Advice on buying an SD40VE

[GKC]

My brother-in-law wants to buy his first handgun...he's an experienced hunter, and has shot handguns, but he's never owned one (just rifles and shotguns.) He likes my SD9VE, and although he hasn't live fired it, he has dry fired it. (I'm so low on 9mm ammo, I'm not shooting it myself.)

Anyway, he wants to buy one now while they are on sale at Academy ($289 is an awesome deal.) He has shot a number of caliber guns, including 9mm and .40, and his son has a Glock 23. He really doesn't have a preference, as he won't shoot the gun very much, either way, and basically wants a truck gun (he works in his truck, and is and around the Dallas metroplex every day.)

I like my SD9VE, but get frustrated seeing no ammo on the shelves (other than junk, which I don't want) or very expensive SD rounds. I also see lots of .40 on the shelves, in the shops I frequent. I feel like I should steer him toward the SD40VE, rather than the 9mm, simply because of ammo availability, but then I've never shot the SD40VE. I have owned a M&P 40 and a Glock 23 before, however. He doesn't seem to be particularly recoil shy or sensitive, and he shoots large caliber rifles well (not sure if that is even relevant.)

I know it's hard to give someone else advice, but based on what I've told you, what would you recommend: buy the SD9VE and try to find ammo, or buy the SD40VE because ammo is available? (I know that can change, too...but I sure don't see any signs of 9mm ammo being readily available around here. Of course, he's not going to be burning through a lot of it either.)

 

[sd40]

I own the sd40 and love it, I also like the factory trigger. I have only shot 1 9mm before and it was a Kahr I believe. A house I built last year the owner had that Kahr and he shot my sd40. Needless to say he like the sd better and now owns one himself. With that if he can shoot the 40 before he buys he will be better off.

 

[Steelhat]

I own the SD9VE. The only .40 I shot was a M&P40C and compared it to the M&P9C. Not a big difference in recoil. I was thinking about getting the SD40VE because of ammo availability. Then I came across some reports stating that .40 and.357 Sig are so called high pressure rounds and suppose to put more stress on the gun. That's why I decided not to get a gun in those calibers and rather save for a .45.

Sent from my C5170 using Tapatalk

 

[hmbiohazard]

i own the SD40VE, its my EDC and my fave handgun to use. i trust it with my life. mine has had 4000+ rounds down the pipe. it took a bit to break in but its great, the trigger is fine by me, it had a few feed issues in the beginning but i have gotten it corrected with polishing feed ramp. i have no regrets. for what i paid it functions as well as a pistol thats 2x-3x its price

 

[Onthespot]

The main reason I bought my SD40 was just for that. I could always find .40 at wally world. ALL the time its always there when others are gone. I can get 9mm a lot of the time from WW but I already have a 9mm. The gun eats it all and is very accurate.

 

[GKC]

The main reason I bought my SD40 was just for that. I could always find .40 at wally world. ALL the time its always there when others are gone. I can get 9mm a lot of the time from WW but I already have a 9mm. The gun eats it all and is very accurate.

Yep...I always see .40 on the otherwise bare shelves at Wal-Mart (bare other than for shotgun ammo.) No 9mm, no .22, no .45, and not even any .38 special.

 

[vipermd]

I have been shooting Sigma 40's since they came out and have a few in 40 and 357 sig. I have more than 7K rds through the first sigma ( 40 F ). I like the trigger on the SD40 's better than the original Sigmas. Sights are ****, need to keep repainting the dots or replace them with trijicon, truglo, which I have done for a few friends. I like a 40 over the 9mm, personal preference. Your friend does not sound like a high volume shooter, ammo cost should not really matter, higher pressure -yes, but I have not seen them fail in normal situations. Parts? I have only replaced a striker spring (at about 3K rds )due to light hits. I would go 40. Be Safe,

 

[OKFC05]

has shot handguns, but he's never owned one

I sold my .40 I had for a loaner and trainer and stick with 9mm for that purpose simply because too many beginners quickly developed a flinch with the .40. A trained experienced shooter can shoot either equally well.

So it depends on the shooter, and he needs to shoot before buying..

 

[GKC]

So it depends on the shooter, and he needs to shoot before buying...

He has shot a number of handguns, in several calibers. He just hasn't ever owned one of his own. His son has a Glock Gen3 model 23, which is sort of comparable to the SD40VE, and he has shot that.

There aren't any places that rent SDVEs around here that I have found (but I haven't looked at every one.) He's handled mine, and dry fired it, and I told him he could shoot it all he wanted if he supplied the ammo...which because he is busy and it's hard to find, he hasn't done yet. I suppose he could rent and fire a Glock 19, and if he liked it, then he could step up to the SD9VE.

 

[jimmib]

I totally agree with going to a range and renting what he is thinking of buying and seeing if he likes it...also you say he won't be shooting it much...he should shoot it often enough to be comfortable and proficient just in case that moment happens when he needs to use his gun quickly

 

[modraker]

IMHO, the SD--VE is the best value in handguns today. My SD40VE has been functionally perfect through about 2000 rounds. I use it as my primary home defense weapon and I take it to the range at least once a month.

Being in my 70s though, I sometimes wish I was shooting a gun with less recoil. This may be a non-factor for your brother-in-law but I'd say that the 9mm is the better choice for older folk such as myself. The ammo shelves won't be empty forever and there's always something available online.

 

[GKC]

This may be a non-factor for your brother-in-law but I'd say that the 9mm is the better choice for older folk such as myself. The ammo shelves won't be empty forever and there's always something available online.

He's still a kid (45) so he's not affected...yet. I do know what you mean about recoil as we get older.

As for the shelves being empty, if his luck holds like mine does, no matter what caliber gun he buys, that caliber ammo will be in short supply. I made the decision to consolidate to 9mm...sold all my other guns...right before 9mm became impossible to find. My crystal ball is cloudy...

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I've had the SD40Ve for about 9 months. I think it's a great gun for the money. If I had any negative comments it would be that the long trigger pull does take some getting used to. That could be altered by I chose not to. After some practice, it became a non-issue. Absolutely love the gun.

 

[GKC]

I was in Wal-Mart today, and guess what: they had lots (well, "lots" by today's standards) of .40 and .45, but no other handgun calibers. They had rifle and shotgun ammo too.

I think I need to buy one of those $289 SD40VEs so I can buy some ammo for it.

 

[Onthespot]

I was in Wal-Mart today, and guess what: they had lots (well, "lots" by today's standards) of .40 and .45, but no other handgun calibers. They had rifle and shotgun ammo too.

I think I need to buy one of those $289 SD40VEs so I can buy some ammo for it.

Told ya. LOL

 

[dajogejr]

I bought mine a couple of weeks ago... (the .40 version) got about 400 rounds through it. Qualified and tested for my CPL earlier today. Great, great gun. Did order the apex spring and trigger kit for it. Trigger isn't that bad, but I like their one piece glock style trigger better than the "hinged" trigger it comes with. I'd pick up the 9 version for my gf...but she's a southpaw...I think the MP is in her future. But this sd ve is a great gun!

 

[GKC]

Since the prices are so good, I decided to go ahead and get a SD40VE for myself. I see lots of ammo in the stores, at what seems to me to be a good price...I bought a 50 round box of WWB FMJ at Wal-Mart for $18. They had some 100 round boxes for $32, but I decided I'd see how these function before I buy too much of it. (I've had mixed luck with WWB in my 1911s.) I also want to get some SD rounds.

Ironic note: all the shops I visit have .40 ammo, but no .40 cleaning brushes. All the shops I visit have 9mm cleaning brushes, but no 9mm ammo. Sounds like a Seinfeld moment...

 

[Bozz10mm]

There is plenty 9mm ammo available on line. Freedom Munitions has 222 boxes of new 115gr FMJ for $13.32 right this minute. It is good ammo. You have to buy several boxes to make the shipping reasonable, but no state tax unless you live in Texas. I have 250 rounds on the way.

But, that is a great price for the SD40VE.

 

[dajogejr]

Amazon.com: Tetra Gun ValuPro III Handgun .40-.41 Cal./10mm Cleaning Kit: Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PHQAmcH%2BL.@@AMEPARAM@@41PHQAmcH%2BL

GKC, I picked this kit up at a local spring goods store, then 3 wire brushes for a buck...works like a champ. The little tube of grease is perfect for the metal contact points.

I've also shot nothing but 165 and 180gr jhp reman through it (600 rounds) and it just wants to eat more. Pick up a lula loader as well...your thumbs will thank you

 

[GKC]

There is plenty 9mm ammo available on line. Freedom Munitions has 222 boxes of new 115gr FMJ for $13.32 right this minute. It is good ammo. You have to buy several boxes to make the shipping reasonable, but no state tax unless you live in Texas. I have 250 rounds on the way.

Thanks for the tip...I'll check that out. I do live in Texas.

Pick up a lula loader as well...your thumbs will thank you

I have two of them...one in my desk, and one in my range bag...I've gotten so spoiled that I can't hardly load a mag by hand anymore. (Or old...or lazy...or all three!)

 

[Derosa]

I was at the Academy a day or so ago and it was all sold out of SD 9 & 40 VE. My wife was glad. But, I did see what appeared to be bulk boxes of 9mm Monarch on the shell along with UMC. I am thinking of a coffee run this morning to the local caffeine emporium right next door. Maybe I will take my checkbook. Again.

 

[dajogejr]

I just got back from a local gun show. 329. I can't buy a new one in mi for close to that...the wifey is insisting she rent and shoot one first...damn her logic....

 

[AnthemBassMan]

-That's what I paid for mine before tax. $351.44 out the door. Of course a shop about 45 minutes away just put them on sale for $299, but I'm keeping this one. Still a great deal for a great pistol....

L8R,
Matt

 

[brchambersjr]

Yeah, I bought a bulk 800 round box of Monarch from Academy the other day for $199.00 and it works just fine for shooting targets.

Bill

 

[shawn mccarver]

I vote for the 9mm SD9VE.