I purchased an Apex semi drop in bbl for a S&W M&P Pro 9mm and will be installing it soon. Have any of you installed one? And how do you like it, any information would be nice, in regard to fitting and performance. Also has anyone tried the Storm lake bbl's? And how do they fit and perform? Thanks in advance for any help information or opinions.
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Apex or Storm lake BBL
- Thread starter JTPro
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I've installed the semi-fitted Apex in my 5 inch Pro. I've been extremely pleased with this particular barrel and it was a huge upgrade from the O.E.M. S&W barrel. The S&W barrel was terrible as far as any ability to hold reliable tight groups. Apex- problem solved. Just follow the video instructions and don't forget the Dykem layout fluid. I didn't have to do much filing at all to get it perfect.
ScaryWoody
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I use Storm Lake conversion barrels in my Glocks. Never a problem with great accuracy. Everything is CNC so differences are at a minimum. As long as the company ha a good QC the barrel should be fine.
My threaded Storm Lake drop in barrel for my 4.25” FS 9mm did nothing to improve accuracy over the factory barrel. It was just as loose a fit. All I ended up with was the extended threading—no improvement in accuracy.
When I had Apex put in their gunsmith fit threaded barrel, it was like I bought a whole new gun that was now super accurate.
When I had Apex put in their gunsmith fit threaded barrel, it was like I bought a whole new gun that was now super accurate.
Steve K
Member
I have two M&P 9MMs: 1.0 and 2.0. I installed the Storm Lake barrel in the 1.0 and the accuracy was improved. The barrel was drop in, no fitting at all. When I bought the 2.0 I installed the Apex; big improvement over the factory barrel. The barrel needed fitting which took some time, but it was not difficult. Since the Apex was more accurate I also installed one in the 1.0.
Also, to improve the trigger I replaced the factory sear with an Apex; much better trigger control.
Also, to improve the trigger I replaced the factory sear with an Apex; much better trigger control.
ScaryWoody
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The Storm lakes are drop in barrels. The Apex requires gunsmith fitting. That ensures a tight fit t your particular pistol. You'll have to let us know how much better in accuracy it is when installed.
I will let you all know the results after I install it, I'm ordering the Apex barrel jig from Brownell's, I want to make sure I do it right. I do thank you all for your comments. I went with the Apex barrel because Randy Lee's Apex triggers are very nice and am very happy with them. Thanks again.
I've installed the Apex semi-drop in BBL into my M&P9 Pro, along with the Apex trigger & sear kit. Initially I was not impressed; couldn't seem to get better than 4" at 25 yards while rested, which was about the same as with the original BBL. However, a few months ago I offered the gun to one of our range's best combat shooters (Chris) to see what he thought of it. He put 5 rounds into a 2 inch circle at 25 yards shooting it off hand; the first time he had ever shot it. The young wippersnapper said something like "...it aint' too bad; probably could do a bit better if I'd shoot it some more".
To say that I was a bit taken back would have been an understatement. Chris was very helpful in showing me how he held the gun and his trigger/finger alignment. I'm getting better, but still naven't managed to duplicate Chris's results with the gun. Thus only proving that the gun is now much more accurate than I am.
About my only complaint is that with the Apex BBL, now it's a bit harder to take the barrel out for cleaning due to the reduced axial breech & radial slide clearances. -S2
To say that I was a bit taken back would have been an understatement. Chris was very helpful in showing me how he held the gun and his trigger/finger alignment. I'm getting better, but still naven't managed to duplicate Chris's results with the gun. Thus only proving that the gun is now much more accurate than I am.
About my only complaint is that with the Apex BBL, now it's a bit harder to take the barrel out for cleaning due to the reduced axial breech & radial slide clearances. -S2
JJEH
Member
I have a StormLake in my 4.25" 9mm Pro. Its's got a slightly faster twist rate (1/16 to the factory 1/18) and it shoots everything from 115gr up to 147gr. It was a true drop in barrel, no problems whatsoever (knocking on wood). I only wish they'd offer blackened stainless finish. Don't like bling. The do have a LH twist. Not sure if it makes a difference but the factory has a RH twist.
Apex offers a 1/10 twist but when I bought the SL, Apex did not sell M&P barrels. If I was to buy again I'd probably go with Apex, simply because of the faster twist.
Now, so far my gun hasn't been super dirty or muddy. If that should happen I'm not sure how those match grade tolerances will work out for me. Should I ever have a problem I will go back to the factory barrel.
Apex offers a 1/10 twist but when I bought the SL, Apex did not sell M&P barrels. If I was to buy again I'd probably go with Apex, simply because of the faster twist.
Now, so far my gun hasn't been super dirty or muddy. If that should happen I'm not sure how those match grade tolerances will work out for me. Should I ever have a problem I will go back to the factory barrel.
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roughneck6
Member
I had a semi fit Apex barrel in my M&P 1.0 FS 9mm, and recently Apex semi fit in my new 2.0 FS 9mm. Both pull at 1 1/4 inch at 25 yards. In hundreds of rounds, zero malfunction. I’ve never had a storm lake, but Apex is amazing. My M2.0 compact factory barrel is pulling a 2 inch group at 15 yards, but looks like I’ll buy the new Apex barrel.
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I have a threaded 9mm True Precision for my Shield. While it is a drop in, it was a tight fit with sharp corners and edges. By chamfering these edges it fit perfectly. It’s accurate. A little expensive but I like it.
I have tested the apex semi fit , the stock barrel and a few others in the ransom rest. Without getting into too much detail. The apex barrel with accurate 2 powder and a 124g zero jhp will shoot well under 1 inch at 25 yards. Thats in both 4" & 5". What I like most is that the same load that shoots out the bullseye in my 4" barrel does exactly the same in my 5". CONSISTENCY. The stock barrels are apx 2" at best with a taylor ed load and zero repeatability in 4 - 5" barrels. The storm lake is apx a 1.75" - 2" barrel in the ransom with a taylored load . Definately not bad at all. I have tested the 2.0 45 full size in the ransom and have to say the accuracy is SUPERB. I'm not looking at my notes but I believe the stock 45 2.0 barrel did about .70" @ 25 yards that's with a 185g zero jhp and wst powder. Simply AMAZING when I test loads it's 25 yards , 4 targets , 6 rounds per target 1st round is always inconsistent due to hand racking of the slide giving me an accurate 5 rnd group. Average all 4 targets and there you have it. For 9mm I have maybe 15 loads i test . They are all loads that are proven to some extent (ransom) Can't wait to run a 2.0 9mm through the paces.
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actionpistol
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Bought a storm lake barrel before the apex was available for a fs 4.25. Did not improve accuracy. Put a bar sto fitted barrel now very accurate under 2 inches at 25 yds. That was prior to apex being available.
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From your description of "drop in Pro", I would assume that you've installed the Storm Lake rather than the Apex. For clarity, please confirm which barrel you've installed.
Regardless, I would advise you to not immediately give up on it. Try it rested, or in the hands of someone that you know to be a superior shooter. Also try different ammo's. I've found that I'm doing best with 115/0.357" Eggelston coated bullets; YMMV . Much to learn about your new, modified M&P. Happy new year -S2
Regardless, I would advise you to not immediately give up on it. Try it rested, or in the hands of someone that you know to be a superior shooter. Also try different ammo's. I've found that I'm doing best with 115/0.357" Eggelston coated bullets; YMMV . Much to learn about your new, modified M&P. Happy new year -S2
I installed the Apex semi drop in barrel. Shot off hand at 20 yards, groups were the same on both Apex and stock barrel. I have another 5'' pro with a tighter barrel, so I might try in that. The function was 100%, no failure to feed, just not that accurate.
Apex BBL
I was a fitting the barrel to my M&P Pro, of which I have two, I started with the tightest gun and the one that has much fewer rounds through it. Started working on it and found out the barrel end was over 5 thousandths larger, so I went with the other pistol, installed it with little accuracy improvement as I stated earlier. I decided to get brave and install it on the pistol I originally wanted it to go on. The results are still on going, but here is where I am now. Finished the install this morning and off to the range, load was 4 gr Bullsey, 125 Bear creek Molly coated bullet, accuracy? No improvement! However, I had some 115 gr Bear creek bullets loaded, also with 4 gr of Bullseye and a factory load of 115 gr bullets and shot a very respectful group at 35 yards, just under 3'', barrel rested on tripod with no support on grip frame, just two hand hold. I wanted to share this information as I did not want to imply Apex barrels are not worth buying, Randy and his crew make fine products as is the Apex trigger system. I will continue to test other loads in the coming future and share the results. I am glad I gave it another try and tried some other loads, so far looking good. Hope this information helps others. Thanks Jim.
I was a fitting the barrel to my M&P Pro, of which I have two, I started with the tightest gun and the one that has much fewer rounds through it. Started working on it and found out the barrel end was over 5 thousandths larger, so I went with the other pistol, installed it with little accuracy improvement as I stated earlier. I decided to get brave and install it on the pistol I originally wanted it to go on. The results are still on going, but here is where I am now. Finished the install this morning and off to the range, load was 4 gr Bullsey, 125 Bear creek Molly coated bullet, accuracy? No improvement! However, I had some 115 gr Bear creek bullets loaded, also with 4 gr of Bullseye and a factory load of 115 gr bullets and shot a very respectful group at 35 yards, just under 3'', barrel rested on tripod with no support on grip frame, just two hand hold. I wanted to share this information as I did not want to imply Apex barrels are not worth buying, Randy and his crew make fine products as is the Apex trigger system. I will continue to test other loads in the coming future and share the results. I am glad I gave it another try and tried some other loads, so far looking good. Hope this information helps others. Thanks Jim.
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Randy Lee
Member
Hi Jim,
I'm sorry that the barrel is not grouping to its potential. There are a couple of things to check that might help. First, check to make sure that the barrel isn't springing. On some slides the barrel channel dimensions can vary wildly. This is why we left the muzzle bell of our barrel at max tolerance. Unfortunately, that means that a bit more fitting could be required depending on the gun.
When you put the barrel into the slide, the flat surface just forward of the ejection port should rest against the interior top of the slide without interference. You should hear a solid "thud" of metal to metal contact when dropping the barrel into the slide. The next check is performed by keeping the slide inverted and using your thumb to press against the barrel bottom lug and then release pressure. If you look at the barrel from the side of the ejection port, the barrel should not move from it's metal to metal contact with the interior top of the slide. If you see the barrel move vertically as you release pressure then that is an indicator that the barrel is springing.
If you notice that the above description applies to your situation, then the next step is to remove some metal off the top of the barrel at the muzzle.
I use a blue sharpie to coat the top of the barrel at the muzzle end. I then use a plastic hammer to tap the bottom lug of the barrel (fitting pad area) a few times. If your barrel is springing you will see a witness mark where the top inside surface of the barrel channel is pinching the barrel. Carefully remove some material where you see the mark and repeat the procedure until the barrel no longer springs.
As far as ammunition, I used to use Bear Creek moly bullets long ago. Check the bullet weights as I saw a variation of 1.0 grain if memory serves. That can affect accuracy.
The accuracy testing that I did when designing the barrel was mostly Fiocchi 115 gr jhp and PRVI 147 gr jhp. Typical groups out of the Ransom Rest at 25 yards was .75-.89" for the Semi Drop-in barrels.
Hope this helps,
Randy
