Heavier Trigger Spring for Shield

[xpg6]

I'm used to heavy triggers--think Ruger revolvers at maybe 12 lbs. But I plan on getting a Shield which has about a 6 lb trigger. If I decide I want a heavier trigger is that much of a job to have done & would it cause any problems with the gun?

 

[WR Moore]

I believe Massachusetts requires a heavier trigger, but SFAIK there's more to this than just a spring. I'd guess your best approach would be S&W customer service to do the transformation-not being sure the different parts are available outside factory authorized service facilities.

I think you'll like the new trigger, (at least on the 1.0) it's much like an extremely well tuned DA. If you prep your revolver triggers, you might find the lighter pull makes this an unsafe procedure.

 

[xpg6]

Yes, MA models have a 10 lb + trigger & that would probably be ok with me, but I 1st gotta figure out which sights I want. I don't think S&W offers a MA Compliant model with tritium sights. But maybe I don't need tritium. I've a thread up on that issue. S&W calls their white 3-dot sights night sights, but I need an opinion on those vs the tritiums. This will be my edc so I want something good for both day & night. ..just not sure which of the 2 is better. My eyes are not the greatest at arms length so that might play into it.

 

[xpg6]

Oh, yeah. What does it mean to prep the trigger?

 

[lefty_jake]

I have a lot of experience with the Massachusetts triggers in S&W M&P series pistols including the Shield, and I strongly recommend against getting a Massachusetts trigger unless you are required to do so.

There is considerable variation in the Massachusetts Shield triggers, but the best of them have a poor feel, and the worst of them are nearly unshootable. If you get to handle a bunch of Massachusetts M&Ps, you may be able to find one that is marginally acceptable, but ordering one would really be taking a chance.

The weight of the Massachusetts triggers really does not tell the whole story. Many of them have a really poor feel that is like a revolver that stacks badly and then gets very heavy at the end. I am a double action revolver shooter, and I find the Shield triggers are far worse than a revolver trigger of comparable weight.

I might also add the the Apex trigger kits are very popular in Massachusetts. The "compliant" trigger is only required when a new gun is sold. After it has been purchased, there are no legal restrictions about modifying it.

Generally, I find the free state Shield triggers to be pretty reasonable. They are a good balance between shootability and safety. If you like the Shield, I would recommend trying one in the standard factory configuration.

 

[WR Moore]

About tritium sights.....my experience is that the only one you need is the front sight, they're available separately from Brownells. I find I greatly prefer a firearm mounted light to night sights-it's much better to identify your target first.

Oh, yeah. What does it mean to prep the trigger?

OK, long ago a speed technique for very close range revolver shooting was know as "the stroke". The trigger stroke started as the firearm was coming up and completed as the firearm aligns with the target. It was dropped from training because of questionable shootings that blamed the system. Or lawsuit settlements that blamed the system.

On the other hand, prepping the trigger-with a revolver and if and only if the decision to fire has already been made-involves preloading the trigger with, say 1/3 or so the pressure needed to fire it, once it's coming up on the target. You should be aware of the pressure on the trigger. The trigger stroke is completed after sight verification. The long travel and weight of the DA trigger stroke makes this possible with relative safety, but requires practice.

The method with semis is similar, but the margin for error is greatly reduced. It's best reserved for very highly skilled people shooting in competition (or a war) where an errant shot-in a safe direction- is pretty much a non-event.

Real world, except at bad breath distance, either technique is probably best ignored as the difference in times only matters when you're being scored on hundredths/thousandths of a second.

 

[xpg6]

I'll give S&W & my local gunsmith (Unless someone gives me a good contact for this job) each a call & see what they say about changing the trigger weight. Maybe I'll find I like the Shield's stock trigger & not need to change. That would be great. I'll forget about the MA Compliant trigger. Since I like the idea of blackened-out rear sights maybe I'll go with the cheapest sights the Shield comes with & then upgrade from that. By actually handling both the Version 1 & the 2.0 I'll be able to tell how their respective grips & triggers feel. ..still not sold on the idea though that the 2.0 would make a better cc piece than the 1.0. ..still studying that issue. ..just not sure I will be able to refinish the grip on the 2.0 to make it comfortable while not grabbing my t-shirt I'll wear over it.