Transform Your Smith & Wesson M&P: Achieve Unrivaled Trigger Performance with the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit
Are you a proud owner of a Smith & Wesson M&P pistol, eager to unlock its full potential? Whether you're a competitive shooter striving for every possible advantage, a tactical professional demanding ultimate reliability, or a dedicated enthusiast seeking the finest shooting experience, the factory trigger on your M&P can often be a point of compromise. Many M&P users find themselves asking: "How can I improve my M&P's trigger pull?" or "What's the best upgrade to reduce trigger travel and weight on my Smith & Wesson M&P?" For those serious about optimizing their handgun's performance, the answer lies in precision-engineered components designed to elevate your shooting to the next level.
The Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit for Smith & Wesson M&P pistols (excluding the Shield series) is the definitive solution to these common trigger complaints. This meticulously crafted system is engineered to provide a remarkably smoother, lighter, and more consistent trigger pull, fundamentally transforming the feel and responsiveness of your firearm. It addresses the common issues of excessive trigger pre-travel and over-travel, offering a highly refined trigger break and a positive, tactile reset that can dramatically enhance both speed and accuracy. This kit isn't just about making the trigger pull lighter; it's about optimizing the entire trigger dynamic, from initial take-up to final reset, ensuring predictable and repeatable results shot after shot.
Why Upgrade Your M&P Trigger? Understanding the Apex Advantage
The quest for a superior trigger experience is universal among serious shooters. A better trigger can lead to tighter groups, faster splits, and an overall more intuitive connection with your firearm. The standard M&P trigger, while reliable, often features a longer pull, a less defined break, and a somewhat muted reset compared to high-performance pistols or custom builds. These characteristics can hinder rapid follow-up shots, make precise accuracy challenging, and reduce shooter confidence during critical moments.
The Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit directly confronts these limitations, providing a comprehensive upgrade that redefines the M&P's trigger system. Every component within this kit has been carefully designed to work in harmony, delivering a performance profile that stands in stark contrast to the factory setup. This isn't merely a drop-in trigger shoe; it's a holistic overhaul of the trigger's mechanics, resulting in a distinct improvement that both competitive and casual shooters will immediately appreciate.
What's Inside the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit? A Deep Dive into Precision Engineering
This comprehensive kit includes ten carefully selected pieces, each playing a crucial role in the overall enhancement of your M&P's trigger. Understanding the function of each part helps illustrate the transformative power of this upgrade:
1. The Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger: Ergonomics Meets Performance
At the heart of this kit is the innovative Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger itself. Unlike traditional curved triggers, the flat-faced design offers a more consistent and repeatable finger placement, allowing the shooter to better manage impulse and recoil. This ergonomic design is particularly favored by competitive shooters who utilize a straight-back press for maximum accuracy. A key feature of this trigger is its "forward set" positioning, which significantly reduces both trigger pre-travel (the initial slack before the sear engages) and over-travel (the movement after the striker is released). This translates to a shorter, more efficient trigger stroke, minimizing wasted motion and allowing for quicker, more precise shot delivery. For shooters with longer fingers, the increased reach length to the trigger face provided by this design can improve comfort and leverage. Furthermore, by allowing the shooter to position their finger lower on the trigger face, this design effectively increases leverage, which translates into an ability to perceive and manage lower trigger pull weights more effectively—a significant advantage in disciplines like USPSA Open and Limited Division competition where minimal pull weights are sought after.
2. The Forward Set Sear: The Secret to a Crisp Break and Short Reset
The Forward Set Sear is arguably the most critical component in achieving the kit's signature performance. Its unique geometry is designed to drop the striker at a point farther forward than the factory sear, directly leading to a dramatically shortened trigger pull stroke. This means the trigger doesn't have to travel as far before the shot breaks, resulting in a crisp, predictable, and clean break that feels similar to a finely tuned 1911-style pistol. The genius of the Forward Set Sear also lies in its contribution to the renowned Apex reset. By setting the engagement point forward, it allows for a much shorter and more tactile reset, enabling shooters to quickly prepare for the next shot without excessive trigger manipulation. This "positive reset" is invaluable for rapid-fire drills and competition, where every millisecond counts and a clear indication of reset is paramount for maintaining control.
3. The Ultimate Striker Block Kit: Enhancing Smoothness and Eliminating False Resets
The Ultimate Striker Block Kit is a key contributor to the overall smoothness and reliability of the trigger pull. This kit includes an improved Striker Block, a specialized spring, and a Talon Tactical Tool for easy installation. The factory striker block can sometimes cause a gritty feeling during the trigger pull due to its geometry and surface finish. The Apex Ultimate Striker Block features a re-engineered radius on its face. This enhanced radius significantly reduces friction as the trigger bar interacts with it, resulting in a much smoother, almost frictionless uptake of the trigger. Beyond smoothness, this optimized design plays a crucial role in eliminating what many M&P owners refer to as "false reset" issues, where the trigger seems to reset but isn't fully ready to fire. The Apex design ensures a reliable and consistent reset every single time, contributing to overall shooting confidence and safety.
4. The Forward Set Spring Kit: Fine-Tuning Your Trigger Pull Weight
The Forward Set Spring Kit provides the necessary springs to complete the transformation and allows for some customization of the final trigger pull weight. This kit typically includes:
- White Trigger Return Spring: Designed to provide a lighter trigger pull.
- Green Trigger Return Spring: Offers a slightly heavier, but still significantly reduced, trigger pull for those who prefer a bit more resistance.
- Polymer Slave Pin: Aids in easier assembly of the trigger return spring.
- Sear Spring: Optimized to work with the Forward Set Sear for consistent break and reset.
- RAM Spring: Contributes to the overall improved feel and reset.
Expected Results: What to Anticipate After Installation
Once the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit is installed in your Smith & Wesson M&P, you can expect a truly transformative shooting experience. The benefits are immediately apparent and contribute to a more enjoyable, effective, and precise interaction with your firearm:
- Optimized Trigger Pull Weight: Achieve a crisp trigger pull weight precisely between the 4lb and 5lb mark, depending on which trigger return spring (white or green) you choose to install. This is a significant reduction from the typical factory pull weight, making for easier and more controlled shooting.
- Smooth Uptake and Reset: Experience a remarkably smooth and consistent trigger pull from start to break, followed by a positive, audible, and tactile reset. This eliminates the gritty feel and mushy reset often associated with factory M&P triggers.
- Reduced Trigger Pre-Travel and Over-Travel: The extensive pre-travel and over-travel found in stock M&P triggers are dramatically reduced, providing a shorter, more efficient trigger stroke that facilitates faster follow-up shots and improved accuracy.
- 1911-Like Total Trigger Travel: The total trigger travel, from the start of the pull to the point of reset, becomes comparable to that of many high-performance 1911-type pistols. This shorter, more precise movement is a hallmark of a truly custom-tuned firearm.
- Maintained Factory Safety Values: Crucially, the center-mounted pivoting safety within the flat-faced trigger shoe maintains the factory safety values, ensuring that your firearm retains its built-in safety mechanisms without compromise. This is a critical consideration for both recreational and professional use.
Compatibility: Applicable Smith & Wesson M&P Models
This Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit (UPC: 856008005512, SKU: 100-054) is designed for broad compatibility within the Smith & Wesson M&P line. It works seamlessly with all Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols in all centerfire calibers and configurations. This includes popular models across the M&P M2.0 and original M&P series, accommodating various barrel lengths and frame sizes. However, it is important to note a specific exclusion: this kit is NOT compatible with the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield pistol due to its distinct internal design. Additionally, for proper function, the kit requires the use of the sear housing block designed for the large-size sear plunger and spring, which is characteristic of current production M&P pistols as of June 2011 and later. If you are unsure about your M&P's sear housing block, consulting your firearm's manual or a qualified gunsmith is recommended.
Enhancing Your Shooting Experience: Who Benefits Most?
The Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit is an invaluable upgrade for a wide range of M&P owners:
- Competitive Shooters (USPSA, IDPA, etc.): The reduced pull weight, crisp break, and ultra-short reset are direct advantages in timed shooting sports, allowing for faster target transitions and more precise shot placement under pressure. It helps achieve the competitive edge needed to shave seconds off stage times.
- Tactical and Duty Use: Professionals who rely on their M&P for self-defense or duty will appreciate the enhanced reliability and consistent trigger pull, which translates to greater control and confidence in high-stress situations.
- Everyday Carry (EDC) Enthusiasts: While slightly lighter than a factory trigger, the 4-5lb pull weight remains within a practical range for many who carry their M&P for personal protection, offering improved shootability without sacrificing safety.
- General Target Shooters and Enthusiasts: For anyone who simply enjoys shooting their M&P at the range, this kit transforms the shooting experience, making practice sessions more rewarding and enjoyable due to the improved feel and control.
Why Choose Apex Tactical Specialties? A Legacy of Innovation
Apex Tactical Specialties has long been recognized as a leader in aftermarket firearm components, particularly for Smith & Wesson platforms. Their reputation is built on a commitment to precision engineering, rigorous testing, and an understanding of what shooters truly need to excel. When you invest in an Apex product, you're not just buying a part; you're investing in years of research and development aimed at maximizing performance and reliability. Their dedication to quality ensures that components like the Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit are not only effective but also durable and reliable under demanding conditions. Apex parts are designed to meet the highest standards, which is why they are often the first choice for both professional and amateur shooters seeking to optimize their firearms.
Installation and Maintenance Considerations
While the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit is designed to be a "drop-in" solution for capable individuals, installation does require a basic understanding of firearm disassembly and assembly. Many detailed instructional videos and guides are available online to assist with the process. However, for those uncomfortable performing the installation themselves, it is always recommended to seek assistance from a qualified and reputable gunsmith. Proper installation is crucial for ensuring the kit functions as intended and maintains the firearm's safety features. Once installed, the kit generally requires no special maintenance beyond the regular cleaning and lubrication recommended for your M&P pistol.
Acquire Your Apex Kit at DEGuns
For those ready to elevate their Smith & Wesson M&P's performance, the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit (UPC: 856008005512) is readily available. When seeking a trusted source for high-quality firearm accessories and upgrades, DEGuns is your premier destination. As a leading retailer, DEGuns.com offers a comprehensive selection of products, ensuring you receive genuine Apex Tactical Specialties components with reliable shipping and exceptional customer service. Enhance your shooting accuracy, speed, and overall enjoyment by upgrading your M&P with the definitive trigger solution, available now at DEGuns.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit
1. What is the primary benefit of the flat-faced trigger design?
The flat-faced trigger offers a more consistent and repeatable finger placement compared to curved triggers, which can lead to improved accuracy and a more controlled trigger press, especially beneficial for precision shooting and competitive disciplines. It also allows for increased leverage on the trigger face, potentially making lower pull weights feel more manageable.
2. How does this kit reduce trigger pre-travel and over-travel?
The kit achieves this through the combined design of the Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger and the Forward Set Sear. The trigger's geometry inherently positions the finger forward and reduces initial slack, while the sear's unique engagement point significantly shortens the distance the trigger must travel before breaking and after the shot.
3. Can I install this kit myself, or do I need a gunsmith?
Many competent users with basic firearm disassembly knowledge can install the kit using online resources. However, if you are not comfortable working on your firearm's internal components, it is strongly recommended to have a qualified gunsmith perform the installation to ensure proper function and safety.
4. Will this kit affect the safety of my Smith & Wesson M&P pistol?
No, the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit is designed with a center-mounted pivoting safety that fully preserves the factory safety values of your M&P pistol. When properly installed, it does not compromise the inherent safety mechanisms of the firearm.
5. What is the typical trigger pull weight after installing this kit?
The kit is designed to achieve a trigger pull weight between 4lb and 5lb. The exact weight can be influenced slightly by the specific M&P model, individual firearm tolerances, and which of the included trigger return springs (white for lighter, green for slightly heavier) is installed.
6. Is this kit compatible with the M&P Shield or M&P Shield Plus?
No, this particular Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger Kit (SKU 100-054, UPC 856008005512) is specifically designed for the full-size and compact Smith & Wesson M&P centerfire pistols and is not compatible with the M&P Shield or M&P Shield Plus models due to their different internal architecture. Apex offers separate kits for the Shield series.
7. What is a "false reset" and how does this kit address it?
A "false reset" occurs when the trigger seems to reset after a shot, but the internal components haven't fully re-engaged, preventing the next shot. The Apex Ultimate Striker Block Kit, with its improved radius, directly addresses and eliminates these false reset issues, ensuring a consistently crisp and reliable reset every time.
| Component | Primary Function | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger | Reduces pre-travel & over-travel; enhances leverage. | Shorter, more efficient trigger stroke. |
| Forward Set Sear | Shortens trigger pull stroke; improves reset. | Crisp break, positive and tactile reset. |
| Ultimate Striker Block Kit | Smoothens trigger uptake; eliminates false resets. | Consistent, clean pull, reliable reset. |
| Forward Set Spring Kit | Adjusts trigger pull weight (4-5 lbs). | Optimized pull for performance or preference. |
| UPC: 856008005512 | SKU: 100-054 | Availability: At DEGuns |
