sd9ve lifetime

[noro]

Hi All,

Recently I picked up a new sd9ve and have no problems with it.
Started watching you tube videos on it. One video I've seen, shows the installation of parts by an aftermarket vendor to improve the trigger function.

Now, in the video, the tech mentions that the sd9ve only has a lifetime of 4000 rounds. I find this very hard to believe. Now,
if you shoot a 100 rounds a week, your sd9ve will be shot in a year. I certainly feel that the pistol will go way beyond this 4000 limit.

What do you guys think with high round counts?

 

[MRSpivey]

I can't speak to that since I don't shoot mine that much. My two biggest concerns with it is 1) how well will the polymer frame hold up (not crack or deform) and 2) how well the light profile barrel hold up. I really don't worry about it though. There isn't a round counter so a lifetime warranty is a lifetime warranty... it's good as long as S&W is still in business.

 

[Borderboss]

It doesn't pass the smell test for me. No company in their right mind would market a gun that had that kind of known limitation. Why damage your reputation with a gun that has a known weakness like that?

 

[bub075]

It doesn't pass the smell test for me. No company in their right mind would market a gun that had that kind of known limitation. Why damage your reputation with a gun that has a known weakness like that?

But yet, S&W did just that back in the '90's. The gun was the .380 Sigma. Slide was made of a zinc casting with the sights cast in place, similar to the the way Ruger machines the slide for the LCP. The slide was finished with some sort of black paint that chipped off very easily. Stated lifespan from S&W was 5000-6000 rds.

The gun had other issues, as well, like the mag release. The sides of the plastic floor plate came up, forming catches that latched into the sides of the grip. The latches were powered by "springs" stamped into the mag body and bent out behind the catches. Releasing the mag consisted of grabbing both sides of the bottom of the grip where the catches were and pressing in, then pulling the mag out. In my experience, the mag catches worked OK but not great. When new, the mags locked in well but were hard to release. As they were used, the "springs" quickly got weak and the mags were hard to latch in place, but were easy to release. Fast mag changes were NOT gonna happen with that gun. The sights also sucked hard. The rear notch was small and narrow, making it hard to get any type of decent sight picture. The trigger was also typical Sigma of the time- hard, gritty and difficult to pull well. I suppose S&W figured that no one would want to practice a lot with their carry gun.

I had one, back in the day, since small, light, compact .380s simply didn't exist at the time. .380s at the time consisted of guns like the Walther PP and PPK, Beretta models 84 and 87 (I think, if I have the model numbers right) and the Sig P230, guns that were the same size, or larger, than 9mm guns we have available today. The .380 Sigma always ran well, but I'll readily admit that I never shot it a lot. I just couldn't get over the fact that it was so hard to shoot, between the sights and the trigger, the awkward magazine release, the fact that the gun had a factory stated lifespan and how ugly it got very fast with the paint chipping off the slide and the zinc turning an ugly, dull silvery gray color. I kinda wish I had kept it for the curiosity value, but I traded it on something else and it was one of the few guns I couldn't have cared less that I sold or traded it away.

Sorry for the thread drift, just had to chime in when Borderboss said something about guns with designed lifespans.

 

[3hounds]

What video said that ?

3

 

[BlueArch91]

Back to the SD9VE. It has a stainless barrel and slide and there is nothing to suggest that the polymer frame is significantly inferior to their M&P product line. Both are backed by the same lifetime warranty. I would suggest that it is not an equal to the M&P but well durable enough for the majority of civilian use.


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[diyj98]

I saw a used Sigma in a pawn shop a few months ago with a cracked frame. When I pointed it out to the shop manager, he said "that's why it's priced the way it is". I was a little shocked from a liability standpoint that they'd sell a gun with a cracked frame.

 

[Borderboss]

But yet, S&W did just that back in the '90's. The gun was the .380 Sigma. Slide was made of a zinc casting with the sights cast in place, similar to the the way Ruger machines the slide for the LCP. The slide was finished with some sort of black paint that chipped off very easily. Stated lifespan from S&W was 5000-6000 rds.

That's great, but where is the same statement from S&W about the SD9VE? If there isn't one, then it's just the video guy spouting about something he knows nothing about.

 

[spad124]

Even if the polymer "frame" cracks, the receiver that the slide rides on and the fire control group (trigger and striker) is a part of are steel. That steel piece is the actual frame. The polymer piece is really more of a handle. Seems that you could replace the cracked polymer piece.

And I like my SD9VE. I have "better" pistols, but the SD works just fine.

 

[noro]

I really don't see any negatives about the S&W SD9VE. Some
guys don't care for the plastic sights or recoil spring assembly.
but I"ve never had a problem with it. I also have the M&P 1.0
and 2.0 models and, to be honest, I really don't see a massive difference in quality. For the money, I would say its a great
value.

It just struck me as odd, that a major aftermarket vendor would state that the lifetime of the pistol is only 4000 rounds. You can shoot that much in a year. So why even buy the aftermarket parts?

I'd rather not say who the vendor was in order to not badmouth them, since I have no experience in their products, but will say
its a major aftermarket seller for trigger improvements and not Apex.

 

[msjdgman]

Every once and awhile this subject of longevity comes up concerning the SD9VE. It's bologna thats been debunked time and time again. There have been members on this forum I believe that have thousands upon thousands of rounds thru their gun that have never had an issue.

 

[noro]

I was just amazed and stunned that a major aftermarket vendor would come out with a statement like that. I feel that the SD9VE is an excellent pistol manufactured for a specific price point. I certainly think the pistol is very viable for its purpose.

The only problem I have with it is that the trigger is somewhat heavy, but once you get used to it, the pistol is very accurate should you do your part.

Anyone on the forum have one with more than 4000 rounds thru it? If you do, did you have any problems with the pistol in getting to that point? like broken parts, return for warranty service, etc?

 

[bub075]

That's great, but where is the same statement from S&W about the SD9VE? If there isn't one, then it's just the video guy spouting about something he knows nothing about.

There wasn't. What I was responding to was you saying that a manufacturer putting a lifespan on a pistol was lunacy.

 

[Frankenbiker]

I got my SD9VE at the beginning of last year, and can easily say I've fired 7-8k worth of rounds through it, although I haven't counted. I haven't had any issues with it, accuracy is still good, trigger still good, everything, still good. So shoot to your hearts content.

 

[noro]

Great to know, Thanks!

 

[familyman357oh]

I saw that video. He mentions "rebuilding it from the ground up" at around 4,000 rounds and that it often includes replacing the frame.

Later, in the comments section he expands upon that with "Like any other mechanical object, parts wear out and need to be replaced. This pistol has a service life of around 4,000 rounds, meaning that after 4,000 you need to start replacing springs, guide rods, the barrel, striker. But hey what do I know I just do this for a living."

Here are his certifications:

Springfield XD/XDm Armorer
FNS Pistol Armorer
Glock Armorer
Sig Sauer P320 Armorer
Sig Sauer P226 Armorer
Sig Sauer MPX Armorer

He isn't even a Smith & Wesson armorer.

I can see replacing the recoil spring assembly around 4,000 rounds just as a matter of preventative maintenance. Recoil springs are consumable items.

The rest? I'm not so sure. The SD lineup has been around since 2011 and its Sigma ancestors go back to 1994 and I haven't seen anything that suggests that these pistols are any more prone to breakage than any other polymer pistols. As far was "what do I know I just do this for a living", from what I can determine his company doesn't do any warranty work; all they do is sell and install aftermarket parts.

I'm inclined to chalk this up as gun shop commando talk.

 

[BlueArch91]

So who is this guy? Replace the frame? This is kind of hyperbole is just meant to unsettle sD owners.


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[caleb90]

a few years back i was looking for a econo/beater9mm. i was undecided between the sd9 and 9e ruger till i held them in person. i went with the 9e ruger as the polymer seemed better the slide seemed more robust and just over all a better built gun. the sd series seemed sub par to the m&p imo. not saying that its a bad gun. now with that being said i feel the sd9 had a better value over the 9e, two mags stainless slide. plus now ruger has discontinude the 9e so future parts may be an issue where as the sd is still in production.. when it comes to eco minded pistols pick what fits your hand and shoot them if your happy thats all that matters. smith has a good warrenty and dont worry about it.. my 2 cents

 

[Rustyt1953]

Just a voice from the cheap seats.

I have had an SD9VE for almost six years. It has well over the mystical 4K rounds through it and I have had no issues. It, like my other pistols, are stock with only factory mags.

The frame looks good and the barrel still puts 'em where I wants 'em.

To me, it has earned the moniker of "damned fine pistol".

Just relax and enjoy it.

 

[Well Armed]

Um, why no link to the mysterious video in question?