Is there some kind of "knock" against the SD9VE?

I ask because I've noticed that on *rmslist and a local gun trader site there seem to be lots of them for sale relative to the number made.

I know nothing about these pistols and have nothing against them. I'm just wondering why I see so many of them listed for sale.

I did a little checking on the Internet and found them going for less than $300 brand new.

What's the story?

Because they're millions of them out there & they're cheap.

Saw a post on another site were a guy in Canada just bought one for $233 U.S. At that price I'd put one in every cup holder in my truck and I gotta bunch of cup holders.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

I understand that many were made.

But why don't people hold on to them instead of selling them? Do they have some inherent flaw(s)?

As I said, I have nothing against the SD9VE. I have never even held one, let alone fired one.

But I'm always on the lookout for a firearms bargain, so I'm asking questions.

I just don't get why I see so many used ones for sale. When I get ahold of a firearm I like, tend to keep it, not sell it.

See what I mean?

Does anyone here know how many SD9VEs S&W made?

Or are they still making them?

Thanks.

At my LGS, people bring in the ones they bought cheap at Academy, and want to trade up a little as they learn to shoot, and want something a bit nicer.

Pity that they are about worthless for trade-in / purchase, as the shop has to about give them away. So most leave with them after buying a new pistol. I don't know if they sell them in other shops, or just pile them in a corner.

"When I get ahold of a firearm I like, tend to keep it, not sell it.

See what I mean? "


You, sir, are out of tune with modern gun buyers...same as I am.
I am not a gun collector, gun trader, gun seller, gun tinkerer, just a shooter and instructor.
I have used the SW/SD Sigmas as loaners/trainers for 2 decades, and in stock form they are rugged and reliable. They don't lend themselves to mods and not much aftermarket bling is available. The SDs were developed to address the myriad trigger complaints about the SW, which is discontinued. The SD9VE is a cheap service pistol that stands up to abuse and use, not a "platform" to constantly "upgrade." And as hoc9sw pointed out, there are more sellers than buyers for basic pistols: around here $150 is top for a used Sigma.

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Science plus Art

A functional pistol at a cheap price.
I never bought one due to the trigger feel.

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" I don't recall, senator."

Was my 1st pistol and I learned to shoot with it. I've since moved up to the M&P. I sold it to LGS got $200. I regret selling it, though. Despite the bad trigger, I liked how it felt in my hand and it was dead reliable. Had close to 3000 rounds through it without a single failure.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

Of course S&W is still making them. I have no idea of the numbers out in the streets but they've been making them since 2012 to the present. I think the reason why you may see so many in the used market is because most new shooters purchase these guys because of their low price, they start shooting and eventually they save up and/or trade the gun towards something they may like better. The SD9VE series pistols are very well made. They are of the same S&W quality of any other polymer pistol they produce.

I'll echo what a couple of other folks said...they are good guns, but of the "entry level" type. It was also one of my first pistols, I think I had some trigger work done and then sold it to upgrade to something a bit nicer (can't quite remember, but it could have been a 459.)

It was affordable and a good value, but you learned there were better performing pistols around....like the M&P or Browning HP. My first "new" car was a Plymouth Duster some time around 1970...but I traded up to a big Ford Crown Vic or mini van or something like that as the family grew. (And I should NEVER have sole that MGA I had when I was single. But who knew....)

I’m pretty new to the firearms world. 3 years into it, made a choice to start carrying. When I was first looking I considerd a SDVE, partly because I decided on S&W, partly because of budget. I shot and researched them. Nothing stopped me from buying one, but knowing how I am, I would have bought one and regretted not going straight to M&P. So, I went with M&P. But, and especially for first time gun owners, they are a nice option for the price.

I thought of it as good brand vs High Point for example.

My guess is a lot of people approach it the same way, but then get bit by the gun bug and want to “upgrade”.

Th SDVE certainly fills a price gap between low quality, “unreliable” brands and the inability to spend $500 or more on a Glock, Sig, etc.

They are much akin to Glocks; polymer framed 9mm firearms produced in abundant quantity that are reliable handguns in a pinch. Why they aren't held onto is the fact they are reliable but otherwise extremely unremarkable firearms. A Glock is a Glock is a Glock. No one collects Glocks. Tons of people rely on them for self-defense but I'll challenge anyone to cite someone bragging on their collection of tupperware guns.

They aren't "flash" guns nor BBQ guns. Some people buy them because S&W is a brand they've heard of and because they are inexpensive (which is entirely different from "cheap"...I've bought some expensive pistols that were definitely cheap.) Some people buy them because they are reliable, and can be relegated to car duty or knock around duty, and it really doesn't matter if they get a little banged up or worn. And then some people buy them because they really give a lot of value for the price, and can be used in a lot of ways...home defense, loaners to visiting friends and relatives to introduce them to shooting, or just a great carry gun...simple, reliable, the heavy trigger eliminates the worry about a safety, and in non-Communist states, they can hold a great capacity: 16 rounds in 9mm, and 14 rounds in .40 (I think.) I would really like to see a SD45VE!


You must not spend much time on the Glock forum...

Dude . . .

19X
19 with OD Green Frame (3rd Gen)
Two 26's (Third Gen)

Pretty awesome. Having carried the 19X for about a month, I'm convinced it's the finest combat pistol ever designed . . .

Edit: And when I find a new SD9VE for less than $275 OTD NIB, I'm a buyer . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I somehow wound up with three of the things. I really liked the grips and feel of them. The triggers were fairly awful, and I put an Apex in one to see if it would help (it didn't). And I was still getting the hang of loading for the 9mm, which can be quirky. Ammo they didn't like, other pistols gobbled up. I wanted to like them, but they got used for trade stock and barter.

I had one many years ago. I didn't care for it. I sold it or traded it can't remember. I do own a Glock 19, when I bought it they didn't have generations.. Somehow and I didn't plan it this way I have ended up with MP pistols. I am very happy with these guns.

Functional but cheap. There are a lot of LEO trade-in's on the market when Glock came to the rescue of small departments and offered killer trades. How much is a $200 gun worth?

I think this ^^ hits it right on the head. Many gun buyers today want to have a “platform” to upgrade with lights, grips, triggers. The SD9VE is a simple, rugged, reliable pistol. It’s inexpensive, but the quality outweighs the price. There are more expensive pistols, generally European, that are not built as well or, more importantly, as reliable. Yes, the trigger is not a 2# target trigger, but it’s not intended to be and can be mastered with practice.

I tend to think of the SD9VE as a modern autoloader equivalent of the Model 10 revolver. In its day before the wondernine revolution of the late 1980s, the Model 10 was the no frills, inexpensive, reliable, rugged, and accurate handgun. Sometimes you could hardly give a used one away. It’s only recently that Model 10s have jumped in a price.

My other pistols are Sigs, CZs, and 1911s so I’ve had some opportunity to compare to what are considered good autoloader pistols. And, yes, I have some K frames.

I think one of the reasons is it is an affordable "entry" level pistol.

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NRA Benefactor Life Member

I just bought an SW40VE for a whopping $125 ($146 with tax and background fee) at a police supply place. It is used, but doesn’t show any wear, and is probably an evidence gun. At that price I couldn’t pass it up.

It had been there a month earlier when I was buying a Jericho 9mm. Then it had a twin and was $175. I knew my shooting buddy was looking for a car gun, so I sent him a picture to see if he was interested. He came back with an emphatic NO, saying they had horrible triggers and that he hated the .40 cartridge. (Why would anyone hate a cartridge?)

This time I gave it a good look over and was impressed. Very Glocky, but with a much better grip. Nice sights and I like the two-tone look. The trigger is not bad.

I think the previous posters are right that many people buy them as starter guns and then move on. I’ll shoot this tomorrow, and I suspect I’ll like it.

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Rule of law, not a man.

There's one around here somewhere in a box - never thought I'd buy one but I said the same about Glock many moons ago. The trigger is actually not nearly as bad as I expected. The non-standard rail was a show stopper. Functionally mine has never jammed, even on cast reloads or other cheap ammo. Think I paid just over $200 NIB quite some time ago.

Prefer the 5906 though... Or a G26 or G17... If we are talking 9mm...

Agree totally with the idea of people trading them to buy something else with a few more features or more ability to customize. And of course there are a lot of used .40 guns on the market with the resurgence of 9mm pistols.

I see a lot of churning in the used pistol market anyway, based on looking at our state-wide gun trader web page -- many perfectly good pistols being traded or sold. Why? To try something else, the next new best thing perhaps, or perhaps something smaller and more concealable (e.g., the 9mm single-stack trend, or the small .380 trend).

I've traded and sold pistols too, to try something else, or to get rid of something I'm not comfortable with. I'll paraphrase what others have said: if it isn't accurate, it isn't interesting. The somewhat clunky, long trigger of the SD family is perfectly functional, but is hard to master, and that may contribute to some folks passing theirs along to someone else.

I've got a small collection of some good pistols and revolvers, and I like every one of them. My trading/selling has slowed down a great deal. I've kept my SD-9 -- by far away the cheapest, most basic pistol in my bunch -- but I admire its reliability and utility. If I took a gun along on a long walk/camping on the App Trail, or wanted something to take in the truck when working away from home for a week, it would be a great companion. Or if I had a boat and needed a gun along when out on the water. I think everyone needs a gun like that.

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S&W Rover

My boss bought one about 6 months ago. Didn't like the trigger and traded it within the 1st week he had it. I wish I could find them as cheap as some of you can. One shop here will sell them used around $250. Others mark up new ones to $399, then try to sell used ones over $300.
I wonder where all the old Sigmas have gone? I never see them in shops or on Armslist. My first intro to these pistols was a SW9F. I'd love to find another.
I'm always amazed at the number of Glocks up for sale on the used market around here. Guns with fancy sights, stippling, customized by ZEV(whoever that is), etc. Why spend so much on upgrades to a gun, then put it up for sale? What kind of market is there for $1000 used Glocks?

My theory is based on simple economics. Many SD VE/SW VE buyers are people without a lot of money. They have a little extra from time to time, income tax refund for example, and they purchase a name brand, S&W in this case, pistol. When money gets tight it comes down to selling grand dad's Remington Model 11 or the SD VE /SW VE. So the SD VE /SW VE ends up on the market. After all there's a bunch more where that one came from.

Best Regards,
ADP3

A quick follow up to my earlier post:

It shoots! 100 rounds of Winchester 180 grain flat-point sailed through without a bobble. The trigger took some getting used to, but the grip felt great and handled the recoil well.

Based on my sample of one, I’d say these guns represent a great bargain.

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Rule of law, not a man.

As you stated, very Glocky. I'm pretty sure this is the gun that S&W lost a case of patent infringement on to Glock. In the settlement S&W had to pay Glock a small amount per gun produced, something like $9 per gun.

At one point the M&P Shield 9mm was going for $279.99 new (with rebate extras). I've seen new Walther PPS M2.0 ~$349-399. The Canik TP9SF $349 new, AMAZING trigger. I would consider any of those pretty hard over the SD9, unless the SD9 was considerably cheaper. I think that's where the market has put them, since so many other options exist.

Not a bad firearm at all, they simply do not demand a premium.

The Glock 19x is Gaston's answer to the Colt Commander.

Fast draw, good grip, but LOTS of ammo. You can set or you can stand wearing it. Holstered it works in a vehicle.

I have not touched one, but it made perfect sense.

I bought a SW9VE a few years ago. I didn't have a lot of money for guns, and it was reasonably priced. I kept it a while, then sold it to someone who had less money than I did, but who needed a gun more than I did (starting new security job). I figured I'd get another one.

It took until a few weeks ago, but I did eventually get another.

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John 3:16 .

Just saw an offer of $244 NIB, delivered.

One popped up on Armslist here Saturday morning, used, for $250. It was gone by 11am.

Like wise! The SDve 40 was my first gun. I learned to shoot with it and I am glad I chose it! I put over 3,000 through mine with zero issues and gave it to my son when I moved up to a Shield 45.
I think S&W came out with a real winner in the SD series.

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

I bought one of the original SD9's, while I have since upgraded to the M&P I still have my SD9. I have "loaned" it to my daughter for her to use as needed with the understanding that it is not to be sold.

It's a gun for the "budget" minded, or those looking for an "entry level" 9mm (or 40S&W). It's a solid gun that is reliable and durable and despite only a serviceable trigger, will serve as a fine defensive firearm.

Now if you're looking for a competition shooter....you will want to look elsewhere.

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Stay protected my friends.

This 9mm SD was my first semi auto and had a time with it and after get it shoot the way I want.All I shoot out of it mainly is cast that I made up my self and works for me. I still have it ,I got a M&P in 9mm and works for me.I keep what ever I get and make it all work for me.Beside I reload and cast of all of what I have. I let the gun tell me how to use it and go from there.I have some other 9mm and they have there own use.One thing about 9mm alot of times for most of the 38/357mag cast bullets I cast can be use as is or size down for the 9mm. I was stated that this gun we are talking about can take abused . Can someone explain that for all it can take? I did see a video of the M&P 9mm can take .

It's a good entry level gun. Once you get some experience with other pistols you trade up.

Bought mine a few years ago. Still have her. Currently on my hip as I type this in a Neptune Concealment IWB holster. Love this underrated sidearm. Inexpensive. Reliable. No plans to ever get rid of her.

Sent from my BLU STUDIO ONE using Tapatalk

$269.00, free shipping, two mags...go get ya one...

Smoky Mountain Guns & Ammo - Smith and Wesson 223900 SD9VE 9MM 16RD 4" DT FS 2MAGS

I have a buddy who I've known since childhood who collects all things Glock. I know he has 1st gen, pistols/mags along with all the generations. (The 1st gens have become very pricy and collectible.) He has all the factory colored frames, and textures of the many different models and some variations I've never heard of. He has a number of LE agency marked pistols. He even managed to find a non import marked LE only G25 .380 on Gunbroker years ago!

The one variation I want that he has is a European proofed G19 that was imported about 10 or 15 years ago and the G25.

BTW, I also have a small collection of Glocks.

My point is whatever you can think of, someone somewhere collects it.

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Thread Killer.

My SD9VE has been my truck gun for 4 years now. It doesn't have a bunch of rounds through it but it has never had the slightest bobble in feeding or ejection.

When I bought it S&W had a $50 rebate and two free factory mags. So I had my GS order me one. Mine is not a two tone color. Mine is black on black. Its the only one like it I have ever seen. I paid $325 OTD and got the free mags and a check from S&W for 50 bucks. I consider it a great deal on a great pistol. Plus it also came with one of the super bright flashlights similar to a Streamlight that takes the CR2 batteries or whatever they are called.

Academy has their own version of this gun and if they go on sale again for $300 I will buy one. They are a little fancier. My mags will fit them. I took one of my mags in to test it.

If you watch this video it will make you want to either buy one or appreciate the one you have already even more.

I forgot to add that I did a trigger mod I found on youtube. The mod had you remove a couple of springs. I didn't do that but I did replace one coil spring with a spring that had a lighter force I found in my Box-O-Springs. I save every spring I get my hands on. You wouldn't believe how many times that has saved the day.

And while my trigger is not target quality it not bad at all. Perfect for a duty gun.

On the video that is posted .What was the ammo that was use? He talk so fast I did not get it. I use some Blaze ammo and had some problems with my. And wonder about the ammo he use for how it shoots for him.

Its a combination of grass being greener on the other side and not commiting to a particular firearm design. Enough people say this gun or that gun is better so the owner comes to a conclusion that it will make themselves better....which it wont.

Bottom line is if your good with your Sigma then why would you want to change.

Personally I love the sigma/SD series. I think they are pretty much perfect. I am accurate with them and actually like heavier triggers. They handle like a streamlined glock and dont have the bulk. I also think the sigma series guns are really good looking polymer pistols compared to what has been coming out the last few years. They just had a nice smooth FN type look to them before the sd series.

The only new striker I have like in the last few years is the HK VP9. Nice pistol but it doesnt do anything my sigmas cant do.

I haven't really seen a lot of used ones around...a lot of new ones around.

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USMC 83'-87', NRA Member.

My is a SW9VE, not SD .

Thank God for cheap reliable guns. Everyone should have one without worrying to break the bank. Even, um, a hipoint if necessary.

Trapper he gets most of ammo from Federal.

Thank you for letting me know

I'm amazed! I remember when Academy used to sell them for $189. Almost bought one, just because they were cheap, but resisted. Then a couple of months later I saw them at a shop that had a special on them, either caliber, $169. Only reason I didn't buy one then, was I didn't have the extra cash available. I went back a few weeks later and all were gone. I agree, I hate the .40 cal too!
They are fine guns, good reliable and inexpensive. My current favorite is the Taurus Millennium G2C. A lot of gun for the money and a much better trigger pull than the aforementioned Smith. I know I'll probably get blasted, but don't knock em if you haven't tried one. Better features than the Glock in my opinion. Maybe not as rugged but fully serviceable!