Apex AEK review

Texaspoff

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Well my new AEK kits arrived today. First impressions, this is an extremely well thought out and manufactured part. The poly version is very comfortable with the rounded edges compared to the aluminum version. It also looks as if it was part of the pistol from the factory. IMO this is how they should come.

The kit comes with the trigger, slave pin, and a heavy sear spring. I tried the heavy sear spring and it was a tad too heavy for my tastes. I used the AEK trigger pad, and all other fire control parts are stock. I haven't gauged the pull, but it feels exactly like a stock Glock trigger as far a pull and break weight.

Installation was a breeze, took about 10 minutes total including trigger loop adjustment time. As with most Apex trigger kit installs the loop had to be adjusted slightly to engage the sear correctly, no surprise there, and no problems.

When your finished, what you have is an M&P pistol with a Glock trigger. The pre travel is less than factory, but more than the FSS kit. The over travel is less than factory and a hair more than the FSS. This setup is perfect for a duty or HD weapon. Three other officers, die hard Glock guys tried it out tonight and they are going to be looking into an M&P and this trigger setup, it is that good. IMO this is a must have for any of the new production M&P pistol.

As an added bonus, I tried little experiment with the factory trigger, and the Apex trigger. I raked the trigger guard and trigger with my fingers, hand, and misc clothing material. I was able to induce one ND with the factory trigger and a shirt. I was able to disengage the trigger safety tab on the factory trigger several times.

The Apex trigger did not yield the same results. I was unable to induce an ND, and did not one time disengage the trigger safety tab. I am not saying the Apex part will prevent an ND incident, but IMO can reduce the odds. I have tried tons of aftermarket doo dads over the years. Some were ok, others silly at best. This is like night and day on the M&P. Now if you would like a Glock type trigger on your M&P, get the AEK, and enjoy. If you hate glock triggers, stay away from it, cause there is no in between. Personally, I am thrilled, since the hinged trigger was the single biggest gripe I had about the M&P. I also think the AEK just makes the M&P look better. The hinged trigger has always just looked out of place. The sigma burned that trigger image into my mind, and I have never been able to recover.....

Just remember I am a professional idiot only, and this was my opinion, take it as such.

TXPO
 

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I've been considering changing the trigger on my M&P .40, but was waiting for the polymer version of the AEK. Looks like a natural fit.

The only mods on my pistol right now are the Apex machined sear and USB, with factory sear and USB springs. I tried all the spring combinations, but this setup has the trigger pull right at 4.5 lbs with a good crisp reset (not quite as noticeable as the Shield, but a huge improvement over factory). I tried the duty carry spring kit, but it jumped the trigger pull up to almost 7 lbs, so I removed it.

When you installed the trigger, did it change the pull weight at all (heavier/lighter/no change)? As stated earlier, I am considering this new trigger setup, I was just curious if installing it will change the weight of the pull.
 
It does look better. I'll be getting that plus the USB. Right now I have Talon grips (not rubberized) and XS Big Dots coming in the mail. : )
 
Starting to see these at work. Really cleans up a mushy single action trigger to a nice and crisp single action trigger. A must have for the M&P owner.
 
I just placed the order for mine yesterday. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. The hinged trigger really was my only gripe about this gun which is my main use for everything weapon. I also have the Apex comp AEK kit on my gun so we will see how this trigger reacts with that kit. I haven't heard a lot about the mix yet.
 
Any further updates on this trigger? I was thinking about installing on my FS40 (just the $39.95 kit) but was wondering if I should just save up and get the $129 FSS kit. Any thoughts or feedback since the last post? Thanks!!
 
Well decided to purchase the poly trigger today. I will follow up with an update once I receive and install (I will install myself) a little nervous about the loop adjustment but I will figure it out
 
How does this work with the striker block safety? It seems like it would be too short to depress the plunger...
 
Just wanted to clarify exactly what you installed? The polymer AEK Trigger?
 
Just wanted to clarify exactly what you installed? The polymer AEK Trigger?

Still waiting for it to arrived, shipped yesterday from Apex but yes it is the polymer AEK Trigger. Once I install it I will send a follow-up. First mod that I'm attempting myself but after watching the video I will confident that all will go well.
 
OK, received my Apex Poly trigger yesterday and just finished installing. Pretty easy for the most part but I'm guessing that because my MP 40 is so new, removing the assemblies were a little more difficult in comparison to Randy Lee's video on YouTube, everything seemed extremely tight. As others have stated, I had to adjust the loop but was very easy. Take up is definitely much less as well as the reset. Don't have a way to gauge trigger pull but you can certainly tell a difference, definitely much lighter. Because the pre-travel is much less, I don't seem to feel the gritty feeling that I did before. Again this is all dry firing the gun, hoping to get to the range next week and hope the results are just as nice. Now only if I can find some target rounds. LOL!
 
Just got the Shield .40 and haven't even put a round threw it yet. Will this new triger work in the Shield?
 
No it will not.

That's correct, this trigger will not work on the Shield, (oh I so wish it would). Apex is a great company and I can only assume that a Shield trigger will be coming soon. (I certainly hope so). Until then we still have a beautiful firearm! :D
 
I installed the DCAEK with the aluminum trigger and am very impressed. No more grittiness and the pre-travel has been greatly reduced. No more low left shots due to recoil anticipation. Pull is a short crisp 5#. Couldn't be happier.
 
How does this work with the striker block safety? It seems like it would be too short to depress the plunger...
Tinn-Can:

The replacement trigger should have no real effect on the striker block safety - the trigger bar actuates that, and while you may need to diddle that for proper function, the block safety simply wants the trigger bar to be more or less in the right place.

The reason that Apex sells the updated block safety is because there is a lot of slop in that, and the relatively sharp edges of the block where the trigger bar contacts it make for a lot of drag on the trigger bar. Rounding the contact area on the block helps considerably there. Still pretty much the same slop :D, but much smoother actuation.

Disclaimer: I've not tried the new polymer trigger yet. I don't like the hinged trigger much, but I don't find it intolerable. IMHO, a feature we could live without, but probably shouldn't remove....

(I have the DCAEK kit on three M&P's. Worth the effort.)

Regards,
 
I installed the poly FSS kit, and it transforms the trigger. Now much more precise.

First trip to the range with it had 3 times out of ~200 shots that pulling the trigger didn't cause a bang. Apex advised to adjust the trigger bar loop, which I did. Easy to do, see the aluminum trigger install video. You'll need a feeler gauge set, as shown in the video, that you can get at Autozone, Sears, Harbor Freight, or most auto parts stores for around $5-$10.
 
Did the AEK Poly trigger this morning. I had installed the DCEAK about 3 weeks ago. I believe it's a keeper now!
 

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