Apex springs in SD40VE - more muzzle flip recoil

[ezsw]

I purchased a SD40VE a few months back primarily as a backup home defense gun that we could take to the range, and for the most part really liked the gun, except what most people complain about - the trigger pull made it not great for the range. After about 500 rounds I decided to go ahead and do the Apex springs set.

Install went fine, although oddly enough my main pin that goes through the slide lock and trigger block would only go in and out in the opposite direction of the video on Apex's side.

In any case, took it to the range, love the new trigger pull but thought the gun was exhibiting more muzzle flip/upward recoil. I adjusted my grip a bit higher and it seemed ok to me, but I did notice a change. Then my wife, who has also shot the gun quite a bit, tried it out and the gun was practically flying out of her hand. She has proclaimed she can no longer shoot it and I ruined the gun. I did a bunch of reading and looking and can't find anything that explains how this could be. Is the striker spring making the loads "hotter" or something?

This is the newer spring set, and the trigger return spring has the velvet insert in it. The recoil spring is the same, only springs changed were the ones that come with the kit: trigger return, striker spring, and striker block spring.

 

[Short Bus Driver]

I'm guessing you used hotter ammo, the trigger spring kit does nothing to the recoil.

 

[ezsw]

Ok, we have cycled through a bunch of different ammo, and I was thinking this might be a possibility, so I will try some different ammo and see if that makes a difference. I am still a little dubious though, because I am sure we used this ammo (its some factory reload from Georgia Arms) before and I had much less muzzle flip.

 

[raymo2u]

Springs have no way on making your loads hotter. It could be the ammo your using orhw long has it been since youve fired the gun?

The springs only lightened the pull of your trigger and lighten the force of the strikers hitting the primer, that would make no difference on recoil. Recoil force can change from more powerful ammo, lightening your gun, making the gun smaller, changing the recoil springs, and above all the force you use for your grip.

With more time with your gun and using the same ammo you will see switching the springs changed nothing but trigger pull, switch back and forth to confirm it yourself

 

[retired_diver]

I agree with the above statements, the Apex kit should not and can not provide more flip or recoil since you didn't change the recoil spring. What might be happening (besides hotter ammo) is that your grip has changed. With the easier and smoother trigger pull you and your wife might not be "controlling the back strap" of the pistol. Before you might have been pulling so hard on the trigger that you might actually have had a better more stable grip. If that is the case some grip tape might help? It could be as simple as the trigger finger using the pad vs. first joint pull?

 

[ezsw]

I agree with the above statements, the Apex kit should not and can not provide more flip or recoil since you didn't change the recoil spring. What might be happening (besides hotter ammo) is that your grip has changed. With the easier and smoother trigger pull you and your wife might not be "controlling the back strap" of the pistol. Before you might have been pulling so hard on the trigger that you might actually have had a better more stable grip. If that is the case some grip tape might help? It could be as simple as the trigger finger using the pad vs. first joint pull?

That's a good point, I'll have to check our grips next time because we both may have inadvertently switched our grips due to lighter trigger pull. We have not yet made it back to the range.

 

[copterdrvr]

I put the Apex trigger kit in my SD9 ve and love it.

I also installed the Galloway 20 pound captive recoil spring and I'm equally as happy with it. It's cycled everything I've run through it flawlessly and to me the "perceived " recoil is noticeably less.

If I owned this pistol in 40 SW I would definitely install the 22 pound spring in it.

And no-what you changed CAN'T change the recoil!!!..

 

[ezsw]

Ok thanks for the tip- I went ahead and ordered the 22 lb Galloway so we will see how that works!

 

[copterdrvr]

Well------how did it work????

 

[ezsw]

My wife's grip was not high enough on the gun. Not sure why, but we got it corrected. I think with Galloway 22lb recoil spring in there plus the apex trigger kit the gun really has improved a lot, and a couple of my friends who have sd9ve's thought so as well when they tried it. If I had to nitpick now, I'd say the trigger pull is a hair long, but the muzzle flip is not bad with proper grip. My wife still thinks it recoils a lot...yet she is dying to try the s&w 500 mag I just bought...

 

[hmbiohazard]

hahah she thinks the SD has kick.... wait til she makes the .500 go bang!

liked the previous post for having a "hot" wife!

 

[ezsw]

I didnt even realize there was a "like" option! OK I liked everyone's stuff!

 

[drinva]

Agree with all, no way the spring kit changed the recoil, but it may have loosened your grip style and makes it feel more "snappy".

The SD40VE is one snappy firearm to begin with. It is by far the snappiest gun I own, mainly due to the light weight of the gun and the plain nature of the .40 round. It's a gun that after shooting a 100 rounds you're ready for a break!

DR

 

[hmbiohazard]

Agree with all, no way the spring kit changed the recoil, but it may have loosened your grip style and makes it feel more "snappy".

The SD40VE is one snappy firearm to begin with. It is by far the snappiest gun I own, mainly due to the light weight of the gun and the plain nature of the .40 round. It's a gun that after shooting a 100 rounds you're ready for a break!

DR

lies! ive shot 1000+ over 2-3 days and had no issues. of course im a big ol bear sized man. now my .44 that hurts after about 150-200 but the sd40 is no biggie

 

[retired_diver]

lies! ive shot 1000+ over 2-3 days and had no issues. of course im a big ol bear sized man. now my .44 that hurts after about 150-200 but the sd40 is no biggie

I don't know about "lies", everyone is different for taking in recoil. I have a 629-1 w 4" barrel. That is one kicking handgun. with factory federal 180gr JHP loads it snaps and hurts shooting 50 . But shooting 150-200, for me no way, after about 18 the flinch is terrible 4 me and my hand starts shaking just holding the target.

 

[Jpizzay]

i'm still waiting to hear how the 22lb. galloway spring worked out..

 

[Tmatahead]

i'm still waiting to hear how the 22lb. galloway spring worked out..

I grabbed a 22# spring that was to be for a G .40 cal. Think the gun is about perfect.