During my search for a carry weapon, I was looking for price, comfort and utility. For the time being, I'm not looking for flash and flare by anymeans. SD40VE had the most appeasing price tag to say the least, from sharp mart, for $325.

So far I have near 2000 rounds through the weapon and only ran into one issue, the feed ramp was a little "sticky" with S&B ammo at around the 150 round down range mark, where the round didn't want to feed all the way. Seemed to be something wrong with the feed ramp but turned out to be simply user error. Had the ramp polished just to be sure, now its running absolutely flawless. Definitely a gun I'd reccomend to a beginner or someone looking for a reliable carry until they are able to afford something higher end if they need/want it. May sound odd, but I like the feel of this gun a bit better than I did a glock.


The following is purely my opinion:

Pros:
1. Price
2. Out side of the one snag, It has been a really reliable weapon.
3. The weight and length of the barrel, while blocky still makes it a great carry weapon.
4. Decent accuracy with nearly all ammo, 'course Hornady still wins by a longshot (critical defense is my main choice)

Cons:
1. Noisy mags when fully loaded.. Its tolerable though..
2. I'd love to see a metal frame at some point, but seems more and more handguns are going the polymer rout so I really shouldn't complain.

I'll probably come back with some more when I get close to the 5000 rnd mark. But so far, I love the gun, and seriously considering purchasing the SD9VE for my wife, she likes the feel of the 40 but the kick is a bit much for her, she doesn't have much of an issue with the 160gr rounds though still a bit too kicky for her comfort. 115gr 9mm might be right up her alley.

Some new photo's - 8/16/2013

Liked your impressions, I just wish they made an all black one.

I did a high polish on my slide then acid stained it in a camo type pattern.

I thought it looked pretty cool but got mixed reviews from here and my buddies.

It wears off over time, now it's back to being a high polished slide.

Want to put some kind of pattern on the slide but not sure on the type yet.

Did you see the noisy mag fix maybe thread on here ?

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I am new to handguns, so forgive my question, but what is the appeal of the .40 over the 9mm? I looked at the price of ammo, the weapons themselves, and availability. The only thing I could not compare is how they shoot. Is that where I missed out by choosing the 9mm?

.40 is the best of both worlds, according to lovers of that round...heavy hitting like the .45, lighter recoil close to the 9mm.

Personally, I prefer 9mm, since most of my handguns and one carbine fire the round.

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40 cal. or 9mm

Ford or Chevy

Blonde or Brunette

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Wait a minute! You left out redheads and Mopar.

I get it. Where I'm from, I could add

Duke or Carolina

Age old arguments. Now I am gonna have to shoot a .40 cal.

I see. I haven't shot a .45 yet either, but I saw a gelatin test on youtube that was impressive.

Felt recoil is a very subjective thing...I don't agree that the recoil of .40 is close to 9mm, at least for me. In fact, I think .45 gives a "push" straight back into the hand, while .40 is more of a hard, twisting upward "snap" that is more difficult to control. Of course, that is also a factor of what guns you are shooting...a .40 in a Shield is going to have more felt recoil to most people than does a .45 in a full size steel 1911. 9mm is my caliber of choice in smaller handguns.

GKC is dead on. I have the SD40VE and it shoots similar to my Shield 9. Whichever VE is longer and soaks up more of the recoil. But I think I could tell a noticeable difference if I shot a 9 and 40 Shield back to back. Or a 9 or 40 SD.

My 2 son's 27 and 29 yrs. old don't like my poly 40's.

They shoot Beretta 9's, they say the 40 cal. has to much snap to it.

Told them if it was a all steel gun it would be better for 40 recoil.

3

IMO the SD is to big for a CCW and the best value for a CCW is a Kahr CW9 or CM9 or if you want to stay closer to the price of the SD a LC9 is the way to go. YMMV

I guess it depends on how big or small of a person you are.

I use a foxx IWB holster and don't even know it's there anymore.

Now my Don Hume OWB holster I notice that unless I really cinch up my belt.


3

I'm not a small guy (6' 235lb) and I could see carrying my SD9VE in cooler weather with a jacket, but not in shorts and a T-shirt. I refuse to dress around my CCW. My Kahr P9 in a Foxx Trapp is easily hidden with shorts and a T-shirt. I'm limited to 7+1 and my backup 8Rd mag though

My EDC (The mag now has the smaller metal base plate from a PM/CM9 and the knife has a different fob.)

hi all. new member. just took my sd40ve to the range for the 1st time today. 100 rounds 0 malfunctions. loved it.

I live in PA. and open carry about half the time with Don Hume holster , it has a strap over the gun.

With my foxx IWB holster I conceal because it has no strap, just friction fit.

I don't care if I print or not.

I'm looking for a 9 like your's though.


3

I carry my SD40 all the time with cargo shorts and a button down no problems at all....6' 230lbs.

Took my new SD40VE to the range today, put 350 rounds throught it with 4 different ammo makers. Perfect function, zero malfunction. Kinda snappy, but very sweet shooting. Groups way better than I EVER EXPECTED. Accuracy was outstanding. Shoots a little left and low. My plans are now to add adjustable Williams Fire Sights to the gun soon as I can. The gun is worth them!

DR

I live in Ohio and I'm not to concerned with printing. It is legal to open carry here, but they can nab you for "inducing panic"

Are you sufficiently experienced with handguns to know whether this characteristic is you or the gun? I swear these guns torque in that direction when fired, but it's a hard sell around here.

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They do make an all black. It's called the allied forces edition. I had one and just sold it a week ago so I could finance somethin else. Already regretting it. And some one mentioned shooting low and left. That is because of the long hard trigger pull. When I got used to it. I had no problems with the gun.

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I'm sorry I had the sw not sd.

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Safety not Included!!

Ya I'm just waiting for something like that to happen.

Had a state police officer ask me what I was carrying while at the scrap yard.

Just told him .40 smith.



He said he had to carry 40 smith also but didn't offer what model.


Other than that nothing said.

Local officers just look at my gun and up at me, I just nod my head and they usually smile.

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My local PD is pretty cool, but some others aren't.

2nd trip to the range with my SD40VE. 150 rounds 0 problems. solved the firing everything in the 7:30 area. Last mag was a 4 1/2 " pattern. Mostly top to bottom. No throws left or right. Trigger is much smoother and lighter than the 1st trip. Very happy. A little more technique work and I'm good.

Honestly like it was said earlier in the forum, .40(10mm short) is the best of both worlds. Its got plenty of stopping power, and a decent price, seeing anywhere from $14-25 for the normal boxes of ammo, to 40ish for the premium stuff. The Accuracy is about the same.

Apart from the shape of the round not much different in my opinion. Grain wise, .40 is a bit heftier than 9mm. I'm no expert with 9mm but the smallest grainage from a .40 is 160grn i believe. Largest 9mm is about 130 on the high end +p (I could be wrong so dont quote me). But no your not missing out on a whole lot, apart from slight bit more on the stopping power end, though 9mm ammo capacity is larger.

Alrighty, Hit the 5000 round mark. Gun is still running like a champ, gun is well broken in now. Have not ran into the ftf snag from the OP since it happened. Fell into the sweet spot with this gun finally, running 175grn reloads now, Hornady projectiles(semi wadcutter), powder, and primers, 'new' cartridges and what not. Not as kicky as the 180 grain, but not as sluggish as the 160-165's (opinion). With the performance of the weapon, if they ever made a metal frame, I'd never retire the weapon.

Con's - Starting to notice a bit of wear on the guide rod and frame, but after 5000 rounds, It is fully understandable with the polymers.

I replaced my polymer guide rod assembly with the stainless steel guide rod assembly from Galloway Precision...not because of wear, but because I just prefer steel guide rods (I've replaced them in every pistol I own that comes with a polymer guide rod, if there is a steel one available.) I did use the OEM weight recoil spring.

At the rate I'm going (cost of ammo, lack of availability) it will be a LONG time before I hit the 5,000 round mark.

Thanks for the report!!

On the .40 over 9mm....

you will shoot less 40, you will enjoy shooting 40 more-but for not as long, 40 is just fun as **** to shoot-but it will "wear" on you if you shoot quite a bit-fatigue.

You cannot beat a 9mm as a plinking range round in many ways, it's so popular for a reason(s) like stated above. Anyone can shoot a 9-but most shy from a 40 after a while, it's quite a bit more "gun" to shoot with-recoil wise, snappy- especially in smaller lighter weight frames

Love mine!!

DR

Cost aside, I prefer 9mm Luger to any other handgun caliber, if not that then .45 ACP then .357 SIG. I don't like the .40 though, I'm in the "worst of both worlds" crowd. Anyway, handgun rounds are still weak but modern cartridge design has made all service calibers respectable, so I side with the one that is better for control and higher on mag capacity. I like how the 147g 9mm's recoil feels and since I can get 147g Golden Sabers locally, no sweat. I tried 100 rounds with my 9VE, nothing noteworthy happened.

The recoil rod assembly is suppose to be replaced after 5,000 rounds.

How's the leading in the barrel ?

Any idea on the velocity ?

I've shot some 135 gr. sierra's, didn't group that well, I think I loaded them to hot.

Not a lot of love for the .40, Probably because of cost of ammo and recoil.

Love mine though.

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I'll have to get a chronograph for velocity tests, as honestly I haven't done so. If I had to guess via feel, I'd say roughly 1050-1100 ft/s.(on my reload they feel about equal to critical defense hornady's so it may be higher)

The barrel is visibly in pristine shape. I clean the gun religiously after each trip to the range. I dont always shoot reloads, but those have all been clean on the gun, and apart from the occasional tul ammo (each time i go i use it less and less) I rarely use any dirty ammo. Tul ammo is by far the dirtiest I've ever used, and with Tul's I notice a bunch of particles left on the rifling. If I had to put a lifespan on possible barrel replacements, if the gun is well taken care of you should see about 10k rounds at least. Keeping in mind you don't use tul ammo(or bad reloads) 7.5k replacement imo, just too dirty.

When ever I should have to replace the barrel, I'll probably still have the feed ramp polished, but if that happens in the near future I'll let you guys know when to expect it.

Thanks for the update.

I don't think you'll ever have to replace the barrel from bullet wear.

Thanks again, 3

Took my sd40ve to the range again yesterday,I must say this gun is great.I was downsizing my 9mm collection when I ran across the sd40ve.I wasn't looking for a 40 but after looking at it and talking to my dealer I was sold on it.I'm at the 500 round mark with zero issues,Iv'e shot fmj's and a variety of hollow points with no issues.This is a fine firearm at a great price,thanks s&w

Perhaps I am coming in at a late moment in the game, but, all things being considered: cost of the gun (pistol/revolver/long gun/etc.), maybe we need to consider another factor: cost factor per per round or something along that lines(s). Maybe a valuation of the number of rounds expended versus the cost of the weapon is another venue. The number of rounds expended til the first failure of some sort. A failure is a failure in my book. $400.00 dollars divided by 400 rounds is quantified number. It is not the years but the miles, ya know, concept. It does take the the fun factor out, but, it is a verified number. Before I am hung out to dry, folks, think about all the folks who brag of the decreased costs of reloading of a favorite caliber. To those that live by a number, well, ...food for thought.

Drakkun, great info. Couple questions: How do you carry this pistol? Also, how much does your fully loaded SD40VE weigh? Thanks, Mike

I have carried it in my waist band and on my hip, I will say its a little more snug in the waist band than I'd like, with my slacks it doesn't print, front or rear. On my hip I just use a standard holster, usually for range days, practicing draws and what not.

I have not weighed the weapon, if I had to guess, fully loaded it feels like about 3-5 pounds but I could be way off. Its a comfortable weight to me so I've never really given it much thought. Now if only I could figure out how to quiet the rattle we'd be in impeccable shape considering the price. The rattle seems to be with even numbers 14-12-10 etc.

Original post updated with some pics of the weapon and my holster -

Might be grabbing some mods for it here soon, I found a silicone slip on grip that I liked and it actually fit pretty snug. And maybe a light/laser for the rail just for giggles, though with my current holster, it the light and laser wouldn't fit.

Drakkun: Which slip on grip did you choose?

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SD9VE
M&P .45

Pachmayr Model 3, got it at a gun show a few weeks ago. It retails at $12 dollars I believe, but was able to get it for free with a box of Hornady critical duty.

Drakkun which holster is that? I need to find something like that for my 9. And is it me or or are they about the same size?

They are the same size frame wise so the 9mm should fit fine. Its a blackhawk sport from wally world. I grabbed it without question because of the extra mag pouch it offers.