Apex sear in my M&P Shield 9mm

[greeenteeee]

The only reason that I have never used Apex parts is because I am not crazy about increasing the pretravel. I like it where it is but it would be nice to have an improved trigger.

In my case actually, I didn't notice an increase in pretravel.

Pre-travel didn't really change much. What did change in my findings were that the amount of "sear movement" was reduced, and most noticeably, the pull weight decreased.

Compared to the first picture I posted, the top one in the picture below is the stock Shield, Apex'd Shield, and then Performance Center Shield. I didn't post it initially because it's a bit ambiguous in comparison because I initially used a medium point pen.

 

[Will41]

In my case actually, I didn't notice an increase in pretravel.

Pre-travel didn't really change much. What did change in my findings were that the amount of "sear movement" was reduced, and most noticeably, the pull weight decreased.

Compared to the first picture I posted, the top one in the picture below is the stock Shield, Apex'd Shield, and then Performance Center Shield. I didn't post it initially because it's a bit ambiguous in comparison because I initially used a medium point pen.

What are the 2 lines after the break on the Apex'd Shield? There seems to be an extra line.

 

[eahicks]

The Apex web site indicates the sear 100-063 is not designed for the Shield .45.

He said 9MM in the thread title


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[greeenteeee]

What are the 2 lines after the break on the Apex'd Shield? There seems to be an extra line.

Left to Right lines:
NOTE: there is a "RED" (hard to tell on blue tape) line which is where the reset is.

idle, trigger safety disengaged, sear movement begins, break point, max/overtravel.

Basically, there is more sear movement on the Apex'd Shield vs PC Shield. Though the Apex Sear'd Shield (+ polishing) is lighter than the stock PC Shield (5# 3.2oz vs 5# 15.1oz), it does have a longer area from where the sear starts to be engaged by the trigger bar loop until it actually breaks.

Similar to the stock standard Shield, in terms of sear movement, however there is no plateau in the trigger pull when it was stock.

 

[jnbr19867]

I used an M&P Pro factory sear in my Shield and the trigger is very nice. The Pro sear is the same as a Performance Center sear. S&W adds a heavier sear spring under it to bring weight up a little. A lot of people set up their Pros for competition and install Apex sears, so there are a lot of new take out sears to be found. I tried an Apex 063 and it was very nice but too light for carry from just under 4lbs to just over.

I'm very interested in doing the same to my Shield 9.

Is your Shield a 9, 40, or 45? Also, when you say the sear from the M&P Pro/Performance Center works on the Shield, which Pro/Peformance Center sear (9, 40, or 45) works on the Shield 9?

From what I've gathered so far on the forum, the .45 Pro/Performance Center sear only fits on the Shield 9 (the M&P Pro/Performance Center 9 and 40 don't fit the Shield 9).

Did you ever measured the trigger pull with the factory sear compared to after when you replaced it with a Pro/Performance center sear, can you share how much the trigger pulled dropped?

I'm mostly interested in doing this because i want to try and keep the trigger pull at 5lbs or just above 5 lbs. I don't want it to drop below 5 lbs as Apex advertises their sear probably can.

Would really appreciate any helpful feedback, thanks!

 

[bsmiley]

Apex indicated the trigger bar loop might need adjustment with the Forward Ser Sear used in the competition pistols. The duty sear shouldn't need the trigger bar loop adjusted. Of course you can adjust as you see fit.
My Apex DAEK is the only one sold for the Shield. My kit didn't reduce take up that I noticed, just smoothed everything out and made the break crisp.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions out there about the Apex kits. The duty kits aren't hair triggers or competition triggers. I don't think they change the timing. My Shield has an excellent trigger, the best in ANY duty pistol I've shot.
The people who have put in the Apex duty kits consistently express that its the best stirker trigger they've shot and they try to share with others.
People who haven't shot an Apex trigger say its too light, its a trick trigger with no pre travel, etc, etc, etc.
People who don't know and haven't shot it seem to have a long list of negatiives, but its all bunk. Don't put any stock in these expert opinions. A properly installed (which is easy) Apex duty kit will be the best trigger you've ever shot in a duty gun. If its not, Apex will work with you and make it right.
The money I spent on Apex was worth every penny.

 

[metroplex]

Here's the S&W "R" Competition sear, comes on the M&P 2.0 Full-Sized from the factory. I heard these are used on the 1.0 Shields as well.

Left to Right:
OE Shield Plus Sear, Shield 2.0/Plus Performance Center Sear, Apex 100-074 sear (for 2.0/Plus)

The OE Shield Plus is 4 lb, PC is 3.75 lb, and Apex is 3.25 lb

Unfortunately with the PC and Apex sears, the sear barely drops just enough to let the striker release. It does reduce the pull but that is a bit disconcerting to me as the OE sears from the factory all drop the sear entirely.

I believe the candy cane loop on the trigger bar could be adjusted, but eventually that weakens the trigger bar material. The only adjusting I did on the trigger bar was move the candy cane loop further away from the striker plunger block so it is more parallel with the sear engagement.

The M&P 2.0 uses the same sears as the Shield, but their sear engagement is a different mechanism/linkage entirely. That teardrop doesn't really touch the trigger bar.

 

[metroplex]

Something else I learned from shooting Glocks for over 18 years is that a lighter trigger pull by itself doesn't help me shoot better. I've tried every mod possible and ended up going back to stock parts with a few exceptions. Glock OE Minus connector and the NYPD Orange trigger spring. The pull is like 9-10 lb (off the scale for my wheeler gauge). Sounds terrible but I shoot it mainly at 25 yd, standing, unsupported and have no issues with accuracy. It really helps me train to improve trigger pull and grip.

The M&P 2.0 Full is a 4 lb pull, same as the Shield Plus, but for some reason the M&P 2.0 Full is a cleaner and crisper break. The Shield Plus doesn't feel as good. Some theories I have is the smaller and lighter stature of the Shield Plus contributes to this.