My LGS has three or four SW9VE and one SW9F in the case. I'm thinking about buying one.

I'd rather do the SD9VE, but wondering how much of a difference there is.

I've got a bunch (8) 39's and 59's , a lovely 908and a bunch of Smith revolvers....it would be my first foray into polymer. I don't need an M&P priced gun and I'm not wild about striker fired..but I've shot a few at my local range, and want to take the plunge.

Comments? Suggestions?

I know no matter which I get there's an Apex trigger upgrade in my future. But as this is a completely new area for me, I'd like some advice.

1. The trigger is quite a bit lighter on the SD
2. The sd can use the same sights as the m&p
3. The sd has a picatinny rail
4. The sd fits in many holsters made for the m&p


I vote for the SD

Don't know what they're asking for the SW's, but the SD/VE series around here sell for $299 on a regular basis-NEW. I have both the SD9VE and the SD40VE and like them both very much. The SD40VE being a 2015 manufactured gun, the trigger is a little lighter/smoother than my 2013 SD9VE with 1,200 + rounds through it.

Unless you're getting a really good deal, I'd go with the SD/VE. And you might want to SHOOT IT first before spending the extra for Apex parts; it might just be okay the way it is! Remember it's a Self Defense gun-not a target grade 1911. They are accurate for their intended purpose, make no mistake; I can stay 3" at 15 yards with both of mine-stock.

Meanwhile a LGS has a batch of LE trade in M&P 9 full size w/ nite sights in excellent to like new for $399 .

I have never shot the SW, but my SD9ve is definitely worth the money. I haven't done any upgrades, the trigger is just fine to me.

I happily agree with the folks who buy the gun for it's intended purpose.

There is about zero chance that I will ever have the need to use the gun in a real life emergency but have absolutely no doubt that I would have any thought about trigger pull or any of the other things, including the color of the barrel, whether the sights are plastic or metal, or any of the other things folks seem to be doing to this reasonably priced and quite adequate weapon.

And, as I have posted at least once before, I would like to own a 1911, not necessarily for actual shooting but just for the pleasure of owning one. Uncle Sam let me carry one for quite a while but I never even pulled it out of the holster.

If you are interested in owning a fine version, do a Google search on "Terry Tussey" [I think you will find Tussey Custom] and see what a fine weapon looks like. Terry is retiring now, haven't checked lately, but his dad is an old diving buddy . . . but that isn't something Terry would take into account in quoting prices to me. A couple of years back Terry gave his dad a collectors item in a case with a glass top. Beautiful.

(I just looked at his website. You will see him in a wheel chair. Still works. Had a bike accident 8-9 years ago.)

Are they "worth the money" kinda' depends on how much money we're talking about, don't it?

For a couple of hundred bucks I think anybody would say YES to that question. But if the LGS is asking $300 or $400 the answer would likely be a bit different - at least for some people.

So, how much money are we talking about here? A NIB SW9VE for $250 OTD seems pretty good to me. Much more than that and I'd have to think a bit harder abbout it...