Another Shield Thread (Apex Trigger, sights, etc)

[CA_Bandit]

Hi All,

New to guns and the forum. My GF has her Shield coming next week and she dislikes the trigger. I've ordered her an Apex Duty / Carry trigger kit so the very first thing I'm going to do with a brand new gun is rip it apart

I've watched the Apex video, and done some googling. Looks like the rear sight may be the hardest part of the install. She has the High Viz version. How do people like those sights? Are they worth keeping or should I consider replacing them since I'll have the rear out already?

I've ordered the following:

Brownell Dovetail Sight Punch set, figured might as well get both since the shipping was expensive for a small item.

Apex Armorers Block and tray (includes the 1/16" hex wrench)

I have punches in the correct sizes, just cheap blue / steel ones from like Home Depot but they should be sufficient for a single install.

I have a big, cheap Harbor Freight vice, will get some softjaws.

I have hammers, including my grandfathers ball peen hammer, but I think they are all a bit big for this application. The ball peen is probably 16oz and my other hammers are more like framing or claw hammers. Recommendation on something mid priced for this? I do have an Estwing Rock pick that may work, it isn't too big.

https://www.amazon.com/Estwing-Rock-Pick-Geological-Reduction/dp/B0002YWCIM/ref=asc_df_B0002YWCIM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241941495556&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6347069862953982449&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013581&hvtargid=pla-397434935448&th=1

I have a decent heat gun and a little butane torch.

Haha, the white lithium grease sure seems worthwhile based on the one YouTube I watched where the guy didn't use it and finally had to put the pieces back in off camera

With all that said, is it worthwhile to just have the shop remove the rear sight when she picks the gun up?

Is there anything else that would be useful?

Any words of advice before I start? Anything else we should be doing while we are in there?

Thanks!

Mark

[Oldmandan]

Best to use aluminum or brass scrap metal as a punch if you don’t have brass punches.

Metal ones may gall your sights/ gun if you mess up. I typically use aluminum if a sight pusher won’t work on the application

[9Cal_OC]

Get a Shield 2.0 or wait for the Plus.

Or find a gun with a trigger that she likes better

But yes, brass punches are ideal. Those sights are a bit tough to remove so perhaps have someone lend you a pusher.

[CA_Bandit]

Thx, she ordered the Shield before she shot one on a recommendation (we were going to see if she could get her CCW before the classes go from 8 to 16 hours but it looks like we won't make it anyway. She will be stuck with this for 2 years, then we can reevaluate (I should have enough saved up for a PDP-F by then )

I ordered brass punches for the sight removal. They are sight specific, triangular punches.

Thanks!

[Subotai]

I had a hard time with mine. I bought this - https://www.amazon.com/Engineering-H.../dp/B0BXJLBCLJ

And used a cheater bar. Scary, but it worked.

[CA_Bandit]

Jeez. I hope it isn?t that bad!

I had a hard time with mine. I bought this - https://www.amazon.com/Engineering-H.../dp/B0BXJLBCLJ

And used a cheater bar. Scary, but it worked.

[Staticsouls]

I have a few shields and always remove the sear disconnect and mag disconnect immediately. It will make the trigger better as now the trigger bar only interfaces with the sear instead of that cali trash. I have an apex duty carry kit in my current shield with the discos removed and its the best shield trigger I have ever used.

For the sights, call me ghetto, I use a vise with wood as soft jaws and a 2x4 as a punch for the sights. Works everytime no scratches and nothing bought or lost.

My current shield has the or slide with a 407k, xs big dot sights and an extended ported remsport barrel with apex kit and maggutz +1 in the flush fit and a 2nd flush fit mag with a +2 kit. The 8 round mag has a strike emp+2 on it.

I built a second upper/slide assembly for her as well with a pc long slide and extended ported 4.25 inch barrel from remsport with ameriglo I dots and a 507k. I can make consistent hit on a torso steel target at close to 50 years to my own surprise.

I'm a big shield fan obviously. Best of luck on your project!

[CA_Bandit]

Thx, 8 weeks ago she said if I ever got a gun she would kick me out and now she is getting 2, so we want to make it as good an experience for her as possible.

I guess I shouldn't have let her shoot a full size PDP before the Shield. I could hit a torso target at 50 with the PDP and it was my first time really shooting a handgun with no training on them. Amazing, amazing technology. Don't take our guns for granted. We have some really cool stuff!

Can't wait till we get some more classes and practice under our belt.

[acaligunner]

Good luck on th install ~ I have heinie straight eight sights on my Nighthawk grp 1911 and their gtg.

[CA_Bandit]

Thanks everyone for the help / insight.

Well, it went really well. The set screw came out quite easily, no heat, no nothing. It had a small dab of red locktite on it.

Now, here is the real kicker. I wasn't even going to bother with the sight portions since I ordered a slide / red dot kit, but the sight was so loose I removed and reinstalled it with my thumbs!

The hardest part was reinstalling the sear block. I'll color fill the logo / lettering on the new slide with the purple nail polish in the photo.

Here she is, Apex Trigger, Hogue grip, TLR-6 Light / Laser combo:

[press press]

Instead of apex kit. Have you looked into the mcarbo spring kit?

https://www.mcarbo.com/smith-and-wesson-m-p-trigger-upgrade-kit.aspx

https://www.mcarbo.com/smith-wesson-mp-shield-2-trigger-spring-kit.aspx

[mofo1111]

That Wheeler Engineering sight pusher makes easy work for the few times that I used it.

Be careful not to go too light on a CCW trigger, especially for a new shooter. If she has to use it, a lawyer in court might have something to say. If the (new) shooter has a finger in the trigger guard with a very light trigger, sometimes you can have a negligent discharge.

I like Night Fision Accur8 sights, pick your color up front. I like the yellow/green. The 2 dot tritium system is easier to align than 3 dots, your mileage may vary. Trijicon used to have a 2 dot set up in the HD night sight version. I don't see them on their website anymore.