It is ironic that many articles have given the SD 9 a good rating. Nevertheless, I have the unfortunate firearm that is totally the opposite.

During my first use with the SD 9, the pin behind the take down catch started to slide to the left approximately ¼ “ and the pin just above the grip was also moving to the left. This all in less than 100 rounds! To make the situation worse, the slide fails to remain open after the last round. Yes, I understand that a firearm is a machine and it needs to be “broken in” but these issues are severe safety issues. (Just imagine being hit in the face when the slide flies backwards :-()

I had to take it back to Academy Sports twice and Smith & Wesson failed to provide any form of communication regarding the safety issue as well as why is the alignment of the slide and frame is not centered when viewed from the muzzle. (They also must have a poor marketing team since this misalignment is shown on their website when you view the SD 9 in 360-degree view.

Does anyone else have problems with their SD 9?

I don't think you have to worry about the slide coming off and hitting you in the head. But, I would send it back to the company to have it fixed or replaced. Pins shouldn't come out on their own. Good luck.

A lot of people don't like that the "dust cover" doesn't always align with the barrel. It is a harmless issue, but takes away from the sense of quality in the pistol. I had read about it on several forums and anticipated it, and it hasn't bothered me -- probably because I don't look at that end of the gun straight on (nor should anyone else, other than a bad guy!).

But I think a lot of them are a little "bent" and that is a legit problem S&W should work on.

The SD is a very nice pistol, and generally under-rated. As my trigger breaks in (and I polished the contact points a little bit) it gets smoother and smoother, while keeping the relatively longer and stronger trigger pull that I think is desireable in a self-defense pistol. I have a M&P with an Apex sear and USB kit that is smooth and light -- maybe a bit too much so for self-defense, but pretty good on the range.

As to pins that walk out -- that is unacceptable. Generally, though, you just knock them back in, and dab a little loctite on them, and they don't come out again.

Loctite and Plastic is not a Good Thing. I have seen it actually destroy certain Poly making it very brittle.

Here is a short forum page on Loctite plastic use:

Is loctite plastic friendly? [Archive] - Radio Control Zone

__________________
John McCaw
FFL/SOT2

Thanks for the correction.

I found a web article about using Loctite 425 on plastic -- but the more I think about it, it's not a good idea anyway, not on frame pins. They need to be able to come out when repairs are required. Probably better to just use new pins, or, simpler still, return the pistol to S&W for them to put new pins in there.

Thanks!

I read early on that smith had some under sized pins go out and cause pin drift. Similar to the BG380. I thought it was fixed but maybe the supplier screwed up again. As far as the slide matching up with the frame, as long as it shoot point of aim I would not care. If it didn't then I would have an issue

Your takedown lever was installed upside down. There was a post on here about some of them getting dent out like that. It is an easy fix.

MDLNB... thanks for your input and I agree with S&W Rover; the quality control of S&W has definitely have suffer. Who in their right mind would show a misaligned weapon on their website in an attempt to get the consumer to purchase their product?

Well, the good news (while it was short) I got the firearm back from S&W, without any explanation of what was done and the firearm was worse than the original issues. I got a few FTF and FTE along with the original issue. I even try different brands of ammo to see if the slide remains open after the clip is empty all with the same results. In addition, where the frame and slide connect it was extremely loose. I had no choice but to return it to the manufacturer again; as long as it is under warranty.

All I can say it was a true effort for S&W to mask the issue of the sigma with an MP look alike.

Every SD that I have looked at has this dust cover problem, which for me is not a problem since I won't be using a laser pointer anyway. Never had to in all my years of carrying a sidearm. I know some other companies have problems with their dust covers as well, as it happens because of the material that is used for the lowers.

__________________
SD9, 637