Comparing SD9VE vs. SD40VE

[dlombard]

After having now fired the SD9VE in earnest, I've developed an early initial impression between it and the SD40VE. For one thing, the two guns are not that different. I wouldn't regard one as better than the other either. The slight differences are that it's a slightly lighter gun than the SD40VE and I don't have to slap the mag quite so hard when loading to a 10+1 configuration. Both look and feel amazing. They both have long trigger travel and a heavy trigger press. For me, that was oddly less annoying on the SD40VE; I felt like it was inducing some "control" over what was going on.

Perhaps the biggest thing for me is that the pop wasn't That much less. I did notice less time to bring my front sight back on target, though. Next time, I am going to try harder to fire better range ammunition. I know some people have said they can't tell the difference, but I've been firing Federal and Winchester ammo and even at .40cal, the muzzle flash was quick. I was quickly seeing through to my target, even before I could bring the front sight on target. But with my 9, I ended up firing Blazer Brass and there is lingering black smoke and a Very bright muzzle flash. Every round. I was getting so frustrated that I started looking up over my sights to see what happened to my target. I shot almost all of that stuff so that I'll have room to store better ammo. Just my personal opinion.

I added the Pachmayr grip and it helped a little but I think the biggest issue is this trigger pull weight. Once I figured out the sweet spot on my finger pad to manage the trigger, it felt like a brisk walk through the parking lot to move the trigger back forward to reset. I was trying to double tap but I was slapping and jerking the trigger because the speed wasn't there on its own. When I gave up on that, and went back to steady pressing, I was laying round after round on target. It's this experience that's making me realize why the Apex trigger mods are so popular.

I've already contacted a local gunsmith about what it would run me to have them install it (I have the manual dexterity of a cloven animal, so I'm not going to DIY something like this). As soon as I know, though, I will order it and take my 9 in to have it handled. The SD40VE has so much snap that I'm happy to take my time resetting because, after all, I have no idea where my front sight is yet.

I can't wait to feel what it's like to shoot the SD9VE once I've had this mod done. Meanwhile, I've received and installed the Galloway stainless steel guide rod and 20lbs spring. So my next non-training trip to the range, I'm bringing the SD40VE back out there, fire some good ol' Winchester ammunition, feel the forces, and report back on that! :-)

[Dr Denby]

Hey, dlombard

Your findings about how nice the 2 guns are as well as the trigger travel and weight are spot on.

You are doing the right thing by having a smith put the Apex kits in if you are not comfortable doing the work yourself.

The results with the kit in will please you greatly.

I put in the springs as well as the glock-type trigger and the trigger pull length went to almost nil and the weight went from factory 11 lb, to about 5.

I too got the Pachmayr grip for my 40. I need it for my large size hands and it had the bonus of knocking off quite a bit of the recoil kick as well as being comfortable as anything.

As much as you like the gun now, you will appreciate it even more when you get it back after the smith work.

Doc

[kenny brooks]

Mins sd9ve trigger is fine from factory... Gun shoots like a dream

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[40s&w]

Originally Posted by Dr Denby

Hey, dlombard

Your findings about how nice the 2 guns are as well as the trigger travel and weight are spot on.

You are doing the right thing by having a smith put the Apex kits in if you are not comfortable doing the work yourself.

The results with the kit in will please you greatly.

I put in the springs as well as the glock-type trigger and the trigger pull length went to almost nil and the weight went from factory 11 lb, to about 5.

I too got the Pachmayr grip for my 40. I need it for my large size hands and it had the bonus of knocking off quite a bit of the recoil kick as well as being comfortable as anything.

As much as you like the gun now, you will appreciate it even more when you get it back after the smith work.

Doc

Isn't the stock trigger pull at around 8lbs from the factory? Where did you get 11lbs?

[dlombard]

I'm told the MA guns are around 10.5 but the CA guns are 8.5 according to S&W. I had an instructor try on my gun for size, though, and he swears my trigger pull is a lot closer to 10 than it is 8, but the striker fired guns he's probably used to have lighter trigger pulls like Glocks or similar.

[kenny brooks]

8lbs

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[Dr Denby]

Originally Posted by 40s&w

Isn't the stock trigger pull at around 8lbs from the factory? Where did you get 11lbs?

I do all of my own work and a lot of friends as well.

I love working on guns.

So a couple years ago, I went ahead and spend the $55 on a Lyman digital trigger pull gauge.

It has proven invaluable, especially in all the 1911 I have and have worked on where you can literally adjust the pull to whatever you want from 2 lb to 15.

Remembering back now that i think about it, the pull on the SD40VE was closer to 10 than it was 11.

I just checked again, and 10 pull average is 4.7 and the action has gotten even shorter and crisper as usage has gone on.

So I am well pleased

Doc

[dlombard]

So the truth is, I just need to shoot it more?

Awesome!!

[Dr Denby]

After you get the gun back from the trigger kit work, you wont want to stop shooting it.

It is a damn fine gun and the very low price is just gravy.

Doc

[dlombard]

It's too bad my smith has a 6-8 week lead time and will run me a C note to get the work done. :-( But I'll likely do it after I wrap up some major training through July, and switch back to my SD40VE until I get the SD9VE back from the shop. So will just have to live with the heavy'ish trigger for a while.