Two new Shields.. Two different trigger pulls ?

[millisec]

I bought one maybe 4 weeks ago. I handled at least 6 at the gun show and later bought one from LGS (after handling at least 3). As I recall triggers felt different on each one. A lot of them had a very bad feel with very gritty triggers and weights seemed to vary. Finally found one I liked and bought it. Even on that one when travel ends its a fair amount of weight to actually fire. Its also a fair amount of travel to reset and then a very distinct/loud click. An Apex carry/duty kit and a quick polish of the contact surfaces is in order. Even with the Pro doing the same with a Apex comp kit (original w/o trigger, trigger spring or extractor) the difference is night and day in travel, break, reset and its just plain smooth.

 

[DeeBee]

I think I have narrowed it down, to either the loop on the trigger bar or the sear. When I pull slowly on the trigger with the slide off, I can feel roughness when the loop pushes up the sear. My other Shield is like butter. Welp,I guess its back to S&W. Hopefully they will fix it right.
I just cant justify spending $100 for an Apex kit,when the gun was $389. (and that may not fix it if it needs a trigger bar), Thats just me.

 

[modraker]

M&P sears have gone from a MIM part to a machined part through what is known as a rolling change. They simply waited until the MIMs were depleted and switched to the machined sears. It could be that your Shields have one of each. The difference in the sears is said to be dramatic.

 

[Atticaz]

I think I have narrowed it down, to either the loop on the trigger bar or the sear. When I pull slowly on the trigger with the slide off, I can feel roughness when the loop pushes up the sear. My other Shield is like butter. Welp,I guess its back to S&W. Hopefully they will fix it right.
I just cant justify spending $100 for an Apex kit,when the gun was $389. (and that may not fix it if it needs a trigger bar), Thats just me.

You are gonna send it back for that? Well, you do have two.

That loop can be adjusted. Also the Apex sear is only $40 or so and will get you around 4.5. You only really need the sear. The full kit is $100 or so and will give you a 5.5 pull.

 

[bulldogman]

My Shield has the mim sear, my 9c has the machined sear, I do prefer the pull on my 9c but I wouldn't say the difference is dramatic but it is enough of a difference that I don't get the front sight twitch when dry firing the 9c, better accuracy.

 

[Fastbolt]

They haven't had the Shield armorer class approved yet (last I heard), but you ought to take into consideration that the normal factory spec for the M&P pistol trigger pulls involve an acceptable +/- 2 lb range.

These are "parts-is-parts" guns, and when you factor in the acceptable range & "stack" of tolerances for the various parts & assemblies, the trigger pull in any particular gun can vary within an expected weight range.

I've handled and used a fair number of M&P's since they were first introduced. Some initially had heavy, stiff & gritty triggers which smoothed out & lightened up with use ... and some started out nicely smooth and on the lighter end of the normal tolerance range.

Shooting the gun is the easiest way to "smooth out" trigger pulls.

These are "defensive" guns, not custom guns with hand-fitted triggers.

If you think something's "wrong" with your Shield 9, ask for it to be checked by the company, don't screw around with it yourself. Maybe one of the techs will take the time to try a couple of trigger bar assemblies in your gun to see if he can find one that gives a pull on the lighter end of the normal range.

(It also wouldn't hurt to check the box label and make sure you haven't received a MA-compliant gun, too.)

 

[Atticaz]

These are "defensive" guns, not custom guns with hand-fitted triggers.

Aren't most gun "defensive" guns? The very same thing about customizing M&P's could be said for Glocks, until skilled people with a desire to improve a pistol to one's personal liking emerged, giving birth to places like http://www.glockstore.com/ and http://www.apextactical.com/.

 

[S&WForty]

My Shield has the mim sear, my 9c has the machined sear, I do prefer the pull on my 9c but I wouldn't say the difference is dramatic but it is enough of a difference that I don't get the front sight twitch when dry firing the 9c, better accuracy.

I look forward to dry firing one with the new sear for comparison. My Shield 40 with a 4/15/2013 test fire date has the MIM sear. It has always felt pretty good. The first Shield I handled felt horrible, but I placed my order anyway. I wanted the smaller package and hoped for the best. My friend ordered a Shield 9 that day, and his feels better than the one we got to handle. I'm glad our MIM sears and other parts' stack up within tolerance to feel good. I don't feel cheated not having the new sear. Hehe.

 

[DeeBee]

UPDATE: I bought a Timney trigger pull guage. My"good" Shield measured exactly 6 lbs. the "bad" one measured 7 lbs. I am telling you, that one pound is like night and day.
I took the sear assy out and hand polished all the moving parts.... trigger pull dropped to 6 3/4 lbs. Wrapped it up and sent it back to S&W. I hope they can get it to 6 lbs. My trigger finger is hurting....

 

[robkarrob]

Just to let you know, the specs are 6.5 pounds +/- 2 pounds (4.5 to 8.5 pounds). So hopefully they may make the pull better, but you might get it back with a notation the it meets specs.

Bob

 

[DeeBee]

Just to let you know, the specs are 6.5 pounds +/- 2 pounds (4.5 to 8.5 pounds). So hopefully they may make the pull better, but you might get it back with a notation the it meets specs.

Bob

The spec is 6.5 lbs + or - that is all I have ever seen on the wesite. a 4 pound variation is unheard of ! They better fix it, because my arthritic finger is NOT happy.
I really dont want to give Apex any money, unless you can assure me, that just a sear will lower the trigger pull weight.

 

[Atticaz]

The spec is 6.5 lbs + or - that is all I have ever seen on the wesite. a 4 pound variation is unheard of ! They better fix it, because my arthritic finger is NOT happy.
I really dont want to give Apex any money, unless you can assure me, that just a sear will lower the trigger pull weight.

I and a few others here can assure you. It will lower the pull. Haven't you read any of the threads? There was one recently that just installed the Apex sear only. But, if you have arthritis, you should probably just send it in.

Here's that thread by the way, in case you wanted to read it.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/328072-apex-sear-shield.html

 

[DocSunShine]

UPDATE: I bought a Timney trigger pull guage. My"good" Shield measured exactly 6 lbs. the "bad" one measured 7 lbs. I am telling you, that one pound is like night and day.
I took the sear assy out and hand polished all the moving parts.... trigger pull dropped to 6 3/4 lbs. Wrapped it up and sent it back to S&W. I hope they can get it to 6 lbs. My trigger finger is hurting....

Sounds like it's within specs. Sending it to Smith seems like it will be a waste of both your time and Smith's. If it comes back in the same state it left, why not just buy the Apex kit if it bothers you that much? How are you shooting it? Does it effect speed or accuracy? If not, I'd leave good enough alone.

 

[DeeBee]

Sounds like it's within specs. Sending it to Smith seems like it will be a waste of both your time and Smith's. If it comes back in the same state it left, why not just buy the Apex kit if it bothers you that much? How are you shooting it? Does it effect speed or accuracy? If not, I'd leave good enough alone.

It does affect accuracy. It is such a hard break, that it causes movement. My 6 lb. Shield, has more of a spongy, Glocklike feel, when the trigger breaks, and I can shoot it great! I hope S&W can fix it.

 

[DeeBee]

Sounds like it's within specs. Sending it to Smith seems like it will be a waste of both your time and Smith's. If it comes back in the same state it left, why not just buy the Apex kit if it bothers you that much? How are you shooting it? Does it effect speed or accuracy? If not, I'd leave good enough alone.

Well.........it was a waste of 3 weeks of my time.They did nothing. The trigger pull is still 6 3/4lbs. They said they adjusted the trigger. Oh well, I guess its time for an Apex sear!
I dont know why they would pay shipping both ways and do nothing to the gun? My other shield has a consistant 6lb. break, and is just right. My Shieldthat they "fixed" has an inconsistant 6 1/2 to 7+ lb. break.

 

[JFR]

I know that it was brought up but I may have overlooked the outcome, did you ever get around to comparing them for the same loop on the trigger bars and the same sears?

 

[Fastbolt]

Okay, so the gun meets the standard factory specs. Nothing "wrong" with it from an assembly & production perspective.

How about working on improving the shooter? Can't hurt.

Might be beneficial to receive some help from an experienced firearms instructor.

 

[DeeBee]

Okay, so the gun meets the standard factory specs. Nothing "wrong" with it from an assembly & production perspective.

How about working on improving the shooter? Can't hurt.

Might be beneficial to receive some help from an experienced firearms instructor.

Thats funny

 

[DeeBee]

I know that it was brought up but I may have overlooked the outcome, did you ever get around to comparing them for the same loop on the trigger bars and the same sears?

Yep,the same.

 

[mb66]

One of our two Shields had a harder trigger break too. And it really does make a difference on a narrow gun.

Apex sears are now in both, which significantly reduces that. Speedshooterspecialties sells the Apex sear springs too (D/C) separately for just a few $. May want to order one of those too in case it reduces the trigger weight TOO much.

The lobe on the front of the sear dictates where in the path of the pull the trigger breaks. The shape of the rear edge of the sear, that holds the striker back, dictates how much pressure is required to make the trigger break. The Apex sear makes it break later and easier.