9mm vs .40S&W Sigma Decision

sonofthebeach · #1 06-21-2010, 02:41 AM

Now that S&W has their rebate/free mag offer on again, and with Academy having a sale on Sigmas, I think that I'm gonna get one.

I know that this has probably been brought up before, and that many of you might have had some difficulty choosing one caliber over another.

I'm considering the ready availability of 9mm factory ammo right now, and the approximate $.11/round difference in price between 9mm and .40 (in Wally World practice ammo). But I'm also trying to determine just how much of a ballistic advantage the .40 will have over the 9mm for a house-gun and concealed carry piece.

At these prices, I'm tempted to get one in each caliber, but since today is our anniversary, I fear if I get 2 more pistols, this might be our last anniversary

Without starting a "caliber war", I guess I'm just looking for some reasons that you all have chosen one caliber or the other in a Sigma.

Thanks.

"JJ" · #2 06-21-2010, 06:11 AM

Price per round sent me the way of the 9ve.

As far as caliber goes, if I can't defend my house against an intruder with 32 rds of 9mm, I need to adjust my practice schedule or change my night stand gun to the 12 ga!!

(Or maybe consider moving?)

Good luck, I think you would be happy with either!

MitchellB · #3 06-21-2010, 06:54 AM

I think the .40 S&W is a better self defense round than the 9mm, but I got the 9VE instead because I already had some 9mm luger rounds and they were cheaper to punch holes in paper with.

tbury · #4 06-21-2010, 07:39 AM

Since I reload any caliber I shoot I chose .40 over 9mm. If I was buying factory ammo I would probably have gone with the 9.

conn ak · #5 06-21-2010, 07:56 AM

Owned both the 9VE and the 40VE. Kept the 40VE for the extra thump. Can't go wrong with either gun. I don't know about where most folks live, but 40 S&W ammo is about the same price as 9mm around here.

leejack · #6 06-21-2010, 08:07 AM

The 9 is cheaper to shoot, so I went with the 9.

There are lots of very good defense rounds available too.

If you really feel the need for the extra horsepower, than go for the 40.

Either way, the sigma rocks!

Lee

ScottJ · #7 06-21-2010, 08:32 AM

For me it was easy. I already had a 9MM and like to get multiple launchers for the same caliber.

Don't own any .40 S&W and wasn't in the mood to expand to yet another caliber in my collection at the time.

LuddhaBuddha · #8 06-21-2010, 08:46 AM

I got my 40VE 4 or 5 years ago and chose the .40S&W over the 9mm just because I felt it was a better round, If I had it to do over I would get the .40 again. Right now you can find both .40S&W and 9mm fairly easily but, to me it seems that there are more options available for the .40S&W. A year or so back when the shortage was in full swing .40 was about the only popular pistol round that I could find quality hollowpoints for easily. To me the slightly cheaper price of 9mm doesn't off set what I consider to be its drawbacks as a self defense weapon.

*EDIT*
Looking around online I found that atleast for HST, Ranger T, Gold dots, and hydra-shok the .40S&W was cheaper or equal to the same rounds in 9mm. Practice ammo may be different but at 25$ for 50 rounds of .40S&W HST or Ranger T, I would be stocking up on that compared to 35$ for 9mm Ranger T.

Tslepebull · #9 06-21-2010, 01:13 PM

For me the score is two SW9VE's and only one SW40VE. The 9mm is cheaper for practice and plinking but the .40 has more thump for home protection -- but you already know that.

BTY remember that Academy will give you an additional $50 off if you open an Academy credit card that day. It gets the OTD price down in the $225 range.

hybridsquirrel · #10 06-21-2010, 01:34 PM

http://skinnypup.com/images/ballisticchart7rk.jpg
This graph helped me decided a lot on which caliber to use. Hopefully it will help you =]

.357 mag · #11 06-21-2010, 06:13 PM

I'm 9mm all the way. 40 is a good round but I never really took to it. Maybe because I reload 10mm and the 40 seems like a wuss round compared to it. The biggest 2 reasons why though was the price of ammo and when I got my 9VE, I heard storys about the 40 was unreliable. But I guess I've heard the same about the Sigma in general. Guess I better stop shooting mine before it stops working.

Tweety Bird · #12 06-21-2010, 09:29 PM

My wife has 9mm stuff by KelTec, Springfield and Beretta; I have the 40 in SW, Ruger and Springfield varieties. Our logic was that sometimes one caliber is harder to find than the other and hopefully, one or the other will always be easy to find. The WW here sells Federal 40 target ammo for about $14 for 50, so the price difference is negligible. Right now, we have lots of blammo for both types.

jppezz23 · #13 06-21-2010, 09:40 PM

To buy the 9mm because a box of ammo is slightly cheaper is foolish.the 40 has more stopping power.You may well skimp on other things but self protection?Give that some serious thought.

Trooper224 · #14 06-21-2010, 09:52 PM

I've used both in places other than the target range and modern top loads in 9mm give up little or nothing to the .40, so caliber debate is the only foolish thing going on here. Generic ammo in the 9mm IS a bit cheaper in most areas than the .40, .45, etc., and that CAN be important if you're on a tight budget. The more economical it is the more you shoot, so there's nothing foolish about that either. Obssessing over an extra millimeter IS foolish, so make your decision based on other factors.

flash60601 · #15 06-21-2010, 10:59 PM

I have a couple 9's and one 40. The 40 seems to be easier for me to shoot with greater precision, but that may be due to the trigger work from the Texas S&W agent.

Flash

sonofthebeach · #16 06-21-2010, 11:31 PM

Thank you all for replying to this thread, and helping me with this decision.

As far as the cost of ammo in 9 vs 40 around here in S. Alabama, the generic practice ammo by Win or Fed as sold in WalMart has a price difference of about .11/round. Since I have the tools to reload either round, I can reduce that cost difference to about .03/round...really not much difference there.

I haven't found much of a price difference between 9mm or .40S&W premium self defense ammo down here...most brands/weights seem to sell for $20-$30/box of 20 rounds, although it seems that some of you can do better on pricing from your sources.

So, choosing one caliber over the other for purely economic reasons really doesn't seem to make much sense to me. In 9mm, though, I can practice with WWB or Federal Champion rounds from WallyW at almost exactly the same cost as my reloads, and I can spend less time cranking out rounds with my Lyman turret press. Shooting .40's will require that I reload to get in the same amount of practice.

And thanks hybridsquirrel for the link to the caliber comparison. I've seen similar comparisons of the "major" defensive handgun calibers from 9mm through .45ACP, which basically show that most quality SD ammo will perform well enough to get the job done. Most of these comparisons basically boil down to: shoot a weapon/caliber combination that we can shoot most accurately and reliably, since terminal performance means little if the bullet doesn't end up where it needs to be. (Thanks Trooper 224 for helping me to keep my thinking straight on this.)

I think I'm gonna go with the 9mm for now. I'll try to get my wife interested in shooting again. I think if she doesn't find the trigger pull to be too heavy for her, the 9mm Sigma might just help her with this. I'd really like her to get re-acquainted with shooting...I think it would be good if we both knew how to safely handle and accurately shoot the guns that we have in our house.

And Tweety Bird, I get your logic about having guns in more than one caliber, just in case certain calibers of ammo become somewhat scarce. I figure that if S&W keeps the current promo going through October, I'll be able to pick up another Sigma in .40 in a few months.

In the meantime, I'll get to shoot the 9mm a bunch, and hopefully get halfway good with it, and have lot of fun in the process.

And Tslepebull, I called Academy in Mobile this morning, asking about the $50 for opening an Academy charge, and the person I talked to said that they don't do that anymore. And so I asked her if there was any advantage to opening an Academy charge, and she said "no"...she sounds like a good candidate for some retail training.

Well, thanks again for your help.

somecomeget · #17 06-21-2010, 11:44 PM

Long story short. The .40 cal is what cops use.

Baldy · #18 06-22-2010, 12:25 AM

If you have a choice and can hit good with it, go with the .40S&W. I got one and like real well now. Took a little getting use to at first.

Trooper224 · #19 06-22-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somecomeget

Long story short. The .40 cal is what cops use.

We also use .45s, 9mms, .357 Sigs.......................hardly an endorsement.

I don't have anything against the .40, I currently carry one as an issue weapon and it will work as well as anything else. However, like I said: as well as anything else, not markedly better than any of the others.

For many years I was a dyed in the wool .45acp man. Why carry a .45? Because they don't make a .46. If it didn't sart with a four it better at least say "magnum". Back in the day there was some validation for this point of view. However, in the last decade there have been large advances in ammunition technology, enough to the point where all of the service calibers are extremely close to each other in their lethality, any difference is more a matter of academic discussion than real concern.

Because of this other factors become far more important than caliber: magazine capacity (sure go ahead, count on only firing two rounds and see how enlightening that is when the feces hit the rotating ocillator and you're somewhere other than the target range), ergonomics, ie. how well does the weapon fit your hand? How well do you shoot the weapon? Your Triple-X Bunker Buster Maxi-Zoom round won't amount to much if you can't put it where it matters.

Choose a weapon of service-grade caliber that you can shoot well and often, and leave the caliber and millimeter debates to the gun rags and Sunday Commandos.

469Shooter · #20 06-22-2010, 03:14 AM

I too had this same conversation with myself. All I ever carried on duty was a Model 19 so I never got caught up in the 9/40 debate. My 469 was and still is my carry gun.
I went with the the 9VE because:
a) I have yet to buy into the 40 mythology.
b) Around here 40 ammo is $4.50 more per box(all other factors being equal).
c) I had tons of 469 ammo.
I believe in placement not displacement! Just my 2 cents.
Like the other poster said if you can't do it 30 or so rounds then you might consider moving to a better neighborhood.

Skeptic 9c · #21 06-22-2010, 05:47 AM

During the ammo shortage, .40 S&W was available when I had trouble finding 9mm. I am still tempted by the SD 40, sigh.

Geoff
Who notes there are so many good guns, so little excess income.

CajunBass · #22 06-22-2010, 06:04 AM

I've never warmed up to the .40 at all.

tpd223 · #23 06-22-2010, 06:20 AM

The idea that one gets a "stopping power" advantage by going with the .40 is a case of self deception.

All of the service calibers pistols make the same hole in a body, fact of life. If a coroner or a trauma surgeon can't tell the difference in the bullet holes when they look at them then what makes anyone think the shootee can tell the difference.

Even if the ammo cost were identical I'd still go with the 9mm as it is more controlable than the .40 and beats the guns up much less.
Hell, I know very accomplished shooters who have gone to the .45 from the .40 to get less recoil and a more comtrolable platform.

On my job we've been shooting bad guys with out 9mms for many years, never had an issue with a lack of "stopping power".

Tslepebull · #24 06-22-2010, 06:45 PM

Well Sonofthebeach I'm sorry to hear Academy has changed their policy since Christmas; that is when I bought my 40VE. Any way, whichever caliber you decide on you will be happy with the Sigma.

somecomeget · #25 06-22-2010, 06:59 PM

.40 is extremely popular, the ammo is almost everywhere by now. Cost is not a significant argument, because you get what you pay for. I end up having buckets of .40 brass because so many people shoot it. I rarely find 9mm brass on the range. I find loads and heeps of .40 brass. That tells me... the .40 is a great idea whether you like it or not.. because so much brass and ammo is available that you might as well have at least one .40 cal in the house. And I don't care for the low energy of the 9mm, a glock 26 gets you 250 ft pounds at the muzzle on average, a glock 22 that is .40 can get you 500 ft pounds. I carry the .40 long, that is a 10mm. I get 588 Ft pounds at the muzzle with my 135 grain COR-BON JHP in 10mm. .40 gets you more than double the energy depending on loads. By the way.. studies show.. cops train on average once every three months... really bad guys, train three to five times a week. Just a clevar fun fact at the end here. Hope you know... .40 is just better. Go with 10mm... which is the same... but longer.. G20 is where it's at for the home/hood. See my other comments. I love .40 cal.

conn ak · #26 06-22-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpd223

The idea that one gets a "stopping power" advantage by going with the .40 is a case of self deception.

All of the service calibers pistols make the same hole in a body, fact of life. If a coroner or a trauma surgeon can't tell the difference in the bullet holes when they look at them then what makes anyone think the shootee can tell the difference.

Even if the ammo cost were identical I'd still go with the 9mm as it is more controlable than the .40 and beats the guns up much less.
Hell, I know very accomplished shooters who have gone to the .45 from the .40 to get less recoil and a more comtrolable platform.

On my job we've been shooting bad guys with out 9mms for many years, never had an issue with a lack of "stopping power".

More and more Police Departments have changed to 40 S&W. Interesting article by Massad Ayoob on the evolution of police ammo, i.e., 38sp, 9mm, 40 S&W, etc. "Choose your ammo...police style" is Ayoob's article on the history of and effectiveness of police firepower. Interesting stuff.

somecomeget · #27 06-22-2010, 07:47 PM

I have an interesting question. So, I know that A glock 20, with a (blackhawk) serpa holster-paddle on a (Bianchi) light duty nylon belt with a 5.11 concealed carry casual shirt, and a nice pair of Sig Saur shorts, makes for a wonderful concealed carry get up. It looks normal, but feels so... tactical. In all my years, I have found recently this outfit to be my favorite gheto gear. I'd compromise to a GLock 22 or .40 if I had to. An addition I'm thinking about is suspenders. Does anyone know if suspenders are a plus?

Walthernut · #28 06-22-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somecomeget

I have an interesting question. So, I know that A glock 20, with a (blackhawk) serpa holster-paddle on a (Bianchi) light duty nylon belt with a 5.11 concealed carry casual shirt, and a nice pair of Sig Saur shorts, makes for a wonderful concealed carry get up. It looks normal, but feels so... tactical. In all my years, I have found recently this outfit to be my favorite gheto gear. I'd compromise to a GLock 22 or .40 if I had to. An addition I'm thinking about is suspenders. Does anyone know if suspenders are a plus?

Suspenders are a plus if you can't keep your pants up.

40cal · #29 06-22-2010, 08:18 PM

Whatever you carry. Shoot early and often!

Tweety Bird · #30 06-22-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somecomeget

Long story short. The .40 cal is what cops use.

Maybe some but not all. My brother has a 9mm issued to him, and has for years.

Tweety Bird · #31 06-22-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walthernut

Suspenders are a plus if you can't keep your pants up.

But never trust a man who wears both a belt AND suspenders.

.357 mag · #32 06-22-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somecomeget

.40 is extremely popular, the ammo is almost everywhere by now. Cost is not a significant argument, because you get what you pay for. I end up having buckets of .40 brass because so many people shoot it. I rarely find 9mm brass on the range. I find loads and heeps of .40 brass. That tells me... the .40 is a great idea whether you like it or not.. because so much brass and ammo is available that you might as well have at least one .40 cal in the house.

I find thousands of .22LR at the range. Zero .40's Us IL people must be great shots.

conn ak · #33 06-22-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somecomeget

I have an interesting question. So, I know that A glock 20, with a (blackhawk) serpa holster-paddle on a (Bianchi) light duty nylon belt with a 5.11 concealed carry casual shirt, and a nice pair of Sig Saur shorts, makes for a wonderful concealed carry get up. It looks normal, but feels so... tactical. In all my years, I have found recently this outfit to be my favorite gheto gear. I'd compromise to a GLock 22 or .40 if I had to. An addition I'm thinking about is suspenders. Does anyone know if suspenders are a plus?

Tactical suspenders, you mean? I believe Tapco sells tactical suspenders that match the tactical flashlight and tactical pocket knife.

Knightrider03m · #34 06-22-2010, 09:54 PM

9mm. You will love it.

tpd223 · #35 06-22-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conn ak

More and more Police Departments have changed to 40 S&W. Interesting article by Massad Ayoob on the evolution of police ammo, i.e., 38sp, 9mm, 40 S&W, etc. "Choose your ammo...police style" is Ayoob's article on the history of and effectiveness of police firepower. Interesting stuff.

Mas is a friend, and I read his stuff, have for years, and I've been part of the history of police departments switching guns and calibers, so I have a solid idea of the background.

I also know that much of this is political and/or emotional BS driven.

I know of a PD in NJ that switched to the Glock 22 only because the Chief didn't "want to be the last department in NJ to be carrying 9mms".
This is as retarded a decision as I have ever seen made.

I also know of other departments that have dropped the .40, or are looking to do so, because "the .40 lacks stopping power". Yes, seriously.

Two of these departments ended up with .45GAPs over the issue. Another retarded decision.

One is looking at the .357Sig currently. Whatever.

There is no magic bullet. This is a training issue, and a being out of touch with a bit of brutal reality issue, not a caliber issue.

somecomeget · #36 06-23-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .357 mag

I find thousands of .22LR at the range. Zero .40's Us IL people must be great shots.

Do you eat them?

somecomeget · #37 06-23-2010, 12:10 AM

Don't make fun of my Suspender Idea.

.357 mag · #38 06-23-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somecomeget

Do you eat them?

If the mood strikes me right.

leejack · #39 06-23-2010, 12:08 PM

Caliber wars are ridiculous.

I don't worry about which gun I happen to have on me at the time, because all my bullets are hand made by Clint Eastwood! LOL!

Lee

Veritas · #40 06-23-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leejack

Caliber wars are ridiculous.

I don't worry about which gun I happen to have on me at the time, because all my bullets are hand made by Clint Eastwood! LOL!

Lee

oh yea? well Mr Chuck Norris makes my 9mm hollow points

conn ak · #41 06-23-2010, 12:49 PM

9mm...40 S&W....357.....44 mag.......Big deal, I carry a sawed-off flamethrower with a bayonet in a shoulder holster with a miner helmet with a tactical headlight and 4 tactical pocket knives in 4 tactical pouches and a tactical chap stick holder in digital camo in a boot holster next to my flare gun given to me by Sarah Palin on our last date. Girl's got it goin' on, that Sarah.

sonofthebeach · #42 06-23-2010, 01:04 PM

This thread is much better than a caliber war thread!

Flamethrowers, bayonets, and tactical garb notwithstanding (is that a word?), I'm still getting the 9mm.

Thanks all, and have a great day.

conn ak · #43 06-23-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofthebeach

This thread is much better than a caliber war thread!

Flamethrowers, bayonets, and tactical garb notwithstanding (is that a word?), I'm still getting the 9mm.

Thanks all, and have a great day.

Hey...if you're not man enough for the 40 S&W..............just kidding.

sonofthebeach · #44 06-24-2010, 12:31 AM

Well, I picked up my SW9VE this afternoon at Academy...the guys behind the counter kind of dismissed the Sigma as a "cheap gun", and told me how swell the Taurus pistols were.

I gave a close look at the "24/7" (I think)...it was taller and heavier, fit my hands a bit better, but without the Sigma sale price and rebate that pistol would have cost about $125 more than the Sigma.

I've owned a few Taurus revolvers, and they all didn't compare very well with the S&W's that I was used to. And so I didn't want to take a chance with their semi-auto quality (or lack thereof). I have the Sigma next to me on the desk as I'm posting here, and I'm really happy with my purchase.

The magazines slide into the mag well with ease, and drop quickly when the mag release is pressed. And the gun just looks good to boot. I'm gonna take it apart to clean and lube it before I take it to the range in a few days.

I have a question about dry-firing this pistol. Some of you here have advised others to "dry-fire the snot out of the pistol" to possibly make the trigger smoother. Can anybody tell me how to reset the striker without ejecting my snap-cap...I've tried to move the slide just enough to reset it, but whenever I move the slide with the snapcap chambered, I end up ejecting the thing.

I know I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what. I don't plan on dry-firing this pistol too much, as it seems to have a pretty decent trigger already...a little gritty and stiff, but after cleaning and lubing it, I think it might smooth out some.

I've got the pistol apart for cleaning now, and although the instruction manual says to only lube the four slide rail contact points and two points on the barrel, I think that there are a few more points that should be lubed.

I don't know if there's a stickey about this, and I haven't done a search yet, but as long as I'm here, I thought I'd ask how you all clean and lube your Sigmas?

Thanks.

Trooper224 · #45 06-24-2010, 01:36 AM

(...the guys behind the counter kind of dismissed the Sigma as a "cheap gun", and told me how swell the Taurus pistols were.)

An S&W (of any kind) is cheap, yet a Taurus is not?

I'm of the opinion that clerks in gunshops should learn to give less opinions and more service. If I'm there to do business I require them to take my money and fill out the appropriate paperwork, what I don't require them to do is spew pie-hole feces in my direction.

hybridsquirrel · #46 06-24-2010, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofthebeach

Well, I picked up my SW9VE this afternoon at Academy...the guys behind the counter kind of dismissed the Sigma as a "cheap gun", and told me how swell the Taurus pistols were.

I gave a close look at the "24/7" (I think)...it was taller and heavier, fit my hands a bit better, but without the Sigma sale price and rebate that pistol would have cost about $125 more than the Sigma.

I've owned a few Taurus revolvers, and they all didn't compare very well with the S&W's that I was used to. And so I didn't want to take a chance with their semi-auto quality (or lack thereof). I have the Sigma next to me on the desk as I'm posting here, and I'm really happy with my purchase.

The magazines slide into the mag well with ease, and drop quickly when the mag release is pressed. And the gun just looks good to boot. I'm gonna take it apart to clean and lube it before I take it to the range in a few days.

I have a question about dry-firing this pistol. Some of you here have advised others to "dry-fire the snot out of the pistol" to possibly make the trigger smoother. Can anybody tell me how to reset the striker without ejecting my snap-cap...I've tried to move the slide just enough to reset it, but whenever I move the slide with the snapcap chambered, I end up ejecting the thing.

I know I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what. I don't plan on dry-firing this pistol too much, as it seems to have a pretty decent trigger already...a little gritty and stiff, but after cleaning and lubing it, I think it might smooth out some.

I've got the pistol apart for cleaning now, and although the instruction manual says to only lube the four slide rail contact points and two points on the barrel, I think that there are a few more points that should be lubed.

I don't know if there's a stickey about this, and I haven't done a search yet, but as long as I'm here, I thought I'd ask how you all clean and lube your Sigmas?

Thanks.

to reset the sear, just pull it back a little bit. maybe 1/2 inch. youll hear the click and it will reset.

as far as cleaning lubing, i wet some cleaning solvent on a patch, run it through to barrel. dip the bore brush, run it through 3-4 times. run another cloth with cleaner through it. then put some clean patches through till it comes out clean enough for me. Then for the frame and slide i just use a tooth brush. For lubing, I drop a think of lube on the barrel and spread it all around with my finger. 1 drop on each metal piece on the frame that connects with the slide. and then 1 on the top of the barrel. Thats pretty much it, some of them tell you to put a drop in the sear....but i would just think it would get linty. My gun gets very linty as it is. Some people say to put lubricating oil in the barrel, but I only do that for long term storage. (maybe I should do it more.)

flash60601 · #47 06-24-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety Bird

But never trust a man who wears both a belt AND suspenders.

A man who wears both belt and suspenders is . . . . .

. . . . . . a man who does not trust his own trousers !

Flash

Skeptic 9c · #48 06-24-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flash60601

A man who wears both belt and suspenders is . . . . .

. . . . . . a man who does not trust his own trousers !

Flash

Usually means he's carrying a heavy pistol on that belt.

Geoff
Who wonders how the local deputies keep all that gear on their hips without a Sam Brown shoulder strap.

leejack · #49 06-24-2010, 07:34 AM

sonofthebeach, first I'd like to say congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the sigma club!

Pay no attention to the yahoo at Academy. Not long ago, an Academy gun counter employee told me that the Beretta 92FS and the Taurus PT92 were direct clones of the Browning Hi Power. Hello!!!

On to the sigma: Others have covered the lube. Use just a little bit. The sigma isn't an oil hog. Just bring the slide back a little until it clicks to reset.

I'm one who has dry fired mine many times and I don't use snap caps. Everybody has an opinion on this; I've had no problems with mine.

Just my 2 cents: Every gun that I've ever owned has got better with use; none more than the sigma. Not only is the trigger smooth, but the controls on the gun feel like butter. Switching out mags, slide release, etc. The entire gun feels smooth after 1000 rounds. It works so well it's almost boring. Totally reliable and quite accurate once you get the hang of it. Be patient, keep focused and practice. Once you master the trigger and it will put a huge smile on your face every time.

Please post up a range report when you get her out (pictures are a nice touch too)

Best wishes,

Lee

Skeptic 9c · #50 06-24-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofthebeach

Well, I picked up my SW9VE this afternoon at Academy.

I have a question about dry-firing this pistol. Some of you here have advised others to "dry-fire the snot out of the pistol" to possibly make the trigger smoother. Can anybody tell me how to reset the striker without ejecting my snap-cap....

Welcome to the club! First, use a snap cap, to reset the striker, point the pistol in a safe direction, with a firm grip from your trigger hand, place your off hand thumb in side the trigger guard and place your index finger around the front of the slide, below the barrel, and retract enough to see the snap cap. Release, dry fire again.

Geoff
Who notes his wife annexed his 9 VE.