I walked into a Cabela's today. I wasn't planning on buying anything. I was just there to look around. The SD9VE was on sale for $299. What really piqued my curiosity is the general knee-jerk negative reaction it generates in some very vocal individuals. My mistake today was asking to examine a SD9VE. Feels good in hand. Trigger is definitely unique. It's not good or bad. It just works. No finger grooves. Nice grip angle. Feels good in the hand. My resolution to not buy another pistol in 2015 lasted about two months.

Would I have bought one at regular price? Nope. Would I have bought one for $299 sale price? Nope. I did have $150 in gift cards in my pocket. With taxes and fees, OTD was $209. Brand new S&W semi-auto pistol with two magazines for $209? Yes please. I also received a "$25 rebate to use on your next purchase" that was part of the sales promotion. I used it to buy a sweatshirt.

I don't have any plans to use the SD9VE as a carry gun or primary home defense gun. For now, it's just a fun gun.

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-John

Well you were doing good up util the end. Because it make a great 'carry/home defense' pistol. Enjoy.

I didn't intend to offend. It's hard to convey full intent over the internet because written communication omits vocal tone and body language. I'll try to elaborate on my position.

I've owned several different firearms from the lowly Hi-Point to tricked out Sigs & HK's. I jumped through the hoops and paid the fees for an IL CCP. When I started carrying, my attitude towards firearms changed. If a firearm didn't serve a specific purpose, I sold it. Not counting the SD9VE (it's still in the silly IL 72-hour cooling off period), I possess a total of 5 center fire handguns.

My preferred carry = Glock 19 Gen4
My preferred HD = Glock 22 Gen4 modified
Primary range fun gun = Springfield Range Officer 1911 9mm.
Single Stack = Sig P938 v.s. Glock 43. I'm evaluating which one works best for me. The other will go.

I'm at the point where I know what I like and what I don't. For me to buy a handgun, it has to tick all the right boxes. I got the itch for several guns. When I get them in hand, dry fire them, and put what I feel in relation to cost I always walk away. So when I say that I don't have any intentions of using the SD9VE for HD/Carry, I should have said yet. My classification of the SD9VE right alongside the Springfield RO 1911 9mm is vindication of the SD9VE. I like the SD9VE enough to buy one and classify it in my collection alongside a pistol that cost 4.5 times more. It means that value isn't necessarily proportional to cost.

Considering all factors, the SD9VE presents an outstanding overall value. I'm actually quite ashamed that I allowed "internet" commando reviews to keep me from investigating SD9VE ownership for so long. Again, I got a S&W semi-auto pistol with two magazines for $209 OTD. The SD9VE's value is much more than the purchase price. I field stripped the SD9VE. The only functional difference between the SD9VE and a Glock is the trigger/sear mechanism that give the pistols different trigger feel. The extractors are different. Practically, they're the same. I like the SD9VE's finger groove-less grip and grip angle. I now wonder why Glocks cost $150 - $200 more than the SD9VE.

I'm actually quite embarrassed that I allowed the influence of "internet commando" reviews to dissuade me from investigating SD9VE ownership for this long.

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-John

No worries, Great pistol. I read up on the SD9VE before I purchased and was surprised at most positive reviews. Very nice grip, very reliable and very affordable.
The only negative was about the heavy trigger, which to anyone used to revolvers, isn't an issue. Mine is a little over 8 and I hear in some states they are over 10 lbs. It does get smoother the more rds head down range.

After over 1k flawlessly functioning rounds, my 10 lb trigger feels very similar to my double action k frame. While it will never be a competitive bullseye pistol, it is more than precise enough at defensive ranges. I have full confidence in my SD9VE as my EDC.

I also bought mine from Cabela's, in 2014. I didn't get the same great deal that you did. Mine was $329 out the door.

I'm prior military and qualified with Colt 45's and Beretta 9mm. I never liked my Taurus Beretta clone and sold it. Once I held the S&W SD9VE in my hands, I knew I had found the right pistol.

I'm a revolver guy, and the only auto pistol I own is this SD9VE. I use it at the range and it is my primary home defense weapon (due to the capacity and reliability). I would not sell it short.

For CCW, I have my 638, but my SD9VE is my home defense weapon.

I think that you made a good decision.

The SD9VE is me EDC and HD gun because it goes bang everytime regardless of what I feed it. I prefer it to many others including Glock 19.

I have swapped out springs and the trigger for the Apex kit and in my opinion it took a very good gun to a great gun for $69 and 45 minutes work. My Glock shooting friends now ask to shoot my SD9VE everytime we're at the range. Get some trigger time with it, you'll love it!

I was able to get to the range a couple days ago to shoot my SD9VE. I put about 100 rounds downrange. I can appreciate the stock trigger, but I can't leave it alone. I went home and installed an Apex trigger and spring kit that I had on hand. I hit the range today, and voila. For me the Apex trigger made the biggest difference.

Anyways, seen one seen them all. Even so, here's mine.

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-John

Had second thoughts about the SD9VE as EDC....till I shot about three rds out of it. I had a Beretta Nano that I liked because of the small, easy to conceal size, but the feel of the SD in my hand and the actual shooting dependability got me hooked. With an Alien Gear holster it is not a problem to conceal the much larger SD9 either.

Just installing the Apex trigger without the spring kit was enough for me. Just feels great shooting this gun.

After I got my SD I fired a couple of hundred rounds through it and it locked up. S&W fixed the problem no problem; trigger pin problems. Got it back and after a few hundred rounds wanted to throw it away. Couldn't hit s---. Spent some time and a lot of ammo and now I love it. I did replace the recoil guide with a metal one. It didn't malfunction just looked beat up.

I had my first problem yesterday.. I was at the range with my 300 rounds of Federal Aluminums,,, Around the 16th shot, the slide was locked, one in the chamber. Turns out it was a spent casing, not a live round. Since I was not sure what to do, the range officer got it out for me. It was scary, BUT after that the rest of the many rounds shot flawlessly. Cheap ammo problem Not the SD9. I still love this gun

I have a couple cases of Federal Aluminum case ammo. Without going to Russian steel case bi-metal jacket, it's some of the most affordable practice ammo. I too get the occasional ammunition malfunction. If you ever get a short stroke or feel an unusually light recoil impulse, stop shooting. Drop mag, clear the chamber, lock slide to the rear. Push a stick or a pen longer than the barrel down the muzzle. Check for obstructions.

I've had my share of ammo related mishaps. I felt a light recoil impulse. I checked the bore for an obstruction and found a squib. A squib is a projectile that did not exit the barrel. If I hadn't been paying attention and just power stroked the slide to eject the spent case, chamber a new round, and pull the trigger with a squib in there... BOOM.

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-John

Thanks!!, just wish I had the dough for better ammo

I have the SW40VE. I don't carry it, as I am mandated to Glock 40's at work, but if has been a flawless performer. I really like the stock trigger, as I started my law enforcement career with several years of DA .357's!

I'm fortunate enough to have the dough for better ammo. I still choose to shoot the least expensive ammo that produces the least amount of malfunctions that is constructed with jacket material other than copper washed mild steel. Used to be WWB & FC 115gr brass case was it. Ammo got more expensive, and I had to look elsewhere.

I buy Federal Aluminum case ammo. It's just fine for practice on the range.

The one I've tried that does not work well in any pistol I own is:







It was on sale for a super low price. I bought a case. The ammo is inconsistent in charge. The cases are nickel plated steel. The projectiles are non-magnetic brass(?) over lead. I've had a few failures to extract due to split cases. Never buying this again.

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-John

I agree that the SD9VE form factor, with its maxed payload, hits the sweet spot for CC, EDC & home defense. Also, IMHO, the stock trigger is quite adequate, considering the lack on a manual safety.

That said, if the SD9VE was available with a black slide, I'd probably be all over it!

Custom Rustoleum spray paint easily can fix that slide issue...

The Custom Rustoleum won't wear off?

Ha, The main reason I got mine was the SS slide, Personal Preference.

Exactly.

Nope. I had a custom 65 Ford Galaxy that had numerous coats of the Custom Rustoleum spray paint. Numerous New England winters could not wear away the paint. The metal under it, yes, but, not the paint.

For what its worth I shoot Tula ammo almost exclusively out of my SD40 No issues with that ammo after a few thousand rounds.

When not on a range I carry it loaded with 175 grain Hornady Critical duty. No issues with that either.

Do you only spray the exterior of the slide?

I've never done it, but I'd have to assume yes. Personally, I'd rather send the slide to one of the companies who do this professionally...of course, you may be more adept than I. My best efforts with a spray can look like a 2nd grader's worst attempt.

I'm with you. They're not called pro's for nothing Plus, you have someone to blame if the job is screwed up!

Went to the range again today. I purposefully did not intake any caffeine prior to the range session. Using the last of my 115gr hardcast handloads, I was able to consistently and repeatedly punch out a 2" red sticker dot at 7 yards. I switched to a 50 round box of factory Federal aluminum case 115 gr practice ammo, and got the same results.

I had about 50 rounds of Tul MaxxTech ammo leftover in my bag (picutred in my earlier post). That ammo was nothing but problems. Inconsistent charges from just enough to keep from squibbing to some that were borderline hot. At 7 yards shooting the Tul MaxxTech ammo, I was lucky to keep shot placement within an 8" diameter circle. Every third shot, the cases failed to extract. I'd have to tap the stuck case out of the chamber using a wood dowel.

1. The cases are nickel washed steel. No lacquer. No polymer. When fired, the steel case expands and the nickel plating fractures off. The case then gets stuck in the chamber.

2. From my experience, not only is there inconsistency in ammo charge there must also be an inconsistency in projectile construction. The projectiles must not be radially balanced. It's the only explanation I have for such a sudden spread in point of impact. The bullets must have a wobble in flight. Not enough to keyhole but enough to spread.

Stay the heck away from Tul MaxxTech ammo as if it could give you contact herpes. I bought it because it was about $15 cheaper per case than aluminum cased. I got hosed. I still have 200 rounds of it left.


I brought 50 rounds each of two different types of traditional Russian steel case bi metal jacket ammo: polymer coated steel case and lacquer coated steel case. I fired the standard Tul polymer coated steel case bi-metal jacket ammo with no issues. I fired Brown Bear lacquer coated steel case bi-metal jacket ammo with no issues.

The steel case stuff has to have that polymer or lacquer coating on it to work. I learned the frustrating way that nickel washed steel cases might as well be uncoated steel case.

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-John