Looking over my new SD9VE, I noticed the O.D. of the last inch or so of the barrel is slightly larger than the rest of it. Is it by chance the same O.D. of the SD40VE barrel, thereby allowing S&W to cut costs by using the same slide for both pistols?

I know on M&P's and Glocks a 9mm barrel in a .40S&W would have some extra room where the barrel exits the slide.

Anyone who has both SD's ever checked to see if the slides interchange?

It's normal for the barrels to be the same on the outside. They just put a bigger hole in the barrel for the 40 cal.

In many models it's not. In Glocks and I believe the M&P line, a .40S&W barrel will not fit in the 9mm slide. I believe Smith did the same size O.D. on the SD series though to save money. But as I don't have the SD40VE, I can't confirm.

Yes, the slides interchange but the only difference that I see is that the magwell on the .40 is larger.

Bill

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Thanks. This just seems to be another way S&W saved costs without making a comprises for the SD lineup. I wish there was a SD45VE, but perhaps a model such as that couldn't be made out of the existing platform.