joestacey06
Member
I have an Apex kit sitting here beside me ready to go in my shield 9. Already have one in my 9c and love it.
Poll: Shield owners...who has the Apex kit and who likes it stock?
- Thread starter DamnYankee
- Start date
yanici
US Veteran
Had to do the APEX because I live in MA. The MA compliant Shield trigger is just plain bad, out of the box.
Enzo
Member
I don't have the apex and the Massachusetts stock version sucked so I got the 3rd option - a trigger job.
Enzo
Member
Why?
Does that mean don't install night sights? Don't stipple the grip? Don't cerakote the slide?
Because.....?
Many times, trigger kits are a crutch for a user's deficiency in trigger control. If the Shield is only going to be for plinking (and maybe BUG competition), fine, but I've always advocated to learn the gun, rather than modifying it... especially if it's a carry gun.
After almost 2 years of shooting my factory stock Shield, the trigger system is very smooth and I've gotten so used to it, that if I put an Apex kit in it now, it'd probably feel too light.
After almost 2 years of shooting my factory stock Shield, the trigger system is very smooth and I've gotten so used to it, that if I put an Apex kit in it now, it'd probably feel too light.
This is why I no longer use a LC9 for light carry. I had no confidence in that trigger. My Shield is stock and it feels great. Accuracy is beyond my expectations for a light carry. Like it or not, you and your gun will be scrutinized if used in self defense. I prefer a factory stock firearm that works well as designed.
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Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
Mine is stock and I really like it. It's a newer model, bought last year, and I have heard they were improved from the factory at some point in their production. I've never tried one with the Apex kit and may like it more. At this point I've not seen a reason to change anything.
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OakleyFreak
Member
We just installed the kit in my Sons 9mm Shield
Nite and day difference.
trigger is now smooth and the reset is better
Cant wait to do mine and get to the range.
Nite and day difference.
trigger is now smooth and the reset is better
Cant wait to do mine and get to the range.
I can't vote because I only installed the Apex hard sear in my Shield 9mm. That said, trigger pull is IMMENSELY better and due to that I'm definitely more accurate. It is at the point I'm very happy with my EDC weapon. Good luck!
robkarrob
Member
Video of my Shield 40 with only an Apex sear and blocker installed. I did a few other minor modifications. The pull length is 1/16 inch with a 1/16 inch reset, along with a 3 pounds 10-12 ounce pull weight. Easy to shoot, and easy to shoot accurately. Please don't say it is too light of pull, or too short of pull, for a SD gun, or I will be in trouble with the law if I am involved in a shooting. I am a former LEO and it is my weapon. It is perfect for me, it is not illegal to modify my gun, and the gun is safe, plus I use the manual safety, and practice often with it. It does have 3/16 inch of initial take-up, until the trigger picks up the sear, which is an extra safety margin. This take-up could be easily be removed, but I prefer it for a carry gun. This trigger may not be good for you, or someone just getting into guns, but it is just how I want it.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T60sTwJ_FNE
Bob
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T60sTwJ_FNE
Bob
Last edited:
green_sunfish_
Member
stock is just fine...
I carried a 9c for a year and a 1/2 and got used to the "odd/soft" trigger reset. I just bought the shield and couldn't believe how crisp the break and resets were right out of the box and shooting. I love the stock trigger personally, no need to modify it, and if I ever have to go to court for saving my mine, or my family, or a strangers life. If you want to decide for yourself, buy another shield and mod one for fun and keep a stock one for EDC. The mod might feel better, but shooting with the stock trigger and feeling 100% comfortable with it, no need to mod it. I know I'm a rare breed who has actually had to pull his handgun in self defense when a road altercation ended up back at my home. I had shot thousands of rounds through my M&P9c and knew that trigger like the back of my hand.. and was glad for the extra weight and pull. It gave the other guy a second to think about his actions and he left.. alive. Had I shot him... that trigger mod would be front and center and a lawyer loves ANYTHING he/she can get their hands on to show your irresponsible. Just sayin'.
OakleyFreak
Member
Ok
I dont get all the fear of modding a trigger and going to court.
Maybe Im naive
But once you put your finger on the trigger you are committed
being right and being wrong shouldnt matter on the pull weight of the trigger.
Just my 2 cents
I dont get all the fear of modding a trigger and going to court.
Maybe Im naive
But once you put your finger on the trigger you are committed
being right and being wrong shouldnt matter on the pull weight of the trigger.
Just my 2 cents
Like my Shield Apex trigger.
Would not own the gun with the stock trigger that came on mine. Awful. Awful. Awful. Bad trigger. Nasty. Yech. Horrible. Never should have left the factory.
Same with my FS.
vsraptor
Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2012
- Messages
- 67
- Reaction score
- 39
My mistake. Hard machined sear.
As long as we are just sayin', "****".
If you and your properly knowledgable and prepared attorney can articulate why you modified your trigger, IF it ever even came up (statistically insignificant), you don't have a problem. The issue first and foremost is always was it a "good", justifiable shoot. If not, your hung. If yes, the trigger isn't going to matter. I know Ayoob has his documented cases, blah blah, but the facts of each case are different. If a modification of any kind can be justified, if it can be shown to improve the function of the gun for you, the owner/shooter, it's not a problem.
If you choose to make critical life saving decisions based on incredible legal improbabilities, that's fine. If your Shield trigger was great out of the box, as many are, and as I thought mine would be based on internet research, great.
But if someone gets one of the really crappy S&W M&P triggers, and there are a bunch of them out there including both of mine, and the owner chooses to install quality aftermarket parts that improve the performance of the gun, it is better to be alive in court after a shooting than to be firing wildly, missing and getting hit with incoming rounds. I'll take an improved trigger over a substandard factory trigger every time. I don't lose one wink of sleep over it.
Sorry Ayoob. Such stories make for good magazine copy and oft-repeated internet advice, but in the real world, I'll make up my own mind based on much larger perspectives and more important priorities.
I do not mean to disparage the vast majority of all gun owners who shoot factory stock triggers. Most stock triggers work just fine and are certainly adequate for general purposes.
However, there are many shooters who have never shot an improved trigger. There are many drivers who have never experienced the increased performance of a turbocharger on an engine. That doesn't mean turbochargers are bad, unsafe or undesirable. They have their place. Likewise with improved triggers.
Some factory triggers are not very good. They may be extra heavy, or gritty (might smooth out eventually through use) or have a hitch in them, or a lot of over travel. The take up might be very long, or the trigger shape may be uncomfortable. There are lots of reasons someone may want to alter a trigger, even if it is an average or "good" trigger from the factory.
The key here is experience. Once you have driven a performance car, a stock Ford Focus just doesn't make the grade for you. Once you have discovered the benefits of an improved/enhanced trigger, you are very likely to apply such upgrades to your most important guns.
I guess I am a trigger snob. I like, no, demand, excellent triggers for top performance from my guns. My triggers are "tuned" to the operational requirements of that gun. I think it helps me shoot "better". There are plenty of guys out there who shoot stock triggers who can outshoot me. Their "software" is more experienced, practiced and disciplined.
However, I doubt you will find any real successful professional shooters who do not tune their triggers. They are not liabilities when done properly. Shooting a customized trigger is something everyone should try if they can get a chance. It's fun and rewarding to feel and see the difference.
However, there are many shooters who have never shot an improved trigger. There are many drivers who have never experienced the increased performance of a turbocharger on an engine. That doesn't mean turbochargers are bad, unsafe or undesirable. They have their place. Likewise with improved triggers.
Some factory triggers are not very good. They may be extra heavy, or gritty (might smooth out eventually through use) or have a hitch in them, or a lot of over travel. The take up might be very long, or the trigger shape may be uncomfortable. There are lots of reasons someone may want to alter a trigger, even if it is an average or "good" trigger from the factory.
The key here is experience. Once you have driven a performance car, a stock Ford Focus just doesn't make the grade for you. Once you have discovered the benefits of an improved/enhanced trigger, you are very likely to apply such upgrades to your most important guns.
I guess I am a trigger snob. I like, no, demand, excellent triggers for top performance from my guns. My triggers are "tuned" to the operational requirements of that gun. I think it helps me shoot "better". There are plenty of guys out there who shoot stock triggers who can outshoot me. Their "software" is more experienced, practiced and disciplined.
However, I doubt you will find any real successful professional shooters who do not tune their triggers. They are not liabilities when done properly. Shooting a customized trigger is something everyone should try if they can get a chance. It's fun and rewarding to feel and see the difference.
