SD9VE vs. Ruger 9E

ditto1958 · Sep 12, 2014

Looking at Ruger's new "value" striker fired 9mm, the 9E, I'm wondering why Ruger thinks I would buy one when an SD9VE seems to be a much better choice.

The Smith seems to sell for about $35 less than the Ruger, yet it comes with two magazines, while Ruger only provides one.

On the other hand, the Ruger comes with things I don't want. For starters, it has a takedown lever that comes out and could easily be lost. It also has an external safety, a magazine disconnect, and you have to reach inside and push down the ejector to remove the slide.

The SD, in contrast, takes down like a Glock, has no safety lever that you can forget to turn off, and can still fire if you accidentally drop your magazine out.

If you buy the Ruger, and want another magazine, Ruger has them for sale for $44.95.

I like Rugers, don't get me wrong. But the 9E just does not look like a good deal to me.

scwv67 · Sep 13, 2014

I looked at a 9E, but purchased the S&W because it seemed a better value and felt better in the hand. Also for some reason, in my hand the 9E pointed just like a Glock 19, forcing me to readjust my hold to bring the muzzle down.

frankmako · Sep 13, 2014

the s&w is a better value.

MyDads38 · Sep 13, 2014

The 9E wasn't available when I bought my SD9VE. Honestly, as much as I like Rugers, the SDVE series is still a better value. The trigger pull on the Ruger wins hands down (to me), but I have no problems with the trigger on my SD9VE and it keeps getting better/smoother the more I shoot it.

Rustyt1953 · Sep 13, 2014

MyDads38 said:
The 9E wasn't available when I bought my SD9VE. Honestly, as much as I like Rugers, the SDVE series is still a better value. The trigger pull on the Ruger wins hands down (to me), but I have no problems with the trigger on my SD9VE and it keeps getting better/smoother the more I shoot it.

What he said!

cciman · Sep 13, 2014

The SR9 comes with 2 mags.
The SR9 family has a much nicer trigger than the SD.
The mag disconnector on the SR9 can be removed easily, and you can dryfire it without the mag inside without damaging the firing pin.

You don't need to push down on the ejector if you close the slide and fire the trigger, the slide will come off, just like a Glock.

brchambersjr · Sep 13, 2014

cciman said:
The SR9 comes with 2 mags.
The SR9 family has a much nicer trigger than the SD.
The mag disconnector on the SR9 can be removed easily, and you can dryfire it without the mag inside without damaging the firing pin.

You don't need to push down on the ejector if you close the slide and fire the trigger, the slide will come off, just like a Glock.

Wait.......What? The OP is talking about the 9E.

Bill

cciman · Sep 13, 2014

9E vs 9: The trigger mechanicals and frame are the same, the slide finish is black oxide paint, less slide machining the sights are different, and you get one mag., and no pop up LCI.

SamMeow · Sep 13, 2014

brchambersjr said:
Wait.......What? The OP is talking about the 9E.

Bill

Looks like a mistype.
The S&W SD9VE comes with 2 mags. 16 rd here in Texas.
The Ruger 9e comes with only one 17 rd.

Arik · Sep 13, 2014

I don't see how the take down pin can be lost. It's the same as every other gun except Glock. Take down is same as HK, 1911, s&w, CZ, Sig. .....what's the big deal?!?

brchambersjr · Sep 13, 2014

And costs $80 more. (if you want a second mag)

Bill

MyDads38 · Sep 13, 2014

SamMeow said:
Looks like a mistype.
The S&W SD9VE comes with 2 mags. 16 rd here in Texas.
The Ruger 9e comes with only one 17 rd.

That's correct, the 9E only comes with 1 magazine; the SD9VE comes with 2. I can get add'l. SD9VE mags for $35 + tax. The Ruger mags are $45 + tax. I don't see how the 9E compares?

As a side note, the sights on the 9E are smaller and harder for me to pick up/see. The sights on my SD9VE give me a perfect sight picture, even with my aging eyes/eyesight. At some point, I may have to investigate night sights; but until then, I get a very good sight picture with the factory OEM sights on my SD9VE.

baccusboy · Sep 13, 2014

It really comes down to trigger difference, and safety.

The trigger on the 9E is closer to a 1911. If you come from the 1911 world, the 9E might be a better buy for you. Mags are Mec-Gar, and $32 online. There is a safety which is 1911-like, but smaller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn5jTr9996I

Come from the Glock world, the new S&W SDVE is the way to go. Trigger has a long take-up, but no safety, which some people hate on a self defense gun, anyway.

I love both guns, and honestly, it comes down to comfort. If S&W did something different to the trigger, it would be something I'd buy over a Glock, to be honest. It's almost like S&W has been slowly creeping closer to a Glock-style trigger on each update, from Sigma to this newest SD, until they one day reach perfection. Ruger seems to be doing the same thing with some of their guns.

It's like gun makers know how to make a great trigger, but would rather follow a route that gets buyers to purchase the crappy trigger gun first, then upgrade to the next better, then upgrade to the next better... kind of like computers or phones. Why have a customer buy once, when you can get them to buy 3 times?

shawn mccarver · Sep 13, 2014

ditto1958 said:
Looking at Ruger's new "value" striker fired 9mm, the 9E, I'm wondering why Ruger thinks I would buy one when an SD9VE seems to be a much better choice.

The Smith seems to sell for about $35 less than the Ruger, yet it comes with two magazines, while Ruger only provides one.

On the other hand, the Ruger comes with things I don't want. For starters, it has a takedown lever that comes out and could easily be lost. It also has an external safety, a magazine disconnect, and you have to reach inside and push down the ejector to remove the slide.

The SD, in contrast, takes down like a Glock, has no safety lever that you can forget to turn off, and can still fire if you accidentally drop your magazine out.

If you buy the Ruger, and want another magazine, Ruger has them for sale for $44.95.

I like Rugers, don't get me wrong. But the 9E just does not look like a good deal to me.

I feel the opposite, mainly because I prefer the striker action and consequently lighter trigger on the 9E, which also has a shorter length of trigger travel. I have shot both, and the 9E is more "shootable" to me. I am sure some will disagree.

I wish S&W would do a "VE" version of the M&P with the standard stainless slide with a matte type of finish like the SDVE. They could simplify the frame by not having the grip inserts, like the Shield.

pvq · Sep 14, 2014

While I have always been a fan of Ruger revolvers, I've never been able to warm up to their autos for two primary reasons:

-pop-up loaded chamber indicator
-magazine disconnect

I purchased an SR22 for my daughter and, as I had feared, the gun had to go back to Ruger for problems with the magazine disconnect. Same happened to one of my shooting buddies. That's a major annoyance on a plinker, and a deal breaker on an SD firearm. I know the magazine disconnect can be removed, but who wants to have to modify a brand new gun out of the box, especially when there are other options available.

At least the 9E dispenses with the pop up chamber indicator, which is a good thing, but the fact that it came with only one magazine made the SDVE a no brainer for me.

brchambersjr · Sep 14, 2014

With a lighter trigger pull you typically do not have to worry about trigger control (as much as you do with the sd) to get on target and that is fine. As said before some people don't like the long, hard trigger of the sd and prefer something easier on their hands. (my wife and daughter hate the sd) As for value and shootabillity out of the box I still believe the sd is hard to contend with. If Ruger brings the price down to make up the difference of the second mag I would buy one. I am already looking at the LC9s as a conceal/pocket carry so I have no issues with them.

Bill

BigBlue79 · Nov 7, 2014

Just bought a new one today:

While they do have the mag disconnect, it can be taken out if you desire, CDNN sells the 17 round mags for $33.99, $1.00 more than the S&W SD's, I can overlook it coming with only one mag, since the trigger is SO much better!

kbm6893 · Nov 7, 2014

Funny how so many hate the mag disconnect and safety, yet the 3rd gen's have such a rabid following.

I just bought an SR9. Excellent gun. I chose it for the mag disconnect and manual safety. The chances of any of us using a gun in a real shooting are pretty remote. Much more likely to have an ND. And I even like the LCI. Doesn't get in the way of aiming

Mags for the sr9 are excellent quality Mec gar. What are they, 30 bucks a pop? No big deal.

And dry firing the sr9 without a mag in is not recommended although you can do it. Ruger advises you to put an empty mag in the gun before dry firing

ruthless robbie · Nov 7, 2014

ditto1958 said:
Looking at Ruger's new "value" striker fired 9mm, the 9E, I'm wondering why Ruger thinks I would buy one when an SD9VE seems to be a much better choice.

The Smith seems to sell for about $35 less than the Ruger, yet it comes with two magazines, while Ruger only provides one.

On the other hand, the Ruger comes with things I don't want. For starters, it has a takedown lever that comes out and could easily be lost. It also has an external safety, a magazine disconnect, and you have to reach inside and push down the ejector to remove the slide.

The SD, in contrast, takes down like a Glock, has no safety lever that you can forget to turn off, and can still fire if you accidentally drop your magazine out.

If you buy the Ruger, and want another magazine, Ruger has them for sale for $44.95.

I like Rugers, don't get me wrong. But the 9E just does not look like a good deal to me.

I completely agree, the SD9VE is a higher quality gun in my opinion, has a better take down process, comes with 2 magazines, the Ruger has an external safety and it's more expensive. There's just nothing that screams "buy me" from the more expensive Ruger over the Smith and Wesson.

It would be like paying more for a Hyundai when you can get a better equipped Honda for less money. It seems to me that it would be a no brainer to get the Smith and Wesson.

JWH321 · Nov 8, 2014

The simple fact is that they are both good firearms. One is not necessarily "better" than the other, just different. I've looked at the 9E. It has some very good things to recommend it and it feels pretty good in my hand. I prefer the SD, but I can clearly see why others may prefer the 9E.

I would not trade my SD for a 9E. But if someone were to suddenly hand me a 9E, I would not say "no thanks".

SD9VE vs. Ruger 9E

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