Created to tame the Hellcat, the Apex trigger is the latest upgrade to hit our workbench
The Springfield Armory Hellcat micro-compact was a surprising and welcome addition to the concealed carry world. It’s proven to be an EDC-worthy firearm that’s a perfect compromise of size and capacity.
While the Hellcat comes with an excellent factory trigger, that doesn’t mean it can’t be better. Swapping triggers might be the national past time of pistol owners, and Apex Tactical is happy to accommodate us. Their latest variant is the Action Enhancement Trigger for the Springfield Hellcat and we’ve been lucky enough to be able to give it a test run.
Here’s what we found:
Installation of the Apex Tactical Hellcat Trigger
The Action Enhancement Trigger for the Springfield Hellcat comes with a new trigger face, striker and sear springs. You’ll need a 1/16” punch and a 3/32” punch and a rubber mallet or gunsmith hammer. A roll of tape also helps. There is no fitting required, and everything drops in.
Installation is quite easy and requires a little time and patience. Also, do it in good lighting, so you don’t lose anything because you’re also watching Netflix. I won’t break down the whole installation process, but check out this video from Apex Tactical.
After the installation, Apex Tactical recommends a 200 round break-in period. I followed their rules, but the trigger seemed to smooth out after 150 rounds and some change. The change is gradual but noticeable.
The End Result
Does the Apex Tactical Hellcat trigger add some value to your Hellcat? Well, hell yeah, it does. The weight went from around 6 pounds to a clean and consistent 5-pound trigger pull. The Apex Tactical trigger gives you a smoother trigger pull that’s nice. The trigger pull is shorter, as is the reset.
The reset is heavy and powerful. It takes an already tactile and audible reset and makes it much more prevalent. The trigger has more force behind the reset, and it’s noticeable.
The built-in trigger safety, aka the dingus, is improved and moved upwards on the trigger. To me, it’s duller, and that’s a good thing. It’s more comfortable, and it rubs a little less than the stock variant. Also, pressure can be applied from various angles without binding the trigger safety, which was an apparent issue for some with the original Hellcat trigger.
The trigger reach is slightly reduced, and my petite girlfriend seems to appreciate it for her smaller hands. She has adopted the Hellcat as her gun now, so her opinion matters the most.
The Trigger Point
The Apex Tactical Hellcat Trigger ensures your trigger pull is lighter, smoother, more comfortable, and packs a better reset. It’s a drastic improvement over the Hellcat’s trigger, which itself is quite lovely.
Speaking from a practical on the range perspective, I can say the trigger does make longer range shooting more precise and accurate. From 25 yards, I nailed a rifle gong over and over and over. Better yet, my less experienced girlfriend could do the same at only a slightly slower pace.
One fun and classic drill I enjoy running is the El Presidente, which requires double taps, transitioning targets, reloads, and more. Like any drill worth its weight, accuracy, and speed matter.
With the Apex Tactical Hellcat trigger, I shaved off a quarter to a half-second on average with better accuracy. The double taps are just a bit quicker, and fractions of a second matter.
Conclusion
The Apex Tactical Hellcat trigger is an excellent addition to the Springfield Hellcat 9mm. It’s affordable and definitely worth the money – I’m glad I’ve got one on my gun, that’s for sure!
Check it out and let us know what you think!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.
He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms based hobbies.
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