Wondering if anyone here on the forum has installed an Apex Tactical DCAEK on their own? I am planning on installed the Apex kit into my new M&P 9. I've watched a couple of Apex's videos and it doesn't seem to be too difficult... The only part that I'm hesitant on is the removal of the rear sight in order to install the Ultimate Striker Block kit. It seems straight forward, but a little afraid of possibly damaging the rear sight or the slide without a rear sight pusher tool, or a large vise to hold down the slide in order to slowly/easily punch out the sight.

 

Anyone have any advice or tips?

 

Thanks,

Tony

I installed the Comp AEK in my M&P 9L. It really wasn't too difficult. I used a vice and punch on the rear sight but, I also installed a Dawson Precision rear and front sight at the same time. I really wouldn't try to remove the sight without a vice or sight pusher. They are in there really tight.

 

Advice: Take your time and do it along with the videos.

I've also installed the CAEK on my M&P9,it's pretty straight forward, just watch the videos and have them handy to reference while you're doing the work. The rear sight is very tight too. I do have the sight pusher tool, if you'd like to borrow it send me a pm.

I have removed the rear sight on my full size M&P9 a few times - with nothing more than an allen key, a hammer and a smallish brass drift ... while working on a wood dinner tray watching TV, LOL! No vice necessary. It's easy - just remember to go in the correct direction.

 

Removal: Left to right

Install: Right to left

 

......and be ready for the spring

 

I have removed the rear sight on my full size M&P9 a few times - with nothing more than an allen key, a hammer and a smallish brass drift ... while working on a wood dinner tray watching TV, LOL! No vice necessary. It's easy - just remember to go in the correct direction.

 

Removal: Left to right

Install: Right to left

 

......and be ready for the spring

 

 

 

I'm glad that worked for you but, would not have with mine. It took several serious smacks with the hammer to break free. The front was even worse, requiring a real hammer instead of my little brass gunsmithing hammer.

Thanks guys.. I only have a smallish, light duty vice, so don't think it'll do. I've been thinking about it and I think I came up with a couple of creative ideas on making something that will hold the slide in place without damaging it... I'll let you know how it goes. I should have the parts from Apex within the next couple of days.

I did mine on my M&P45c, happy to help out if you'd like me to.

Thanks guys.. I only have a smallish, light duty vice, so don't think it'll do. I've been thinking about it and I think I came up with a couple of creative ideas on making something that will hold the slide in place without damaging it... I'll let you know how it goes. I should have the parts from Apex within the next couple of days.

 

A small vise may be just fine. You don't need tp crank down on the slide, you just need something to hold it that doesn't move. If the small vise in bolted to a workbench, it will be fine. As far as not damaging the slide, i just wrapped 2 layers of painter's tape around mine and it worked great.

Like the man said earlier, watch out for the striker safety spring. It is very compressed and is dying to launch itself into the darkest recesses of your home or garage.

Thanks for the tips and advice guys! I got the Apex Tactical parts in the mail today, so being that I am the most impatient guy on the face of the Earth I decided to do the upgrades right away. It was really a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. Since I didn't have a vise I felt was adequate enough for the job, I clamped down some wood blocks on my workbench and wedged my slide in between them to hold it still. I used a brass drift punch to slowly punch out the rear sight, which wasn't too bad... it was tight as heck, but with a hammer and the punch it come off quickly. I used a pencil to put some witness marks on the slide and sight so I can easily return it back to zero. All in all, a piece of cake... It took about an hour, only because I'm slow and methodical so I don't make any mistakes. I installed both the complete Apex DCAEK and the RAM. I'm REALLY pleased with the final result... The trigger pull is much smoother and it breaks much nicer now. I did some dry firing and focused on my sights and I don't notice any sight or muzzle movement now when pulling the trigger, as I did before with the stock parts. I'm really psyched and can't wait to take it to the range! Woohoo!

Like the man said earlier, watch out for the striker safety spring. It is very compressed and is dying to launch itself into the darkest recesses of your home or garage.

 

Apex includes a little plastic bar that you slide into the dovetail to go over the spring and spring cover as you slide out the sight... Using this, I had no issues at all. Also the other nice little addition that Apex throws into the kit is the slave pin to hold the new trigger spring in place... that made life sooo much easier as well!

I did mine on my M&P45c, happy to help out if you'd like me to.

 

Thanks Jon! I was able to do it without any issues, but appreciate the offer. I wouldn't mind trying out that 45c over at SCFGPA one of these days though! That is a pistol I've been thinking about for a long time... Now that I have the M&P .22 and the 9mm... I probably need to add a .45 to the family! LOL!

I'm glad that worked for you but, would not have with mine. It took several serious smacks with the hammer to break free. The front was even worse, requiring a real hammer instead of my little brass gunsmithing hammer.

 

S&W had issues with front sights falling out. If your M&P is form before then, getting the sight out isn't hard. If your M&P was made after then, you are going to have to put some force into it. I would never attempt to do sights without a vise... again. This is from doing sights on way more than just my M&P. In general, sights are in there pretty good.

Thanks Jon! I was able to do it without any issues, but appreciate the offer. I wouldn't mind trying out that 45c over at SCFGPA one of these days though! That is a pistol I've been thinking about for a long time... Now that I have the M&P .22 and the 9mm... I probably need to add a .45 to the family! LOL!

 

You're welcome to abuse it whenever you'd like, just shoot me a PM.

Took my new M&P 9 to the range at lunchtime today, for it's baptism "by fire"

 

The Apex DCAEK kit is so sweeeeeeeeeeet! The gun shot so nicely and I had an awesome group going on my target.

 

My poor Beretta 92A1 is going to start getting jealous because I think I have a new favorite 9mm pistol!

I've been shooting my stock MA Compliant (10lb trigger) M&P 45 for over a year struggling with accuracy. I invested in an hour of instructor time today. He made some changes to stance and grip and got me about half the way there.

 

THEN he let me shoot his M&P 45 with a 5.5 trigger job and I drilled a hole in the target. Seems like the trigger work is definitely worth the $$.

I have to get my DCAEK installed. Been sitting on it for over a year.