M&P 9mm Trigger

[A.J. Stoner]

The bugs have been worked out of the newer M&P's with the triggers. I actually love the thing, 6.5 lbs is about perfect as I see it. Sometimes they are a little gritty at first but after a hundred rounds or so they are quite smooth. The only reason I could see to replace it is if you feel like you simply have to have a lighter pull weight.

 

[gravel39]

Just got my 2nd Shield. Daughter now owns the first. The trigger on this 2nd one doesn't fire the weapon. I'm no gunsmith and haven't a clue why it won't work. Any suggestions? thank you

 

[Blueduck]

jrl46; The original trigger set up in the M&P series did have some minor faults....The lessons learned there were put to use on the full size M&P pistols(Except the .45) in a rolling production change that came about in about the middle of 2013.

So the new 45's still do not have the improved trigger system?

 

[PROnSHIELD]

Just got my 2nd Shield. Daughter now owns the first. The trigger on this 2nd one doesn't fire the weapon. I'm no gunsmith and haven't a clue why it won't work. Any suggestions? thank you

Is your pistol equipped with a Safety? If so is it engaged?

You should check to see if your pistol inadvertently (or otherwise) is missing its striker (firing pin).

Before checking, please be sure the pistol is unloaded by removing the magazine and by insuring there is no bullet in the chamber. You should also refer to the Owners Manual for safety instructions on being sure the pistol is unloaded.

If you are unclear of the location and/or terminology...please be sure the pistol is unloaded and take it to a gunsmith for inspection.

Please be aware of laws regarding weapons transport, most require them unloaded and under lock and key.

 

[NCavi8tor]

After 800+ rounds through my new Shield 9mm I am installing the APEX carry kit tomorrow. The stock trigger is good but does not compare with my Winter carry 45c with the DCAEK. I think it is smart for me to keep the trigger feel close to the same in my carry weapons. Also gonna install a set of Trijicon HD sights in the shield since I will be removing the rear sight anyway.

NC

 

[MegaJohnny85]

Get the new flat trigger by apex it's amazing gives the gun that 1911 feel super crisp

 

[jaaeatax]

Sorry if this is a repeat of an existing thread. I'm considering an new M&P 9mm but online reviews of the trigger are terrible. Lots of suggestions about replacing the stock trigger with an Apex. Two questions: Are these complaints about the stock trigger exaggerated? And some of the complaints are from several years ago. Have the triggers improved?
Thanks for any input.

No I don't think they are exaggerated. I have a full size 9mm and the pre travel is hideous. Mine was made in Sept of 2015. I heard they were worse in the prior version. I've asked about getting the APEX duty trigger to reduce the pre travel only not the pull weight and everyone loves that upgrade. The issue of civil liability comes up in every discussion if you use it as a carry weapon. If any change is made to the function civil attorneys may eat that up. I haven't decided what to do yet. I have a Shield 9mm and had some initial problems with the ejector which S&W took care of completely. It's a great shooter now but the trigger was great out of the box. I don't know how to fix this without adding the APEX....

 

[jaaeatax]

The claims are exaggerated and usually come from people that have never learned to shoot a revolver double action. The triggers were never designed to mimic a competition grade 1911.

The positive reset is a competition trick. You will never feel or hear the reset in a self defense situation. These guns were originally designed as service weapons, not target pieces.

Shoot one with an open mind. If you find the trigger to be a problem, either practice with it until it no longer is an issue, or give Apex a call.

I'm started on revolvers and have many. I have other mfg semi auto's and the pre travel is much better on those. I also have the Shield 9mm and that trigger is great. I think the pre travel on the full size is way too long. Just my two cents.. Trying to get used to it. Don't know if I will.

 

[Shield9mm]

Trigger is not that bad as some people say, but can be improved. I put apex FSS kit on all my guns and I'm more happy now.

 

[kmanick]

you don't even need an apex kit if it's 'H' framed. my 9C is and my gunsmith did "his thing" $80.00 later I have a very crisp short take up 5 pound pull that has a nice reset (still not as audible as my shield but he can do that as well if I request) and very smooth. I've tried 9C's that wre the older ones and I had to pass, they were complete mush.

 

[jstanfield103]

I have 6 M&P's. All newer. The oldest one I have is a 2013 the trigger is great in it but the reset was not there so I put the Apex ram in it. Now it is very good. Out of the 6 that I have the only one that I say needs an Apex sear is my FS 45. That trigger is the worst out of all of them. So it really is just a hit and a Miss thing. Mostly good just a few that need a little work.

 

[5150ds]

I am not a gun guy, but use one for work. Prior to this system I carried a H&K USP 9mm, Sig P226 .40 and a P220 Elite Dark. For a backup gun I carried a Glock 27.

I bought a shield 9mm and love the trigger. That led me to a 9c, which I also love the trigger on. My uses are combat oriented and I am comind from da/sa so I am not picky about the trigger. I never owned an early M&P so I cannot comment on those triggers. As for the ones I own I like the was they feel and shoot and I like the triggers.

 

[kstud]

I have a shield, mp9c and mp9 full size; all made in 2016. The triggers on the 9c and full size are fantastic with crisp break and nice reset. The 2 triggers are nearly identical in feel and weight allowing easy trigger control adjustment when switching firearms. The shield has the worst trigger among the 3 and a heavier pull. I don't feel there's a need to do an apex trigger on the new compact and full size because it's a great stock trigger. However the shield can benefit from an apex kit.

If you are buying new, I wouldn't be too concern about the triggers as SW has done a great job with it. Trigger control and grip are among the 2 most important aspect of accurate shooting.

 

[Dave Nowlin]

I picked up a used 9c at my local gun shop yesterday. It had a much better trigger than the 40c I had a few years back. It has the "H" marked trigger bar. I removed the sear and checked it and the geometry has changed from the earlier pistol I had. It still needed some polishing and a little metal removed as well as the pad on the firing pin which contacts the sear was polished. The actual trigger pull is now shorter after the takeup is done. That is the actual distance you pull while actually feeling resistance has been shortened and there is zero overtravel. I checked it against a new 9c and it is better. I also did an action job on my 45 Shield. Both have excellent trigger pulls and no parts have been changed. Then there is the satisfaction of knowing I fixed it myself. It is amazing what a little careful polishing can achieve. The owner of the shop both of his employees and some customers all agreed the trigger is amazing for a striker fired pistol. No it isn't a 1911 I have some of those too but is probably is more reliable day in and day out than a 1911 unless you put in a lot of time caring for the 1911. I don't have anything left to do to the M&Ps. Just carry them with confidence they will work day in and day out. What more can we ask?

 

[jim46ok]

The triggers of my recent M&P's have been fine in terms of how they feel and break. They were crisp and not gritty. I didn't like the 7 or 8 pound pull out of the box but other than that no issues. You can buy one of the spring kits from Apex and end up with a pull in the 4 to 5 pound range. Installing a spring kit is a great way to really get to know the gun.

Agree. I learned a lot from doing mine. But time consuming, and a new buyer not inclined to do the work would get a better trigger than the standard Shield on the Performance Center. Worth the extra, I say. JMHO

 

[scattershot]

Just got my 2nd Shield. Daughter now owns the first. The trigger on this 2nd one doesn't fire the weapon. I'm no gunsmith and haven't a clue why it won't work. Any suggestions? thank you

Just a guess, but if it has a magazine disconnect the trigger won't work without a magazine installed.

 

[clarkz71]

A little "Kool Aid" on here with this one.

My M&P9 FS was built in May 2016, pretty new
The reset is good, but......... lot of pre-travel & over-travel.

Then there's the 8 lb trigger pull. I have an Apex FSS flat trigger
coming because that's way more then every Glock I've had.

They are always 5-6 lb with no travel issues.

 

[AGoyette]

I have his and her''s 9c's, 5" Pros and 5" CORES. All but one post 2013. Interestingly enough the worst trigger was on the 2016 Performance Center Ported CORE. The trigger pull was about 1.5 lbs over the advertised trigger pull weight and very gritty (plus the usual pre travel). It did have a nice reset though.. When I called S&W to talk to them about the trigger pull, they told me to just shoot it for about 500 rounds and then call them. IMO if a gun is advertised as having an X trigger pull, it should have said trigger pull. Well 600 rounds later, the trigger pull was lighter, not to advertised weight yet though. The grit was better, but still there. Since I will prob. compete with the gun in the Carry Optics division (with an Apex barrel) I did not go the full Apex route with it (like all my other M&Ps after being shot for awhile). I ended up replacing the sear and sear spring, the trigger return spring and striker spring with Apex parts. I also have put in an Apex barrel since I hated how dirty the Smith barrel was. I now have a much nicer trigger pull (at 3 lbs) and it feels great. My 2 9c's have the Apex DCAEK kits in them with Apex triggers and the 2 5" Pros both have the FSS kits in them. We compete with all the guns except the 9c's so the trigger is important to us. Coming from a 1911 background, the stock triggers where horrible. but Apex parts made them tons better, especially the FSS kit.
I agree with others though, if you decide to get an M&P, fire it for around 500 rounds and get to know the gun before you decide to change it. Many people love the gun stock, just as many love it modified. It all depends on how you shoot it (competition, plinking, home defense, etc.).

 

[clarkz71]

Yeah, sure. They told me the same line. Even if that were true
you still have the dumb hinge trigger and pre & over travel BS.


Post office just delivered my Apex FSS kit. Real trigger pull
is only a few hammer taps away.

 

[clarkz71]

When I called S&W to talk to them about the trigger pull, they told me to just shoot it for about 500 rounds and then call them. IMO if a gun is advertised as having an X trigger pull, it should have said trigger pull. Well 600 rounds later, the trigger pull was lighter, not to advertised weight yet though.

Forgot to mention, out of the box pull measured over 9 pounds

After over 500 rounds it is 8lb 2oz to 8lbs 6oz

S&W rates it at 6lbs 8oz