SD9 compared to SD9VE

WPWarhawk, 3 months later, how's the SD9VE treating you? Has it turned out to be as reliable as the original SD9?
 
mlk18 said:
I am not a Physicist or a professional firearm designer, but something tells me Smith & Wesson has at least one of them on staff. I am also betting that when they designed the SD9 they did so with intention of it working and being at least minimally durable. I will further bet that they tested the design and were pleased with it. And gosh golly they were successful because my SD9's are accurate, reliable and so far very durable. So my score card reads: Reality 1 - Physics 0.
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The SIG P250 does this as well the whole chassis lifts out and can be swapped into different size frames.

Not to mention it makes fixing a busted rail that much easier should it ever occur.

Like you said Smith and Wesson had a clue when they did this or they would have stuck with the standard design.
 
Just picked up the SD9VE last evening. Looking forward to the first cleaning tomorrow, then the first trip to the range. :)
 
Great posts, men! I'm basically a S&W wheel-guy, but decided to jump into the pistols and just went out today and bought me three SDVE9s. Got a heck of a deal here in central Ohio at Mike Goschinski's "Fin, Feather & Fur Outfitters" in Ashland, OH. $289 per.

I went with the 9mms, since ammo is plentiful for range work and plinking and with some of the newer self-defense rounds, they will do me aok with 17 rounds in hand. I've been hearing stories about mobs and gangs from guys who have been actually set upon, and I felt my S&W six shooters weren't up to "mob capacity."

Am cleaning them all tonight. I am astounded at the fine fit and finish on the barrel and slide on two of them. One of the three seems to have milling marks on the square sides of the barrel and a substantial burr on the lock-up lug where it was broached, but, hey, what do you want for a production gun at these prices? I'll file off the burr and keep the marks--it adds charachter!

Local stores here in Ohio can't keep the 9mm SDVE in stock, even though the factory is churning out 150+ daily. GO S&W!
 
Thanks for all the great comments and the pictures. I've carried my Sigma 9VE cocked and locked since 2004, when I was robbed and fired upon. During the hearings and the trial I was followed and chased by thugs, and my rear van window was shot out one night. I depend on my gun for my life. I'm glad Smith and Wesson is still working that design and improving on it. If the newer models are anything like my 9-year-old 9VE, they will protect and serve for many years. My hat's off to S&W. If I could afford one more gun, I would go out and get a new SD9VE today.

By the way, my 9VE passed the 5,000 round mark a while back. I don't even keep count now. I've worn out two or three recoil springs. It keeps on ticking. I remember how hard it was to shoot to my 9VE when I first got it. Now it's smoothe as silk. I doesn't rattle unless the slide is locked open.

In case you're wondering -- The robber did 5 years. After that, I watched for him in case he came after me and my family for putting him away. Last September he was shot in the back and the head. I didn't follow the story, but I figure he's dead. I need to get some of that Hornady "Zombie Max" ammo just in case!

Magazines -- Will the new models take the old mags, especially the 17-rounders? I should change my username to "18shooter." For the past 5 or 6 years I have carried two 17-round mags. I keep three 10-round mags in my range case. I have fired several 300-round sessions with slow lead bullets, as well as a couple of even longer sessions with jacketed bullets. My 9VE will shoot anything I load into it, even +P "premium" ammo, which I no longer carry. (I shoot standard pressure ammo better.) The only modification I have made to my 9VE was to polish the feed ramp.

I expect you'll get many years of service from this little gem. Good luck.
 
I want to thank you for the post, I am in the process of purchasing my first handgun and liked the SV9...your post made it easier to decide. It'll be home soon....thanks again
 
To the OP: Good post, thanks for sharing the pictures.

The SD9VE is on my list.

The bottom line for me is based on my experience with the sigma, that is; it just gets better every time you shoot it.
 
11shooter said:
Perhaps I don't know what "cocked and locked" means. What I meant to say is that I carry a live round in the chamber as well as 17 rounds in the magazine.
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Cocked and locked refers to a 1911 style pistol.

Chamber loaded hammer cocked safety on.
 
WPWarhawk said:
Thanks Ken, I went into B&S Guns ONCE and decided they should rename the place BS Guns. They must have cut their prices since I was there last year.
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I have purchased two S&W pistols from BS, and was ripped off once, and lied to twice. But the young man did it so nicely, I bought the guns anyway. By the way, Academy advertises the Sigma, but I'm never seen one in the display at any of the stores here in the metroplex.
 
I just posted this in another thread but.... I just walked out of an Academy Sports buying the SD9 VE, a conceal holster, 100 rounds of Winchester white box 115 gr, 25 rounds of Hornady defense rounds for $380 including tax. You simply cannot beat that.
 
cbr6864 said:
Ok we get you like the fact that the rear rails are not attached to the frame what is your point? Have you ever even taken a look at the sear block in the SD? There is almost no plastic actually holding the rear rails in place.

The problem with the internet is there are just too many kids online with zero knowledge. Having the rear rails attached to the frame is by far stronger and provides less movement than having them directly mounted to the frame.

Who knows why S&W put the rear rails in the sear block, the only thing I can come up with is reduced production cost as well as repair cost. There is a reason no one else is doing this.
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FN, the second home of John M. Browning himself, is not known for making junk, and they do not, in fact, make junk. Unfortunately, however, FN must now have the same kind of incompetent wags in Belgium and here at their US facility as S&W since the FN line of pistols also have removable frame rails. :)

Browning Pro Series and FNP 9 & 40 Complete Teardown
 
Take a look at the rear rails they are held in place by a very very small sliver of plastic on the SD I dont care who else makes removable rails it is a poor design the rails should be mounted directly to the frame
 
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The 2nd S&W semiauto I ever bought was the Sigma 9F (used). Ugly and reliable, the 9F had the Glock-style chisel point striker. When the "Allied Forces" SW9VE came out locally for $299 with 4 hi-caps, I sold the 9F and immediately regretted it because of the VE trigger. The SW9VE was always reliable. The trigger in the 9F was/is lighter and you truly notice the difference in the VE. I also bought a SW40VE for $189 used. Good guns, but as an original owner of a S&W 639, the best pistol I've ever owned, I knew how a good trigger assembly can go a long way towards inherent accuracy and rapid fire. So I dumped the Sigmas (liked them, honest) and carried/shot the Ruger SR9 (excellent gun) and had nothing but problems with the SR45. Last week I asked the salesman to show me the SD9VE. Big improvement in the trigger over the SW9 and 40. $329 out the door and a bargain at that. I'm very impressed with this gun. Lacking an external safety, the trigger pull is perfect for me and an improvement over the Sigma VE series.
 
Update, I am still at 100% reliability with both of my SD9's. I wish Smith would come out with a 45 ACP version.
 
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looking for a 9mm for the home and see the SD9VE is on sale at a local gun shop. After reading reviews & watching youtube vids, it seems like a great gun especially for the price. Only issue is the trigger pull with my small hands. I'm guessing I'll get used to it after putting 200 rounds through.

SO, should I get it or not?? Recommend or pass ?? or get more expensive gun like the shield or m&p9 ??
 
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@ shorthairptr

If it's a SD9VE I say buy it - if it's a Sigma - I say no .

I've owned both and love the SD9VE - did not like & sold the Sigma.

The only reason I bring up the Sigma is that some stores try to pass the Sigma off as a SD9VE and they are different triggers / guns entirely.

The SD9VE feels great in your hand and shoots well.

IMHO

:cool:
 
local store has it on sale for $299. I never saw this gun before. I know you get what you pay for thats why I'm curious. My sig .380 was double the price..

so far the SD9VE has great reviews..

thanks

dondavis3 said:
@ shorthairptr

If it's a SD9VE I say buy it - if it's a Sigma - I say no .

I've owned both and love the SD9VE - did not like & sold the Sigma.

The only reason I bring up the Sigma is that some stores try to pass the Sigma off as a SD9VE and they are different triggers / guns entirely.

The SD9VE feels great in your hand and shoots well.

IMHO

:cool:
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