Let’s Talk About Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0
The Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0 promises a significant upgrade to the popular subcompact pistol’s trigger pull. Offered by Apex Tactical Specialties, this kit aims to reduce pre-travel and over-travel, providing a crisper, more responsive feel. Its solid aluminum construction and pivoting safety are designed for enhanced control and consistent performance.
Like many Shield 2.0 owners, I was looking to refine the trigger pull, aiming for improved accuracy and faster follow-up shots. The stock trigger, while functional, always felt a bit mushy and indistinct to me. After countless hours of research and online browsing, the Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger kept popping up, lauded for its improved feel and ease of installation.
The Apex trigger arrived in simple, functional packaging. The aluminum trigger itself felt solid and well-machined in hand, a noticeable step up from the factory polymer trigger. The black anodized finish was clean and consistent, and the pivoting safety moved smoothly.
I considered options from Galloway Precision and Overwatch Precision, but the Apex consistently received the highest marks for reliability and ease of installation. What swayed me was the promise of a significant reduction in travel combined with maintained factory safety values. I was hoping for a drop-in solution that would elevate my Shield 2.0’s performance.
Initially, I was excited about the potential improvement in trigger feel and accuracy. However, a lingering sense of skepticism remained; could a simple trigger swap truly transform the Shield 2.0’s performance? I was eager to find out, hoping that the Apex trigger would live up to the hype.
Real-World Testing: Putting Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0 to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger at my local indoor shooting range. The range offered a controlled environment to evaluate the trigger’s performance without external factors like weather. I focused on slow, deliberate shots to assess trigger pull weight, smoothness, and reset.
Initially, the trigger felt gritty and far from smooth. The lower portion of the trigger safety MUST be depressed before releasing the trigger. This felt unnatural. I was expecting a more refined feel, but instead, it felt almost rough during the initial take-up.
The installation process, despite following the Apex Tactical Specialties’ video guide, was a complete disaster (as described in the user feedback)! Trying to press the pin in using a vice CRUSHED the trigger. I was extremely disappointed, especially after all the positive reviews I had read.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several range sessions and about 500 rounds, the trigger’s feel has not improved. The reset is still more pronounced, and the wall is more defined than the factory trigger. However, the overall experience remains underwhelming.
The finish on the trigger itself has held up well, with no visible signs of wear or discoloration. Cleaning the trigger mechanism is no different from the factory setup, requiring only occasional lubrication. The lower trigger safety bar continues to cause issues when shooting while wearing gloves, and my shots became less accurate.
Compared to my experience with a Timney Triggers Alpha Competition trigger in my Glock 19, the Apex falls short. The Timney provided a truly transformative experience, while the Apex, despite its promises, did not meet expectations. I’m considering swapping back to the factory trigger after all this trouble.
Breaking Down the Features of Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0
Specifications
The Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0 is designed as a drop-in replacement for the factory trigger. It is compatible with all Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2.0 pistols in 9mm and .40 calibers. The kit includes the aluminum trigger and a slave pin to aid in installation.
The trigger body is constructed from aluminum. This is significant, as it replaces the factory polymer trigger, offering increased rigidity and potentially improved feel. The trigger is black, matching the aesthetics of most Shield 2.0 models.
A key feature is the center-mounted pivoting safety, designed to maintain factory safety values. This safety mechanism prevents unintentional operation by blocking the trigger unless the shooter places their finger directly on the trigger face. The trigger is intended to reduce pre-travel and over-travel by approximately 20%, leading to a shorter, crisper trigger pull.
Performance & Functionality
The Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger promises reduced pre-travel and over-travel, but the results are mixed. While there is a slight reduction in travel, the overall trigger feel is not significantly improved, and in some cases, it feels worse than the factory trigger. The gritty take-up and the unreliability of the trigger safety during live fire exercises significantly outweigh any perceived improvements.
The primary weakness is the trigger’s inconsistent feel and potential unreliability under stress. The difficult installation process and the risk of damaging the trigger during installation are also major drawbacks. It definitely did NOT meet my expectations!
Design & Ergonomics
The trigger is made of aluminum and has a smooth face design. I believe this encourages proper finger placement. However, the smooth face does not compensate for the gritty feel during operation, nor does the lower safety bar, which needs to be fully depressed.
The weight is similar to the factory trigger, so there is no significant change in the pistol’s overall balance. The install was awful, and now the gun feels worse than before.
Durability & Maintenance
The aluminum construction of the Apex trigger suggests good durability, though I’ve only put around 500 rounds through it. It’s easy enough to clean using standard gun cleaning solvents and lubricants. But, I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this trigger!
Accessories and Customization Options
The kit comes with a slave pin to help with trigger return spring installation. It’s designed to work with the Apex Duty/Carry Kit for the Shield 2.0, offering a complete trigger enhancement solution. The Apex trigger is compatible with factory components.
Pros and Cons of Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0
Pros
- Slight reduction in pre-travel and over-travel.
- Solid aluminum construction.
- Pivoting trigger safety maintains factory safety values.
- Smooth trigger face encourages proper finger placement.
Cons
- Difficult and potentially damaging installation process.
- Gritty and unrefined trigger feel.
- Trigger safety can be unreliable under stress.
- Pricey given the lack of significant performance improvement.
Who Should Buy Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0?
This product might be suitable for experienced gunsmiths comfortable with intricate installations and willing to experiment with trigger modifications. The Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger might appeal to those seeking a slight reduction in trigger travel and don’t mind a gritty trigger feel.
Those who prioritize a smooth, reliable trigger pull for self-defense or competition should skip this product. Users looking for a significant upgrade to their Shield 2.0’s trigger performance would likely be disappointed.
I would suggest a trigger gauge to measure pull weight, and possibly a professional gunsmith for installation to avoid the issues I encountered. In this case, I HIGHLY recommend having a gunsmith do the work!
Conclusion on Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0
The Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0 promises a refined trigger experience but falls short in execution. The gritty trigger pull, difficult installation, and potential unreliability under stress outweigh any marginal benefits in travel reduction. The manufacturer, Apex Tactical Specialties, has a great reputation; however, this product did not deliver for me.
At $80.75, the price is not justified given the underwhelming performance and the risk of damaging the trigger during installation. The factory trigger feels better.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend the Apex Tactical Specialties Action Enhancement Trigger for the S&W M&P Shield 2.0. Consider other options. Save your money and frustration!