Still having troubles installing the Apex trigger

Make sure the trigger bar loop is not bent outward.

If during your adjustments, you allowed the trigger bar loop to bend outward away from the main part of the trigger bar, it will then stick out farther under the sear.

When this happens, the trigger can not reset, as the loop is not pulled from under the sear and allowing the sear to re-engage the striker.

When looking at the top of you frame with the slide removed, the trigger bar loop should be parallel to the main body of the trigger bar. If the loop is bent outward, toward the sear, the loop can not move fully out of the way during reset, the sear stays down, and the trigger and striker will not reset.

You see the nub/tab sticking up from the trigger bar?

That nub does more than just disengage the striker block... It rides along a camming surface in the slide. The camming surface pushes the nub and therfore the trigger bar, outboard... When that happens, the trigger bar loop slides out from under the sear, allowing the sear to snap up and catch the striker, and allows the trigger to reset as the trigger is released.

From your description, this is what I would bet the problem is.

Replacing the old parts may not fix the issue either. You may find they do the same thing.

It's an easy fix, just make sure the trigger bar loop is parallel to the main section of the trigger bar, and is straight vertical as well and not bent over.

I had this problem happen to me when doing adjustments. It doesn't take a lot of movement to make this problem occur. And you can't really test it with the slide removed, as you can move the bar by hand farther than it moves when actuated by the slide.

Keep in mind, that the trigger bar loop does not sit under the sear fully... Only the outer half /edge of the loop rides under the sear...

Yeah it looks weird, like it's not right, it seems like it should be fully under the sear, but it should not. Just about half of the width of the loop will engage the sear.

I tried to be as descriptive as I could... If someone can provide pics, that may help. I am unable at the moment.

Edit:
The pic in post #10 shows how only half the loop is under the sear. That is normal.
 
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I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. I'm sure it's very frustrating.

I'm not at home right now so, I can't experiment at the moment. However, I will do some when I get home. I'm sure we can get it working.
 
S&W won't let you purchase replacement trigger bars, & I can't find any in stock at online retailers. So it wouldn't hurt to keep a spare on hand if\when you start having problems.

My trigger bar needs to be replaced, but in the mean time my.40c is an useless paperweight. I don't trust S&W's customer service after my brother's fairly poor experience with his M&P (he had a Striker assembly failure-7 months old, around 400 rounds fired). I also don't want to have them warranty a part that I modified & wore out.

When I spoke to customer service trying to purchase a replacement it seemed like they were going to work on it, then decide afterward to charge me an exorbitant fee (ex. $70 shipping, $100 service fee, $40 parts) to replace a $17 part.
 
Marine6680 described the problem perfectly, it was bent out a bit, after pushing the loop back in a bit the problem only happened half of the time, then inserted an empty mag, to see what that does and it works fine now.

Guys, this is why I love these messageboards, Thanks to all of you for sticking with this noob figuring it out :D
 
A little more tweaking and you should have it working all the time with the mag removed.

But with your location, I am guessing it is unlikely that the pistol is to be used for defensive reasons, so if it works 100% with a mag inserted, then it's good for the range.

Enjoy the new trigger.
 
I'm late to the party, but glad to hear that the problem was identified and an easy fix. :)
Sometimes, especially being online and not having the gun 'in hand' to look at, diagnosing the actual problem is the hardest part.
 
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If you ever get stuck on anything with Apex, contact Mark Graham, Level II Customer Service. This guy is better than sliced bread.

I wrote the CEO of Apex to commend Mark as he's helped me with some very useful information, above and beyond the usual customer service level, with the products.
 
I agree with Roccaas. I've worked with Mark and he's great. He'll stay with you until the problem is fixed.
 
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