Apex and M&P

[MoreIsLess]

I was going to install the Apex Competition Action Enhancement Kit (AEK) for my newly purchased M&P CORE 9mm w/5" barrel. Apex also offers the Forward Sear and Trigger Kit. Does anyone know what the differences are (as far as what effect it has on you gun). They are mutually exclusive, according to Apex

 

[1KPerDay]

Yes. The AEK keeps a "duty" type trigger feel, travel, and break. A very nice striker-fired trigger. The FSS is more like a 1911. Very little pre-travel, like 1/16", with a 1/8" total travel. Very very nice. But probably not ideal for carry. For range/competition it's awesome.

some info:



full install:





I advise you to pay close attention to the advice you got on the other thread you started on this subject. Particularly about slave pins etc. That will save you a lot of grief.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I advise you to pay close attention to the advice you got on the other thread you started on this subject. Particularly about slave pins etc. That will save you a lot of grief.

Yes, I am and for that reason, I am considering letting a gunsmith do it, but I may yet try it myself. I may, however install the FSS instead. The AEK and FSS are mutually exclusive according to APEX

Thanks again

 

[1KPerDay]

Yes they are. Different profiles to the sears, triggers, and striker blocks at a minimum. However installation is identical. You can do it. It's pretty straightforward. Watch Apex's how to videos.

 

[MoreIsLess]

I received my FSS from Apex. I was making good progress until I tried to get the flat faced trigger in the trigger bar. I couldn't get the pin that was already in the flat faced trigger to budge. Even Apex used a vice in one of their videos. I'm reluctant to do that, I am afraid I will mash, mar or bend the trigger. I saw another video of a guy using vice grips.

Any other suggestions:

 

[1KPerDay]

Tape a Steel flat clean surface like an anvil to rest the trigger on, and use a steel starter punch if you can get one shallow enough, or a steel hammer. Go slowly when it gets close to flush.

 

[a5werkes]

Those videos referenced above spotlight a real bafoon trying to demonstrate how to install the Apex trigger. In the video he discloses he used pliers to "pull and stretch the trigger spring" in order to
lengthen it sufficiently to fit the trigger headed pin thru the spring loop; that is a stupid move that will alter its proper spring rate. He references the open spring loop but doesn't understand the rationale for its orientation. Here is a few comments regarding the M&P trigger spring.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm the buffoon but you misunderstood what I said. I didn't pull it to stretch/lengthen it out of the pistol. I used a tool to push the front loop forward enough when installing so that I could get the trigger pin through.

 

[a5werkes]

You can use either proper sized punches or smooth jaw vises to compress the pin into the Apex trigger; don't do the Bubba idea of using a pair of vise grips. Tape protect the surfaces.

You can position the tip of the pin a few thousandths of an inch into the gap (which is 0.055") where trigger bar inserts into the trigger, doing so will allow
you to feel the pin with the trigger bar and make sure the hole is aligned with the pin before you proceed with either driving the pin with
a punch or vise compression. Equalize the pin depth position on both sides of the trigger, with a gentle tap of the punch. A small vise is much easier to use than a standard bench vise.
Use tape protected steel bench blocks as well.

 

[a5werkes]

When driving the pin you can either place the pin down on the bench block and tap the tape protected trigger surface or use a proper sized pin holding punch, which most won't have.

 

[a5werkes]

Two strikes and I'm out. Apologize if I misunderstood your plier-spring manipulation ! Auto correct rearranged my buffoon misspelling
as well.

 

[MoreIsLess]

My vice has serrated jaws not smooth ones, so placing the trigger in the vice jaws didn't work. The vice has a flat metal surface behind the rear jaw that I was able to use as an anvil. I placed the trigger (wrapped in protective tape) on the flat metal surface and hammered the pin in using a metal hammer. Now on to the fun part with the trigger spring and slave pin.