As I've posted previously, I'm looking hard at the SD9 VE as a carry gun. Still trying to find one to shoot, but I have had a chance to dry fire one. The alternative would be a G19 or possibly 26. There is a lot to like about the SD9, and out of the box it fits my hand better and points better. One thing I like about the Glocks is the Lego approach to the pistols as far as interchanging parts and the myriad aftermarket choices.

From what I've read, it seems that some things are interchangeable between the M&P and the SD9, sights for instance, so I'm assuming any aftermarket sights would be useable on the SD. Are there any other items, maybe like aftermarket mag release, that are out there for the SD or are designed for the M&P but useable on the SD? I'm not looking for a ton of accessories, but sights and mag release would be something I might change. I have average hands but a short thumb and a slightly larger release might make the SD fit even better.

Thanks in advance!

Hope you find one.
Now there aren't a lot of accessories. Not sure if the mag release are interchangeable or not.
Glocks are the ultimate Lego

SamMeow - thanks. Yes, they are nice guns but they don't fit my hand as well as the Smith. In fact, any Smith - SD9, Shield, M&P.

A follow-up to my questions - although I'm in CA, I hope to live in a free state again someday. Anyone know if standard capacity magazines will fit in the CA-compliant SD9? I'm assuming the basic frame/design of the pistol is the same (other than the added nannyisms) and the reduced capacity magazines are identical to standard, but I have no information to back that up.

If the reduced capacity mags are the same design as the sigma ones were, here's the difference...

They stamp two indents into the side of the mag, to stop the bullets from going past that point. Then they make laser cuts around the ends of the mags from indent to indent. They do that so if you try to remove the indents to allow more rounds, the mag breaks in half. They also use a special spring inside the mag that has a tightly wound bottom half, so that if you manage to somehow get rounds past the indents, there's still no place for them to go.

There isn't a physical change to the gun that I'm aware of for the different mags.

PowerSurge - thanks. I'll take a closer look at the mags next time I'm at a shop.

I believe the CA model SD9VE also has a Loaded Chamber Indicator (the pop-up above the slide type.)

As far as I know, the only parts from a M&P you can use on a SDVE are the sights. The SD9VE magazines should all fit in the gun, since they didn't do anything to the magazine well to limit capacity, as far as I know. The question you need to ask is, having a standard capacity magazine (16 rounds) illegal in your state? (I don't know...just suggesting you check before finding out the hard way.)

It's a shame to have to ask that question, but I'll refrain from any further comment lest it be considered political rather than disgust.

M&P sights work just fine. there arent many other parts out there besides the galloway/apex items. im waiting on new slide cover plates someone will make them sooner or later

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Fugitive Recovery Agent

GKC - you are correct, we get the LCI on top and a magazine release safety as well. I'm not sure if the Free State models have the mag release safety? To answer your question, no - I cannot have standard capacity magazines here; I want to make sure I have the option to use them if I move.

hmbiohazard - thanks!

I've owned GLOCKS ever since they hit the market here in 1986.

They are accruate, tough and reliable...BUT.

Have always fit my hands like a scrap of 2X4 lumber.

Whereas the S&W SD9VE's ergonomics are so good, the grip feels like it was molded especially for me.

Both mine are 100% reliable with anything I stuff in their respective magazines. Their triggers are more "revolver-like" and get slicker with usage.

Are their stock trigger pulls a bit heavier than a stock GLOCK? Yes.

But prefer that in a gun I may have to hand to a "novice" in a (since the other accronym is banned) EOTWAWKI situation.

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NULLI SECUNDUS

No mag disconnect safety...no LCI...no reduced capacity magazines...not in models sold in "Free States."

The Ruger SR polymer series pistols do come with an LCI and a mag disconnect safety, but the mag disconnect safety is very easy to remove. I'm not sure if you can easily remove the mag disconnect safety on a CA model SD9VE, but if you could, there would probably be alarms going off, black helicopters circling your house, and SWAT teams rappelling down ropes into your yard...'cause that's such a major crime compared to all the other issues, don't ya know?

After listening to and reading Massad Ayoob and his experiences as an expert witness in courtrooms, I would probably not risk the black helicopters and leave the safety intact on a carry gun just to avoid giving an over-zealous prosecutor any extra ammunition.

I called S&W and asked a few questions. First off, I didn't have to wait long and the guy answering the phone was very sharp and easy to talk with. Good first impression! He said the M&P front sight is a direct replacement but the rear sight is not the same height. It wasn't looking to do a direct swap but was more interested in knowing that, as long as the cut is the same in the slide, aftermarket M&P sights are potential candidates. All SD9 VE mags are interchangeable, standard and reduced capacity. I had also read a few posts online that the mag release safety was preventing the mags from releasing cleanly. He mentioned it may take several hundred rounds on some pistols to clean that up, but the design should not impede normal mag release. My plan was to shoot several hundred rounds confirming my carry ammo anyway, so that doesn't sound like a problem.

Moondawg - that's one of the things I'm struggling with - I think the 19 is a nice pistol and I can shoot it pretty well (well, at paper targets that don't move, anyway). But how much tinkering do I want to do to make it feel a little better, make it easier to get the mag release, etc? The SD9 feels good right out of the box. While I don't mind the SD9's trigger on dry firing, the Glock is certainly shorter with a quicker reset. The heaviness of the SD9's trigger pull doesn't bother me, especially considering the role in which I'm hoping to employ it.

The price isn't a big factor, but hey - $150 pays for a decent amount of ammo or a substantial portion of a training course.

Around here new SD9VEs can be bought at Academy Sports for $319. There is a local gun shop that stocks them for $325. New Glocks sell for $550, on average. So, that's a price difference of about $225...which is a substantial difference to me, for a gun that fits my hand better and is equally reliable (if not more so.) On the other hand, there aren't a lot of accessories for the SD9VE, so if you want to make your gun pimped out, gangsta, or tacticool you'd be better off with a Glock.

I keep telling my wife we need to move to Texas! Promise we won't bring any SoCal baggage. I think she'd buy it if I found a job there. Haven't been to Academy Sports since I left flight school in Kingsville in 1991.

I've seen them for about $350 here, with the Glocks around $500 (Gen 3; Gen 4 Glocks are apparently too unsafe for us in Cali). If you saw my "civilian" haircut, you'd see I'm pretty much a function over form kind of guy... Well, and that I'm not paying $20 for a darn haircut.

You can easily remove the mag disconnect from the CA model SD9VE. It also lets the mag drop free, and I think the trigger got a little better too.

When I was in my late 20s, I started working for a very large corporation. I had longer hair, over my ears and down on my collar, but I kept it styled so it always looked nice. At that time (this was in the late 70s) I'd pay $30 for a "style" at a salon rather than a haircut at a barbershop. My wife loved my hair, and in fact encouraged me to grow it even longer.

Now that I'm in my 60s and retired, I keep my hair fairly short (to my wife's dismay), and I look for coupons for $7 haircuts at local places like Great Clips and Wal-Mart. I don't look quite so fancy, but then fancy hair doesn't go with a face that looks like a cross between Ernest Borgnine and a bloodhound.

GKC - I'm thinking we'd get along just fine.

I dispense with the barber and just give myself a buzzcut. Money saved goes for ammo.

I bought a pair of $14 clippers from Walmart. I just buzz it to the scalp. Low maintenance like when I was in the military. LOL But I did grow it past my shoulders after I got out, ONCE. LOL then donated it to Locks for Love.

I did a buzz cut once, a few years ago...I don't know what has happened to my head, but I have some lumps and craters and hills and valleys on what was once smooth terrain. I have to admit my wife is right on this issue...I do look better if I keep some hair to cover that up.

These days, I mostly just wonder "what the heck happened" when I look in the mirror. Getting older isn't for the faint of heart, you know.

Mine looks like a lopsided conehead. LOL But I still prefer it to having hair. PLus, it keeps my dry scalp from being an issue.

I tried shaving mine completely a few years ago, but found it took more care than having at least some hair. I live near a navy base so pop in to the exchange for a cheap haircut and keep it short. Little water, dry with a towel... Ready for work. No brush/comb necessary.