Are the SD series reliable enough for a car gun??

[touchoneoff]

After being ripped off twice losing my car gun. I'm considering a SD. I want something reliable but I also don't want to be out big bucks if I cross paths with another thief. I saw 9MM SD shipped to my FFL for only $244 in a spam email today. My preference though would be 40 cal but being a cheapskate I could live with a 9MM. Previously my car carried S&W revolvers but I'll be dammed before I give another valuable gun to a low-life animal again.

So without me cruising this forum anymore. Do any of you have any good or bad experience with the SD line of pistols you might share?? I'm aware the SD's triggers are nothing to brag about but having plenty of shooting experience with D/A triggers I can deal with it. THX in advance for any advice you may want to share.

Personally, I don't leave a weapon in my car, unless it is a very short duration...like I have to go into the post office or something. If you are going to do this, and don't laugh, but I would use a Hi Point JHP (.45 ACP), or the JCP (.40 S&W). They are not expensive, and they work.

To answer your question though, there is no reason why the SD series can't be a good vehicle gun, or carry gun for that matter.

 

[rwsmith]

They seem like good guns to me....

...maybe not quite as refined as some, but they work fine. Definitely good for a 'car gun'. However, I agree with the other's, a car gun is asking to be broken in to.

 

[GKC]

...I would use a Hi Point JHP (.45 ACP), or the JCP (.40 S&W). They are not expensive, and they work.

AND, if you ever need a sledgehammer, they will do!

 

[Wise_A]

They're called "holsters". They're great. The way it works is, you put on your pants, clip the holster with the gun on, and then buckle your belt. Then you sort of go about your day, and when you go to bed, just do the "on" process in reverse.

This confers many wonderful benefits:

(1) No need to pray on whether you're going to need it! You just have the gun with you! All the time! No more having to waste time each morning asking the deity of your choice whether today is the day somebody tries to cave in your head with a brick! No more wasting money on Tarot cards!

(2) No annoying bullet holes in your thigh/butt/junk! Because your gun stays in your holster, instead of going from the floor of your truck to your holster and back again all day, you can avoid a bunch of unnecessary gun-handling, and those annoying, unsightly gunshot scars on your thighs, buttocks, and genitalia! Also protects your truck's interior and upholstery!

(3) Save money by keeping your pistol in your care, custody, and control! Did you know that by the time your replace your stolen piece-of-junk el cheapo pistol twice, you could have bought a new Glock or used Sig Sauer? As an added bonus, the crackhead that keeps stealing your gun won't know which house to burglarize, keeping the rest of your guns, plus your family, safe!

Although if you really needed a reason other than "stop shooting yourself"...

 

[scattershot]

"You can get a good handgun safe for a lot less than a new pistol. Be aware that the tether that comes on some models can be easily cut with bolt cutters. Side cutters will cut them too, but it takes longer. I secure my handgun safe with a heavy chain and very good padlock...I had a hole drilled in the safe as near to the edge as I could get it, so that I could pass the shackle of the lock through the hole, and then attach the chain to the safe using the padlock...and the other end of the chain I lock to the seat frame post with another heavy duty padlock. This also helps prevent the safe being pried open, which can be done on most of the lesser expensive models. (I have to leave my gun in my car when we go somewhere where a gun cannot be "

How do you get to this gun if you need it?

 

[Steelhat]

The SD9VE/40VEs are very reliable. Only issue I have with my SD9VE is not enough ammo when I go to the range.
Over about 2000 trouble free rounds through it. I improved the trigger with Apex parts (trigger & spring kit) and it's now as good as it can be.

AFAIK Arizona has constitutional carry, which means you don't need a license to carry your handgun no matter if it's concealed or open.
If you can legally own a gun, you can carry as well (check your state law to be sure).

Get a good holster and if you think you'll need your pistol, carry it on you.

Since I don't know when a SD situation will occur, I carry whenever and wherever I legal can (even in my home), just to be prepared.
I carry at least one spare mag as well, usually two.

IF I have to leave my pistol in the car due to legal limitations (entering a gun free zone) I lock it up in a little gun safe.
When I get back in the car the gun gets back on my hip.
YMMV

 

[Jaymo]

Deer rifles are for shooting deer.
Varmint rifles are for shooting varmints.
Target guns are for shooting targets.
Why do you want to shoot cars?

Because, some cars need killin'.

 

[vipermd]

My car gun for nearly ten years was a Sigma 40. When it became out of production.

That is why I have 4- 40 F, and 3 40C. I bought and used them before any forum could tell me how bad they were. Granted a SW armorer "cleaned it up" for me. As for the SD's I have sold many, added APEX and night sights for customers, none have had any problem. I did have one Sigma 40F kaboom secondary to bad brass, and exactly at the same time my wife blew out the magazine and extractor on a new MP40 using the same ammo. No injuries. The extractor and mag catch on the M&P and a 1" piece of the left side of the frame came out of the Sigma.

To the OP I would find a more secure way of leaving the gun in the car if you continue to do it. Yes I realize the thread is 6+ months old. Be Safe,

 

[shouldazagged]

No ankle guns for you.

Kind of rules out appendix carry, too.

I no longer drive or own a car, but I never subscribed to the "truck gun" thing. When I left the vehicle the gun was on my person. My last car was broken into twice. They got a couple of CD's and a knife I had clipped to my sun visor. They didn't want my jumper cables or fire extinguisher.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

There are too many places that forbid CCW. Airports for non-security people come to mind. Some companies with DoD contracts also have restrictions. I was told some folks parked off site and hiked up the long driveway to work because a major aircraft engine manufacturer had rules.
Geoff
Who worked in a Government office on an Airport. Couldn't even leave it in the cars.

 

[flash60601]

Back in 1986, the FBI developed a good case for not leaving a firearm lying loose in the vehicle (on the seat, etc). They ultimately came to the conclusion that if you were going to need it at some time, keep it on your person. (Please refer to "FBI Miami Shootout" in your Google search).

In a vehicle collision (or "incident" if you prefer), that firearm can become a missile or be lost beyond recovery.

In the event that you, the firearm owner, are unable to specify the disposition of your firearm, particularly if it is NOT on your person when the EMT's strap you on the gurney, it will be left to the tender mercies of the tow-truck operator or the poorly-paid salvage-specialist at the local impoundment yard. Or maybe just "found" by some lucky un-named and forever unknowable onlooker at the accident scene.

We all realize there may be times when it is necessary to disarm when exiting the vehicle, but it is hardly appropriate to leave one unattended longer than absolutely neccessary. Parked overnight on the street? Heaven forfend!

Flash

 

[Mahalo_.32]

I would not consider leaving any firearm in my vehicle UNATTENDED by ME period....I don't care if it is in a lockbox fastened to the vehicle. Back in the late 80s I had 6k in stereo in my mini-truck and they STOLE IT ALL a lock box won't stand a chance!!!!!
Lastly, imagine the feeling when you find out the SD weapon left in a vehicle was used to harm someone, an innocent someone! I can feel the weight on my chest with just the thought........ no thanks.

 

[nachogrande]

THIRD TIME WILL BE THE CHARM.

The first 2 guns in the hands of criminals weren't enough? Aside from the whole gun in a car thing, why would a SD weapon in a car need to be any more or less dependable than one on your person? Looking to save $ on a 3rd gun you anticipate falling into the wrong hands? I have yet to see a vehicle shooting at the range.

 

[Derrils]

What Federal HST rounds have 420 foot pounds at the muzzle? Their 124, 147, and 150 grain rounds are 364, 326, and 270 foot pounds respectively. Hornady's DUTY pencil and DUTY +P are only 306 and 369 respectively. Moreover, Federal's 230 grain .45 ACP HST rounds are only 404 foot pounds of energy (and not 438).

 

[motorcoachdoug]

I did have trouble with my S&W40VE with it the ammo failing to go into battery. I sent it back to S&W, where they some work on it, polished the feedramp and then sent it back to me. After 1500rds no trouble at all. I had the same problem with my SD40 but after some trigger work and polished the feed ramp no problems as well.My SD40 and or Glock 27 is my EDC weapon of choice depending if I need a full size or a IWB concealed carry depending on where i am going and how I am dressed.

 

[dwcopple]

SD is GTG...

 

[Camster]

Buying a low priced car gun based on the notion that it stands a good chance of being stolen, is leaving a big void in the responsibility of being a gun owner.Simply minimizing your potential expense loss while maintaining full lethal capability for everyone, should it fall into the wrong hands.
After even one experience,my conscience wouldn't allow me to risk putting another gun on the street.
I never leave handguns in a car, not to mention that the odds of me retaining my PL in my restrictive locale if one disappeared, wouldn't be good.

 

[smithman 10]

Car ammo

The only thing I leave in my cars are 5 round HKS speed loaders for the J-frames I habitually carry.

I take the speed loaders out when I have a car serviced! On the rare occasion I must go into a building where I cannot carry I keep my fingers crossed and leave the gun in the car until I get back.

But I would not leave a gun in the car as its permanent location since I have had a couple cars stolen in my time. I got them both back but there was no gun in them for the crooks to keep. Come to think of it, that was back when you could hot wire a car - shows how old I am!

 

[Frankenbiker]

My car gun for nearly ten years was a Sigma 40. When it became out of production, I put it away and started carrying a Hungarian Makarov as both car gun and carry weapon. The thing about car and carry guns is if your car is broken into, you don't want a high-dollar firearm there to be taken. Second, if you do use your firearm even in 100% justifiable circumstances, the gun is going to be confiscated for the duration of the investigation, which can be two years or more and if you have a gun-grabber probate judge, its unlikely they'll sign an order returning the firearm too you. Makarov's are great carry guns, they're effective and reliable in the ten-yard self-defense situation that most often occur. Beyond ten yards, you may or may not have an issue arguing self-defense, depending on how left-wing your county AG is. Makarovs cost around 250-bucks. Are hammer firing rather than striker firing. And use 9mm Mak which is equivalent to 9mm Parabellum in close-range personal defense. If the gun is stolen or taken after an SD event, you go to a gunshow and get another. Czech P-83's are also good choices for the same reason and are dirt cheap.

I traded my CZ-82 for my SD9. Kinda sad I got rid of the CZ, should have kept it I guess, it was my carry gun for years. Liked the weight, the 12 rounds, and it was reliable as hell. Folks say the trigger on the SD9 is ****, but coming from a CZ, its a Cadillac. I think some time in the future, I'll pick up another CZ. Who knows, maybe go back to the gun shop I traded it in to.

 

[sigp220.45]

I just made my SW40VE my Ucktray Ungay. I had been using a Star BM in that role, but the cheap Smith has proven itself 100 percent reliable and it's less likely to rust than the blue steel Star.