Delete

[etwinam]

Delete, got my barrel.

[mlevans66]

I have a black list and it locks up tighter then my factory barrel. I like the look and feel but accuracy I don't notice. I got my barrel so I could add a suppressor to it.

[etwinam]

I have a black list and it locks up tighter then my factory barrel. I like the look and feel but accuracy I don't notice. I got my barrel so I could add a suppressor to it.

Thanks, I'll have to check them out.

[boopiejones]

I installed a storm lake in my M&P a few years ago. I didn’t notice a difference in accuracy vs stock. After a couple hundred rounds, it started having failure to feed problems. Storm lake took the barrel back and recontoured the feed ramp, but I haven’t tried it since.

I wouldn’t monkey with it. Stock barrels are just fine, IMO.

[bmk20398]

I don't have M&P + APEX, but several Bar-Sto barrels
Factory P226, P320 are about 2.5" / 25 yards
P226 9mm + Bar-Sto Drop in... BarSto says 1.5" / 25 from fixed rest
P320 9mm + Bar-Sto Match Fit... typically 0.25"/25yard better than drop in
Bar-Sto spec + my inaccuracy = 1.85(P320) and 2.0(P226) at 25yards, 0.5" or more better than Factory

https://i.imgur.com/TQZOpUo.jpg

Glock 41 + KKM had no difference
Glock 41 + Bar-Sto Match Fit is new comer and trying now, I think it's very nice, can go 6-8MOA.
(now installing adjustable sight / Overwatch Trigger / Connector / Lightweight striker and springs...)

Drop in barrel: sometimes better, sometimes not
Fitting Barrel: mostly better than factory

[rsrocket1]

Are you really that good that you can tell the difference in a match grade barrel in a "combat" accurate handgun?

I can't.

For 3 years I fought the temptation to buy an Apex kit for my M&P40 and I finally got the FSS kit and my groups really did get better. In the subsequent 4 years of shooting the heck out of it, I finally got really good with it. So when the slide stop lever broke off again, when I replaced it, I decided to put the stock trigger back on to see if my shooting was any worse. Guess what? It was just as good with the stock trigger as it was with the Apex trigger. Granted, I didn't go back to the sear or striker block but I came to the conclusion that it really is the Indian and not the arrow that counts (all due respect for being politically incorrect).

My recommendation, forget the aftermarket stuff and just buy more ammo and range time. If I can shoot all my offhand 10 yard groups like this every week, I can go home happy.

[Handgunther]

I got an Apex barrel for my M&P9L and it definitely was an instant improvement in accuracy over the stock barrel. (I bought the semi-drop-in version) What I liked about the Apex setup was that they had engineered the barrel geometry to work better than the original design. Whatever they did, it works.

Here's a great review with range testing from The Truth About Guns. If Apex has worked for you, I'd stick with them.

[etwinam]

Are you really that good that you can tell the difference in a match grade barrel in a "combat" accurate handgun?

I can't.

For 3 years I fought the temptation to buy an Apex kit for my M&P40 and I finally got the FSS kit and my groups really did get better. In the subsequent 4 years of shooting the heck out of it, I finally got really good with it. So when the slide stop lever broke off again, when I replaced it, I decided to put the stock trigger back on to see if my shooting was any worse. Guess what? It was just as good with the stock trigger as it was with the Apex trigger. Granted, I didn't go back to the sear or striker block but I came to the conclusion that it really is the Indian and not the arrow that counts (all due respect for being politically incorrect).

My recommendation, forget the aftermarket stuff and just buy more ammo and range time. If I can shoot all my offhand 10 yard groups like this every week, I can go home happy.

First off, nice groupings!! Great job tracking your groups and focusing on gaining better accuracy.

I Thank you for your response and while I agree with you that practice is a better solution than fancy aftermarket parts I still believe there are aftermarket parts that make a gun more accurate and enjoyable to shoot.

Upgrading a trigger will often resolve the natural bad tendencies. Low and to the left is a usual circumstance from pulling the nose down. High right usually comes from recoil anticipation. I know that training these flaws out is better than any aftermarket parts. But what's wrong with making your job easier for yourself?

Here is the best example I can provide to encapsulate what I have found; at 15 I learned to drive on a raised Jeep CJ7 that had bald tires and a very difficult clutch, shot brakes and no power steering. I was given a loose gravel road on a slight incline and I practiced until the cows came home.... Now I can drive anything.... and I mean anything.

Here is the point though; By fixing up that clutch and getting a brake booster, then putting new tires on that Jeep I was able to conquer many crazy hills and trails in Ocotillo, Big Bear and San bernardino, San Jacinto, etc... While some stuff is just bolt on accessories from Autozone (TiN and chameleon colored barrels) but some parts are true enhancements that can help you get positive results.

I relate this to my learning of shooting; I originally learned how to shoot on a Taurus PT111 subcompact with a very heavy DAO trigger that broke inconsistently every time, very short sight radius, prone to jamming, bad sights... this was a gift from my grandfather. I never upgraded this gun and I kept it stock because my grandfather is gone now and intrinsically it is worth too much to me to change in any way. I have put well over 20k rounds through this gun since i was a teenager until now. I could be wrong but I believe I've put in my time behind a bad trigger and learned much; I'm sure there is lots more to learn though.

I thank you for your response however I assure you I have seen a difference with an aftermarket barrel in the past and I am looking to replicate those results with my new M&P 2.0. I understand you may think an M&P is a combat gun but many people turn Glocks in to lasers and while i'm not trying to compete in USPSA at this time I would like to get a better lock up at least and really be able to shoot tighter groupings. I have also put a few thousand rounds through this gun and looking forward to many thousands more. It is truly a dream to shoot, I find myself bringing it to the range more than my 1911 even.

Thank your for your input and I do see your point but my goal is not to simply hit center mass at 10 yds, I am trying to gain higher accuracy than i currently have.

[etwinam]

I got an Apex barrel for my M&P9L and it definitely was an instant improvement in accuracy over the stock barrel. (I bought the semi-drop-in version) What I liked about the Apex setup was that they had engineered the barrel geometry to work better than the original design. Whatever they did, it works.

Here's a great review with range testing from The Truth About Guns. If Apex has worked for you, I'd stick with them.

Thank you sir, I feel like Apex is tried and true, I just want to see if there is anyone that perhaps has surpassed the Apex match grade lock up before i blow $200+ on a barrel.

[Matt P]

Barsto for the absolute best for that series.
Gunsmith fit only of course.

I have it and I fitted it. Outstanding performance.
I have fitted 1911 barrels when I built several 1911s complete and my Smith shoots more consistently with a wider range of ammo.

Drop ins don’t compare.

Half the size and sometimes more shooting 10 shot groups at 25.

[etwinam]

Thank you, I'll look at Barsto I appreciate your input.

I definitely like the idea of gunsmith fit over drop in. I'll have a gunsmith fit it anyways so I might as well get the true gunsmith fit anyways.