Anybody have any advice for me on a SD40??
I have to admit....I've never owned a gun. I've always liked them but never bought one. I really like the S&W SD40 and MP40 but I like the SD40's price better . Not really wanting to go all out just yet but don't want to waste my time buying a bad quality pistol either. Thanks.

Are you in a hurry? If not, I would save up for the MP. The SD isn't a bad gun, but the MP is just better.

No not really....but what makes the MP better? I've read a few things and appearance is the only thing I see a difference in. To be honest I was gonna get the SD to start off and get better guns in the future, I like S&W alot but I have to admit I like the Glock 20

AdrenalineJunky, I carry an issued M&P40C (compact version in .40). It fits nicely in my hands, conceals very well and shoots flawlessly. My dept. went with them back in the winter/spring of 2008 and the vast majority of our 1,700+ officer dept. seems to love the pistol. I personally love the interchangeable backstraps so that you can tailor the grip size to what feels good which is very important in a .40 where recoil can be kind of snappy. Especially if this will be your first gun, a .40 can really bark in your hand. I also like the M&P's trigger and it has smoothed out quite well with dry firing and a few (undisclosed number of) rounds down the barrel in practice and qualification.

I have not shot an SD but did handle one at the NRA convention. It felt pretty good in the hand but I definitely prefer the M&P. On a side note, I have a co-worker that is also a collector. He's got everything from older Smith's to Browning’s, Colt's, H&K's, Kimber's, L.C. Smith's, Parker and Hale, you name it and he's either got it or had one. He carries the full size M&P40 at work and has been a fan. So much that he bought an M&P45 and said it was his favorite shooting .45. This coming from a guy who had several Kimbers that were $1,000+ EACH! He also picked up the M&P9 PRO which is a long slide and barrel target version of the full size M&P in 9mm. That pistol has a custom trigger on it and a fiber optic front sight and black rear sight with no dots. I love the trigger on that pistol and the first two rounds I shot with it went into the same hole. I quit after that, knowing that I wouldn't do any better.

If you have an opportunity to shoot either of them before buying that would probably help with your choice as well. Check to see if any of your local ranges or stores have M&P and SD rental guns or a Smith and Wesson Demo Day coming up.

Good luck with your decision!

I have owned a number of M&Ps (45 and 9mm), and one SD9, and several Glocks, but I've never owned a .40 of any make. However, I can offer you some general observations.

I want to like Glocks, but they just don't fit my hand well. I mean, I can grip them OK, but I find my grip on the SD and M&P pistols to be more comfortable. In the S&W polymer line, the Sigma is the least expensive, the SDs are the middle, and the M&Ps are the top (not that they are all that expensive, anyway.) I like the SD pistols, because they break down very easily (like a Glock in fact), have a comfortable grip, good capacity, and are relatively inexpensive. I've seen them around here for about $400 (the Sigmas are selling in most places for under $300.)

The M&P pistols offer more features...and one of the best is that you have three back strap options, so you can tailor (somewhat) the grip to your hand (these come in the box, you don't have to buy them separately.) M&Ps usually have a better trigger out of the box than do the SDs, and considerably better than the Sigmas. If you want, you can get an M&P with a lock, or with a safety...these are not available on a SD or a Sigma. The M&Ps have both full size and compact versions of each caliber available, so if you want, you can (eventually) get a second M&P in the same caliber, full size and compact...and the compact can use the same magazines as the full size (but not vice versa.) Most places sell the M&Ps (with standard sights) for around $500 MOL.

I think most would agree the M&Ps are better pistols, and well worth the extra money. The SDs are a good option too, and certainly not bad for a first handgun. The Sigma is inexpensive, but the trigger pull is very heavy...if you were used to DA revolvers, it might not seem so bad to you, but if you are an inexperienced shooter, you might find it difficult to shoot accurately (pulling your shots because of the trigger) and it may not be as enjoyable. There are many, though, who own Sigmas and like them very much...so this is just my opinion, which with $2 might get you a cup of coffee at Denny's.

Having both my choice would be MP.

My trigger finger has been smashed which makes it a little sensitive.

The SD will pinch it a little while the MP is very comfortable.

The SD trigger can be improved a bit.

The MP trigger can be improved greatly.
Just shooting and dry firing makes a big difference.

Save your money and buy the MP.

Good Luck

If it were me, I would start with a simple .22 pistol. Cheap to shoot and easy to practice on. Then when you are at the range, you can rent different guns and see which you like best.

Practice safety.

Depending on where you are, call around the rental ranges and try as many different firearms as you can. But first, try and find an NRA basic class and learn a lot!
Geoff
Who got formal training for free...along with free clothing...food...lodging and ammo. All it took was a blank check to the US Army for my life...