it needs breaking in. If you want a better trigger you should have purchased a different weapon. this is a work horse, not a caddy. It's made to play dirty and rough. I have a friend who owns Sig's, he would never take them out on a hunting trip, safe queens. Just shoot it and it will get better with use.

 

[conchmariner]

If you want a better trigger you should have purchased a different weapon.

You mean like a Glock or XDm ?

 

[Titegroups]

You mean like a Glock or XDm ?

Would venture to say a 1911. Just spend the $75 and be done with it, a 1911 it ain't. Your time is worth money.

 

[conchmariner]

Would venture to say a 1911. Just spend the $75 and be done with it, a 1911 it ain't. Your time is worth money.

I was being a bit facetious since I mentioned I have both in my OP, and for me the out of the box triggers are better. Obviously neither one is a 1911.

BTW do dry fires count in working in the stock M&P trigger? Normally I only dry fire DA revolvers, but I've got some .40 snap caps.

 

[conchmariner]

Put another 70 rounds through the gun today for a total of 230 flawless rounds through the gun (my OP was wrong about the number of rounds - it was 160, not 220), and I can tell the trigger is starting to feel a little less mushy and a little less gritty.

One thing I also noticed is I feel like the gun is flopping around a bit in my hand unless I use more trigger finger than I would like, so after my range session I changed to the large backstrap which felt better when dryfiring - weird because I don't have particularly large hands.

 

[Aubie]

Put another 70 rounds through the gun today for a total of 230 flawless rounds through the gun (my OP was wrong about the number of rounds - it was 160, not 220), and I can tell the trigger is starting to feel a little less mushy and a little less gritty.

One thing I also noticed is I feel like the gun is flopping around a bit in my hand unless I use more trigger finger than I would like, so after my range session I changed to the large backstrap which felt better when dryfiring - weird because I don't have particularly large hands.

You just needed to fill up you hand. I had to use the large to get the best grip on it also. The more you work the gun and marry the parts, the better it gets.

 

[Aubie]

You mean like a Glock or XDm ?

You bought the best of that bunch. hehehe

 

[firebirdude]

I noticed minimal improvement on the stock trigger after ~2500 rounds. Apex Hard sear and USB helped quite a bit. Instantly.

 

[Ethang]

I really don't like the trigger on my M&P but cannot do anything to it till I retire. I have dry fired it about 2 thousand cycles and it still leaves much to be desired.