I don't own the gun myself, but my neighbor does. He bought it as his first handgun and didn't really compare it to many other weapons. He took the advice of a LGS for an inexpensive weapon for HD.

Yesterday he took it to the range for the first time (I wasn't able to go as I had an IDPA match yesterday). He came back and told me there was a problem with the sights. I asked to see it and dry fired it a couple times and said that I bet it was the long, hard pull that was the problem and not the sights. We're going to the range today for me to verify this (I've been able to accurately fire a few guns with long, heavy pulls, so I think I may be able to tell if that's the issue).

I've read a few threads about Apex trigger kits and know there are many different options. I suggested to him that his options were to either get used to the pull of the stock trigger (many trips to the range and tons of dry fire practice), or getting a Apex kit of some sort. The question is what exact kit would work best for him. He'd prefer something that lightens the pull slightly and if possible, shortens the length of the pull. What he doesn't want is a 3.5lb trigger pull. As a new gun owner without much experience, he's wary of a trigger pull that light.

So, is there a good kit from Apex that will lighten it to a 4.5 - 5.5 pull? Is there one that also shortens the length of the pull, or is the best he can get a smoother, slightly lighter pull?

Your answer is here:
https://apextactical.com/store/produ...php?pid57.html

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Science plus Art

Excellent, I'll let my neighbor know. Going to hit the range to shoot the gun a few times today to see if I can get used to it. If I can, I'm sure he can, but if it just doesn't do it for him, this kit will be an inexpensive option to fix the problem. Thanks.

This subject comes up often.

Here's what I recommend; practice often with the gun and leave it stock. These guns aren't designed to compete in bullseye competitions, they are excellent self defense guns.

Your friend might be surprised at how accurate these guns are once you get the hang of the trigger. I'm on my second one right now (first one being an SW9VE) and neither has had any hint of a hiccup. If you read through allot of threads, you might find that more issues are reported from modified guns than stock guns (except, "I can't shoot it well"). Training and practice can fix that.

The most important thing is reliability and the stock parts give that, based on my experience.

Just my 2cents.

This picture was taken several years ago (I've posted this before). It was my then, 15 year old daughters "first attempt ever" at shooting a semi auto. A couple of range trips later, her targets improved to the point that she was drawing a small audience. I know I'm bragging on my girl, but it is what it is. She could shoot the lights out with a stock Sigma.

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SD9VE, American perfection!

Very nice shooting your daughter did for her first time out! Thanks for the advice, that's what my recommendation will be, but if he can't get past the trigger, it's nice to know a nice inexpensive kit will make a nice improvement.

Thank you sir. I'm not opposed to improving the gun, just want to show that the stock version is quite acceptable and most importantly, reliable.

Let us know what you think after the range trip, and best of luck to your friend.

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SD9VE, American perfection!

Hmmm, a first time shooter complaining about sights. What are the odds?
Give it some practice and it will grow on him.


Hopefully soon you can go with him and first, show him how to grip the pistol. Then proper sight alignment.
Then how to squeeze the trigger without jerking it.
Think he'll be surprised at how well he can shoot.

The quality control on S&W SD series is not as good as on their M&P series. I did complete polishing on all internals affecting trigger pull on my SD40VE and came out with a 5.25 lb. trigger, smooth & crisp. I liked it so much, I bought an SD9VE and did the same. Though there was much improvement, it was still heavy, just around 8 lbs.
So, I bought the Apex spring & trigger & had some more fun. Very good improvement being lighter & shorter (even though the trigger feels kind of spongy).

My month old SD40 has a smoother trigger pull after about 500 rounds approximately. The rough feeling is gone and although is a rather long pull is very smooth now. What I do is lube all the small springs and crevices in the trigger housing with REM oil every time I shoot her. I spoke to the gun smith at the store where I bought it and he said to leave her alone with no modifications to the trigger.

Well, the range trip was a lot of fun. Took all my guns for him to try: my G19, G34, M&P VTAC 9mm, Walther PPQ 5" and Shield 9mm. I even brought my newly built AR-15 for him to shoot. He really liked my M&P VTAC and shot it pretty well. I have to say, while I was really accurate with his SD9VE, tearing out the center of the targets I shot with it, I didn't like the trigger at all. That long heavy pull just gets tedious. I told him to keep practicing with it and if he didn't get any better, there was an Apex kit that looks like it would make a big difference. He didn't shoot badly, for it only being his second time at the range, but he's got a ways to go. He was pretty happy that he outshot me with my AR. I'm not as good with a rifle, hitting about two inches to the right of where I was aiming, while he was pretty much dialed in. At least we both had fun

My advice is tell him to wait till he sends 1000 to 1500 rounds down the barrel before he does any upgrades. IMO doing that will give him the time to learn the gun. Then as for upgrades start with the spring kits apex or galloway. shoot it some more by then he should fully understand this is a gun with NO safety the trigger is the safety. then if he still wants a upgrade on the trigger do it. i had close to 2000 rounds thru mine before i did the springs then a couple 100 more i did my own trigger upgrade. im 100% happy with mine never 1 misfire of any kind its a SD9VE i only shoot hand loads thru it. i think you said hes a new hand gun owner so he def needs to wrap his head around the fact this is a self defence hand gun with no safety except that trigger ..... just my opinion. Good luck and good shooting

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Aim small, Miss Small

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't talked to him since we went to the range, so I'll have to touch base with him to see what his thoughts are.