Installed an Apex DCAEK kit in my M&P-9 and....

[Deaj]

...WOW!! What a difference! Smooth right up to a crisp break and a short, distinct reset. Fantastic!!

I didn't quite make it to 500 rounds as I'd planned to before installing the kit but after 350 rounds of flawless performance I felt confident enough that the pistol is functionally sound.

I'll admit I was a little nervous going into the job but it was not at all difficult. The rear sight has a snug fit in the dovetail slot but can be pushed without a punch. Installing the USB was the easiest piece of the kit to complete. because of the sights fit it'll be easy to zero it and secure it with loctite next visit to the range. When I started to work on the sear I had a slight hiccup - one of my 1/8" roll-pin punch appears to be a hair larger than it should be and it got stuck in the sear block. I was able to push it out with the roll-pin, grab another 1/8" punch, and got back to work. The sear and sear plunger spring went in without issue. Last bit was the trigger spring. When I first lifted the trigger assembly out with the slide lock it all popped out faster than I thought it would but it was easy to re-assemble. The trigger spring I received from Apex had both loops timed perfectly so I had no trouble sliding the trigger pivot pin back into place. At each step I double-checked for correct assembly, proper movement of all moving parts, and zero movement for fixed parts. I also put the pistol back together completely after each part of the install to verify proper function. The whole job took no more than 30 minutes.

I've done a good bit of reading about the M&P pistols before my purchase and since. I'd read about the trigger bar mod that provides a more distinct reset. I was prepared to attempt this mod if I found I was less than pleased with the reset. I was very pleased to find that the reset on my M&P-9 short and very distinct - no need for any further work.

I'm really glad I ordered and installed this kit. The trigger, which I already liked stock, is much improved! I also have a much better understanding of how the pistol functions and I'm confident that I will be able to perform any service required down the road (hopefully none). I'm hoping to make it back out to the range this weekend (it'll happen if my son wants to go). I'll definitely get out to shoot my M&P-9 by Wednesday of next week. I'm very much looking forward to shooting it with the Apex DCAEK kit installed! I'll post some observations after I get a chance to shoot it.

 

[RobG5589]

Perfect timing. I have the kit coming for my .40. I watched the video and started to second guess doing it myself but, I may give it a go.

 

[Deaj]

Perfect timing. I have the kit coming for my .40. I watched the video and started to second guess doing it myself but, I may give it a go.

That was my first reaction to watching the videos as well. After jumping in and getting it done I can say that it's definitely worth doing so. I thought the work was easier than the videos made it look. Just go slow and take your time. It's not a very complex action and installing the kit will give you a more thorough understanding of how the pistol works.

The only potential difficulty would be if the rear sight has a very tight fit in the dovetail slot. As the video indicates you'd have to find a soft punch to protect the sight from marring when knocking it out of the slot. Otherwise the kit is relatively simple to install. The kit came with an unexpected and very useful piece not referenced directly in the video - an aluminum ghost pin for holding the trigger spring in place during re-installation of the trigger group. One end of the pin is domed making it easy to push the pivot pin back into place.

I look forward to hearing how yours turns out.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Deaj, thanks for posting. I was just looking at the DCAEK kit today and wondering how difficult it would be to install. Did everything drop in or did anything require fitting? Looking forward to hear how it performs at the range for you.

 

[Deaj]

All of the parts are drop-in, no fitting required. I've not read where anyone has had to do any fitting to install this kit. It is a wholesale improvement too - I highly recommend it!

 

[blastfact]

You do know you can do your own trigger job on a M&P and not pay anybody one red cent. And not get near as aggressive and have better results. Set your own preload, stack, release, reset, grit factor.

Don't get me wrong. I was about to purchase Apex for my .45 FS. But I looked it over and did some research,,,, and with a stone, dremel and time I have a great trigger!

 

[presspics]

blastfact, there is a difference between the Apex parts and doing your own trigger job. The Apex parts are heat treated tool steel as opposed to the MIM parts that come from the factory. The Apex parts will be smoother and will not wear as easily as factory modified parts. Second, many people will not feel comfortable filing and stoning their own parts. Many people will try it and screw up their factory parts. A gun is not something that an inexperienced person should be messing with.

 

[TOF]

You do know you can do your own trigger job on a M&P and not pay anybody one red cent. And not get near as aggressive and have better results. Set your own preload, stack, release, reset, grit factor.

Don't get me wrong. I was about to purchase Apex for my .45 FS. But I looked it over and did some research,,,, and with a stone, dremel and time I have a great trigger!

I did my own trigger job long before Apex marketed their parts. My work generated what I thought was a very nice trigger.

When I became aware of Apex I procrastinated for a while but ultimately had to see if it was any better.

The Apex parts transformed the trigger from very good to great.

If you are strapped for cash a home trigger job can be a big improvement over the out of box feel but if you can afford it go with Apex Tactical.

 

[Deaj]

While researching options for improvement in the M&P's trigger I found information regarding do-it-yourself trigger jobs, some with better reported results than others, but all had mixed feedback due to the wide variance in the work performed by individual M&P owners. I can't say for sure but I'd wager that S&W would not cover undoing a bad homebrew trigger job under warranty. These observations were enough to dissuade me from attempting any modification to the stock parts.

The Apex kit is a drop-in solution with very consistent (and very positive) results. It also leaves one the option to return the pistol to stock if deemed necessary.

I've no doubt that a modified sear and striker block can result in a much improved trigger. I do have doubts about me being able to do so successfully though.

 

[RobG5589]

You do know you can do your own trigger job on a M&P and not pay anybody one red cent. And not get near as aggressive and have better results. Set your own preload, stack, release, reset, grit factor.

Don't get me wrong. I was about to purchase Apex for my .45 FS. But I looked it over and did some research,,,, and with a stone, dremel and time I have a great trigger!

Im not taking my Dremel anywhere near my guns. Good on you being able to DIY but most would rather not take a chance.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I did the Burwell trigger job on it, but am leery of taking too much material off. It did improve the trigger, but the general consensus seems to be that the Apex parts are the better way to go.

 

[Deaj]

I did the Burwell trigger job on it, but am leery of taking too much material off. It did improve the trigger, but the general consensus seems to be that the Apex parts are the better way to go.

Given the lighter spring weight for both the striker block and sear, the radiused edge for the striker block, the improved sear profile, and (optional, dependent on intended use) duty/carry trigger spring the Apex kit is more of a balanced system when compared to a modified sear. The Apex trigger kit puts my M&P-9 out front as my favorite trigger for a modern combat / duty type pistol by a wide margin. Combined with the M&P's excellent ergonomics it's fast becoming my favorite range gun! The Apex trigger tightened my groups at 15 yards considerably and with far more consistent results. The Apex kit was money well spent!