Ever since I got my M+P Shield, I’ve been wanting to tweak it to make it fit my tastes, and the trigger was the first thing I wanted to change. The stock trigger on mine was quite nice, breaking at a consistent 8.5 pounds with no stacking and very little grittiness, and unlike a lot of M+P triggers, it had a tactile reset (although not a big one). 

Brownell’s was kind enough to send me out an Apex Shield Trigger Kit, and approached installing it with some a lot of hesitation, because mechanical things confound me to no end. Finally, I took the plunge, cleared off a space on my workbench, set down my MacBook so I could follow along with Apex Tactical’s instructional video, and went for it.

And it wasn’t that bad. This is the first time I’ve ever disassembled a gun more than just field-stripping it, and it went quickly and fairly smoothly. The tools required for the job were: 

• Punches (various sizes, just buy a cheap kit at Harbor Freight) 
• Polymer/punch hammer (A plain ol’ hammer will do, but it murphs up the roll pins. Ask me how I know this…). 
• Light. Lots and lots of it. A workbench magnifying light is best. Get one. 
• A small flathead screwdriver and/or picks for poking and proding stuff
• A heatgun or torch to loosen the red Loctite on the rear sight

Now I could tell you how I installed it and bore you to tears a la James May, but just watch the video instead, as I did.

After the install, the trigger on my Shield is now about 5 pounds, with a terrific break and a much more noticeable reset. Considering it took “Four Thumbs” me less than a hour to install, I’d *highly* recommend the Apex trigger to all Smith and Wesson Shield owners as the quickest, easiest way to upgrade their guns accuracy. 

This is my typical 3 gun stage loadout. 84 rounds of .223, 31 rounds of 9mm, 33 shotshells and 4 slugs

If yo’ve already liked the Misfires And Light Strikes Facebook page, thank you, and if you haven’t, well, why not like it now?

So, what is this thing called “TeamGunblogger”, you ask? It’s a zombie-free zone dedicated to finding simple, fun ways for all those new gun owners to get their new guns out from underneath their beds and onto the range. It’s about more than just gun ownership, because a defensive firearm isn’t a magical self-protection amulet: You have to know how to use it in order for it work.

So what will you find on TeamGunblogger that you won’t find here?

• Product reviews for the new gun owner
• Tips for getting started in practical pistol
• Training reviews for the first-time gun owner
• Practice ideas for people who don’t practice all that often
• Prizes, giveaways, dancing girls and street magicians*

Anyways, go check out what we’ve done over at TeamGunblogger, and be sure to stop by often and see what we’re up to.
*Street magicians and dancing girls may not be available in all states.

- Jim Sharpe, KFYI Radio.

To add to that, I also spent a lot of time this weekend getting TeamGunblogger up to speed (more on that later), doing a radio appearance on the Kate Krueger show  (more on that latter also), and FINALLY installing the Apex Trigger on my Shield (more on that later also also).

Good thing it’s Monday: Now I can relax! 

But. 

I was shopping with the family last week when I had to heed Mother Nature’s call. As I stood there, patiently waiting for things to finish in a crowded men’s room, my shorts slipped slightly and my S+W Shield slipped below the hem of my shirt and was there for all to see. 

And nothing happened. No hue and cry, no calls to the cops for “brandishing”, no nothing. 

This is what it’s like to live in a free state.