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  #1  
Old 03-11-2014, 06:44 PM
jim.c jim.c is offline
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Default SD9 VE or Ruger SR9

I'm looking for a full size 9mm to use for a range/SD gun and I have it narrowed down to the SD9 VE or the Ruger SR9. Both feel great in my hand. Does anyone own both pistols ? I would appreciate any input from the members here on the Forum. Thanks, Jim
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Old 03-11-2014, 07:04 PM
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I used to have an SR40C and traded it on a FS M&P40. When my brother was looking for an inexpensive first pistol, I suggested he get a SD9VE which I did. Although I don't own it, I've shot it some. I traded the Ruger because it started having light-strike issues and it had too many safety features. I will say that Ruger responded well - replaced the striker, magazine disconnect and did some other work. It had a wonderful trigger and was great to shoot, but all the safety features were too much for me. The SD9VE is less expensive, but still a good pistol. It isn't as left-hand friendly, and doesn't have as many bells and whistles. If you want more safety features (frame safety, magazine disconnect, tactile loaded chamber indicator and maybe some I forgot) go for the Ruger. If you prefer your gun doesn't have those things like I do, then for a range and SD gun, go with the Smith and spend the money you saved on ammo. From a personal standpoint - I decided my M&P(s) are worth the extra cost.
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Old 03-11-2014, 08:00 PM
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I chose the SD, to me it's the perfect SD gun.

Simple design and function, no magazine safety deals to worry about. I like the idea of having one ready to roll with the magazine out.
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Old 03-11-2014, 08:15 PM
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I haven't owned the SD9VE, but I did own the SD40VE. It was a good pistol, shot well, felt good in the hand, light weight, no complaints. I sold it because I wanted to add another 9mm to my lineup. I would not hesitate consider the SD9VE or SD40VE again - for the price, it's hard to beat. I've heard a number of folks refer to the SDVE series as an 'inexpensive' Glock. I don't know about that, but I will say the SDVE pistols are prettier than the Glocks.

As for the SR9, my brother has one. It's also a nice pistol, feels good in the hand, shoots well, reliable. I've owned several Ruger firearms and I've never owned one that wasn't a great rifle/pistol.

Between the two, I might lean toward the SD9VE myself. My 2 cents.

Last edited by NWPatriot; 03-11-2014 at 08:17 PM.
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Old 03-11-2014, 09:15 PM
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Apples to oranges. SD9 is Glock 19 sized. SR9 is Glock 17 or full sized.
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Old 03-12-2014, 12:06 AM
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I've never shot an SD, but last week I rented an SR40. The trigger was awesome. But overall, I like my M&P more.
The stock sights were hard for me to pick up. The safety was difficult to function, as in awkward. Didn't like how it felt in the hand. But it had some positives. Like ambidextrous magazine release. Like I said, the trigger.
Honestly though, try to shoot them both first. At least fondle a few.


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Old 03-12-2014, 04:29 AM
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I think it comes down to what features you want and what you can live with.
Do you want a SD/range gun with a safety ? (SR9)
8 lb or 6.5 lb trigger. (SD vs SR)
Do you want to spend $150 more? (SR)

I'd say get the SD and if you wish toss in an apex kit and use your savings for ammo.

So with that said let me throw a curve ball at you.
The SD9VE is a very good SD pistol with a heavy DA trigger. Great gun for the money!
I have one and like it.
Now on a side note, if you want what I consider to be a great multipurpose pistol look at the SR9C
The trigger is smoother and crisper feeling than the SR9, with a stock 5.3 lb trigger.
Very accurate. Has the ability to serve double duty as a great CC or Home Defense.
The short 10 rd mag for CC and I keep the extended mag in it at home that gives the full size grip.
The SR9C is a well made pistol.
Average price around here is $435- $459
Very accurate, fits my hand better than I ever expected.
Ruger Customer Service is great too.
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Old 03-12-2014, 06:51 AM
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Got a Cabela's flyer yesterday, the sd9ve is on sale for $329. I have the Apex upgrades in mine. She's a keeper!
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Old 03-12-2014, 11:45 AM
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SamMeow thanks for the curve ball but I already have what I consider the perfect CC pistol. I'm looking for something larger for range time and I'm pretty sure it will be either the SR9 or the SD9VE. For me it comes down to reliability and how the gun feels in my hand. Both feel great in my hand and I could be happy with either one. That leaves the reliability issue. Hopefully I can figure that out with research and the help of the Forum.
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Old 03-12-2014, 12:37 PM
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i have shot both, own a SD40, SD40VE, and SD9VE. all great firearms. my friend has a ruger. i personally dont like the safety.. the DA trigger on the SD is heavy, it does have a learning curve. once mastered its way more gun than one would expect for the money and it has a lifetime smith warranty. they are best in business for support
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Old 03-12-2014, 03:16 PM
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They are both well made reliable guns.

I've test driven them both. I preferred the ergonomics and handling characteristics of the S&W SD9VE so much more that I bought it, and a second one as it's mate.

Being $150 lower priced than the Ruger was just icing on the cake.
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Old 03-12-2014, 07:50 PM
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Do you think the difference in barrel length is a factor with these two pistols. The Ruger SR9 is 4.14" and the SD9VE is 4". Not a huge difference but will it affect the accuracy or will it not make a difference ? One of the things I like better on the SD is the sights. They are larger and easy to see. The Ruger's sights are very small and it takes me a second to acquire the sight picture. Both feel good in my hand. Reliability and how a gun feels are my main concerns. Thanks, Jim
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Old 03-12-2014, 08:49 PM
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The rear sights on the SD are plastic and have painted on dots.
When the paint wears/cleans off...keep that in mind.

Mine are still fine. My gf's sd9ve has one of the rear sights wearing off...
Im going to drill a small divet in each side and fill em with glo paint.
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Old 03-12-2014, 10:25 PM
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Isnt hers new?


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Old 03-12-2014, 10:31 PM
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Try these before you drill out your sights.

Nitesiters Handgun Night Sights
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Old 03-13-2014, 07:41 AM
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Isnt hers new?


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Yes. Less than a month old....380 rounds through it new...
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Old 03-13-2014, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SamMeow View Post
I think it comes down to what features you want and what you can live with.
Do you want a SD/range gun with a safety ? (SR9)
8 lb or 6.5 lb trigger. (SD vs SR)
Do you want to spend $150 more? (SR)

I'd say get the SD and if you wish toss in an apex kit and use your savings for ammo.

So with that said let me throw a curve ball at you.
The SD9VE is a very good SD pistol with a heavy DA trigger. Great gun for the money!
I have one and like it.
Now on a side note, if you want what I consider to be a great multipurpose pistol look at the SR9C
The trigger is smoother and crisper feeling than the SR9, with a stock 5.3 lb trigger.
Very accurate. Has the ability to serve double duty as a great CC or Home Defense.
The short 10 rd mag for CC and I keep the extended mag in it at home that gives the full size grip.
The SR9C is a well made pistol.
Average price around here is $435- $459
Very accurate, fits my hand better than I ever expected.
Ruger Customer Service is great too.
+1. I'd get the SR9c before the SR9, too.
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Old 03-13-2014, 11:12 PM
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I have both. I'll echo what the others have said:

1. The SR9C has a manual safety and a magazine disconnect safety. The SD has no safety.
2. The SR9C comes with two 17-shot magazines. The SD comes with two 16-shot magazines. Fair enough.
3. The SR9C's barrel is just a tad shorter than the SD's.
4. The SR9C is about $130 more (where I'm at) than the SD.

I own both. I've had no problems whatsoever with either gun's functionality. No failures to fire, failures to extract, stovepipes, magazines coming out when I didn't want them to, nothing. The Ruger is more accurate. The SD has better slide serrations. Both have a well-textured grip. The Ruger has an ambidextrous safety and magazine release button. The SD is easier to take down. The Ruger's trigger seemed to lighten up quicker than the SD's. So...

I prefer the SR9C. I've been a Ruger guy all my life, and I think the Ruger feels more solid. Maybe that's just me. However, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the SD series, especially at the cost.

Gott dangit, let me take some side-by-side photos and get them up...
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Old 03-14-2014, 01:46 AM
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JNIeporte, Thanks for the info. I would love to see photos if you have them. I'm still undecided. I like both pistols. I need to go look at both of them side by side again. I did like the sights on the SD better than the SR9. They both feel good in my hand. I had read some bad reviews on the SR9 but if you look hard enough you can find good & bad about all guns. For me it's reliability and how a pistol feels in my hand that make the difference. Thanks again to everyone for all the feedback.
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Old 03-14-2014, 04:46 PM
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The SD card used for the photos won't read. Stand by...
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Old 03-14-2014, 05:34 PM
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Okay, here are some comparison photos. The Ruger SR9C has the black slide, the S&W SD9VE has the semi-polished slide. They both have a grip sleeve on, which I forgot to remove for the photos. If these need to be resized, please let me know. They were resized to a maximum of 800 X 600.

Slides lined up, no magazine...


Slides lined up, 10-round magazines in place. The SR9C has a smaller magazine and a finger rest, while the SD9VE's 10-round magazine is the same size as it's 16-round magazine...


Standard magazines inserted. The SR9C holds 17+1, the SD9VE holds 16+1...


Grip length...


Height, 10-shot magazines inserted...


Height, 17- and 16-shot magazines inserted...


Looking at the tops. Sights, loaded chamber indicators. The SR9C has more sight adjustment. Neither chamber was loaded here...


Slides locked open, showing the extractors, ejection ports, and slide serrations...


Front slide serrations. You can also see the Picatinny rails on them here; the SR9C has one groove for the center rod, while the SD9VE has two...


Thickness / rear of the guns. Again, they're both wearing a grip sleeve...


SR9C in-hand, 10-shot magazine with pinky extension. For reference, I wear a size XL glove...


SD9VE in-hand. Again, both magazines are the same for the SD9VE...


SR9C in-hand with 17-shot magazine...


If you have any questions, let me know
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Old 03-14-2014, 07:18 PM
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Very cool. Thanks for the pics. I'm going to a gun show this weekend. I will check them both out.
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Old 03-14-2014, 07:35 PM
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My thoughts: it comes down to the type of trigger action you prefer. The SR9 is going to feel more like an M&P or Glock trigger. Thus, it will be a spongy take up followed by a resistance point and then a release more akin to a single action with creep. The trigger pull weight will be more like the M&P or Glock, and noticeably lighter than the SDVE Series.

The SDVE Series trigger action, like the SWVE and SIGMA before it, was designed to be like a DAO revolver - heavier (7 to 8 pounds) with resistance all the way through. The theory was that it made unintentional discharge less likely in a stressful situation. Thus, the advantage of the SDVE Series trigger is the same as its disadvantage - its heavy weight. That said, the SDVE is light years ahead of the SWVE in the trigger pull department.

I suggest you try the triggers and see which YOU like.

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Old 03-14-2014, 07:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shawn mccarver View Post
...I suggest you try the triggers and see which YOU like.
+1. Photos are good, as are informed opinions, but in the end, it's you who's going to be shooting the gun. By the way, the magazine disconnect safety is extremely easy to remove if you want to, and just as easy putting it back in.
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Old 03-14-2014, 08:02 PM
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SR9.
The trigger is noticeably lighter than the Glock.
Mine has been perfect. I like the mag disconnect safety and the 1911 style safety. No Glock leg.

As far as light strikes, there is no reason it should start giving light strikes unless you dry fire it a good bit with the mag out. That will damage the mag disconnect safety and cause light strikes.

You can easily remove the mag disconnect if you please.

I looked at Glock, XD, M&P, and SR9.

To be honest, I never even considered the glorified Sigma and still would not.
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Old 03-14-2014, 08:44 PM
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Quote:
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I suggest you try the triggers and see which YOU like.
+1. Don't forget to compare the resets, I understand there's a substantial difference between them.
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Old 03-21-2014, 11:28 PM
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Quote:
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If you have any questions, let me know
Excellent post and side by side comparison.
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Old 03-22-2014, 05:00 AM
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Nice pics, but he was asking about the SR9 not the SR9C.
(I always try to steer em towards the SR9C, I think the trigger is better)
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Old 03-22-2014, 01:24 PM
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Attachment 147309 If you can live without all the safety features that the Ruger offers. for the money you can't go wrong with the SD9VE!

Last edited by captcook; 03-22-2014 at 02:09 PM.
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Old 04-02-2014, 07:04 PM
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Thanks for all the input. As much as I love my S&W pistols this time I decided on the Ruger SR9. It's supposed to be here tomorrow. We shall see how it works out.
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Old 04-03-2014, 12:14 AM
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Quote:
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Both feel great in my hand. Does anyone own both pistols ?
Thanks, Jim
Well, almost. I have a Sigma SW9ve (an SD before the upgrade) and a Ruger SR9c. Also have a SD40ve. I think the SR9 just has a slightly longer barrel than the SR9c.

Sorry, Smith and Wesson folks, but there isn't even a comparison. I consider my SR9c more on the quality level of my CZ's than my affordable Smiths, only it's far more carry-able with the polymer frame.

But rather than either/or, I'd say both. I consider my sw and sd pistols to be ideal good quality back ups. Reliable, accurate, affordable. Also, if you're able to shoot both, and you prefer the SD, get that. They're both fine guns, the SR9 is just a little upscale.
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Old 04-03-2014, 10:35 PM
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My buddy has a SR9C, and he loves my SD9VE, way more than his gun.
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Old 04-03-2014, 10:53 PM
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I have an SR9 and I like it a lot.

I'm sure you'll like yours.
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Old 05-29-2014, 01:23 AM
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We have both! My husband prefers the ruger, I the s&w! My hands are smaller than my husband's, and the sd9 feels more comfy in my hand than the ruger.

Another perk for me is the sd9 actually has a little bit less recoil than the ruger. It's not a huge difference, but both my husband and I can tell the difference.
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Old 05-29-2014, 02:24 AM
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Originally Posted by jim.c View Post
Thanks for all the input. As much as I love my S&W pistols this time I decided on the Ruger SR9. It's supposed to be here tomorrow. We shall see how it works out.
It's been a while since you posted this...curious as to what you think about your gun.

I've owned both the SR9 and SR9c...I like them, they are good guns, and the mag disconnect is very easy to remove (almost like Ruger designed it that way.) I like the grip on the SR9...very much like a 1911...and for a range gun, I'd go with the SR9. I do like my SD9VE for home defense.
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  #36  
Old 05-29-2014, 06:31 PM
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ruger sr9c

its the best gun i have shot. great trigger, accurate. a little overboard on safety features but good gun
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  #37  
Old 06-14-2014, 08:32 PM
jim.c jim.c is offline
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GKC, I've had the SR9 for awhile and I absolutely love the pistol. I think the SR9 is my favorite gun right now. After I purchased it I also picked up the LC9 for a CCW. I love my S&W pistols but both of these Rugers are great guns.
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  #38  
Old 06-18-2014, 12:03 PM
MGMorden MGMorden is offline
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I've got the SD40VE and an SR9. They're both good guns.

I like the lack of manual safety and LCI, mag disconnect, and LCI on the SD.

The sights on the SR9 are adjustable though. The mag disconnect can be removed if desired. It has better ergonomics and as long as you get a newer one (look for the "D" shaped mag release instead of the circle) the trigger on the SR9 is PHENOMENALLY better than the SD series.

In the end I don't think you can go wrong with either, but just personally if I had to pick one I'd err towards the SR9.
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Old 06-18-2014, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jim.c View Post
GKC, I've had the SR9 for awhile and I absolutely love the pistol. I think the SR9 is my favorite gun right now. After I purchased it I also picked up the LC9 for a CCW. I love my S&W pistols but both of these Rugers are great guns.
I like the SR9...but not the LC9, for several reasons (and these are my personal quirks):

1) The mag disconnect is hard to remove on the LC9, while it's incredibly easy on the SR9/9c.
2) It's easy to remove the striker on the SR9/9c and clean out the channel...not easy on the LC9. I hear rumors of a striker-fired LC9 to come, so maybe that will be configured more like the SR9.
3) I really don't like the LCI.

On the other hand, the LC9 is a good size for CCW. Now, if Ruger would just build one to suit me, I'd love it!
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  #40  
Old 06-18-2014, 06:53 PM
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Own a SD9VE, my gf's mother has an SR9 that I got to put a few hundred rounds though.

The Ruger has a wonderful trigger, over all a pretty solid gun. I actually like the grip and ergonomics a bit better on the Smith. For me the SD9VE was just more comfortable to shoot. Neither gun is a horrible choice and I definitely wouldn't mind owning an Sr9.

However, with that said, generally the SR9 is about $100 more than the VE around here, unless you really hunt around.

At the price point of the Ruger, there are some really good options out there that I would likely explore.

The price range of the Smith is pretty pitiful, if you were not willing to check the used market than hands down the VE is one of the best value new In box guns around.

Ultimately its like comparing a Honda to an Audi, they both do what they are designed to do, one is just a bit fancier.



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  #41  
Old 06-18-2014, 08:06 PM
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The SD doesn't have all the gizmos that the SR has, to me that's a plus.
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  #42  
Old 06-22-2014, 11:11 AM
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pawpaw1967 pawpaw1967 is offline
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if reliability is your main issue, i can offer my own history with the sd9ve 2700 rounds not 1 hiccup, fte, or ftf. never owned the ruger your referring to. have owned many other rugers all great guns. that being said ive been looking for another sd9ve looking for a used one.... for 3 weeks now... havnt seen one yet. good luck on your choice
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