Noob apex question

[capx28]

So i am not happy with my trigger on my 9fs. started looking into Apex and was wondering if i installed the aek trigger (poly) and the RAM. what additional benefits would i get from the DCAK?
is it worth the extra $90? Any info would be greatly appreciated

Oh, gun is simply home defense and range gun. I dont like the excessive pre travel, the gritty pull and the terrible reset. wouldnt mind a slightly shorter and lighter pull as well.

 

[McE]

The AEK trigger doesn't change anything other than what your finger feels on the surface, your pull length and weight won't change with this part.
Be careful about the RAM, you need to have a particular sear housing block that can take it. Watch the vids on RAM for explanation.

The biggest benefit of the DCAEK comes from the new sear, which is the part responsible for the most drastic change in your trigger pull weight and travel. This kit also has that Ultimate Striker Block, which is the part responsible for reducing the gritty issue. The sear and the USB are the two biggest improvements.

To deal with pretravel, you'd have to step it up to the Forward Set Sear and Trigger kit (which also comes with the USB). I think getting this kit is what you're looking for. It doesn't come with the RAM, but that might not be an issue if you determine your sear housing block can't take the RAM anyway.

 

[capx28]

Thanks for your reply and all the info. I think ill go with the dcaek.
the AEK trigger and the RAM. I checked out the video and i do have the frame that is needed. My biggest concern is over travel and reset (both distance and feel) and the weight. Hopefully the %20 reduction in pre travel from the trigger is noticeable enough.
Thanks Again!

 

[McE]

Overtravel is an easy fix, I just extended the bump already there behind the trigger with a little creative plastic welding, others have used jb weld or some such.
I don't find pretravel to be an issue at all on any gun unless the only shooting you do is super slow, careful, obsessive shooting at the range where you spend as much focus on your trigger as you do your sights/target. The competition trigger return spring does however makes a huge difference in pretravel tension which I really like.

The DCAEK comes with springs you probably won't use, I think you could save some money just buying the sear and USB a la carte.

 

[McE]

If you're going to buy any AEK, go with the competition.

DCAEK comes with springs that are heavier than stock (because the sear drops trigger pull weight a good amount). If the sear doesn't drop it enough, the springs you get are worthless. All you'd use are the sear and USB (hence buying a la carte advice)

CompAEK comes with springs that are lighter than stock. If the sear doesn't drop the weight enough for your liking, you have three springs to put in to go incrementally lighter. You don't have to use them all. Don't freak out cause it's called a 'competition' kit. This kit is more flexible.

I have 3 M&P's all with Apex competition kits.
On average, I have actually measured:
Sear drops 2-2.5lb
Trigger return spring drops 1.25lb
Sear spring drops .75lb
Striker spring drops .25lb

 

[capx28]

Thank you for all the sound advice. you guys rock!

 

[marine6680]

Some over travel is a good thing on a defensive pistol.

Overt travel means a bit more sear movement occurs after the break. This means a margin for error and parts wear. A pistol tuned to have practically zero overt travel may experience a trigger failure where the striker will not be released.

Take up on a trigger isn't really a problem if it is smooth. The kit, plus a little polish on the trigger bar will make for a smooth pull.

Over travel is only an issue if it is very excessive and/or happens after a heavy trigger break, as the sudden release of tension can cause shift in aim unless you are very practiced with smooth trigger control even on a difficult trigger.

 

[capx28]

yes i do want some over travel. I would rather error on the side of reliability than walk the fine line of performance. I definatly would like a lighter and smoother pull and to actually have a reset. Yes i know it has one but it is worthless. At least in my pistol it is. It is such a long release and almost no tactile feel that it is easier and quicker to let the trigger go then slam it back to where the pull starts again rather than waiting for the long release and trying to feel for it. I have only fired a few guns (a 1911 and a G17 first gen) The Glock was worlds above mine in terms of trigger. 1911 was a little to much of a "hair trigger" for me. So somewhere in between would be perfect. I would love a amoother, slightiy lighter and shorter pull with a reset i can ride and feel (sounds kinda naughty). Not sure if im explaining myself well or even at all as i dont know all the terminology. I will be dropping my gun off tommorrow or saturday at OC firearms in fountain vally CA. Should be a 2 day turn a round. then straight to the range
ill post an update on the turn out of the trigger and my experience at the shop. THANKS again for all the info guys. Much appreciated

 

[capx28]

UPDATE

ok so i finally got my 9mm back and had a chance to shoot today. I ended up going with the Apex duty carry kit the polly trigger and the reset assist. Man what a difference. A slightly less take up lighter pull as smooth as butter and crisp clean break with very little over travel. But the best part is the reset. Very short and very positive "click" i can feel and hear, then another short clean crisp break. Its like having a brand new pistol. It came out better than i expected. Cant wait to go back to the range tomorrow Thank You all for the good info.

P.S. I took it to OC firearms in Fountain Valley CA. Great shop! All the guys and girl there are very friendly, informed and down to earth. NO snobs!!! Good work, quick and great service. Check them out if your in the area

 

[texascavediver]

What is this reset assist you mention? Is that something offered by Apex or something done by your gunsmith?

Nevermind. I found it. I was searching in the shield section of Apex's website.

 

[capx28]

texascavediver, just make sure that your model will take the reset assist. Not all of them do. i beleive there is a link on there website that shows which one will take it.

 

[texascavediver]

texascavediver, just make sure that your model will take the reset assist. Not all of them do. i beleive there is a link on there website that shows which one will take it.

Mine won't. It has the thumb safety.

 

[capx28]

texascavediver, i would call apex and talk to them. The reset asist wont work but the duty carry kit may shorten the reset just not give that more positive click. In my opinion that would still be much better than the stock reset. I am very happy with every aspect of my trigger now. even like the feel of the poly trigger over the hinged stock one. Spend a few minutes on the phone with appex and see what they suggest. They have great service and their product are top notch. Hope all works out

 

[texascavediver]

texascavediver, i would call apex and talk to them. The reset asist wont work but the duty carry kit may shorten the reset just not give that more positive click. In my opinion that would still be much better than the stock reset. I am very happy with every aspect of my trigger now. even like the feel of the poly trigger over the hinged stock one. Spend a few minutes on the phone with appex and see what they suggest. They have great service and their product are top notch. Hope all works out

I had the duty/carry kit installed and it did shorten the reset quite a bit. It's much better than stock now. I think I'm going to go ahead and order the new flat trigger as well.