Articles- M&P PRODUCTION UPDATES: Slide stops,barrels,sear

[SmurfHunter]

Smith does listen, it seems. My July 2013 build M&P40 has another new slide stop design. Instead of the old stamped trigger bar pressure area, it now has a stepped pad welded to the slide stop. The purpose appears to be to apply lateral pressure to the trigger bar to enhance tactile reset feel. Pictures attached.

I also purchased a trigger/trigger bar assembly from Midway to work on in an attempt to improve gritty trigger pull. The trigger bar on my gun is stamped "R". Pictured on the top. The one from Midway is stamped "S". It has a shallower engagement angle and it .015 inches shorter at the top of the loop. End result: it moves the sear engagement later in the trigger pull, and softens trigger pull. Combined with the new factory machined sear with a profile that mimics an Apex or a Burwell sear, overtravel is reduced and reset feel is increased.

My M&P and my Shield both had gritty trigger pulls. Simply polishing the machining marks of of the trigger bar contact point with the striker firing pin block removed all the gritty feel.

The stock M&P trigger bar loop, when viewed from above, did not fully engage the sear like the one on my Shield did. Simply tweaking the sear engagement loop slightly to the left so it would completely engage the sear had the pleasant effect of greatly improving reset "feel".

Bottom line: There is no longer as much need for aftermarket sears on the newest M&P. Stock parts are improving.

All the Shield needs is a trigger stop to limit overtravel. Take up is short and release is crisp. Overtravel is excessive, though.

Don't agree at all shields are not coming with the new sears and parts. They seem to be using the same mim S&W sear.
So the shield benefits a lot from a apex sear.

 

[DocSunShine]

Don't agree at all shields are not coming with the new sears and parts. They seem to be using the same mim S&W sear.
So the shield benefits a lot from a apex sear.

Even with the old sear, the Shield has a perfectly good trigger out of the box stop, so it's not really "needed."

However on my M&P40 & 40c I would like to replace with the new stock parts.

 

[SmurfHunter]

Even with the old sear, the Shield has a perfectly good trigger out of the box stop, so it's not really "needed."

However on my M&P40 & 40c I would like to replace with the new stock parts.

I didn't say it needs it. I said it benefits from it. Anyone who has changed the sear in their shield will back up this statement.

 

[hoverking]

Has anyone seen the new ver 3 slide stop with welded pad yet?

 

[Ofc.JL]

Guys, if I might. The "welded" pad slide stop is the standard part now. The "bent" style slide stop did not see wide spread distribution. Probably due to wear factors, if I would guess. And these production design changes started with the Shield. S&W learned a way to improve the trigger pull and reset knowing that it was what the Public wanted. They incorporated that knowledge into the 9 & 40 line pretty soon after the Shield was such a hit.
Oh, and anyone having "weird" extraction problems(i.e., straight up or spotty extraction), replace the extractor. S&W upgraded that as well. Spring is same, unless yours has sacked.
Thanx. Happy New Year, All.
Ofc.JL

 

[BobsSmith]

My MP 45 FS has a born date of 4-10. The trigger has gotten much better with use.

The guns is stock and shoots great! Perfectly regulated for 230 grain ammo....shoots Ball and 230 HST same point of aim, where ever the white dot is!

Leaving it stock.... aint broke ... not fixing it!

Best

Bob