M&P apex kit
- Thread starter HIGHRPM
- Start date
686 Shooter
Regular
I have both the competition action enhancement kits and the forward set sear and aluminum trigger kits installed in my various M&P's. Both are excellent, depending on what you are looking for.
The action enhancement kits will lighten your trigger pull, smooth it out somewhat, and reduces the take up somewhat. A noticeable difference from the factory.
The forward set sear kit will give you the closest thing you will get to a 1911 trigger in a striker fired pistol, in my opinion. After install and some minor adjustment of the trigger bar loop, my trigger has no take up and a nice crisp break. I love it. I went with the curved aluminum trigger. They also have a flat faced aluminum trigger and I believe a curved polymer trigger as well.
I did some experimenting with different springs installed in order to get the trigger pull weight I wanted. If it helps here is what I found.
Apex competition action enhancement kit (AEK) = 3.5 pound trigger pull.
Apex forward set sear and trigger kit = 4.25 pound trigger pull.
Apex forward set sear and trigger kit with competition AEK trigger return spring = 2.25 pound trigger pull.
Apex forward set sear and trigger kit with factory trigger return spring = 3 pound trigger pull.
I went with the 3 pound pull as that is where I like it.
Installation of both kits are easy and I did them my self. You will not regret purchasing either kit.
The action enhancement kits will lighten your trigger pull, smooth it out somewhat, and reduces the take up somewhat. A noticeable difference from the factory.
The forward set sear kit will give you the closest thing you will get to a 1911 trigger in a striker fired pistol, in my opinion. After install and some minor adjustment of the trigger bar loop, my trigger has no take up and a nice crisp break. I love it. I went with the curved aluminum trigger. They also have a flat faced aluminum trigger and I believe a curved polymer trigger as well.
I did some experimenting with different springs installed in order to get the trigger pull weight I wanted. If it helps here is what I found.
Apex competition action enhancement kit (AEK) = 3.5 pound trigger pull.
Apex forward set sear and trigger kit = 4.25 pound trigger pull.
Apex forward set sear and trigger kit with competition AEK trigger return spring = 2.25 pound trigger pull.
Apex forward set sear and trigger kit with factory trigger return spring = 3 pound trigger pull.
I went with the 3 pound pull as that is where I like it.
Installation of both kits are easy and I did them my self. You will not regret purchasing either kit.
My friend put the AEK in his M&P 2.0 and it made a world of difference. Far smoother trigger and lighter as well. He went with the polymer trigger and it was pretty nice so I don't know if the aluminum trigger is worth the extra money.
I put the FSS kit in my M&P 45. Great reduction in take up and crisp letoff. The only thing I did not like was that the trigger pull was not as light as I would like (still around 5 pounds). I emailed APEX and they told me to call them which I did. Spoke to one of their techs (apparently sometimes you'll even end up speaking to the owner). He recommended putting the factory trigger return spring back in which correlates with 686 Shooter's results. He also suggested that if I wanted an even lighter trigger pull to go with a lighter firing pin spring which is available from APEX. I went with the flat faced trigger as I am used to them from my 1911s and CZ 75 Tactical Sport. The kits aren't cheap but they overcome the one real flaw in the M&P which is the long, gritty trigger pull.
I did the full competition AEK with the polymer trigger for my M&P Pro, and it’s like night and day compared to the stock trigger. The kit reduced take up and grittiness, and the trigger pull is now at a nice 3.5 lbs.
I found the polymer trigger was meatier than the stock trigger, which helped with a consistent trigger finger placement and pull. In my opinion, I don’t feel the aluminum trigger is worth the added cost compared to the plastic version. Never shot the FSS kit, but I hear very good things about it. But again, the AEK met all my needs while keeping me compliant in IPSC production division, and the cost savings compared to the FSS kit meant more money for ammo.
I found the polymer trigger was meatier than the stock trigger, which helped with a consistent trigger finger placement and pull. In my opinion, I don’t feel the aluminum trigger is worth the added cost compared to the plastic version. Never shot the FSS kit, but I hear very good things about it. But again, the AEK met all my needs while keeping me compliant in IPSC production division, and the cost savings compared to the FSS kit meant more money for ammo.
I'm in the same situation as the OP, deciding on a trigger upgrade. What was the trigger pull weight after your upgrade? My stock pro CORE is 5.5 lbs and I'd like to get as close to 3 as I safely can.
I’m currently at 3.5 lbs, but that’s with the stock trigger return spring. If you switch to the Apex one, you should be able to drop a few more ounces off the trigger pull.
Check 686 Shooter's post (#$). It's a good, accurate estimate as to what you're going to get with the various kit and spring combinations. Surprisingly the factory springs in conjunction with the upgrade kit components seem to give lighter trigger pulls than the springs which come with the upgrade kits. This was verified to me by the APEX tech I spoke to.
Thanks! I'd already copied it to a note to keep handy. I'm mostly decided on the forward set sear & trigger kit and will try the factory trigger return spring first. I'd go with the action enhancement kit but I want the flat faced trigger as well. Now to find somewhere with it in stock (with black trigger, not red)
I can't speak to the AEK kit but in the FSS kit the springs they provide actually INCREASE the trigger pull weight. The APEX tech I spoke to said to lower the trigger pull weight I should reinstall the factory trigger return spring.
Brownells has the black kit on sale right now for $142.86 US (part #100-016-327). Not sure if they're exportable under ITAR but if so this might be the best price you'll find. A quick call to Brownells will tell you if they can ship to you.
Good to know. Makes sense why most forums I’ve read said to leave the stock trigger spring in.
686 Shooter
Regular
Yes they are exportable. I purchased my Apex kits from Brownells. You will have to fill out a form stating that you are using it in your own firearm and are not going to resell it. Then they can ship it to you.
Besides taxes, shipping and currency exchange any idea of other charges that might apply? Thinking duty and brokerage?
They are US made so I'm guessing no duty. If you make sure it's shipped USPS (not UPS or one of the other courier services) there should be no brokerage fees either.
