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Old 04-13-2017, 01:34 PM
Masonic_John Masonic_John is offline
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Default Home defense SD9VE upgrades

Hey everyone,

I just got my SD9VE a couple weeks ago. Took it to the range and had a great time. I will most likely put an Apex kit in it but I am not sure where to go from there.

I am looking for advice from people who have a light attached and what you use. I am also looking for what people like for grips. I have talons and a hogue on my shield and I know there are talons for the SD but I also see people use the pacmayer?

What else do you all do in terms of upgrades/ improvements?
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Old 04-13-2017, 01:50 PM
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No where else to go but shoot!

Do you need different grips or are you just buying for the sake of spending money? If you don't need them then don't waste the money. I use talon slip on rubber grips on guns with straight narrow grips. Guns with thicker palm swell grips I don't use anything. Depends on how it fits you

Nothing can improve like more practice and more shooting. In other words.....AMMO

Surefire makes excellent lights
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Old 04-13-2017, 02:25 PM
Masonic_John Masonic_John is offline
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I like the grips. They feel good but I am also curious as to how they will feel if I am in a situation where I need it and my hand gets sweaty and heart racing. I like having a little grip (like a rubber talon).

Don't get me wrong, I gets lots of ammo and practice as much as I can. I hear a lot about SS guide rods and sights and grips so I was more so curious what has been done and what people think of their upgrades, is it really worth it or just nice to make it personalized if that makes sense.
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Old 04-13-2017, 02:38 PM
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The Hogue rubber grips change the thickness and angle. So you may not like them. If you simply want better grip there are try Talon grip tape.

BTW I meant that I use Hogue rubber grips not Talon. I use them on my HK USPs. Their grips are too straight and narrow. On the other hand I love the Glock grip and typically try to get every gun close to that.

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Old 04-13-2017, 03:41 PM
doug86 doug86 is offline
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I liked the Talon grips I put on my SD9VE. They didn't make the grips any thicker, but less slippery.

I LOVED the Apex enhanced trigger kit, with lighter springs and an after market trigger.

I thought the Galloway SS return spring I bought/installed was a waste of money.

I regret that I sold my SD9VE.
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Old 04-13-2017, 03:46 PM
3hounds 3hounds is offline
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Lights I don't use them on the gun itself. Practice, training, will be better than anything but nothing will really prepare you for a home invasion. Maybe have a plan for the whole family if the SHTF situation. I had Houge slip on grip loved it but no matter what I did short of gluing it on it kept turning ?

I recently sprayed my grip with Plasti Grip not sure how it will hold up put 9 coats on it and it feels great, also did a lot of dremel and filing for better feel of the grip. It fits my hand a heck of a lot better, warranty out the window of course.

3

Last edited by 3hounds; 04-13-2017 at 03:48 PM.
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Old 04-13-2017, 05:13 PM
djt17 djt17 is offline
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My SD9VE is completly stock, I like it that way. More money for ammo (practice makes really good)
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Old 04-13-2017, 05:17 PM
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With all that money you want to spend why did't you just get a M&P 9 ?
I have a 6 year old SD9ve it feels great shoots great & the trigger has smoothed out to be great also.
When I'm going to the range to shoot a lot I just put a bike tube grip on it, but I take it off when I get home & clean it.

Last edited by micocyco; 04-13-2017 at 05:22 PM.
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Old 04-13-2017, 05:20 PM
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Install a wider take down bar.



This is the S&W take down bar. But, a Glock take down bar is identical! I have (5) installed in all (5) of mine. (SW9VE, SW40VE, SD9VE, SD40VE, SD9)




This is the identical take down bar, for almost 1/2 the price, AND IT FITS THE SD SERIES GUNS!
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Old 04-13-2017, 06:26 PM
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I put Talon grips and a Truglo light/laser on the rail of my SDve.
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Old 04-13-2017, 07:59 PM
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I added the wider take down bar from Galloway after figuring out I was going to have to use a thumbnail to get started and go from there with the stock one. I also added the Apex trigger and spring kit. Trigger went from 8-3/4 lbs. to 5-1/2 lbs. according to my Lyman trigger gauge. Also smoother and more consistent. Both upgrades, in my opinion, worth every penny. Regardless of upgrades, or not, nothing replaces ammo and practice.
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Old 04-13-2017, 08:18 PM
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I figured I would throw my 2-cents worth in.....I have two SD9VEs and one SW9VE. Like all three of them. I left the SW9VE completely stock and the two SD9VEs have APEX Spring-kits in them for performance and, for looks, both have a new end-plate with laser-etching.

I did have the Galloway stainless-steel guide-rod in one of them, but after seeing a local shooter have a frame get damaged, I opted to go back to stock in all of them.

The spring-kits are a major difference for me. I shoot better with the change in take-up and return. I am happy that I changed them out.
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Old 04-13-2017, 08:32 PM
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I think the biggest problem with mods are Attorneys, If you ever got into a situation and use a modded gun they will own you... That being said.... " I would rather be judged by 12 , than carried by 6"

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Old 04-13-2017, 08:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THEWELSHM View Post
" I would rather be judged by 12 , than carried by 6"

thewelshm
I just did jury duty two weeks ago. Man oh man....I'll tell ya....i realize that every case is different but I don't know if I'll be saying those words again. Some people look at things rationally, some stick to what they learned...good or bad and a lot automatically side with the state

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Old 04-13-2017, 09:26 PM
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My SD9 is pretty much stock. Wider take-down plate. A couple of patches of "skater tape" (e.g., 3M Stair Safety Tape) on the grips. A Warren Tactical Rear sight. Stock recoil spring. No trigger mods.

No lights (white or laser) hung on any of my pistols or revolvers. But I keep a Steamlight and a set of ear plugs in the drawer with the home-defense gun -- which is usually a revolver. So I recommend at least having a good flashlight and ear plugs nearby your SD9VE, plus of course an extra loaded mag.
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Old 04-13-2017, 10:04 PM
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There is a trick to using the take down bar on the SDve it has been posted here a few times. I we try to explain it.
You put downward pressure on the bar, does not take a lot, but more than a little, before you start to pull the slide back as you do you will feel the bar give away & the slide comes right off.

Last edited by micocyco; 04-13-2017 at 10:06 PM.
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Old 04-13-2017, 10:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masonic_John View Post
Hey everyone,

I just got my SD9VE a couple weeks ago. Took it to the range and had a great time. I will most likely put an Apex kit in it but I am not sure where to go from there.

I am looking for advice from people who have a light attached and what you use. I am also looking for what people like for grips. I have talons and a hogue on my shield and I know there are talons for the SD but I also see people use the pacmayer?

What else do you all do in terms of upgrades/ improvements?
It's your gun do what ever you like to it, I would only say don't change anything you can't change back.
Only my opinion but for me my selfdefense gun is a tool the more I use it the better I am with it, not too much unlike the framing hammer I had, my SD9ve is stock except for the orange fingernail polish on the front sight.
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Old 04-14-2017, 05:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by micocyco View Post
There is a trick to using the take down bar on the SDve it has been posted here a few times. I we try to explain it.
You put downward pressure on the bar, does not take a lot, but more than a little, before you start to pull the slide back as you do you will feel the bar give away & the slide comes right off.
^^^^THIS^^^^
or a wider take down bar. I chose the latter.
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Old 04-14-2017, 12:25 PM
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The SD improvement threads never stop appearing.

My humble viewpoint is to keep it stock.

My flashlight is separate from the gun.
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Old 04-14-2017, 06:31 PM
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Pick up mine on the 17th, and plan it keeping it basically stock mechanically. Would rather not have to face the 12 because a DA wants to make a statement.
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Old 04-14-2017, 06:47 PM
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"Improving" guns seems to be one of the things we like to do! Not all mods are improvements, though...

This forum has done a good job of pointing out the pitfalls of improving your SD pistol with a metal guide rod.

The SD does not lend itself to a lot of other mods -- like a M&P or Glock -- but has enough to keep the new gun owner busy. I think the wider take-down plate is wonderful at the price, and admit I had trouble making the original take-own plate work (several folks have pointed out that it is a skill that can be learned, but I just had a lot of problems until I bought an aftermarket part).

The SD is not a bad gun to play around with modifying when you are learning about striker-fired pistols. It is not a terribly expensive gun (think of the expensive 1911's that have been destroyed by Bubba gunsmithing!) and most mistakes can be compensated for by buying a new part (except for the frame, which is serial numbered and not replaceable). But to learn how strikers function, see how interference-fit cross pins work, figure out how to remove and replace sights, install a new trigger, etc., the SD is a pretty good test bed.

Nothing wrong with keeping it stock, either. The SD is a very reliable and accurate pistol at a super price -- great value for the money.
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Old 04-21-2017, 12:20 PM
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Talon Grips,Apex Trigger and spring kit done,Love this weapon as my range gun and occasional carry , home defense for me is a Gen 2 Glock 21 with extra mag,Flashlight is seperate.
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