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! :-)