M&P Questions

crammit · #1 01-13-2016, 11:19 PM

I'm new to the M&P and have some questions for those willing to let me pick their minds.

Is installing the Apex trigger system worth the money? If so, aluminum or plastic? Does it help accuracy as some claim? I typically put 200 rounds in once a month. I have no problems with the trigger but I read everywhere where people swear by it.

I'm not totally thrilled with the sights, is there a set anyone recommends?

Is installing a stiffer set of springs even worth looking in to if I install the Apex trigger kit?

How long did it take for you to train yourself to not push when you first started shooting your's? I'm shooting lower than I have in the past and what I've read indicates it's me.

Thanks for your input!

hd-dude · #2 01-14-2016, 12:31 AM

I currently own four M&P pistols and they all have the apex kits in them. I sold two last year that also had the kits in them. Yes they are that good and worth every penny.

For the sites I had changed my non-pro series and my core to Dawson fiber sites.

Dry fire the gun a lot and focus on trigger control, this will help. It also helps to have someone else load your mags for you and put a snap cap in randomly. This will show you when you are anticipating the recoil and or pushing.

crammit · #3 01-14-2016, 12:48 AM

I like the pics I just looked up on the Dawson Sights. Did you go with the aluminum trigger or the plastic trigger?

Thanks for the input!

hd-dude · #4 01-14-2016, 01:27 AM

Aluminum flat face trigger in three of them and just the compitition spring kit with the stock trigger in the fourth.

GaryP · #5 01-14-2016, 06:08 AM

Went with speed sights on mine,very happy with them.

MichiganScott · #6 01-14-2016, 09:26 AM

I can't imagine spending good money to change the trigger on a gun when you are happy with the factory issue. It would only help your shooting if you can't manage the stock trigger.

Both of mine, circa 2010, have the stock triggers and I have no intention of changing them.

Ranger17 · #7 01-14-2016, 09:41 AM

I've been shooting for just 3 or so years, and the last couple including my 2 MP 9's (compact and full size, both stock).
I state my experience (or lack of) as while i do notice the obvious difference between the MP triggers and say what's on my Buckmark .22; i have ran thru over 2500 rounds in my 9's and i have yet to complain about the triggers. I'm sure a different system could be smoother to operate, but speaking for myself and taking into account my old man vision, etc i believe i am about as accurate as i will get for these firearms. So the triggers shall remain stock.
Sights? Now that's something i may tinker with someday but at least at the range i do pretty well stock.
Lastly, get some help on form, grip, stance; and practice what you learn. Helped me immensely.

keninnavarre · #8 01-14-2016, 10:47 AM

I recommend going to your local gun shop and trying a few different triggers. Even on different brands, example, try a glock and a few different m&ps. My limited experience with m&ps has been the triggers vary a good bit between individual guns. My recently purchased m&p full size has a great trigger and needs no work. My m&p 9mm and .45 compact could both benefit from some Apex parts.
Unless I had a truly bad trigger from the factory, I would leave mine as is.

PirateJim · #9 01-14-2016, 10:52 AM

I have the Apex Duty/Carry kit in both of my M&Ps. My intro to M&Ps was my Shield, and I was really satisfied with the trigger as it came out of the box. When I bought my Pro Series I was sad that its trigger wasn't as nice as the Shield's so I got the Apex kit and polymer trigger for it. I'm very satisfied with the results. But after a couple trips to the range shooting them back to back I wasn't so satisfied with my Shield's trigger as I had been. So... Duty/Carry kit in it too.

Originally I just put the spring and sear kit into the Shield. Then, being a tinkerer, I added the Apex aluminum trigger. To tell the truth, I don't find that it did anything much for me and I wouldn't do it again. So, if you're worried about the expense, you can get the majority of the goodness without the expense of changing the stock trigger.

So far as pulling shots low/left, dry fire practice will definitely help. Make sure you're using the pad of your finger and not getting the trigger up into the bend at the first joint then concentrate on pulling the trigger straight back. Balancing something sort of tippy on top of the slide while dry firing can help. The extra crispness the Apex gives may also help a bit. If you've got a few spare bucks laying around, something like the LaserLyte system can make dry fire practice a lot more fun and give you a lot of useful feedback.

AZ_M&P · #10 01-14-2016, 10:58 AM

I've put the Apex tactical upgrade kit in two of my M&P's so far and the difference is night and day. Definitely worth the money!

Motorsporting · #11 01-14-2016, 11:49 AM

I wouldn't, and haven't on mine well past this, upgrade until you've shot at least 500 rounds through it. The triggers smooth out just fine on their own. In fact, I think my M&Pc is as smooth or smoother than my Pro. If you want to start out with a smooth M&P, get a Pro (4.25 or 5") though. They also come with night sights. I've only changed out my front sights for night sights. I went Meprolight. The rear sights are fine (I actually scrape out the white paint and opt for solid black), I think. YMMV.

swsig · #12 01-14-2016, 05:32 PM

I have two M&Ps, a Shield 9, and a 40c. The Shield had a good trigger right out of the box, and it has gotten even better with use. It has a clean break, and just the right amount of pull weight for me (I'm guessing about 5.5 lbs.). An Apex job on my Shield would be a total waste of money. There are no aftermarket options for stiffer Shield recoil springs, and you wouldn't want one if there were. The factory Shield recoil spring is one of the stiffest you'll find.

Triggerwise, my 40c was more of a borderline case. Initially, it had a heavy, gritty trigger. Before I went with a Performance Center or Apex extra-cost upgrade, I decided to do a more fun trigger job, accomplished by shooting the heck out of it. The grittiness was gone after 500 rounds or so, and the trigger has subsequently lightened up enough (I have 4800+ rounds through it), that I no longer feel the need to go the trigger upgrade route.

Everyone is a bit different in what they find acceptable in their trigger function. What I've liked with my M&Ps may not be what you like. However, my advice is to put 500-1000 rounds through your M&Ps before you decide to spend those extra dollars, because the trigger you get out of the box will not necessarily be the one you end up with after you've shot them a bunch.

BigDog48 · #13 01-14-2016, 06:34 PM

I'm with SWSig....I was about to sell my 442 because the trigger sucked so badly....after dry-firing about 1000 times, it feels much better for what it's made for.

On the other hand, My Shield 9mm, right from the box (after cleaning) has a sweet trigger. It does have a long take-up, but then snaps cleanly and resets quickly. I love it.

The only one I have that is better is a Beretta 92FS that a government armorer did a trigger job on before he gave it to me. It is a tack driver with a smooth DA and SA pull.

jdubpro · #14 01-14-2016, 07:07 PM

I think the Apex kits are well worth it. 500 to 1,000 rounds may get rid of the grittiness and heaviness of the trigger, but it won't get rid of the sloppy pre/over-travel or the spongy trigger break. The Apex kit will give you a crisp trigger break and reset...things you'll never get with the stock parts.