Bought my first Smith, a SD40VE (with range report)

NCHunter79 · Jan 19, 2013

Ok, so I'm a Glock guy. I love my Glocks, but with prices now hovering around $600 and up, I took a chance on a SD40VE for $340.

It's definitely Glock-like so I figured I had nothing to loose. I am impressed to say the least. Other than a long heavy trigger, I'm very happy with this purchase, especially considering the price.

Oh and I had no issues using PRVI Partizan ammo. I did have a few (2) FTF issues with American Eagle, i.e. the slide not completely closing, which I noticed others mentioned as well. All I can think of is the AE ammo wasn't seated all the way in the brass. There were bite marks on the neck of the bullet. So I chalk that up as bad ammo, since it fed the PRVI and Federal HST with zero issues.

This gun is keeper. I'm actually planning on buying a few more, you know, one for the car, one for under the bed, one in a cupboard, etc.

As hard as it's for me to admit this, I like the ergonomics of this $340 gun over my beloved Glocks.

I'm now also looking at the M&P line to add to my collection. So much for more Glocks.

Price is right, so I figured I'd share my experience with this gun to the world on YouTube.

Here is a quick review I did with this weapon.
Smith & Wesson SD40 VE Review (Poor mans Glock?) - YouTube

Schlepprock · Jan 19, 2013

I bought my wife an SD40 ve,we're very happy so far. I'm probably gonna do the Apex spring kit to lighten the trigger up a little,also the guy in the video talks about polishing a couple places to fix the gritty,crunchy feel of the trigger(you will notice in the first 1/8th in of pull the gritty feel),I've been watching the video and it seems pretty straight forward.As far as the FTF,its never FTF while shooting,just a couple times on first rack. I found though if you have the slide open when you insert the mag,and use the slide lock for the first rack it will not jam.I was also told to be aggressive(so to speak) when releasing the slide,and not riding it shut with your hand and so far that works too...JMHO...Phil

NCHunter79 · Jan 19, 2013

Schlepprock said:
I bought my wife an SD40 ve,we're very happy so far. I'm probably gonna do the Apex spring kit to lighten the trigger up a little,also the guy in the video talks about polishing a couple places to fix the gritty,crunchy feel of the trigger(you will notice in the first 1/8th in of pull the gritty feel),I've been watching the video and it seems pretty straight forward.As far as the FTF,its never FTF while shooting,just a couple times on first rack. I found though if you have the slide open when you insert the mag,and use the slide lock for the first rack it will not jam.I was also told to be aggressive(so to speak) when releasing the slide,and not riding it shut with your hand and so far that works too...JMHO...Phil

Yeah, I had no issues with the first round, though I have read about it. I don't "ride" the slide home, so it's a non-issue for me.

I thought about the Apex spring kit, but without getting into legalities, I'm probably going to keep it unmodified just incase I have to use it for self defense.

The trigger in mine isn't gritty at all. It's very smooth, like a good revolver. I'll just practice more to compensate for the long 8# trigger pull.

turnersapien · Jan 19, 2013

great video NCHunter79! I watched a ton of videos and read reviews about the SD40 VE and the Sigma series before I finally went with my gut and bought it...couldn't be happier with my purchase! my trigger is also smooth sailing and just shy of 200 rounds through it without a single issue! the magazines do rattle a lot with the full 14 rounds in, but it doesn't with 13 or less...wonder if it's S&W's way of saying..."hey, it's full." Who knows? lol

BBauer927 · Jan 20, 2013

I've put about 300 rounds through mine and am very happy. Especially for the price. Feels great in the hand and feels natural when gripping it to shoot. Did have some PMC bronzes that FTF'd mid mag but I've heard those dirty birds give alot of guns problems cuz of its recoil weight. Cleaned it and put another 100 federal through and she was flawless once again.

Also noticed at beginning the slide does need to be racked more aggressively than most which caused alot of people the FTF's on the intial load. I agree slide lock release works 100% of the time but that doesn't help in SD situation. That's why at night one goes into the chamber just in case. All in all I'm super please with this 300$ bad ***

scwv67 · Jan 26, 2013

Great video and review! Thanks for posting. I'm considering the exact same pistol at my LGS due to the cost and to have another caliber. While all ammo in my AO is in short supply, it seems nearly everyone has .40 on the shelves. 9mm, not so much.

doublestack · Jan 26, 2013

I like your video review. Nice job. I just bought one. I'm going to the range today.

cramax3 · Jan 29, 2013

SD 40 VE

Purchased my SD 40 on January 18, 2013. Cleaned it before firing. Gun was shooting very low.Had several FTF's due to round not chambering fully. Also noticed while cleaning up my brass that the brass had a bulge toward the neck. I shot 3 other brands of ammo just to confirm the brass was not cheap and causing the casing to bulge from the pressure. I also noticed that the trigger seat pin was falling out. Took the gun back to the dealer. Dealer felt that the gun was shooting low due to the problem with the round not seating fully which was also causing the bulge. Dealer sent the gun back to smith for repair. I will post again when I get it back and try it again. So far not so good with this SD 40.

MGMorden · Jan 29, 2013

As noted in other threads, the SD40's do not have fully supported chambers (much like Glocks). That causes the "bulge" at the bottom of the case. It's not really an issue.

As to your shots hitting low - what weight of bullet were you using? As a rule of thumb heavier bullets impact higher than lighter ones. Sometimes you have to adjust your weights up or down if you want to have the gun hit to point of aim (alternatively, you can get fully adjustable sights or just compensate with aim). So far my SD40VE likes 180gr bullets. My M&P 9L hits low with everything except 147gr but it hits dead-on with those.

cramax3 · Jan 30, 2013

SD 40

using 165 grain. I realize that I may have to purchase new sights and that is o.k. as long as I can hit my point of aim. Thanks for the info on the bulge. I guess this means reloading is out of the question with those rounds. I will be curious to see what smith says when they return the gun to me.

MGMorden · Jan 31, 2013

I guess this means reloading is out of the question with those rounds.

Not at all. You just need some extra stuff to remove the bulge. Lee sells a kit called the "bulge buster" that will take it right out of the brass. You either run the cases through after a FL-resize or run the completed rounds through after you're done. You combine this with the Lee factory crimp die to make the sizing unit.

Redding also makes a die - the GRX series - that does the same thing (though it costs about twice as much as the Lee).

cramax3 · Jan 31, 2013

SD 40 VE

Again thank you for the info, I had no idea that anything existed to remove the bulge.I will certainly check it out.

nomad23 · Jun 30, 2013

cramax3 said:
Purchased my SD 40 on January 18, 2013. Cleaned it before firing. Gun was shooting very low.Had several FTF's due to round not chambering fully. Also noticed while cleaning up my brass that the brass had a bulge toward the neck. I shot 3 other brands of ammo just to confirm the brass was not cheap and causing the casing to bulge from the pressure. I also noticed that the trigger seat pin was falling out. Took the gun back to the dealer. Dealer felt that the gun was shooting low due to the problem with the round not seating fully which was also causing the bulge. Dealer sent the gun back to smith for repair. I will post again when I get it back and try it again. So far not so good with this SD 40.

I am having the same issue with my sd40. I took mine back to the dealer as well. when he seen the buldge he broke out his stock of
sd40s. 5 including mine, most if not all had some form of brass buldge in the test round.. after talking with a tech at smith they basicly told me this was normal with 40 s&w ammo. i elected not to send mine in just to get it back with the same results. mine also shoots low right about 2" off p.o.a. at 10 yards. Id be interested to know what they tell you when you get your gun back and if what they did fixed the problem.

Bought my first Smith, a SD40VE (with range report)

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