I have a SD40VE that I upgraded with a apex tactical recoil spring and steel guide rod. The steel guide rod over time tore out some of the polymer on the inside of my frame causing the guide rod to hit against the take down pins. This in turn causes the slide to randomly fall off every once in a while. Contacted S&W and they will not replace my frame because I had it stippled. My only option is to buy a brand new gun because like glocks the frame is serialized meaning the frame is the gun. I am wondering has anyone ever had a polymer frame gun smithed before or worked on? I am trying to avoid purchasing a whole new firearm. Any response is appreciated.

I don't know if a polymer frame can be repaired. I've never heard of it being done but that doesn't mean it can't be. Best I can tell you is to give a couple local gunsmiths a call and see what they have to say.

I don't believe the SD40VE has a frame only in the aftermarket world. Seeing that it is a 40 you can pick up a 40 police trade in at Aim for less than $350. It may not be a S&W but it will get you back into a 40.

You are not the first person to have frame damage from a steel guide rod. If you had left your pistol box stock S&W would have repaired or replaced it. There is an epoxy called "Marine Tex" that you might be able to use to build up the damaged frame interior and add a bit more life to your pistol. It is extremely tough and bonds with plastic. It comes in white and gray. I would not trust it for use in a defense pistol but it could add a bit of life to your gun as a range pistol. If it was me I'd sell the parts on gunbroker or ebay and then apply the money towards a new gun.

Best Regards,
ADP3

Good advice, tho the damage is caused by improper
"stack length" (the point where fully compressed spring
behaves like a solid cylinder) of the recoil spring itself,
not the guide rod.

The aftermarket spring prevents the slide from
impacting it's designed 'stop' on the frame; instead, the
spring itself arrests slide movement, and that inertia is
passed thru the stacked spring to base of guide rod,
to pistol frame at base of guide rod--which wasn't
designed or intended to take that battering force.

And *that* is why S&W won't warranty-repair it.

AFA attempting repair, OP might as well try.
Get good photos of a non-destroyed frame. See
if a steel cross pin (or two) could be set thru the
repair area.

Marine Tex or J-B Weld might work--not sure about
how they adhere to glass-filled nylon/zytel.

Another approach would be plastic welding. Black
nylon zip ties could be the ticket.

Either will likely fail quickly, without cross pin
support.

And, toss the aftermarket RSA. There's no reason to
not use the OEM. BTW, this is second brand of
aftermarket RSA I've heard of, breaking this same
section of the SDxVE frame. The other brand starts
with a G.

Edit: If you used an aftermarket spring/rod in the
application designated by the manufacturer (Apex),
by all rights they should "make things right", for
the damage their product caused.

Contact them.

Yeah I think I will contact APEX tactical and see what they tell me.

And an aftermarket guide rod/recoil spring claims yet another victim...

You aren't alone in this, TC. Many others have had their SIGMA/SD damaged by aftermarket steel guide rods/recoil springs, and if it's any consolation, even if you hadn't stippled the frame, S&W still most likely wouldn't have covered it under warranty, as others who had their SIGMA series pistols damaged by aftermarket guide rods/recoil springs have reported being turned away as well, regardless of no additional modifications being made to the pistol.

On the bright side, SIGMA Series pistols are cheap and annually go on sale with rebates, not to mention that they often show up at gunshops for even lower prices despite being only lightly used because folks don't care for the triggers, so if you wish to replace it, then you won't have to pay very much.

I would contact APEX and see if they'd be willing to compensate you in any way, but don't count on it, considering that this is a well-known issue, yet they've never reengineered their parts to prevent them from damaging the guns they're supposed to improve upon, nor have they issued any recalls nor pulled them off the market.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

New SD/VE pistols go on sale in my area for $249-$279 regularly. I don't buy into replacing parts on my guns, I keep mine stock and shoot them. Sorry you're having to deal with this :-(

"If it works, don't fix it."

The only changes I made to my SD40VE was the Apex trigger spring kit, and the Galloway extended take down plate. I got ahold of S&W quite a while back and asked about how to buy a replacement guiderod assembly, and they sent me one free of charge.

L8R,
Matt

__________________
SD40-VE owner and proud of it!

A sad but familiar story. I like a few SD9 or SD40 upgrades, like a slightly wider takedown plate and, if it fits, the Apex trigger (it did not function properly in my SD9).

But herein lies the beauty of this platform. It works well in stock form and is not expensive. It is a great starting-out pistol, a great spare gun, a great knock around shooter, and a great self-defense gun. (There are better guns to customize or compete with, but the elegance of the SD platform is that it doesn't need upgrading, really).

So to the OP's problem, maybe give a self-repair a try, just to see how it works, but I would NOT recommend investing in a repair by a gunsmith. Just buy a new one... And, as recommended, part the old one out on eBay.

Good luck... Don't forget to report back what you do and how it works out...

__________________
S&W Rover

I often see the SD40VEs selling for less than $200 on GB. I too would not spend the money having a gunsmith try to repair this gun and parting out seems like a good option.

Aftermarket parts cost more to buy.....then make you cry!
Keep
It
Stock
Stupid

__________________
S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

Other than maybe a change is sights.. Thats the extent of my upgrades on pistole's....
I cut my teeth on D/A revolvers , so the SDV9VE is a trigger I adjusted to .. Mine has been 100% realiable from day one ... ..

I hope you get your pistol fixed ... Seems like your best route would be look for a frame on Gunbroker or keep your pistol for parts ...

I had considered an aftermarket guide rod, but after reading the issues it has caused, I plan on keeping mine stock. I have also hesitated at stippling a frame because of warranty issues. I have stippled plastic grips, but they can be swapped out.

The SDs are so cheap around here, I would just buy another one. A gunsmith repair would probably be more than the gun is worth. I have seen them from $179 to $250 at the pawn shops. I have a 40 and 9mm and would trust my life with either one. They shoot great to boot.

For anything that has a warranty, I don't change anything that I can't undo before I send in for warranty.

Rosewood

Ahhh, memory lane...

My first auto was a 1st generation sigma .40. It was a good buy, although I don't remember the exact price. Then I had a case head separation that blew out the mag, sheared off the slide stop, and jammed the bullet in the barrel.

Sent it to S&W and they repaired it for free. When I got it back and inspected it, I noticed a crack in the frame behind the trigger guard. So I called S&W and they said, "send it back" on their nickle. Two days later I got the bad news: not repairable. But... I could have a new 2nd gen Sigma as a replacement at no charge.

I still have that SW40VE, though it spends most of its time in the safe these days. Maybe I'll have to take it out for some exercise...?

Dan

__________________
Gun Control: POA=POI

I have the 40F that was my first 40. Seems like I got it for about $350. Added a Lasermax guide rod to it. No telling how many rounds I have through it. Was my car gun for decades until the night sights went dead and I couldn't get TFOs for it, so I replaced it with a SD40 that I added the TFOs to and added a small rail laser to. The 40F now is a hide gun in the kitchen. Did finally replace the night sights with a set of Mepros that were on sale on Optics planet for less than $40.

Rosewood