M&P SHIELD APEX TRIGGER KIT

[BTSDOG]

Hi,
I just proceeded to install a APEX trigger kit on my M&P .40 shield. The trigger and sear part of the kit went flawlessly. Now I'm attempting the striker block part of the kit which requires the removal of the rear sight. I figured no problem. WRONG.....So far I have broke one 1/8 allen wrench trying to get the allen screw out which holds the rear sight to the slide. At least I haven't stripped out the screw. And yes I have been soaking the screw in penetrating oil to try and free it up. So far no go. Next I was going to put the allen wrench in the screw and apply some heat to it with an electric soldering gun. I figure the allen wrench will act as a heat sink, transferring some of the heat to the allen screw, thus softening up whatever type of loctite S&W uses on the rear sight screw.

Any suggestions, or other ideas ?????

 

[falcon123]

Righty tighty, lefty loosey.

 

[BTSDOG]

Yeah,
I got that part right....Still not budging

 

[falcon123]

Heat the screw and then dunk it in cold water.

 

[Deleted member 12999]

Just heat. Pretty sure its red loctite. It was on my m&p 45

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[WhiteTiger]

You need to heat the Allen wrench then put it to the screw that will help disengage the red locktite.

 

[Contramnky]

Duder, just an idea, and not sure if it is related to your issue: some other S&W Shield owners (myself included) had terrible issues removing either the set screw or the rear sights. Some models have lateral metal ribs which prevent movement of or removal of some sights/screws. My recommendation: take the weapon to a gunsmith. Maybe not what you want to hear, but worth saving your time/energy/anger.

 

[BTSDOG]

Duder, just an idea, and not sure if it is related to your issue: some other S&W Shield owners (myself included) had terrible issues removing either the set screw or the rear sights. Some models have lateral metal ribs which prevent movement of or removal of some sights/screws. My recommendation: take the weapon to a gunsmith. Maybe not what you want to hear, but worth saving your time/energy/anger.

Yeah I think that is the next step seeing how i just broke my second allen wrench....heat and all.....

 

[vernSL]

I just held the slide upside down and put a lighter on the screw. Came off easily after a few seconds.

 

[WhiteTiger]

Duder, just an idea, and not sure if it is related to your issue: some other S&W Shield owners (myself included) had terrible issues removing either the set screw or the rear sights. Some models have lateral metal ribs which prevent movement of or removal of some sights/screws. My recommendation: take the weapon to a gunsmith. Maybe not what you want to hear, but worth saving your time/energy/anger.

I brought my shield to Business End Customs and Lou did the trigger job for $70 much cheaper than the Apex kit. I also had night sights installed for $15. Even for both it was cheaper than an Apex kit. So if there is any way to return the kit it may save you some frustration...

 

[BTSDOG]

I brought my shield to Business End Customs and Lou did the trigger job for $70 much cheaper than the Apex kit. I also had night sights installed for $15. Even for both it was cheaper than an Apex kit. So if there is any way to return the kit it may save you some frustration...

Thanks, but i already have the lower half of the job done...All I need now is to get the rear sight off...should be cheap enough....

 

[NTMAREMACH]

You need to eliminate the bending of the allen wrench. Use the straight end of the allen wrench and put it into the screw. Now with a small pair of vise grips tighten it just above the top of the sight leaving minimal room for bending. If the wrench shows any signs of wear, grind it until the wear marks are gone or you may strip the screw and then you're screwed without drilling.

 

[BTSDOG]

Thanks all for your input.....i've at this point decided to have a professional finish it up for me....and might as well have some night sights put on at the same time.....

Thanks again for the help......

 

[miniion]

Duder, just an idea, and not sure if it is related to your issue: some other S&W Shield owners (myself included) had terrible issues removing either the set screw or the rear sights. Some models have lateral metal ribs which prevent movement of or removal of some sights/screws. My recommendation: take the weapon to a gunsmith. Maybe not what you want to hear, but worth saving your time/energy/anger.

+1. Ask me how I know...that little .....r would not budge. Better let the gunsmith deal with that.

 

[christo000]

i used a a small pen torch and a socket allen wrench that gave me full leverage just about any lowes and or auto parts stores should have them, and with a pen torch lots a heat in a small flame

 

[yanici]

Removing the loctited set screw is easy. Heat it with the tip of a soldering iron. The Loctite will soften and the screw can be removed.

Moving the rear sight after the set screw is out is the challenge on a lot of the guns. Lou at Business End had to do mine when I upgraded my sights.

 

[Retired-LEO]

I brought my shield to Business End Customs and Lou did the trigger job for $70 much cheaper than the Apex kit. I also had night sights installed for $15. Even for both it was cheaper than an Apex kit. So if there is any way to return the kit it may save you some frustration...

+1 Lou did a great job on my M&P shield & full size M&P9, both trigger jobs & Big dot sights. I highly recommend his work!

 

[Rader]

I've done several APEX AEK's, a lighter applied for a few moments to the screw should ease the loctite, then make sure your allen wrench has good sharp corners, it helps a lot to already have it locked in a vice. Really, if you don't have the right equipment, I would be more concerned you'll mar your slide / rear sight up trying to drive it out of the dovetail.

I've shot both the APEX kits and gunsmith trigger jobs, the apex kit in my opinion has a nicer, longer lasting result. Although I have only felt a couple of gunsmiths jobs, so my experience is not the end all be all.

 

[Hardwired]

FYI, Lanbos Armory has the best price on the Apex Shield kit and isn't much more. I prefer to get the engineered Apex sear and springs than pay for just the polish job.

I haven't removed the sight yet for fear of marring the slide but have shot it and compared it to the non-MA Shield version. The Apex trigger is very nice indeed. Not sure what the spring on the slide improves.

 

[peteyb]

FYI, Lanbos Armory has the best price on the Apex Shield kit and isn't much more. I prefer to get the engineered Apex sear and springs than pay for just the polish job.

I haven't removed the sight yet for fear of marring the slide but have shot it and compared it to the non-MA Shield version. The Apex trigger is very nice indeed. Not sure what the spring on the slide improves.

The striker block smooth's out the take up considerably. Definitely worth doing IMO. I also got the kit from Lanbo and installed the striker block with a nice brass punch that NTMAREMACH made, and was generous enough to lend to me. Took some good solid wacks, but it is very doable. Little bit of CLP and wiping to remove the transferred brass and zero marks on the sight.

I have passed the punch down to some other members, and helped a few of them drift out their sight with it. When the next person is done with it, we're gonna start an official thread for people to post "in" on and the next person who uses it just keeps passing it down to the next member in line

 

[Infidel525]

I had Lou at BES do a trigger job on my Shield 9mm , it did make the trigger much better but I hate the broken trigger design ... for lack of the proper term ... The APEX trigger for the Shield was not available when I had it done , looks like it will be going back for the Apex trigger portion?

I just checked online , a replacement trigger like that that APEX makes for the lager M+P versions is still not available for the Shield

 

[Dream to Dream]

Moving the rear sight after the set screw is out is the challenge on a lot of the guns. Lou at Business End had to do mine when I upgraded my sights.

I didn't want to damage my sight, so I grabbed a small cold chisel and ground down the edge to remove some of the sharpness, laid it horizontally across the sight, and whacked the piss out of it. Zero damage to the sight or the finish.

 

[RDG]

Just got done installing the APEX trigger kit on my shield last weekend. Got lucky and the LGS I bought the kit from agreed to punch out the rear site for me for free. Installed a set of ameriglo night sights since I had the rear sight off.

Trigger feels much better although I haven't fired it yet, stupid kitchen remodel!!

 

[*chris*]

I didn't want to damage my sight, so I grabbed a small cold chisel and ground down the edge to remove some of the sharpness, laid it horizontally across the sight, and whacked the piss out of it. Zero damage to the sight or the finish.

This is the right answer, I took a piece of 1/4" x 1/2" brass stock and sanded it down just enough to fit the rear sight. I clamped the slide in a vice and smacked it sharply with a hammer. Once you break the grip of the locktite in the dovetail, it comes off pretty easily.

Chris