Apex Trigger Failure in SD40VE

[Model 15-4ever]

Installed an Apex Polymer Action Enhancement Trigger about 3-1/2 years ago. 840 rounds of factory 180 grain ammo through it. Shooting yesterdays, noticed locking block pin walking out. Field stripped afterwards, pic tells the story. Put the factory trigger back in. For $40 I expected longer service. FYI...

 

[Echo40]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if it were as easy and inexpensive to effectively upgrade the Sigma/SD Series of pistols as these aftermarket parts manufacturers suggest, then Smith & Wesson would have upgraded the design with similar parts of their own by now or otherwise licensed out these companies to produce these parts for S&W.

The reality of the situation is this, the Sigma/SD Series is a budget line of pistols which is already just about as good as it gets for the price, and attempts to significantly upgrade, enhance, or improve on the design with simple drop-in aftermarket parts simply cannot succeed.
In other words, the Sigma/SD Series will never be an M&P, even if you match or exceed the cost of a M&P in aftermarket parts. Sure, you can improve it marginally with better sights, wider takedown levers, and other such minor accessories, but replacing the trigger, the guide rod, and the RSA aren't going to do much. (In fact, steel guide rods are actually known to compromise the structural integrity of the frame, making them utterly detrimental.)

 

[Ruger Nut]

The only enhancements I have done to my SD9 are an extended slide lever, an APEX trigger spring kit, and painted the lettering. I also added some grip pads/tape on both sides of the grip. A member here makes them and sent me a pair. I just can't remember his username because it's been over 3 years ago.

 

[Ichthyo]

I guess you probably liked the trigger until it broke. My guess is Apex will replace it. I don't see where that is such an undesirable upgrade.

I''ve had factory parts break on guns too. Is there any reason to believe this happens often the Apex?

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I guess you probably liked the trigger until it broke. My guess is Apex will replace it. I don't see where that is such an undesirable upgrade.

I''ve had factory parts break on guns too. Is there any reason to believe this happens often the Apex?

I did like the trigger, until it broke. Not so much now. No, Apex will not replace it after 3-1/2 years. And the trigger breaking on a self-defense gun is not a desirable upgrade. Have never read of a factory SD40 trigger breaking. But if it did, here's the difference:

Apex trigger - costs $40 with generous 60 day warranty.
Factory trigger - no additional cost and lifetime warranty.

Factory SD trigger pull is pretty bad from a shooter's viewpoint; sad on an otherwise good pistol. But functioning trigger always better than broken trigger. YMMV

 

[noro]

model 15,

Being you like the Apex, looks like you have no choice
but to spring for a new Apex in that they won't cover it
under their warranty.

Putting the old trigger back in doesn't seem to be an option.

 

[S&W Rover]

I can repeat my story from quite a while ago -- I installed an Apex trigger and could not get it to work; I spoke with Flork (from Apex) on the phone and he gave me some pointers, but it still didn't work. His comment was that different SD's have slightly different dimensions from the way they are made and the trigger won't fit all of them.

If I were you, I'd send it back to Apex without even emailing them for permission in advance, and ask for a refund. They have a very good rep for customer service and will probably give you a refund, or at least a new trigger. You can decide then if you want to put it another one in your pistol.

I think Dirty Harry Callahan sums it up about best.

 

[oubackman]

It does sound like a real disappointment. In light of that, it sounds as if it is possible that the trigger is not at fault. Putting the trigger pin in backwards is not hard to do, and everything with function (but the pin will not be locked in by the slide release lever into the pin groove). if this were to happen, the pin could easily slide out during shooting, as the locking block pin gets almost halfway out, & is squeezed at an angle and thereby, breaking. It is hard for the pin to back out being under tension of the trigger springs & locked in place by the pin groove and slide release lever.
Everyone needs to note that the S&W trigger is not any stronger that the Apex trigger. The Apex trigger will have no more chance of breaking that the stock trigger. Fitment is another matter. Apex has very good quality control. There is not such great quality control on the SD pistols and I have had to do fitting on some SD pistols for an Apex trigger and others frames required none.

 

[DarkWolf45]

I literally just put the Apex in my shopping cart at an online store of impressive reputation. Now I'm having second thoughts on ordering it.
I have the utmost respect for the members here and the information they share.