Home defense SD9VE upgrades

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Masonic_John

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Hey everyone,

I just got my SD9VE a couple weeks ago. Took it to the range and had a great time. I will most likely put an Apex kit in it but I am not sure where to go from there.

I am looking for advice from people who have a light attached and what you use. I am also looking for what people like for grips. I have talons and a hogue on my shield and I know there are talons for the SD but I also see people use the pacmayer?

What else do you all do in terms of upgrades/ improvements?
 
No where else to go but shoot!

Do you need different grips or are you just buying for the sake of spending money? If you don't need them then don't waste the money. I use talon slip on rubber grips on guns with straight narrow grips. Guns with thicker palm swell grips I don't use anything. Depends on how it fits you

Nothing can improve like more practice and more shooting. In other words.....AMMO

Surefire makes excellent lights
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I like the grips. They feel good but I am also curious as to how they will feel if I am in a situation where I need it and my hand gets sweaty and heart racing. I like having a little grip (like a rubber talon).

Don't get me wrong, I gets lots of ammo and practice as much as I can. I hear a lot about SS guide rods and sights and grips so I was more so curious what has been done and what people think of their upgrades, is it really worth it or just nice to make it personalized if that makes sense.
 
The Hogue rubber grips change the thickness and angle. So you may not like them. If you simply want better grip there are try Talon grip tape.

BTW I meant that I use Hogue rubber grips not Talon. I use them on my HK USPs. Their grips are too straight and narrow. On the other hand I love the Glock grip and typically try to get every gun close to that.

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I liked the Talon grips I put on my SD9VE. They didn't make the grips any thicker, but less slippery.

I LOVED the Apex enhanced trigger kit, with lighter springs and an after market trigger.

I thought the Galloway SS return spring I bought/installed was a waste of money.

I regret that I sold my SD9VE.
 
Lights I don't use them on the gun itself. Practice, training, will be better than anything but nothing will really prepare you for a home invasion. Maybe have a plan for the whole family if the SHTF situation. I had Houge slip on grip loved it but no matter what I did short of gluing it on it kept turning ?

I recently sprayed my grip with Plasti Grip not sure how it will hold up put 9 coats on it and it feels great, also did a lot of dremel and filing for better feel of the grip. It fits my hand a heck of a lot better, warranty out the window of course.

3
 
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With all that money you want to spend why did't you just get a M&P 9 ?
I have a 6 year old SD9ve it feels great shoots great & the trigger has smoothed out to be great also.
When I'm going to the range to shoot a lot I just put a bike tube grip on it, but I take it off when I get home & clean it.
 
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Install a wider take down bar.

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/plate-Wesson-pistols-Galloway-Precision/dp/B00BIMNFYM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492117983&sr=8-5&keywords=sd9ve[/ame]
This is the S&W take down bar. But, a Glock take down bar is identical! I have (5) installed in all (5) of mine. (SW9VE, SW40VE, SD9VE, SD40VE, SD9)

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KE91X34?psc=1[/ame]

This is the identical take down bar, for almost 1/2 the price, AND IT FITS THE SD SERIES GUNS!
 
I added the wider take down bar from Galloway after figuring out I was going to have to use a thumbnail to get started and go from there with the stock one. I also added the Apex trigger and spring kit. Trigger went from 8-3/4 lbs. to 5-1/2 lbs. according to my Lyman trigger gauge. Also smoother and more consistent. Both upgrades, in my opinion, worth every penny. Regardless of upgrades, or not, nothing replaces ammo and practice.
 
I figured I would throw my 2-cents worth in.....I have two SD9VEs and one SW9VE. Like all three of them. I left the SW9VE completely stock and the two SD9VEs have APEX Spring-kits in them for performance and, for looks, both have a new end-plate with laser-etching.

I did have the Galloway stainless-steel guide-rod in one of them, but after seeing a local shooter have a frame get damaged, I opted to go back to stock in all of them.

The spring-kits are a major difference for me. I shoot better with the change in take-up and return. I am happy that I changed them out.
 
I think the biggest problem with mods are Attorneys, If you ever got into a situation and use a modded gun they will own you... That being said.... " I would rather be judged by 12 , than carried by 6"

thewelshm
 
THEWELSHM said:
" I would rather be judged by 12 , than carried by 6"

thewelshm
Click to expand...

I just did jury duty two weeks ago. Man oh man....I'll tell ya....i realize that every case is different but I don't know if I'll be saying those words again. Some people look at things rationally, some stick to what they learned...good or bad and a lot automatically side with the state

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My SD9 is pretty much stock. Wider take-down plate. A couple of patches of "skater tape" (e.g., 3M Stair Safety Tape) on the grips. A Warren Tactical Rear sight. Stock recoil spring. No trigger mods.

No lights (white or laser) hung on any of my pistols or revolvers. But I keep a Steamlight and a set of ear plugs in the drawer with the home-defense gun -- which is usually a revolver. So I recommend at least having a good flashlight and ear plugs nearby your SD9VE, plus of course an extra loaded mag.
 
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There is a trick to using the take down bar on the SDve it has been posted here a few times. I we try to explain it.
You put downward pressure on the bar, does not take a lot, but more than a little, before you start to pull the slide back as you do you will feel the bar give away & the slide comes right off.
 
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Masonic_John said:
Hey everyone,

I just got my SD9VE a couple weeks ago. Took it to the range and had a great time. I will most likely put an Apex kit in it but I am not sure where to go from there.

I am looking for advice from people who have a light attached and what you use. I am also looking for what people like for grips. I have talons and a hogue on my shield and I know there are talons for the SD but I also see people use the pacmayer?

What else do you all do in terms of upgrades/ improvements?
Click to expand...
It's your gun do what ever you like to it, I would only say don't change anything you can't change back.
Only my opinion but for me my selfdefense gun is a tool the more I use it the better I am with it, not too much unlike the framing hammer I had, my SD9ve is stock except for the orange fingernail polish on the front sight.
 
micocyco said:
There is a trick to using the take down bar on the SDve it has been posted here a few times. I we try to explain it.
You put downward pressure on the bar, does not take a lot, but more than a little, before you start to pull the slide back as you do you will feel the bar give away & the slide comes right off.
Click to expand...

^^^^THIS^^^^
or a wider take down bar. I chose the latter. :cool:
 
Pick up mine on the 17th, and plan it keeping it basically stock mechanically. Would rather not have to face the 12 because a DA wants to make a statement.
 
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