I am considering the SD9VE as my first gun purchase

[s1mp13m4n]

The full size 1911 is too large for what I want to do plus the 45acp ammo for it costs more than 9mm and from what I have seen on ballistics it is not that much more powerful with todays modern loadings.

 

[Fat B]

I have a SD9 and it's an awesome gun. Can't go wrong with that choice! The only knock on it is the long and heavy trigger pull. I'd suggest getting the Apex spring kit and practicing alot including 5 minutes of dryfiring a night. Get some snap caps if dryfiring concerns you. Pay attention to your front sight and try to keep it as steady as possible when the trigger breaks. The long and heavy trigger pull may be the biggest knock on the SD but it really helped me become a more accurate shooter. Good luck on the purchase!

 

[s1mp13m4n]

I am becoming more excited about buying my first handgun. I need holiday money. Lol

 

[CatFanInTn]

I just picked my S&W SD9 VE from Academy Sports for $299 before tax. I literally walked out with the gun, a conceal holster, 100 rounds of Winchester 115 gr white box ammo and 25 rounds of Hornady defense ammo for $370 after tax!!

This is my first gun that I actually own, as I grew up in the deep dark hills of Eastern Kentucky shooting my dads old guns. I haven't had a chance to fire the weapon just yet but for the price, the reviews and the overall feel of the gun I felt I could not go wrong. Needless to say, as a first time gun owner (technically) I'm pretty excited about the purchase. One last thought... I was able to dry fire the gun a couple of times in the store and can't begin to believe that the trigger is 8lbs. I could be wrong or maybe I got lucky but it felt closer to a 6lbs trigger. I can't wait to hit the range.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hello everyone. I am in the process of learning about handguns. I am learning things such as action, ballistics, striker vs hammer fired, handgun use and cleaning, you know the newbie stuff. I have taken and passed my CHP class and am working on getting my permit. I realize many buy a Glock 19 or 26 as a first gun or even an XD, but I do not have that type of budget. I have been looking at the SD9VE for its overall good value for the money. I realize there are better guns out there but they also cost more money. What I want to know is rather or not the SD9VE is a nice quality handgun for all around use from concealed carry self defense to car defense to apartment defense to practice at the range. I have read that seasoned gun owners are not a huge fan of the guns trigger, but for a new bie who does not know a good from poor trigger....will it matter? My local gun shop does not have the gun so I can not shoot it to see, plus they do not rent it. It would be nice to get a total package with gun, case, holster, permit, etc for $500. Thanks for the help. I am also looking at new guns to avoid the newbie mistake of maybe getting taken for a ride on something used when the new model is $50 more.

The SDVE series is a fine choice. You should be able to buy one, an appropriate holster and quite a bit of ammo for your budget.

 

[speedyquad]

i grew up shooting rifles. i have taken a few deer, some at over 150yrds through some think brush. at age 38, i bought my first pistol. i had only ever fired 3 rounds from 3 different handguns before. i had been looking for one, and had an idea of what i wanted, and my price range. i had read about some of the "issues" with the sigma, but kept it on my list...one day at work i saw an labor day sale add for a local gun shop. it is literally across the road from my employer. they had the sigma for 279 plus tax. so i asked my pa-in-law, who was a part time police officer at one time, if it was a good price for it and if he knew anything about it. he said come get me, we'll go buy it. i picked him up and he asked if i wanted a .40 s&w or a 9mm, as he handed me a case that happened to have 2 .40s in it. he told me it was his carry piece when he was on duty. he qualified with it regularly. i had seen many targets when he returned from qualifying. i held it, it felt good in my hand and we went to buy one. i was leaning towards the .40 since that was what he had. but was prepared to get the 9 if they did not have any .40s. i came home with the very last sigma the store had...a .40 and they started the weekend with 36 in stock.

a yea and half later, i have yet to have a any kind of hiccup from it, barring one stove pipe, using one of my father in laws older magazines.

 

[BBauer927]

including 5 minutes of dryfiring a night.

are you not concerned about bending your firing pin?? or wearing down the mechanisms more than necessary. even with caps 5 minutes a night is a little extensive. Best bet is to take it to the range, dry firing in no way encompasses the power a gun puts off when firing an actual bullet and what it takes to handle it, and not to mention what the bullet does after it leaves the chamber. You wont know if you are choking it, pulling to the left or anything like that until you actually take it to the range with live ammo

 

[BBauer927]

I have been looking at the SD9VE for its overall good value for the money.

My recommendation is definitely buy the gun. Alot of people said alot of good stuff about helping you make your decision and to not be faltered by a few bad comments, thoughts, reviews.

I too was in "budget mode" at a gun show and after looking over hundreds of guns there is no better buy for your money for a new gun at this time. I purchased the SD40VE (big brother to the 9ve) and love it to death. And like others said if you are going to get a "budget friendly gun" its best to be with a reputable company like S&W so if any flaws do come about in the gun it is fully warrantied.

I've put about 200 rounds through it and it shoots great. no misfires, jams, or ejection problems. Blows through the clip with no problem and lots of power(and recoil is quite tame considering the caliber and power). Highly accurate out the box as well. The SDT (self defense trigger) trademarked by S&W is a smooth pull all the way through and is intended for an even pull through the whole clip which i love and is intended to increase accuracy if you have to rapid fire or line up moving shots in succession. But it is a little heavier than some experts may like, this is because this guns intention is primarily home/self protection for the common man, therefore they want to make this model gun less likely to be fired at the wrong time and/or easily discharged by children. BUT, easy solution for this you either shoot the gun over and over at the range and learn how to compensate or control the pull from the trigger, or buy the APEX spring kit which is only 20$ and shaves off about 3 ibs. I suggest both.

Another good point made was the ease of field stripping and cleaning on this gun for a first time user. Even if this is your first gun you have ever stripped it should only take 30 seconds and a youtube video to figure it out. Literally only 3 steps and 4 parts to break down and its ready to be cleaned and lubed

I think if you make this purchase you will be very pleased. its a great gun from a great company for the price range that it is in. I sure do love mine! And all this talk makes me want to run up to the range! so that i will

 

[BBauer927]

but dont take it just from me...here is a professional exercpt and link to a review of the gun

"Overall, I think the VE models of the Smith & Wesson SD pistols are an excellent value. To get the price this inexpensive, yet maintain great reliability, certain sacrifices have to be made, which includes the deletion of the original night sight. The SD VE pistols offer a fantastic opportunity for anyone on a budget needing a home defense or concealed carry gun that is reliable and packs a lot of firepower."

By: Richard L Johnson

Smith & Wesson updates SD line | Conservative News, Views & Books

 

[KCRN12]

Tons of good info here. I'm glad this thread is in here because I too am planning to pick up an SD9VE as my first firearm. That is, if academy ever gets some more in. I was in there today and was told "we have a truck coming Monday, but I'm not sure if any are on it." Hopefully there are cause I can't wait to pick this thing up!

 

[par4me123]

Heres a Youtube link to take down and cleaning.
S&W Sigma SW9VE 9mm pistol, Takedown and reassemble - YouTube

 

[KCRN12]

Heres a Youtube link to take down and cleaning.
S&W Sigma SW9VE 9mm pistol, Takedown and reassemble - YouTube

Nice. Thanks!

 

[lipripper]

sigmas are great imo.

 

[s1mp13m4n]

How much larger is the SD9VE compared to a smaller semi auto such as the Ruger LC(, Beretta Nana, and M&P Shield? Is the SD9VE hard to conceal in IWB carry?

 

[sambuh]

How much larger is the SD9VE compared to a smaller semi auto such as the Ruger LC(, Beretta Nana, and M&P Shield? Is the SD9VE hard to conceal in IWB carry?

Hey man. I have been lurking this site for awhile and randomly saw this post. I just bought the SV9VE and also live in the burg. I bought mine off of 221, the Ace Hardware. I picked it up for $350

I love it man. Totally worth the money. I finally settled on the 9mm after going from a 22 mag, 38, and then 40

I almost bought the Glock GS19 but then picked up and shot the SD9VE. The trigger pull is a bit tougher, but it's not insane. I actually appreciate it, consider it is and will be my self defense CCW gun. Anyways, just my two cents!

 

[91kid]

I also just purchased the sd40ve, just waiting for them to call me to pick it up

I was really torn between it and the m&p .40

But for the price difference and my first handgun purchase, the 309$ price tag couldn't be beat

 

[sambuh]

I also just purchased the sd40ve, just waiting for them to call me to pick it up

I was really torn between it and the m&p .40

But for the price difference and my first handgun purchase, the 309$ price tag couldn't be beat

$309 is an insanely good price for that 40! Good pick up!

 

[91kid]

$309 is an insanely good price for that 40! Good pick up!

Last one on the shelf
I was really happy with the price, they just need to hurry up and call me so I can go pick it up lol

Damn waiting periods

 

[CatFanInTn]

Last one on the shelf
I was really happy with the price, they just need to hurry up and call me so I can go pick it up lol

Damn waiting periods

That's one of the great things about the SD line... the price point is the same for the 9mm or the 40 cal.

I would imagine that waiting periods do suck. When I made the decision to purchase this weapon I walked in to my local Academy Sports and walked out with the last SD9VE they had in the building. The entire process took about 45 minutes.

I did however have to wait to fire the weapon. I had it for about a week prior to putting just over 200 rounds through it during my first visit to the range.

I have since put a total of 425 rounds (or about that amount) of flawless rounds through it and plan on putting at least another 100 rounds through it tomorrow.

So far, this has been an excellent buy weapon for the money. Let us know what you think once you have an opportunity to out some rounds through it.

 

[sambuh]

That's one of the great things about the SD line... the price point is the same for the 9mm or the 40 cal.

I would imagine that waiting periods do suck. When I made the decision to purchase this weapon I walked in to my local Academy Sports and walked out with the last SD9VE they had in the building. The entire process took about 45 minutes.

I did however have to wait to fire the weapon. I had it for about a week prior to putting just over 200 rounds through it during my first visit to the range.

I have since put a total of 425 rounds (or about that amount) of flawless rounds through it and plan on putting at least another 100 rounds through it tomorrow.

So far, this has been an excellent buy weapon for the money. Let us know what you think once you have an opportunity to out some rounds through it.

You mind me asking which ammo you're firing? I've fired some Winchester but can't find any. Thinking of buying either federal bulk or that tulammo