Thinking about getting one. Are they any good? Seems like I've read that the triggers have issues? What's the value of one LNIB shot only a few times, not a mark on it, with the box and all the factory papers & stuff?

Well, Bud's has 'em new for $319.00, so certainly not more than that. Maybe $275.00?

I've seen them on sale locally for $279.95 new. So $250 maybe?

I'd go for the SD9VE instead, if you ever want to add sights or lights. It also has a better trigger.

I have to agree with this. You should be able to find a new one for $315 or so. It is a nice shooter, even with an 8 lb. trigger pull.

Can 35,000 Afghan soldiers be wrong? Of course the Taliban has most of them now. Only dropped once. These are the economy models that S&W ramped up to the M&P models with. Good shooters and defense guns, not designed for competition, but the price is right .

I agree with this. The SW still suffers from the SIGMA stigma even though it's a good gun. The SD is one more generation removed and seems to be considered on its own merit. The SD trigger will be better, the sights are dovetail mounted(and interchangeable with M&P sights)and the accessory rail accepts standard attachments. The SW rail was proprietary and dedicated accessories are almost impossible to find. All those SD upgrades won't cost you an extra fifty dollars.

I like the SW series pistols and used them as my 'utility' pistols for years. I kept a 9mm and .40 at the cabin, another 9mm and .40 in the trunk. A third and forth set at home and vaca home. I've got well over a dozen of them so I was pretty well sold on their utility,......but I haven't bought another SW since handling my first SD. Now I'm kinda doing the same thing with SD9 and SD40 sets and have two pair put together so far. FWIW, I prefer the non-VE earlier pistols. They can be found used at good prices and had blackened stainless slides, steel sights with a front tritium dot. The current VE pistols are cheapened up just a bit,.......but still very good pistols.

Just to clarify, I'm not shopping for the SW9VE - I just have an opportunity to get one for $250. So the SD9VE isn't really a consideration.

If it were $220 or so then maybe, but for me a $290 SD9VE is worth the extra $40-50 over a $250 SW9VE.

It's certainly worth the money and I've happily paid that much for most of mine. It's a good, reliable pistol with an intentionally heavy trigger(think Glock NY trigger). Smith installed a second 'helper' spring in the trigger assembly to make the pull heavy enough to be safe without a separate safety. That's the 'trigger issue' that many people complain about but it's really not a big deal in a point-and-shoot defensive handgun. Before the SD's and M&P's arrived on scene, this particular forum was filled with nothing but owners crowing about how much they liked their SWVE's. Don't see so much of that anymore,.......but the pistols haven't changed. Check it out. If you like it, buy it. It's got one of the most comfortable grips of any handgun I've ever held. That's what sold me on them.

Good info. I can't recall, was it the SW9VE that had the little cotton vibration damper installed inside one of the springs?

The SW9VE was intended to replace the Model 10 on the hips of security guards when states like FL authorized semi-autos. It has a revolver style trigger pull. The gun is very good, but original price was $269 over the counter. Last one someone bought used cost him $200 and that was more than the gun shop offered the owner. (Note: Private sale, included 3 magazines and two holsters, a quantity of ammo, all OEM papers and accessories.)
Geoff
Who might have been tempted, but I'm looking in a different direction.

The M&P and SD9VE have this inside the trigger return spring.

There really isn't a special place for LNIB. There is new (i.e. you are the first owner), and used, regardless of rounds fired.

That said, I expect to get a good break off the best "new" price I can find. $100 less than the best "new" price (including any shipping and FFL fees you might not pay otherwise) would be a fair starting point. Just my opinion, but I generally buy new unless I'm saving 40% off "new" or it is a gun I just have to have.

Good rule of thumb. Where can I find a "new" one to compare prices?

FYI Sigma SW9VE trigger, unmodified, 14 lbs 10.2 oz Average
Using a Lyman trigger pull gauge and an additional 8 lb 2.2 oz weight to compensate for 12 lb limit on the Lyman.
Comparison: Unmodified S&W Model 638-3 in double action 15 lbs 5.0 oz Average
Geoff
Who is a curious fellow with time and equipment.

I've used the Sigmas for loaners and trainers since the mid 90's, and the SWs are rugged and reliable with a trigger like an Algebra problem: LONG AND HARD!
There is no good way to significantly change the trigger, and there is little aftermarket support for accessories (non-standard rail).

There is zero collector value, and around here, the $250 used price is way high.

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Science plus Art