I have now owned at least a half dozen SD9 / SD9VE's. I buy one, throw in an Apex spring kit, update the sights, shoot it, put it in the safe, and then end up giving it away. I have gotten a number of family members and close friends into the world of shooting, self defense, and being pro-gun with these SD series guns. They really are quite incredible for the price and even when compared to guns that cost more. My last upgraded SD9 went to my new son-in-law a few years ago and I recently found myself missing that gun. So much so when they went on sale for $250 ($225 after rebate) I snatched another one up.

I picked up and installed the slide springs of the Apex spring kit which dropped my pull weight to just over 6# on my Lyman digital trigger gauge. Just where it should be. The trigger pull was already quite smooth so I will let it polish itself as I shoot it. I also purchased some spare mags from CDNN, applied for my rebate, and installed some take-off sights that used to be on a M&P M2.0 Compact. The sights are Truglo Tritium Pro night sights with a large white front ring. They kind of remind me of low profile Trijicon HD's without the orange or green paint on the front sight. Anyway they really pop on the SD9VE.

I took the SD9VE to the range this week along with the M2.0 Compact. These two guns are very similar in size, capacity, and shoot-ability. I love the M2.0 Compact and consider it a subjectively better over all gun, but the SD9VE is no slouch and at the price point I paid for it is nothing short of amazing. So much so after a few more hundred rounds down range this one will be replacing a M&P M1.0 9C in my "active shooter bag" and it will not be gifted to anyone.

I gave mine to my sister a few years back. Miss it all the time.

I agree that the SD9VE is a great gun for the price. Mine is still running flawlessly. More importantly, congrats to you for getting other people involved in shooting and self defense!

Found a pic of the one I gifted my son in law. I still dig the melonite slide and factory front night sight that came on the original SD9, but in no way disappointed with the new SD9VE either.

I liked them so much I bought one for each of my daughters now that they are living on their own. Biometric safe holding their SD9VE holding 17 rounds of HST 147 with a TLR-1 for illumination. While some complain about the trigger, S&W designed it that way to mimic a Double Action Revolver for safety against accidental discharges in high stress situations.

That's really a first rate sight system you put on that gun.
And that's a heck of a lot of self-defense you're spreading around by gifting those SDs.
Great job

Nitrided, 'Melonite', it's just a plus, wherever, whenever.