Academy Sports has them routinely for $319, and occasionally on sale for $289. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have any stores in Virginia.
Perhaps check on Gunbroker? Or this site?
Glock 19 or SD9 VE?
- Thread starter johnnymars
- Start date
Academy Sports has them routinely for $319, and occasionally on sale for $289. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have any stores in Virginia.
Perhaps check on Gunbroker? Or this site?
MOONDAWG
US Veteran
Is there an Academy Sports within practical driving range? They still have SD9VE's on sale for $289.
sambuh
Member
Out West
Member
MLK18, I just reread my post and don't like my tone - it sounds like I'm taking a shot at you. That was not my intent. I apologize.
However, honestly, taking the top end off of all three makes I can't see a nickels worth of difference. I doubt there is more than $30 worth of material in any of them. I can FEEL some differences like in trigger weight or grip circumference. These differences inform my personal preferences. But I believe them all to be equal in quality: quality of materials and manufacture. Even the Sigma with its aweful factory trigger is a high quality firearm in terms of materials and manufacture.
Out
West
Camo-Man
Member
I would go with the SD9VE you can get the SD40VE also for the price of a Glock. I owned both and I don't like the feel of glocks in my hand.
Forget all the hype and opinions from others. Hold each gun in your hand pick a target and without aiming point the gun at the target. Now look down your sights and see where they are. Certain guns are natural shooters compared to others. This should be your first concern.
I own a G23 and I don't really like it, they main reason is the size. My hands are average but my fingers no where near lined up with the finger grooves. I ended up sanding them down. But I still wasn't happy as the grip was too short to get my pinky on the grip fully but too long to tuck it under. It just feels awkward to shoot.
Now the SDVE/SDVE has just a tad longer grip allowing me to get a full grip. The SD/SDVE is more of an oval shape where the glock is more squared.
I might ruffle a few feathers but the glock is better built which is reflected in price however. Triggers don't even come close the glock has an extremely short reset allowing very fast follow up shots. When going from my glock to SD I often short stroke the trigger.
The SD/SDVE is a fine gun at a great price, if solely based on price vs value S&W wins without a doubt. But if the glock fits your hand ok and price doesn't matter get the glock. Other models to consider are within the M&P line
I own a G23 and I don't really like it, they main reason is the size. My hands are average but my fingers no where near lined up with the finger grooves. I ended up sanding them down. But I still wasn't happy as the grip was too short to get my pinky on the grip fully but too long to tuck it under. It just feels awkward to shoot.
Now the SDVE/SDVE has just a tad longer grip allowing me to get a full grip. The SD/SDVE is more of an oval shape where the glock is more squared.
I might ruffle a few feathers but the glock is better built which is reflected in price however. Triggers don't even come close the glock has an extremely short reset allowing very fast follow up shots. When going from my glock to SD I often short stroke the trigger.
The SD/SDVE is a fine gun at a great price, if solely based on price vs value S&W wins without a doubt. But if the glock fits your hand ok and price doesn't matter get the glock. Other models to consider are within the M&P line
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I don't know to what extent the "better built" is reflected in the price...to me, the SD9VE at $319 (or currently on sale for $289) is better built dollar for dollar than is the Glock at $529 (gen3) or $579 (Gen4) [prices at Academy Sports in Texas.] There is no doubt that Glock does have some better parts...like the slide release, for example. The stamped steel slide release on the SDVE looks and feels cheap. Glock has a better stock trigger, very true...the SDVE can be improved with a $20 spring kit, and to be honest, I don't want a very light trigger on a gun with no external safety.
Another area in which Glock beats the SDVE pistols hands down is the aftermarket. Accessories abound for Glocks, and you can buy parts for them anywhere. The SDVE is pretty limited in the aftermarket area. S&W has excellent customer service, and I think they beat Glock in this regard. However, if you are a member of the GSSF, you can get your Glock serviced/upgraded at any event, and S&W doesn't have anything like that, as far as I know.
S&W guns are American made, but some Glock models are now being made in America. (Or more accurately, assembled in America...which could apply to both guns.)
The SDVE feels so much better in my hand than do Glocks. That is true for me. If anyone feels that Glocks fit better, shoot better, and are in fact better for them, then I'm happy for them. I wish no man any ill will or that he would be unhappy with his gun.
Just one example the rear rails they are barely held in. Rack the slide and watch the back as you pull the trigger the entire slide shifts right before break of trigger. It's not about how light or heavy the trigger is, the SD does and always will have a long reset compared to the glock. The glock breaks clean and crisp while the SD/SDVE is gritty and mushy with a long reset.
If someone could get a glock trigger in a S&W frame it would be a winner
If someone could get a glock trigger in a S&W frame it would be a winner
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As an instructor I dealt with Glocks early on--took the "armorer" course, etc. Saw a lot of them on the range and bought my daughter a G19 when she was about 13. A few years later she took it to Gunsite. It's served her well.
Had a used G17 for a while after I retired, but after about 1000 rounds I decided that we were just not compatible and sold it.
Got a Sigma a few years back and shot it decently but reliability was not what I expected.
Recently shot a newer G19 and somewhat to my surprise did pretty well with it. Went shopping and bought a Gen 4 G19 and like it a lot. The smaller grip helps greatly, the trigger is better, the grip surface is very good, and the new double recoil spring setup makes it a softer shooter. IMHO a much improved pistol. Now have close to 500 rounds through it without a burp and I am comfortable with it. It's also easy to carry in a Fobus holster. I have a set of XS tritium Big Dot sights on order and that will finish it off. Needless to say the Glock has a solid track record and tons of aftermarket stuff; some of it actually useful.
Have not fooled with the SDs but the comparison with the Sigma may put some perspective on it. I view the Glock as just a tool, but a tool for the times. As someone observed, it's "just not a revolver world anymore".
(They made the last CJ Jeep around 1986--but it, like the wheelgun, still has an important place in the scheme of things...)
Had a used G17 for a while after I retired, but after about 1000 rounds I decided that we were just not compatible and sold it.
Got a Sigma a few years back and shot it decently but reliability was not what I expected.
Recently shot a newer G19 and somewhat to my surprise did pretty well with it. Went shopping and bought a Gen 4 G19 and like it a lot. The smaller grip helps greatly, the trigger is better, the grip surface is very good, and the new double recoil spring setup makes it a softer shooter. IMHO a much improved pistol. Now have close to 500 rounds through it without a burp and I am comfortable with it. It's also easy to carry in a Fobus holster. I have a set of XS tritium Big Dot sights on order and that will finish it off. Needless to say the Glock has a solid track record and tons of aftermarket stuff; some of it actually useful.
Have not fooled with the SDs but the comparison with the Sigma may put some perspective on it. I view the Glock as just a tool, but a tool for the times. As someone observed, it's "just not a revolver world anymore".
(They made the last CJ Jeep around 1986--but it, like the wheelgun, still has an important place in the scheme of things...)
Well, I have to disagree...the trigger on my SD9VE is indeed long, and while I don't have a trigger pull gauge, I think it feels like it's between 7 and 8 pounds...but it's smooth, though, and no grit. I haven't done it yet, and still go back and forth whether I am going to or not, but the Apex spring kit gets extremely good reviews from almost everyone who has installed one. Since it already works well for me, and I don't want the trigger to be too light, I may well leave well enough alone.
I did put an extended slide lock lever in it...one that is made for a Glock. It fits and works just fine.
BigCityChief
Member
Not at all. That said, for the money, the SD9 VE is a reliable 9MM pistol.
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Arik
Member
Glocks all the way.
Around here I can get them used for $350-$400 all day
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Around here I can get them used for $350-$400 all day
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You can't really compare a $500 gun with a $300. The SD has some advantages over glock extended slide stop, metal sights (the front is night), front cocking serrations, index point for finger, enlarged mag release.
But glock has unlimited aftermarket options, ability to use different mags from other blocks, parts everywhere. Now people will debate build quality but there is a difference. I still say it's a little more equal to put the M&P up against the Glock.
But glock has unlimited aftermarket options, ability to use different mags from other blocks, parts everywhere. Now people will debate build quality but there is a difference. I still say it's a little more equal to put the M&P up against the Glock.
I've owned both, a G-19, and a Sigma. The Glock is probably a better gun, but not by all that much IMHO. For what I used them for, the Sigma is/was a better buy.
"Better" is a subjective term. Does a Glock have better parts? In some cases, yes...like the slide release lever. Does a Glock work better? Not necessarily. Glocks (except for the 36) don't fit my hand well. I find the SDVE series pistols more comfortable and point more naturally. They are also very reliable, and not to mention, about $200 or more cheaper than a new Glock. I don't compete or use it as a target gun...just a home defense gun. So, for me, the SD9VE is a better gun. That's not true for everyone, so each man has to decide for himself. Best of luck to everyone with his choice!
sambuh
Member
"Better" is a subjective term. Does a Glock have better parts? In some cases, yes...like the slide release lever. Does a Glock work better? Not necessarily. Glocks (except for the 36) don't fit my hand well. I find the SDVE series pistols more comfortable and point more naturally. They are also very reliable, and not to mention, about $200 or more cheaper than a new Glock. I don't compete or use it as a target gun...just a home defense gun. So, for me, the SD9VE is a better gun. That's not true for everyone, so each man has to decide for himself. Best of luck to everyone with his choice!
Amen...
Which works "best" is subjective to some degree. There is no imperial data one way or another.
Glock makes a good product, but it's a Honda Civic. and SW makes a good product.
The question I think, which has been summed up nicely here is which works BEST for you!
I own a Glock, and I regret selling my SD9VE.
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I a Glock 23 & a Glock 21 but gave them to my son before WI had a concealed carry law. When the law was passed & I got my carry license I bought a Sigma 40VE. Nice pistol well worth the price. I sold that at the price I paid for it to my buddy who begged me for it when I got my M&P40 FS & later my M&P40C. All of the above were good, reliable guns but I settled on M&P. Need I say more?
DAinTX
Member
I have several SDs and many Glocks (15). I'm obviously a big fan of the "original". It's got a helluva track record. That said, the Glock-clone SD9/40 VE is a damn good pistol. For the money, the SD is a great buy...you really cannot beat it. S&W has come a long way since the original Sigma. The Glock does have a bit better build quality overall, and yes, perhaps a couple of marginally better parts, and more after-market options...but you do pay a whole lot more for these differences. How significant are the differences? Only you can decide. Both are very good guns, reliable and accurate. The only one who can assess the value to you is you. Try 'em both and make your call. JMO.
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