APEX M & P Barrels
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JJEH
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I bought a StormLake barrel because it had a 1/16 instead of the factory 1/18 twist. Back then there was no Apex available. If I'd had to do it again I'd choose the Apex and its 1/10 twist.
Granted, I have no experience with it but I'd buy it.
Others came out too with new/replacement M&P barrels, like Ed Brown, Rival Arms and SilencerCo.
Granted, I have no experience with it but I'd buy it.
Others came out too with new/replacement M&P barrels, like Ed Brown, Rival Arms and SilencerCo.
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I have watched with interest, and sometimes amusement, at several competitors' experience with aftermarket barrels.
The most successful experiences were with gunsmith (or shooter) fit barrels that were carefully fit to the individual guns, and then fed ammunition that fit the (generally) tighter chambers.
One individual bought the most expensive custom barrel available, then found his reloads did not feed reliably; so he chamber-reamed the custom barrel to fit his sloppy reloads, which put him back where he started.
In general , the drop-in barrels were little , if any, better than factory original.
Some beginning shooters were spraying bullets all over the targets, and any modifications they did were irrelevant to fixing poor technique.
I have both 4 1/4 and 5" barrel M&P Pros that are capable of 3" at 25 yds from rest, and for my purposes, that's fine. If you can do this and want to do better, you might benefit from an aftermarket barrel that requires fitting.
IMHO, save your money on drop-in aftermarket barrels.
The most successful experiences were with gunsmith (or shooter) fit barrels that were carefully fit to the individual guns, and then fed ammunition that fit the (generally) tighter chambers.
One individual bought the most expensive custom barrel available, then found his reloads did not feed reliably; so he chamber-reamed the custom barrel to fit his sloppy reloads, which put him back where he started.
In general , the drop-in barrels were little , if any, better than factory original.
Some beginning shooters were spraying bullets all over the targets, and any modifications they did were irrelevant to fixing poor technique.
I have both 4 1/4 and 5" barrel M&P Pros that are capable of 3" at 25 yds from rest, and for my purposes, that's fine. If you can do this and want to do better, you might benefit from an aftermarket barrel that requires fitting.
IMHO, save your money on drop-in aftermarket barrels.
I have a 6 year old M&P CORE that is more accurate than me, but last winter I thought I would get an Apex semi drop in barrel anyway. I was about half way through fitting the barrel when I realized that my regular bullet (Xtreme 124 grain FP at 1.08 COL) wouldn't plunk... bummer.
I put my fitting on hold until I could find a bullet for the Apex barrel that would also work in my other 9s. I just found that a Blue Bullet, 125 grain TC bullet will plunk at 1.12 COL and it appears is at least as accurate the Xtreme bullet in my current CORE barrel.
So, I'm going back to fitting the Apex for the CORE, with my fingers crossed. I won't know for a while, my fitting skills are slow..
Will
I put my fitting on hold until I could find a bullet for the Apex barrel that would also work in my other 9s. I just found that a Blue Bullet, 125 grain TC bullet will plunk at 1.12 COL and it appears is at least as accurate the Xtreme bullet in my current CORE barrel.
So, I'm going back to fitting the Apex for the CORE, with my fingers crossed. I won't know for a while, my fitting skills are slow..
Will
lhump1961
US Veteran
I have a threaded Apex on my 2.0 compact and like it fine. I bought it for the increased dwell time for my suppressor. I have used Apex triggers for a number of years and have always been happy with Apex parts.
I can't take credit for the target group as that was my son-in-law embarrassing me with my own gun. That group was at about 20 to 25 feet through the can using the Apex threaded barrel, Apex flat faced trigger at 3.5lbs. I don't remember the ammo but probably my 124g ball loads using Power Pistol. Another poster commented on plunking hand loads and I find that the M&P barrels (stock or Apex) require a bit shorter OAL than my 3rd gens. I don't recall exactly how much but enough that I noticed. No issue with factory ammo in that regard.
I can't take credit for the target group as that was my son-in-law embarrassing me with my own gun. That group was at about 20 to 25 feet through the can using the Apex threaded barrel, Apex flat faced trigger at 3.5lbs. I don't remember the ammo but probably my 124g ball loads using Power Pistol. Another poster commented on plunking hand loads and I find that the M&P barrels (stock or Apex) require a bit shorter OAL than my 3rd gens. I don't recall exactly how much but enough that I noticed. No issue with factory ammo in that regard.
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Apex barrels are in a class by themselves. The length makes little difference. Every portion is high quality, but the barrel fitment affecting dwell time (lockup) is a key characteristic Apex has figured out that produces superior accuracy.
I had tried a different brand drop in barrel, and it shot no better than the OEM, but it was the extended/threaded which I wanted.
My full size M&P now has the Apex gunsmith fit extended, threaded barrel, put in by Apex. It’s a one holer. Targets attached. The green one was shot off hand at 10 yards, five rounds.
Randy Lee from Apex has checked in here numerous times and has explained some of the technical aspects of his barrels.
It was very expensive and for many people probably not worth it. However, I love my gun with all its many upgrades, and the barrel is a central component. The cost is a small factor compared to my enjoyment and pride in the pistol over the past three years. I carry it almost every day. I have shot a dozen brands of different weights of factory ammo with complete reliability.
If you want and can afford an Apex barrel, get it. No finer upgrade.
I had tried a different brand drop in barrel, and it shot no better than the OEM, but it was the extended/threaded which I wanted.
My full size M&P now has the Apex gunsmith fit extended, threaded barrel, put in by Apex. It’s a one holer. Targets attached. The green one was shot off hand at 10 yards, five rounds.
Randy Lee from Apex has checked in here numerous times and has explained some of the technical aspects of his barrels.
It was very expensive and for many people probably not worth it. However, I love my gun with all its many upgrades, and the barrel is a central component. The cost is a small factor compared to my enjoyment and pride in the pistol over the past three years. I carry it almost every day. I have shot a dozen brands of different weights of factory ammo with complete reliability.
If you want and can afford an Apex barrel, get it. No finer upgrade.
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You can watch this video to find out about the "magic" they use in their barrels.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKz9QarKa80[/ame]
I've not had any issues with accuracy with any of my M&Ps (FS, Compact, Shield, all 1.0). By that I mean I'm the weak point. Bought a 5" Ported CORE slide kit for my Fullsize. Didn't really notice any accuracy improvements. Bough a non-ported Storm Lake 5" "Match" barrel. Still didn't notice any improvements. Bottom line, they may improve the accuracy of the gun, but not necessarily the accuracy of the shooter.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKz9QarKa80[/ame]
I've not had any issues with accuracy with any of my M&Ps (FS, Compact, Shield, all 1.0). By that I mean I'm the weak point. Bought a 5" Ported CORE slide kit for my Fullsize. Didn't really notice any accuracy improvements. Bough a non-ported Storm Lake 5" "Match" barrel. Still didn't notice any improvements. Bottom line, they may improve the accuracy of the gun, but not necessarily the accuracy of the shooter.
I've heard that about M & P barrels due to chambering/head space off case mouth have to reduce COL. I also use Power Pistol behind 115 gr round nose (Xtreme); COL off Hornady manual 1.100 but loading them tad longer by 5 thousands, no feeding issues ? I did the drop test, drop the loaded round into the barrel (removed from slide) spun it round, no marks from the lands so not over seated.
I have match grade barrels in 2 DW 1911's, shooting steel, see the accuracy difference over other 1911 makers @ longer plate distances. While some might disagree with after market barrels, Apex seems to be the best bet of the other manufactures especially the 1-10 twist rate. I had excellent luck with match grade rifle barrels in the past. While blue print the barrels to the action is key, if tuned well, their shooters.
Thanks for the one hole target cluster Pic
