Apex Duty/Carry Kit for the 432 review/experience.

[seldon14]

My 432 UC was having some lite strikes, a few per 50 rounds on average. Was looking at extended/enhanced firing pins to address this. I saw this Apex kit
https://www.apextactical.com/j-frame-duty-carry-spring-kit
I like my Apex kit in my Shield so I figured I'd give it a go for $30 shipped.

Install was quick and easy. I know this will make some of you wince, but I had no problem doing it with my Leatherman Juice and ball point pin.

Didn't buy it to improve trigger pull, and don't have a gauge to get official weights, but it feels lighter/smoother.

The important part: no more light strikes so far. Shot about half a box that all went bang, and then the real test, rounds that had already failed on multiple strikes that I'd been saving (these ones had fired when I tried them in the SP101) all of the previously too hard primers fired off fine. Looking at the primers from the old firing pin vs the new you see a clear difference.

 

[GFU]

Good to know, thanks for posting the results

 

[GFU]

I used an apex firing pin to fix light strikes when using plastic training rounds with primers. Never had problems with live ammo but the plastic case must have flexed more and the factory firing pin would not consistently fire off the primer. The apex fixed that

 

[Beju]

What particular ammunition were you having light strikes with? I've heard of Magtech and PPU 32 S&W Long having some hard primers.

My father has a 632UC and hasn't had issues, but he's mostly been shooting his handloads with domestic primers and .32 H&R Magnum Starline brass.

 

[seldon14]

What particular ammunition were you having light strikes with? I've heard of Magtech and PPU 32 S&W Long having some hard primers.

My father has a 632UC and hasn't had issues, but he's mostly been shooting his handloads with domestic primers and .32 H&R Magnum Starline brass.

The last 100 rounds of so were PPU, but I had some in my first 100 or so that was another brand S&B maybe? I had maybe 20 rounds of federal fired with the factory kit, no issues, but small sample size.

 

[Beju]

The last 100 rounds of so were PPU, but I had some in my first 100 or so that was another brand S&B maybe? I had maybe 20 rounds of federal fired with the factory kit, no issues, but small sample size.

I wonder if your firing pin was shorter than spec or on the short end of allowable tolerances.

I've had some hard foreign primers like Argentine Servicios y Aventuras give even stock striker fire guns occasional light strike issues. However, while S&B might be a bit harder than most US made primers, I can't say that I've had any light strike issues with it.

 

[pvq]

I actually just ordered 3 Apex Extended firing pins. I have one 432 UC and 2 632 UC’s…the 432 is the one I’ve shot the most and it has been flawless with Buffalo Boar and PPU (S&W Long) but has a 10% failure to fire rate with Lost River Ammo. It looks like an adequate primer strike, and they always go off the second time. I can’t explain it. In the attached photo the round at 12 O’Clock failed to fire and the indentation is practically identical to the others. Hoping the extended firing pins will give me an added sense of security. I love the gun and its my EDC!