APEX VS stock trigger or non-issue

[Don 73]

First off, let me say that I like the stock trigger on my 9c and I don't have any issues with grittiness or roughness, or it being too heavy. I do have an issue with the possible failure of the trigger return spring. I'm not a do-it-yourselfer, so keeping spare springs on hand isn't really an option and I don't want to spend the money on the APEX if I don't really need it.

Should I just get the APEX and be done with it, or should I contact S&W to see if they have an updated spring that doesn't have the issue?

 

[DLeeHarley]

I think it depends on what you want out of your weapon. My M&P .40FS, after about 500-600 Dry fires & around the same down the pipe seems to me to be excellent. It's not A 1911 trigger, but for a HD/SD weapon, it's great! Smooth as can be and the reset even seems to have improved. I myself don't want to modify any weapon that I carry for Self defense. This is just my preference and I'm not saying anything about what anyone else chooses to do. OK? But my trigger is fine now and I'll just use the $ for more training & more ammo. Later,

Dennis
"Those who talk, Don't Do. Those who do, Don't Talk."

 

[Hodgin]

I recently had a gunsmith install the Apex kit in my 9c. My trigger was a bit gritty (after 600 rounds) and the pull was a bit more than I consider ideal for the gun. I do like the Apex modification more than the stock. However, I can see where someone could say it wasn't worth the $200 it cost me for the kit and installation (smith charged $75). The stock trigger was not what I consider ideal but it certainly was acceptable.

The trigger is pretty much exactly what I wanted. Smooth, nice travel, reset, and break. I had the heavy spring installed. Supposedly it brought the pull down for around 6.5 lbs to somewhere between 4.75 and 5.0 lbs. Not sure about the real numbers but it did lighten the pull noticeable. I could have gone lighter but really wanted something around 5 lbs for conceal carry and HD.

My recommendation is to keep what you've got if you're satisfied. You'd probably like the Apex more than the stock but the question is whether it's worth the money. I don't know anything about the spring issue with the 9c so that might be a concern for you.

 

[solidtactical]

For me, there's just no comparing the stock to the Apex duty/carry. It transformed the gun for me. But perhaps the M&P is like my Glock in that the trigger smooths out past about 5,000 rounds. Either way, you will not regret an Apex.

 

[kodiakpb]

First off, let me say that I like the stock trigger on my 9c and I don't have any issues with grittiness or roughness, or it being too heavy. I do have an issue with the possible failure of the trigger return spring. I'm not a do-it-yourselfer, so keeping spare springs on hand isn't really an option and I don't want to spend the money on the APEX if I don't really need it.

Should I just get the APEX and be done with it, or should I contact S&W to see if they have an updated spring that doesn't have the issue?

I wouldn't install an entire kit if the only thing you are concerned about is a trigger spring. It's really very easy to install if needed.

 

[OKFC05]

It still interests me why people who will not spend an extra $150 for the current Pro 4 1/4" version to get the improved trigger AND night sights, will spend that for a trigger kit alone.

As to the trigger return spring, I have never know one to fail unless the damper inside was damaged or missing.

My Pros smoothed out and settled down a little over 4#.

 

[robkarrob]

Your concern is the trigger return spring. Unless you are firing 5000 or more rounds, it is not likely that the trigger return spring will fail. That being said, there are many YouTube videos that show how easy it is to remove the trigger assembly and get to the spring. After watching the video, it might take you 15 minutes to do the complete spring swap. Just buy a new spring, watch the video, and change out the spring. It is very easy. This following video links are not specifically about changing the spring, but they show how to remove and replace it.

Bob


M&P Shield Trigger & Sear Removal - YouTube


M&P Shield Trigger & Sear Reinstall - YouTube

 

[millisec]

It still interests me why people who will not spend an extra $150 for the current Pro 4 1/4" version to get the improved trigger AND night sights, will spend that for a trigger kit alone.

As to the trigger return spring, I have never know one to fail unless the damper inside was damaged or missing.

My Pros smoothed out and settled down a little over 4#.

I'll just say this IMO the second gen of Pro's has the trigger "improved" but it's still not Apex improvement. They took some cues from Apex but for legal reasons trigger pull and reset are still a little heavier. If just to be a carry gun then yes I would say a 4.5" Pro is a better deal vs. buying Apex parts (duty kit anyway) and/or new sights. And of course for a carry gun you really don't want to have to defend shooting someone with a non-stock gun or non factory ammo. I have the original 5" Pro and even though it was supposed to have "improved" comp shop parts Apex was night and day as far as pull and reset.

 

[modraker]

OP, if you're looking to replace just the trigger return spring, Brownells sells them - TRIGGER RETURN SPRING | Brownells. I know you said you're not handy so you may want to consider having a gunsmith install it instead of sending the gun to S&W. Apex, to my knowledge, does not sell factory replacement parts. They have spring kits that raise or lower your trigger pull depending on your need.

 

[bobermo]

Should I just get the APEX and be done with it, or should I contact S&W to see if they have an updated spring that doesn't have the issue?

What issue are you referring to? Are you worried about a broken trigger return spring? Why would you think the apex trigger return spring won't eventual fail? Maybe I'm not understanding your concern.

If you are truly worried about the possibility of a broken trigger return spring during self-defense, then you might consider the Apex RAM. This not only improves the tactical reset but also resets the trigger in case the trigger return spring fails. Providing your sear block housing can accept the RAM, it can be installed without doing any other trigger modifications.

see video

Secondary Benefit of the Apex RAM - YouTube

 

[Don 73]

What issue are you referring to? Are you worried about a broken trigger return spring? Why would you think the apex trigger return spring won't eventual fail? Maybe I'm not understanding your concern.

If you are truly worried about the possibility of a broken trigger return spring during self-defense, then you might consider the Apex RAM. This not only improves the tactical reset but also resets the trigger in case the trigger return spring fails. Providing your sear block housing can accept the RAM, it can be installed without doing any other trigger modifications.

I was just worried about the 'tampon' disintegrating and the spring it protects from vibration breaking during use over time. All I shoot is routine qualifications and the occasional trip to the range to have some fun & get in some practice. Otherwise the gun is my EDC/Off Duty weapon. This is one of the reasons I miss my 3913, no such issues.

 

[Bkreutz]

I was just worried about the 'tampon' disintegrating and the spring it protects from vibration breaking during use over time. All I shoot is routine qualifications and the occasional trip to the range to have some fun & get in some practice. Otherwise the gun is my EDC/Off Duty weapon. This is one of the reasons I miss my 3913, no such issues.

I got my CORE the first week of June this year (Birthday present from my wife). I put the Apex FSS and poly trigger in, what I like best is the reduced trigger travel. Between practice and matches I shoot around 1200 rounds per week. So 13 weeks x 1200 = 15,600 rounds or so. No problems with any spring breakage (I liked the stock trigger spring the best so I left that in), I have spare parts in my bag but they're still in their original packages. Knock on wood, but every match I'm seeing a lot of other competitors with all kinds of problems and they're all using something other than a M&P (even the revolver guys, but I suspect that is operator error). I don't do any special cleaning regimen, just field strip once a week, clean out the bore and the black junk out of the slide and around the trigger bar and sear, put some Frog Lube on the slide guides and that's it. I've never had the striker out and the only time I've had the trigger/slide stop mechanism apart was when I put the Apex in. HTH.

 

[DocSunShine]

I got my CORE the first week of June this year (Birthday present from my wife). I put the Apex FSS and poly trigger in, what I like best is the reduced trigger travel. Between practice and matches I shoot around 1200 rounds per week. So 13 weeks x 1200 = 15,600 rounds or so. No problems with any spring breakage (I liked the stock trigger spring the best so I left that in), I have spare parts in my bag but they're still in their original packages. Knock on wood, but every match I'm seeing a lot of other competitors with all kinds of problems and they're all using something other than a M&P (even the revolver guys, but I suspect that is operator error). I don't do any special cleaning regimen, just field strip once a week, clean out the bore and the black junk out of the slide and around the trigger bar and sear, put some Frog Lube on the slide guides and that's it. I've never had the striker out and the only time I've had the trigger/slide stop mechanism apart was when I put the Apex in. HTH.

1,200 rounds a week?

I think most of us on here are envious, I wish I could put 1/4 of that down range per week!

 

[Bkreutz]

1,200 rounds a week?

I think most of us on here are envious, I wish I could put 1/4 of that down range per week!

Well, I don't like golf, don't smoke or drink, don't have any desire to take ocean cruises and I reload my own. I'm probably spending less shooting than the other things I could be doing.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I like the apex FSS. I didn't dislike the original trigger either, but for competition it works a little bit nicer. If it was my end of the world gun, I'd probably have left it bone stock and been just fine with it. If the end comes, I won't be taking the Apex out. Life is good with the M&P.

@bkreutz:
I am very happy for you that you can go 1200 rounds a week. That's a fine way to spend time and money.