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View Full Version : Older M&P compact APEX Tactical trigger reset issue



Irving
07-15-2015, 23:36
I recently purchased the APEX Tactical Aluminum Forward Set Sear and Trigger Kit (https://store.apextactical.com/WebDirect/Products/Details/191845) and had it installed at Bowers. Everything went well and I'm loving the new trigger feel. Under dry fire, everything functions normally, but at a recent match, the trigger would not reset every time, essentially turning the gun into a bolt action pistol. Not good for matches, and especially not good for a carry piece. After a little panicking, and a little research, I've found out that this is a known issue that is easily remedied. Essentially, I have the oldest style of M&P (pre-2010) and as such have the old style Sear Housing Block that has a small hole for a small spring. This spring is not robust enough and under recoil causes the sear to "bounce" and the trigger to go dead. I found a thread over on MP-Pistol.com that discusses this very issue. Randy from APEX even makes an appearance. The thread is old (2010) and back then Smith & Wesson had not yet released the updated Sear Housing Block, so at the time Randy was offering to mill out the SHB to fit the larger spring. From reading the entire thread, it appears that the compact pistols are more susceptible to this issue than the full size pistols.

See thread here: http://mp-pistol.com/mp-gunsmithing/25745-trigger-not-resetting-apex-ram-sear.html

Response from Randy Lee of Apex Tactical:
Hi all,

The newer sear blocks use a spring and plunger that measure .125 in diameter. The pre-September (2010) models use a plunger that measures .067- roughly half the diameter. The new springs are much larger as well as longer, which resists deflection during the recoil phase.

If you have our DCAEK or sear, we will charge $7.00 plus return shipping. Our charge for modifying non-Apex sear housing blocks is $25.00 (includes cost of the sear spring and plunger) plus shipping.

Most people who are sending in their blocks for the modification are requesting Priority mail, so add $7.50 for the shipping and insurance.

-Randy


So it should be a simple enough fix of just ordering a new SHB and having it installed. When you purchase the kit, it comes with the newer (longer, wider, stronger) spring. I have mine still in the bag because it wouldn't fit my sear. New SHB can be had from both Brownells and Midway for under $30, but both are out of stock (back order ok) at the time of this post. I've got one on back order from Midway and hope to get it asap. The Sear Housing Block is one of those items that Smith & Wesson will not send directly to customers, so you'll need to order it from a second party source.

Just wanted to pass along the info for those with older M&Ps looking at upgrading their triggers.

ray1970
07-16-2015, 04:30
I'm not a fan of the forward set sear kit. Absolutely loved the feel of the trigger. Just didn't like the light primer strikes and failures to fire I was getting.

Here's the issue I was having in case you want to investigate into yours a bit.

Because the the sear is longer the trigger bar engages it sooner in it's travel. The sear releases the striker without the trigger being pulled back very far. In other words you have very little take up in the trigger pull before it fires. Great for a nice trigger pull with little take up. In fact, very 1911 like.

Here's the problem though. Because the sear releases the striker early on in the trigger pull the trigger bar hasn't traveled far enough to fully disengage the safety plunger. No matter how much I tweaked and adjusted the little "candy cane" on the trigger bar I never could get the timing right to be 100% reliable. Basically, the striker would drag on the safety plunger because the trigger bar hadn't traveled far enough to fully lift the plunger when the striker was released.

Next time you disassemble your slide take a close look at the striker and the safety plunger. If there is any sign of damage or peening on either piece then things aren't working right as they were designed and you may have a potential reliability issue or even a possible safety issue.

Irving
07-16-2015, 07:34
Very good to know. I'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks for the heads up.

Tinelement
07-16-2015, 08:42
The install video on their website addresses what Ray was taking about the "candy cane" tweeking.

https://store.apextactical.com/WebDirect/Products/Details/191842

Going to get the aluminum trigger in mine this weekend.

Fromk
07-16-2015, 09:13
If you're already getting a new sear housing I wouldn't tweak anything else for the time being. Just be patient since being able to install the new spring will probably fix your issue.

I was one of the lucky few who experienced that problem with a newer M&P (Pro) when I put in the flat-faced trigger which requires those additional upgrades. It was no fun getting those malfunctions especially because I couldn't reproduce them dry firing. Once I got it fixed it still took me a few matches to trust the pistol again.

EDIT: I should add that since the successful upgrade I really love shooting that pistol. It's pretty awesome.

CHA-LEE
07-18-2015, 17:19
If you don't want to wait for the new sear block you can drill out the sear spring hole in the old block to a size that fits the larger diameter spring. Just be careful to not drill the hole too deep or you will have the same issue due to not enough preload tension. This is usually a 2 minute job for someone that has a mil.

Irving
07-31-2015, 01:53
If you don't want to wait for the new sear block you can drill out the sear spring hole in the old block to a size that fits the larger diameter spring. Just be careful to not drill the hole too deep or you will have the same issue due to not enough preload tension. This is usually a 2 minute job for someone that has a mil.

This was my first thought but couldn't find anyone with two minutes to do it. Midway just emailed me today to let me know they shipped the new sear housing block. I'm getting it swapped asap as trying to conceal my full sized pistol is less than ideal.

Irving
10-04-2016, 22:42
Quick update to this thread. I received the new Sear Housing Block, installed it myself, and everything has been peachy ever since.