PDA

View Full Version : Apex Tactical J-Frame Enhancement Kit



Shellback
04-19-2011, 12:38 PM
This could be very promising. (http://www.thetacticalwire.com/story/235611)

TGS
04-24-2011, 10:40 AM
That would be pretty cool if it gave as reliable ignition as stock. My 642-1 might want it.

Anyone know anything else on it?

Tamara
04-24-2011, 12:33 PM
I've pocket-carried a 432PD for about six years with the stock trigger. It's smoothed up nicely from countless dry-fire reps, but the pull is still pretty heavy. I'd be interested to see what exact parts this kit replaces.

NGCSUGrad09
04-25-2011, 10:06 AM
I'm anxious to get my hands on one of these. I've heard from a few people in the know that they will be the ticket to snubbies.

orionz06
04-25-2011, 11:29 AM
I am gonna check it out this weekend.

orionz06
04-29-2011, 07:56 PM
I am gonna check it out this weekend.


Might have to buy a J-frame now...

Shellback
04-29-2011, 08:00 PM
Retail price is $24.95 for those who are interested. They're also going to be making and posting an online tutorial for installation in the near future.

Tamara
04-30-2011, 07:55 AM
$24.95?

Heck, I'm in.

TCinVA
04-30-2011, 10:23 AM
For that price it's hard to argue against at least giving it a shot.

Mitchell, Esq.
05-01-2011, 08:09 AM
I'm like...
Eh?

My J Frame is a gun I use a lot - with a coin on the front sight to practice trigger control, and practice drawing/reloading with speed loaders/speed strips.

The skills of trigger control, grip and drawing carry over to a Glock and make the Glock trigger feel like an anschutz rifle when compared to the long, heavy DA of a revolver.

But as for carrying...nah. I carry or shoot it so infrequently that I can't say I'd invest the $ into it when it's doing what I need it to do as it is.

TGS
05-03-2011, 09:05 AM
I still haven't found any reviews on this. I figured with the popularity of the J-frame that within 24 hours of release we'd have reviews.

Oh well. Next time I'm carrying my 642-1 is around X-mas/New Years, so I guess I can wait for some reviews/high-round count reports.

jetfire
05-04-2011, 01:11 PM
I have one of the kits, and it's going in my J-frame later this week. The parts it replaces are the mainspring, the trigger rebound spring, and the firing pin/spring. The new firing pin is longer to ensure reliable ignition with the lighter pull.

The demo model that Apex had at their booth at NRA was simply absurd, by far the best DA trigger pull on a subcompact revolver I've ever held. If it holds up to repeat usage (oh look, I have 2000 rounds of .38 Special ammo) then every J-frame sold should just come with one of these.

TGS
05-04-2011, 02:44 PM
I have one of the kits, and it's going in my J-frame later this week. The parts it replaces are the mainspring, the trigger rebound spring, and the firing pin/spring. The new firing pin is longer to ensure reliable ignition with the lighter pull.

The demo model that Apex had at their booth at NRA was simply absurd, by far the best DA trigger pull on a subcompact revolver I've ever held. If it holds up to repeat usage (oh look, I have 2000 rounds of .38 Special ammo) then every J-frame sold should just come with one of these.

Is there any increased danger of AD's with the out-of-spec firing pin?

jetfire
05-04-2011, 04:45 PM
I wouldn't think so, the way the firing pin works on an S&W revolver prevents it from moving unless it's contacted by the hammer while the trigger is pulled to the rear.

cathellsk
05-04-2011, 06:24 PM
Just got back from the NRA show, picked up three kits (2 for me, 1 for my brother) on Friday. Went back to hotel room that night and put one in my 642-1 (brought my tools as I planned on doing this if I got a kit). Was greatly impressed with the difference. Went back Saturday and bought three more kits for friends. This is an awesome kit that gives a very nice trigger pull with strong trigger reset too. Everyone at the booth was very nice and informative. I want to thank all of them for being so helpful, especially with the firing pin as I hadn't done that before. Also thank you for the info on the M&P parts you make as I'm definitely wanting to get one now and deck it out with your parts. Range report to follow, I'm on vacation and will have plenty of time to wring it out.

turbolag23
05-05-2011, 08:15 AM
do any online vendors have this kit yet?

Shellback
05-05-2011, 07:10 PM
do any online vendors have this kit yet?

Just listed on Apex's site: https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid49.html

turbolag23
05-05-2011, 09:19 PM
thanks, i have to pick up two now, just got my dad a j frame tonight.

Tamara
05-07-2011, 09:48 AM
Okay, so it's lightened springs and a longer FP to compensate for the lighter whack from the hammer.

Now that somebody has it installed, how's it work with hard primers? S&B primers are harder than woodpecker lips and make a good test for this.

Also, is the trigger return lightened and slowed to the point where it leaves you borked for fast double action work due to the trigger resetting like molasses and causing the gun to skip chambers?

jetfire
05-08-2011, 11:27 AM
I'll get some S&B .38 when I get back from Gunsite, however I tested it with CCI-primered ammo the other day and I had 100% ignition.

The trigger return is slower than I'd personally like, but I also like to install heavier than stock trigger return springs in my guns to get them to reset even faster with a lightened mainspring. With that in mind, the trigger return isn't appreciable slower than it is on a stock J-frame. Running Bill Drills, my average split over 30 shots was 0.23 seconds, with the fastest split being 0.19.

Tamara
05-08-2011, 06:19 PM
The trigger return is slower than I'd personally like, but I also like to install heavier than stock trigger return springs in my guns to get them to reset even faster with a lightened mainspring. With that in mind, the trigger return isn't appreciable slower than it is on a stock J-frame.
That's good to hear. I have a couple of S&W revos with old-skool PPC trigger jobs, and while the DA pull is unbelievably light and smooth, it suffers for fast DA shooting due to the fact that even my unschooled trigger finger can outrun the lockwork... :eek:

Savage Hands
05-13-2011, 08:06 AM
http://youtu.be/g_O_eFFcn3w


http://youtu.be/ATrz7SSbpAk

cathellsk
05-22-2011, 03:54 PM
Well, I took long enough, but finally made it to the range. Shot 200rds. of mixed brands/styles. 50rds. of Federal 158gr.SWC, 50rds. of Federal Champion 158gr.LRN, 45rds. of Winchester M41 ball 130gr.FMJ, 30rds. of Federal Nyclad 158gr.LRN, 5rds. of Federal Nyclad 125gr.LHP, and the rest were Speer Gold Dot 135gr.JHP. No issues with primer ignition at all and accuracy was improved due to the lighter trigger pull. I'm happy with it so far but will continue to test it with time. I plan on popping the sideplate again to stone some of the contact points to smooth things some more. Color me satisfied! :) Can't wait for the .22LR J frame kit so I can put it in S&W's new 43C if they ever decide to ship the damn things.

old frank
05-31-2011, 05:13 PM
I just installed the kit on my S&W 442. I had previously stoned the rebound slide and some other contact points.

The Apex Tactical Kit made a huge difference in the trigger pull and trigger reset seemed to be about the same.

So far I have only dry fired but the CT laser says it is steadier on target with the lighter trigger pull.
It is 97 degrees here today and supposed to stay about this hot all week but I still plan to get it to the range this week, even if I melt.

Sherman A. House DDS
07-21-2011, 08:53 AM
I just installed one in my 442 last night. Same as Frank above, had the internals stoned in the past. The kit went it with the pace of the video easily...took about 20 minutes. I will test fire it tomorrow.

About the only bad thing I can see about it is that my three other J-frames will need one too!

turbolag23
07-21-2011, 09:51 AM
this kind of dropped off my radar as i was waiting for more peoples reviews. guess i should start looking into this again.

TAP
07-22-2011, 01:32 PM
I'm waiting for it to be added on Brownells so I can add it to my next order. I have heard very positive reviews from a friend who installed it.

Sherman A. House DDS
07-25-2011, 09:03 AM
I test fired the Apex this weekend, extensively. I fired about 400 rounds of mixed brand .38's through a NO-LOCK Smith 442 with no issues at all. With the lighter pull, the gun is much less fatiguing to shoot, even with mid range 158 grain loads. I'm very happy with it, and I'd recommend it to anyone that has a j-frame.

TCinVA
07-25-2011, 11:51 AM
Well....looks like Sherman cost me some money.

Sherman A. House DDS
07-25-2011, 12:09 PM
Well, hey man; at least it wasn't a $180 holster!

greyghost
08-04-2011, 03:09 PM
I had Robb at Virginia Arms install one of these on my 442. Very impressive, much nicer and crisper than the one that I had done by a local gunsmith. A very smooth trigger.

+1 Robb Jensen
+1 Virginia Arms
+1 Apex Tactical

MDFA
01-13-2012, 08:02 PM
I installed a Apex J Frame Duty Kit today in my 642. What a difference in trigger pull and smoothness of the action. I've worked on J Frames several times so the install wasn't a problem. For those not familar with the inner workings of the J Frame the video is very clear. Best results for the dollar I've ever installed in a snub.

Randy Lee
01-13-2012, 09:58 PM
Thanks guys!

Every once in a while we encounter a j-frame where there is excessive drag between the hammer and the rebound slide and where the trigger nose contacts the cylinder stop. These drag points can cause the trigger to have an erratic return. In these instances, knowing where to polish (as Robb does) cures the problem.

We will be doing a series of videos on tuning up the Smith revolvers for both service and competition. I figure I better pass on my knowledge before I kick the bucket... :)

-Randy

396
02-24-2012, 02:04 PM
Just put the APEX kit in my 442 yesterday. Much better than before and worth the $25. Will order a second one for the wife's 642 along with that rebound slide spring tool.

turbolag23
02-24-2012, 02:22 PM
I forgot about this thread. I recently installed the apex kit and did some polishing. what an improvement over the stock trigger, cant wait to get some rounds through it.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6913948203_d3190b115c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/13304971@N07/6913948203/)
[/url][url=http://www.flickr.com/people/13304971@N07/] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/13304971@N07/6913948203/)

TCinVA
02-28-2012, 08:32 AM
Has anyone encountered any ignition problems with these kits yet? It's not that I don't have faith in Randy and the folks at Apex, it's just that I know how sensitive J frames can be at times.

Sherman A. House DDS
02-28-2012, 08:48 AM
I have about 2500 rounds through mine. I plan on ordering more for my other J's. I've not had any ignition issues.

One interesting observation...I bought a case of Magtech 158 grain, and in my stock 442 and 642, I had about 2/5 ignition issues. I collected those unfired rounds, and they shot fine out of a stock 649 and the APEX enhanced 442. So I feel pretty good about it.

EricP
02-28-2012, 07:48 PM
I don't have near the rounds Sherman does through my Apex equipped 442, but it has been 100% with Remington and CCI primered reloads, Federal AE, PMC, and Speer Gold Dots.

396
03-01-2012, 10:57 AM
I don't have near the rounds Sherman does through my Apex equipped 442, but it has been 100% with Remington and CCI primered reloads, Federal AE, PMC, and Speer Gold Dots.

Neither do I, but on its initial test after the install, it was 50 for 50 with a combo of Speer factory ammo and reloads with CCI primers. Hoping to put some more through it this weekend, weather and Honey-Do list permitting.

396
03-01-2012, 11:00 AM
Thanks guys!

Every once in a while we encounter a j-frame where there is excessive drag between the hammer and the rebound slide and where the trigger nose contacts the cylinder stop. These drag points can cause the trigger to have an erratic return. In these instances, knowing where to polish (as Robb does) cures the problem.

We will be doing a series of videos on tuning up the Smith revolvers for both service and competition. I figure I better pass on my knowledge before I kick the bucket... :)

-Randy

Looking forwards to that! I'd still like to improve the trigger return/reset on my J. Any eta?

:)

motorjon68
03-06-2012, 08:31 AM
Well, this thread just cost me $27.95. I've had the 642 for years but it has been a strained love affair. Looking forward to a more usable trigger pull.

Question: Is the spring tool absolutely necessary?

turbolag23
03-06-2012, 09:33 AM
Question: Is the spring tool absolutely necessary?

i woudlnt say absolutely but it does make things easier. a friend ended up making a "custom" spring tool after replacing his, made mine go quicker.

JodyH
03-13-2012, 02:24 PM
Installed a Apex kit in my 360 Scandium/Titanium today.
Took me all of 5 minutes while watching the video.
Easy.
It made a noticeable difference in trigger weight.
On a gun as light as the 360Sc (11oz. empty) a heavy trigger kills your accuracy.
The trigger weight overpowers the ultra light gun and it's hard maintaining sight alignment.
I'll hit the range later for a quick test run (even .38 wad cutters are tough to shoot more than 25 in a range session) but I'm expecting good things.