New to me S&W SW40VE

chud333 · #1 09-17-2013, 02:39 AM

I'm a big fan of Smith revolvers but today i traded into
a SW40VE.
I Had a well used duplicate Browning BL22 with some
finish issues, lever action rifle i was trying to sell and was approached
with a trade offer on the 40. After seeing the "package"
the other fella was offering i ended up trading with him
even though these semi-autos are really not my cup of tea.
Asking for help from members on here about experiences
with this model. Accurate ? Reliable ? A good carry piece?
Here's what i got in trade: Pistol like new in case with all
papers and spent shell casing, 3 hi cap mags, Fobus holster
and Fobus Mag. carrier, Hogue grip cover, 100 rds of ammo
factory new.

These pictures are from his listing as he was selling this
at the same time i was attempting to sell the Browning BL22.

Chuck

raymo2u · #2 09-17-2013, 07:36 AM

good find, with the sw's the trigger can be pretty stiff, but grab a apex spring kit for $20 and you wont be happier with your new .40. also polish your sear and trigger bar far a smoother feel if your a pain in the *** like me

they are deffinitly reliable pistols, some of us honor them better then there higher priced molding. but i love mine, it feels great in the hand, with what ive done its basically a range trigger matching some m&p's (besides travel) and with your model sw you can buy spare parts from online pretty cheap.

Austin Cole · #3 09-17-2013, 07:42 AM

Looks like u got a good package deal. I Have the sd40ve which to my understanding is the newer version of the sw40ve. Mine shot accurate Right out of box. I've put about 500 rounds through it with no issues. Others on this forum have put double triple what I Have and no problems reported by them. As far as carring the pistol I don't do it. I bought this gun for range shooting. In my opinion it is to big to conceal but I also weigh 150lbs so even concealing my Taurus pt140 is a chore at times. Hopefully you enjoy your sw40ve. Fyi apex tactical makes trigger springs and trigger for lowering trigger pull also Galloway percision does too aswell as stainless steel guide rods and replacement recoil springs. Well...welcome to the community.

OKFC05 · #4 09-17-2013, 09:44 AM

I sold a similar setup to an IDPA competitor whose Brand X pistol broke a slide, and I loaned him the Sigma .40. My Sigma was well used, and I had done some polishing to get a very smooth, moderate trigger pull. It was 100% reliable with Federal 180gr ammo. He had to have it, and I sold it very reasonable.

He shot several matches with it, with nary a hiccup. So obviously, he then had to mess with it.....
He "improved" it, trying to get the trigger to be like a 1911, and started getting misfires. Took out springs, etc.
So he decided instead of putting it back like I had it, he just sent it to S&W. This was before they started balking on modified Sigmas, so they took out the entire striker assembly, and replaced it with a new one. Guess what? Stiff, gritty new trigger.

The Sigma is a reliable service pistol in stock form, and will give long service. A target gun it is not, and some ill conceived "improvements" can backfire. And S&W no longer honors the warranty on modified sear assemblies.

raymo2u · #5 09-17-2013, 09:55 AM

yes when improving make sure your improvments are only doing that and not going overboard. idpa is for idpa type guns, which these are not...these are...fun guns. do enough till which your happy and stop right there, no need to go further

chud333 · #6 09-18-2013, 02:30 AM

Thanks for the help guys.
I'm going to install one of the Apex spring kits if i can
figure out how to do it by watching a video and leave it
at that. I don't feel comfortable doing any polishing on
sears etc... Sounds like everybody i've heard from seems
to have a favorable impression of these.
I'll post results of my range session after i've shot it next weekend.

Chuck

bp231986 · #7 09-18-2013, 02:57 AM

I have it in 9mm and over 2,000 rounds no issues. The gun has earned my trust and i would not hesitate to use it in a SD situation. I havent used it in CCW in a long time since the G19 took over its duties. i have found out that the Blackhawk Glock 38 CQC holster fits it like a glove!! Enjoy your pistol and keep us updated as how she runs. Also i havent found any ammo she wont eat and spit out.

nutn · #8 09-28-2013, 11:04 PM

Hi all. I have the older issue 40V. It is a real spitfire as is. No mods for me as I don't need any possible grief should I be involved. This 40 is my ccw and now looking for another as my backup. Heavy but reliable. Thanks for allowing me into your group.

bp231986 · #9 09-29-2013, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutn

Hi all. I have the older issue 40V. It is a real spitfire as is. No mods for me as I don't need any possible grief should I be involved. This 40 is my ccw and now looking for another as my backup. Heavy but reliable. Thanks for allowing me into your group.

Good to have ya. Great forum to be part of, lots of good reading and laughs.

rvanpelt · #10 10-11-2013, 08:29 PM

Good score on a reliable, accurate, well built, easy to strip down gun!

I picked up mine used in trade at a gun show back in March basically because of the 2 high cap 14 mags and the hope .40 cals were more readily available at that time. I have got used to the harder trigger pull w/o replacing any spring, fits my hand and love it!
Hope you like it as well as I do. Keep us posted.
Rod

truckinjames · #11 10-13-2013, 04:14 PM

You will love it. I used the Galloway spring kit and stainless guide rod in my SW40VE. Love it. Here is my SW40VE. Slide, Barrel and Ramp polished. Galloway springs and stainless guide rod. Meprolight night sights. Trigger pull is right about 5.0lb, if my scale is right. Nice and smooth. Have fun!!!Here is my SW40VE. Slide, Barrel and Ramp polished. Galloway springs and stainless guide rod. Meprolight night sights. Trigger pull is right about 5.0lb, if my scale is right. Nice and smooth.

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Sukhoi1 · #12 10-26-2013, 04:24 AM

I've had mine for about 2 1/2 years and its my primary CCW. I carried double action Smith revolvers (including my old Mod 57) in Law Enforcement back in the 70's & 80's and I felt right at home with my Sigma. Yes the trigger was heavy and gritty at first, but I solved that the old fashion way: loads of dry firing (with dummy rounds) followed by 1200-1300 rounds at the range. Consistent 6"- 8" groups on 25yd PPC and 50 yd Combat. All on 150 grain SWC reloads. The longer I shoot it the more I love it. You will too.

rradbiker · #13 10-26-2013, 06:47 AM

Sukhoi,
I have a 'new' old S&W 40 that some have called the 'Baby Eagle'. Do you or anyone else reading in this forum know where I can go to find how to break it down for cleaning? I'm in the search mode now; it needs a good oiling and cleaning before I go to the range again. Thanks for any info ya'll might have.

Steelhat · #14 10-26-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rradbiker

Sukhoi,
I have a 'new' old S&W 40 that some have called the 'Baby Eagle'. Do you or anyone else reading in this forum know where I can go to find how to break it down for cleaning? I'm in the search mode now; it needs a good oiling and cleaning before I go to the range again. Thanks for any info ya'll might have.

When I understood your post right you have a Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle chambered in .40 S&W. You can find the owners manual on their website in the download area.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/PDF/BDE-Manual.pdf