FSS or DCAEK?

[JBarbaresi]

Hi, first post in this forum for me. They say admitting a problem is the first step to recovery, so here goes... I am a long time loyal Glock "fanboy" in the process of being converted to the M&P platform. One of the reasons it has taken me so long to warm up to the M&P is the trigger; I'm not a huge fan of the excessively long pre-travel caused by the joint and I don't care for the long and indistiguishable reset either. After doing some reading and learning about the many parts offered through Apex to correct those two issues I had, I decided it was worth my while to pick up a 9FS and put it through the paces. After several hundred rounds through the stock configuration I can say that I am definitely well on my way to replacing my G19 as a go-to gun, but the trigger still needs some work before I can comfortably do that.

Now that I have some trigger time on the weapon, I realize the jointed trigger is not all that bad and I think it is something I would be able to deal with. I already know I will be installing a RAM to help with the tactile reset issue. Now I am tossed up between going with the FSS or the DCAEK to complete the trigger work, and I would appreciate some opinions from those of you who have tried one or both and have a recommendation for me.

My gun is model 209301, the 9FS without a thumb safety and no mag disconnect. This gun will be used primarily for self defense and possible concealed carry if I can find a suitable holster, maybe even competition use down the road as I continue to improve with it. At first glance the FSS seems like the way to go due to the shortened pre-travel and forward set striker release point, but I am still slightly hesitant to go that route over the DCAEK. I am not concerned about the safety factor of the shorter pull without having a thumb safety (been shooting Glocks with several trigger mods long enough to practice good habits) and I definitely do not want to start a "liability" war about messing with a trigger on a SD/Carry weapon, been there and done that.

So what it ultimately boils down to is function and reliability, the FSS kit makes some serious changes in timing to the entire action, borderline disengages the striker block safety, and I've read several threads about having failures to fire due to the redesigned sear (although they mostly seem to be alleviated with use of the most recent sear block design with the 1/8" sear spring). From my understanding the DCAEK just cleans up the break, smooths out the pretravel, and eliminates the over-travel, but it still retains a long pull before getting to the staging point. I also think the DCAEK more closely mimicks the stock action in terms of the internal components working together, which I prefer on a SD gun.

So here's my question: how similar is the actual "break" feel/weight between the FSS and DCAEK? Is there any reason to not 100% trust the reliability of the FSS kit? My gun is a recent production so has the most updated sear block design. Any other reason to consider the DCAEK over the FSS that I'm missing (other than price)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mcracco]

I can't answer your question as to how the DCAEK trigger feel compares to the FSS because I have never owned the FSS. But, if you were thinking of competing with the gun in IDPA the FSS is an illegal mod as externally visible alterations of the gun are not allowed. Just something to throw into the equation.

 

[JBarbaresi]

I can't answer your question as to how the DCAEK trigger feel compares to the FSS because I have never owned the FSS. But, if you were thinking of competing with the gun in IDPA the FSS is an illegal mod as externally visible alterations of the gun are not allowed. Just something to throw into the equation.

yes i did take that into consideration since i compete in production classes. i have other competition guns so it wouldn't be a game changer in itself, but definitely something else to keep in mind.

it seems like everyone who has the DCAEK is extremely happy with it, as is everyone who has the FSS. hmmmm, decisions decisions.

 

[mcracco]

Final thoughts; Apex, to their credit, is a no bs kind of outfit. As you read the descriptions of products on their website it will tell you exactly what the parts will and will not do. There is no fluff.

If you are saying this is a HD/carry gun do the DCAEK. Personally, I can't see putting a target trigger in a carry gun. With the DCAEK you can still compete in production class and the trigger will be perfect for the guns primary purpose. Worst case, you aren't satisfied with the DCAEK and you get the FSS later. The DCAEK parts you take out are quite salable so you shouldn't lose much.

 

[rsu11]

I installed the DCAEK kit in my 9C a couple weeks ago. It definitely improved the smoothness, but as mentioned in the Apex video, kept the long pull and moved the break a little further back. The idea being that less post-break travel makes for less sight upset as the trigger just touches the stop tab in the guard.

It does work as advertised, but I'm not crazy about the late break. The pull is right on 5 lbs., as Apex advised. I shoot 1911's and would have preferred the FSS to mimic the feel of the 1911 trigger, but that would outlaw it for IDPA. Reset is still mushy since I can't put the RAM in my thumb saftied gun, but more training should make that less of an issue.

So if you're a 1911 shooter and used to a short, sensitive trigger the FSS may be your cup of tea. I wouldn't carry it in a non-thumb safety model, however. The DCAEK kit is the best for carry for most folks. And God forbid, if I ever wind up in the witness box after a defensive shooting, I don't want a lawyer asking why I felt it was necessary to put a "hair" trigger on my gun.

 

[machz1]

I installed the DCAEK kit in my 9C a couple weeks ago. It definitely improved the smoothness, but as mentioned in the Apex video, kept the long pull and moved the break a little further back. The idea being that less post-break travel makes for less sight upset as the trigger just touches the stop tab in the guard.

It does work as advertised, but I'm not crazy about the late break. The pull is right on 5 lbs., as Apex advised. I shoot 1911's and would have preferred the FSS to mimic the feel of the 1911 trigger, but that would outlaw it for IDPA. Reset is still mushy since I can't put the RAM in my thumb saftied gun, but more training should make that less of an issue.

So if you're a 1911 shooter and used to a short, sensitive trigger the FSS may be your cup of tea. I wouldn't carry it in a non-thumb safety model, however. The DCAEK kit is the best for carry for most folks. And God forbid, if I ever wind up in the witness box after a defensive shooting, I don't want a lawyer asking why I felt it was necessary to put a "hair" trigger on my gun.

i just talked to Apex last week and the "salesman" convinced me the FSS kit was much better. he also "told" me the gunsmiths that work at Apex (who im having install my kit) can get the trigger pull to 5 pounds with the FSS kit. the dcaek kit is at 5-5.5 pounds so they are pretty close but the FSS has a better reset.

 

[HillTop]

i just talked to Apex last week and the "salesman" convinced me the FSS kit was much better. he also "told" me the gunsmiths that work at Apex (who im having install my kit) can get the trigger pull to 5 pounds with the FSS kit. the dcaek kit is at 5-5.5 pounds so they are pretty close but the FSS has a better reset.

Any update on the FSS trigger? How do you like it now after shooting with this trigger for awhile? Where you able to get the FSS trigger to 5 lbs?

 

[NICKTHEFISH]

I have the DCAEK in my 40FS and love it! Yes the reset is hard to feel and the travel is still long but it is a carry pistol and didn't want to mess around with the FSS' "hair trigger". I am going to install the RAM for the reset issue and the AEK trigger because I like the center safety over the hinged trigger and it's aluminum too!

 

[C4IGrant]

On a defensive gun I would either go with the DCAEK OR the AEK with the duty/carry spring kit.


C4

 

[machz1]

Any update on the FSS trigger? How do you like it now after shooting with this trigger for awhile? Where you able to get the FSS trigger to 5 lbs?

i love the trigger feel of it now! if youve ever even remotely considered doing this STOP procrastinating and JUST DOO IT! it literally makes your groups smaller. the trigger pull ended up at 4.1 pounds. at first i thought this a bit light for me but after shooting it its absolutely fine. they told me if i really wanted a slightly heavier pull they could put the stock spring back in.

 

[robkarrob]

Apex has several install videos on their website. The FSS pull, shown on that install video, ended up with under 4 pounds pull. They say the pull should be between 4 to 4.5 pounds. Since the FSS is not available for the Shield, I went with their sear and blocker only. I added my own over-travel stop and this is a link to YouTube where you can view full screen, the results:

M&P Shield With Apex Trigger and Over Travel Stop - YouTube


M&P Shield With Apex Trigger and Over Travel Stop - YouTube


Bob