The pistol is a M&P40c manufactured June 2013. The Apex DCAEK and Ameriglo SW-802 were installed by me. (LINK) I got both for $167.00 shipped from Buds. Let me tell you; I've built engines, transmissions, stereos, furniture, wood framing, and successfully completed various other hands on/mechanical endeavors... I figured this would be very easy after watching dozens of youtube videos and reading about others installs, and this was by no means as straight forward for me as it was for others.
I used penetrating lubricant overnight on the front and rear factory sights. I had to drill out the factory 1/16" allen screw because none of my 1/16" wrenches would make it budge and I broke 3/5 of them in process. I don't care about the allen keys. My concern is the pistol having a part that is not properly ANSI spec'd. I know it's just a stupid allen screw but that's how I feel.
The night sights went on pretty easily but getting them centered was another story. I made my own sight punch (PIC) out of plumbing fittings from home depot which worked very well. The front sights got a little P-blaster but I would not do this to the rear because of the striker blocker assembly's location being right under the rear sight. Because I was able to clean out the oil when I changed the striker blocker I wasn't concerned with oil to get the sights off. There is really no need for oil to get the sight back on and doesn't seem like it would be of any benefit.
Taking the rest of the pistol apart is very easy, and the DCAEK install was very easy. Putting the pistol back together takes a little bit of wiggling things around but if you're any bit mechanical it's not bad.
If I were to do another install, I would 100% purchase a sight pusher, and brass punch specifically for pistol roll pins. For my pin pusher I used the S&W punch that mounts at the bottom of the grip, which is too hard and leaves marks on the roll pins. I would also skip the Apex DCAEK. My apologies in advance to all the people who feel that this is a night and day difference for the pistol. I would rather have modified the factory parts and polished them myself than spend $90 shipped for the kit... However, the Apex aluminum trigger seems like a worthy upgrade. Just my thoughts.
I used penetrating lubricant overnight on the front and rear factory sights. I had to drill out the factory 1/16" allen screw because none of my 1/16" wrenches would make it budge and I broke 3/5 of them in process. I don't care about the allen keys. My concern is the pistol having a part that is not properly ANSI spec'd. I know it's just a stupid allen screw but that's how I feel.
The night sights went on pretty easily but getting them centered was another story. I made my own sight punch (PIC) out of plumbing fittings from home depot which worked very well. The front sights got a little P-blaster but I would not do this to the rear because of the striker blocker assembly's location being right under the rear sight. Because I was able to clean out the oil when I changed the striker blocker I wasn't concerned with oil to get the sights off. There is really no need for oil to get the sight back on and doesn't seem like it would be of any benefit.
Taking the rest of the pistol apart is very easy, and the DCAEK install was very easy. Putting the pistol back together takes a little bit of wiggling things around but if you're any bit mechanical it's not bad.
If I were to do another install, I would 100% purchase a sight pusher, and brass punch specifically for pistol roll pins. For my pin pusher I used the S&W punch that mounts at the bottom of the grip, which is too hard and leaves marks on the roll pins. I would also skip the Apex DCAEK. My apologies in advance to all the people who feel that this is a night and day difference for the pistol. I would rather have modified the factory parts and polished them myself than spend $90 shipped for the kit... However, the Apex aluminum trigger seems like a worthy upgrade. Just my thoughts.
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