As a newbie with a number of pieces including a stock M&P 9 Shield 2.0, curious about your Apex preference. Can you go into some depth about the reasoning for that choice one day? What might the CCW neophyte gain by the switch? Thanks!
That’s a great question. I own a few different brands of handguns, but the one I own more of than any other is Smith and Wesson. Beginning with my very first handgun (you never forget your first), a model 59, I have bought dozens of handguns from this manufacturer. I had a few examples of the third generation S&Ws. I stopped buying them for awhile when the company went rogue, then returned to the brand when the began producing the M&P line. The M&P autoloading pistols are, in my opinion, the best that Smith and Wesson has ever made.
But they aren’t perfect. For that reason, there are modifications that I make to every handgun of any brand.
The first thing that I have done to every handgun I have ever purchased is put better sights on it. I have tried a fair few: XS DXT sights, with their large front post allow for a quick sight picture at the expense of a little accuracy, or even the TFO night sights from TruGlo, which have fiber optic for daytime use and Tritium for night time, and the latest, microdot sights.
My favorite microdot sight is currently the Holosun 507k in green. I like the green because I find that I get faster acquisition with it. I have been putting microdots on my handguns since 2019, when I bought a Performance Center Shield Plus because I foolishly thought that I would be able to volunteer for Florida’s Guardian program.
The next modification (going back to at least 2012) that I make is particular to Smith and Wesson M&Ps: an Apex Action Enhancement Kit. This doesn’t apply to the Performance Center, nor to the Shield Plus. I find both of those examples have a decent trigger. Don’t get me wrong, the M&P 2.0 has a much better trigger than the 1.0, but it still needs work. The M&P triggers are by no means the worst triggers I have ever felt. That distinction goes to the Taurus Millennium, because it feels like the trigger is dragging an iron plate across a gravel parking lot. Still, I don’t really like the M&P trigger, as it feels sloppy and gritty at the same time. It just isn’t smooth enough for me.
The Forward Set Trigger kit that I put in this pistol is nice. It comes with springs, trigger, sear, and other parts that allow you to smooth out the trigger pull and set your pull weight. I currently have my pull weight on the 10mm set at about 4 pounds. The new trigger also has a nice, smooth feel with a crisp break.
Installing it is a breeze- just follow the company’s instructional YouTube video, and as long as you have a proper set of tools, it’s a breeze. Essential is a good set of punches, a pistol armorer’s block, a sight pusher tool, and a good set of quality screwdrivers, you can do all of this yourself.
So that is what I generally do to make my handguns feel right for me. Don’t get me wrong, most of the handguns I have owned are perfectly fine right out of the box, but through trial and error, I have found what works for me. You may have a different experience.
The disclaimer: I don’t advertise, and receive nothing for my reviews or articles. I don’t think that I ever will. I have no relationship with any products, companies, or vendors that I review here, other than being a customer. If I ever *DO* have a financial interest, I will disclose it. Otherwise, I pay what you would pay. No discounts or other incentives here. I only post these things because I think that my readers would be interested.
5 Comments
Woody · March 9, 2025 at 10:14 am
I second the use of Apex triggers.
Unknownsailor · March 9, 2025 at 10:40 am
I own a gen 1.0 M&P 9mm with the Apex trigger reset kit, and the big thing the Apex trigger package fixes is tactile trigger reset. The stock 1.0 trigger had a barely perceptible trigger reset, which made fast shooting difficult. The Apex kit adds an audible and tactile “click” to the M&P trigger reset, and makes for better shooting.
Hank · March 9, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Appreciate you answering my question. I value your opinion… In your broad and deep experience, sloppy, gritty, and not smooth as it could be gained with the Apex modification. Thank you for the explanation and background. And thank you for the links. They definitely reduce research and trial and error expense! I will follow through when the budget allows. My Shield came with a Crimson Trace green laserguard. I’ve added furniture to other pieces in my “collection”, but the Apex will be the first internal modification to any of them. Oh, and after the discussion, I tallied my ammo. I have about 400 defensive and 1k range rounds for the 9, and about 10k for the collection. Hope to see some price drops over the next few months. Thanks, again. Be as well as you can be.
Will · March 9, 2025 at 3:20 pm
I second your opinion of the Apex in the 1st gen Shield. However, and I know I am talking a little apples and oranges, I much prefer my Glock pistols with a Ghost Rocket or Evo connector. It gives a much shorter take up, very little over travel and a tactile and audible reset. That will beat the socks off the Shield with the Apex trigger.
Divemedic · March 9, 2025 at 3:50 pm
One of the best things about the gun world is that there is room for everyone. What one person thinks is the perfect defensive handgun may not be what works best for someone else. That’s why you don’t see me getting involved with brand or caliber wars.
For caliber, any one that allows you to pass the FBI standard of 12 to 18 inches of ballistic gelatin after passing through the denim and t shirt layers and expands to 150% of its bore diameter is good enough.
For brand, the Glock is a good pistol. I wouldn’t say that it is the best pistol for everyone, because anyone who claims that brand X is the best for everyone is ignoring that each shooter is different. For me, I don’t like the grip angle of the Glock. It just doesn’t point naturally for me. Maybe I should do a post on that.