I want to improve my m&p9 FS trigger for IDPA. it’s not my carry gun but the competition kit 2.5 lb seems too light… so I think the 4 - 4.5 would be fine…
after some research I am now confused because the DCAEK give a 5.5 lbs trigger pull… but if you install just the hard sear without the trigger return spring you get ~4.29 lb as you see in randy’s video. that make me think if maybe instead of getting the dcaek kit, it would be fine just the hard sear + USB. or maybe get the dcaek but not install the trigger return spring.
any thoughts?
does the hard sear include the sear spring or just come with the kit?
I installed the Apex sear+USB and it smoothed the trigger out tremendiously. As to the poundage of the trigger I haven’t officially measured it with a scale but I bet it is right around 3 pounds. I also installed the RAM which helped with the reset but I don’t think it increased the trigger poundage much if anything. It is near perfect for competition. I think it might be too light for carry purposes, hence the labeling competition labeling by Apex. I feel 4 to 4.5 pounds is right on for carrying.
OP, if you want a 4 pound trigger I would install the sear, usb, and the heavier trigger return spring. That should put you close. Check with Randy at Apex first to see if what I recommended will get you in the 4lb range before you spend your money.
I designed the sear to yield a 4 lb pull if you use the factory trigger return and sear springs. The USB smooths out the take up.
It sounds like that is all you need for your intended use.
The USB kit includes a reduced power safety plunger spring, but the sear spring and trigger return springs are only included in full kits and in the spring kits we sell.
I have the Apex hard sear and USB installed on both of my M&P’s and they’re both just over 4lbs. Installing the Apex trigger spring will likely bring you over 5lbs.
I have installed the Apex hard sear and USB on 3 of my M&P 9s. They all have a trigger pull of between 4-4.5 pounds. Also have the RAM installed in all 3 as well.
Initially I had installed the DCAEK trigger return spring in my first M&P, along with the apex sear spring. I took these out after talking with Randy, as the trigger pull was just over 5 lbs.
I have the factory trigger spring in my guns. I’ve tried different combos of sear springs from the factory spring, Apex duty/carry spring, and the FSS sear spring and they all had a trigger pull just above 4lbs.
I need to officially measure my trigger then. I have 4lb triggers on other guns and my M&P with competition sear, usb, and ram is a good bit lighter than 4lbs.
ETA, Dhunley, are you talking about the competition sear? Do you have Apex’s competition sear in your guns?
I have the Apex hard sear and USB on my M&P 9 FS and it’s an ideal setup. Unless you feel the need for a 5-5.5 lb trigger pull…and I can’t imagine why for IDPA…there is no need to spend extra on the DCAEK to get the replacement spring. The Apex parts really do a great job cleaning up the M&P trigger with no need for sending your pistol off to a gun smith.
That is how I progressed into the Apex parts too. I have recently adjusted the loop on the trigger bar so that it allows the sear to be tripped earlier in the trigger pull instead of nearly all the way to the rear. Now the trigger is even better than before. It’s still very reliable and I have not experienced any problems with function by doing this. It remains an IDPA pistol however for now.
