so you installed half the kit and determined it wasn't worth it?
Just commenting as to my results installing the same 1/2 of the kit that a few of the other users here have also only installed. They posted their results and I posted mine doing the same portion of the upgrade. It is an Apples to Apples comparison.
Not actually half of the kit though. More like 3/4 of the kit. according to what the parts are advertised to mainly do, the trigger spring along with sear and sear spring are what seems to lower the pull, while the USB mostly takes care of the grittiness.
As I said, the grittiness has started to go away on its own, as well as possibly helped by S&W tech, and based on what others are reporting, should go away completely after a few hundred rounds.
Based on the above posts, to go further by replacing the USB may require additional costs of Gunsmith, $100+ sight adjusting tool, new rear sight since old one will be battered according to one user, etc. That all needs to be taken into account as a possibilty when thinking of installing the Apex kit.
However, I did also say that I may finish the job this weekend by using a press to remove rear sight.
Mention of the Apex kit might (will) lead some to think the Shield has a bad trigger and needs this kit to correct the bad trigger. Take a look at other review message boards and that is what some are now thinking. Spend $450 on the Shield and then have to spend another $150 to get a trigger kit (installed). Just think it is fair to mention that none of this is mandatory, and that some might find the additional cost does not equal great benefit, since the stock trigger is indeed a good trigger to begin with.
Please don't take things out of context. I said that I would probably do it again for $20 (if it was priced at $20), not worth the retail price of the kit, so if you think that I am judging 3/4 of the kit to be worth $20, I will agree with that. But I would not pay $60+ more for the rest of it (along with the additional tools and labor required to do the USB).
EDIT: from Apex Website:
Fully Machined Sear: Reduces trigger pull weight, over travel and reset.
Ultimate Striker Block Kit: Smoothes trigger uptake and reduces the double click reset.
Duty/Carry Spring Kit:
1) Trigger return spring: Sets the trigger pull weight into the 5 lb range and increases uptake pressure
2) Shield Slave Pin: Used to hold tension on the trigger return spring during installation.
3) Sear Spring: Aids in returning the Sear to its ready to fire position and maintains trigger pull weight.