New SD9VE & Shooter - Basic Questions

[kenh999]

I recently bought ($325) a new SD9VE at a local gun show after much research. Money's tight for us but wanted a reliable home defense weapon. I also wanted USA made and was not anxious to jump on the Glock wagon. I think I made a good choice for a first auto-loader.

My wife and I will train with it. She'll have it for home defense as she works from home. We'll also go for our CCPs later. I'll be EDC, her only occasional. I might try CC the SD9 to see if the size works for me. If so I'll get another. If not I'll go for either a Shield 9 or M&P 9c.

We have not shot it yet but will in the very near future after buying ammo, protective gear, etc. in the next cpl. weeks. I was a revolver shooter many years ago (~30 yrs) but since it's been so long I am approaching this as a noob. I'm aware of the trigger concerns but will wait until after we've shot a few hundred rounds (at least) to decide on an Apex kit.

Questions:

1. Lube

A. Full clean and lube before shooting?​

B. Is there really an advantage in using Frog Lube vs. say...Hoppes?​

2. I've noticed that the slide release is VERY stiff and hard to work w/my thumb. Is that normal or does it soften with use? Although I guess if a speed reload is neeeded I'm in real big trouble anyway. I just don't like struggling with it. Or, do we just get used to a 2 hand slide release pulling back on the slide to release tension on the notch?

3. Trigger - How many rounds is reasonable before the trigger settles into its default state?

4. Range ammo? Any recommendations?

Any other guidance for a new guy appreciated!

 

[micocyco]

Hi Ken, I think on this pistol it is a slide lock, but I do both pull the slide back most of the time at the range. I do try to train on fast mag change & getting back on target, then I use my thumb, I don't know that it gets any easer or my thumb has just learned to be deliberate.
The trigger will get better & you will become a better shooter if you give it a little time I know I did, will never be like a single action revolver pull.
Lube, I took mine right from the gun show to the range put 50 through it before cleaning that was 2 years ago still runs great after lots & lots of shooting, you will hear both, I have run it both dirty & clean, ran every kind of ammo I can get my hands on.
I clean with Hops, brush the barrel wipe that off oil it then wipe that off, I only light lube where the manual says to.
,
Great gun I am sure you will be happy with it, do a lot of reading here before you mess with the trigger.
I would not say 'trigger concerns' it is what it was designed to be a self-defense pistol without an external safety, for home defense or carry it is what ' I ' was looking for & got.
I did not find the trigger to be gritty , the pull is 7 to 8 lbs not 10 to 12 things you will read. It is a long pull, but not compared to most other self-defense pistols.
,
I did a lot of dry firing & dry firing with a coin on the front of the barrel, helps with trigger control.
Besafe have fun : )

 

[leejack]

First, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase!

The first thing I want to address is this;

I'm aware of the trigger concerns but will wait until after we've shot a few hundred rounds (at least) to decide on an Apex kit.

If my hunch is right, your concerns might have come from reading about this on the internet (forgive me if I'm wrong). Having said that, there is no need for concern, do not let others get into your head about the trigger, it's fine as is, especially for it's intended purpose of self defense.

Clean and lube as per the manual. Everything including the slide release and trigger gets easier and smoother with use. The more you shoot it the sweeter it gets in all departments. As far as ammo goes, I haven't found anything that mine doesn't eat so I wouldn't worry about that either.

Best of luck and post often.

 

[captcook]

View attachment 155915
Welcome to forum. Your question about the Frog lube, I started using it about a month ago and so far I've got no complaints it's a little pricey but it will last a long time. The science on how it works made sense to me. There are a lot youtube videos that show you how to do the treatments I have seen some good ones and I have seen some terrible ones. here's a pretty good one. Enjoy your SDVE it's a great gun and give us a range report when you get the chance to go.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlMikz8Nc8A


FrogLube | The World's Only Complete Bio Based 'Green' Weapons Care system, Solvent and CLP USDA Approved

 

[GKC]

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your choice of pistol. It's not only a great gun for the money, it's a great gun period.

Some suggestions:

1) Magazines: load them to capacity, and let them sit for a few days to a week. They may be hard to load to full capacity at first, and it will be much easier if you use a loader such as an UpLula. That is an essential tool, IMO, and makes loading magazines a breeze rather than a chore. Most SD9VE magazines aren't in need of cleaning at first, but if/when you do decide to disassemble and clean them, be sure you dry them and do not oil or lube them, unless you use a dry lube. If you want additional magazines, a good site is Greg Cote LLC. He has good prices, great service, and is a good guy to do business with.

2) Slide: not necessarily at first, but at some point you will want to remove the striker and clean out the channel. It's easy to do, and the Apex video will show you how (you don't need to remove the extractor, as the Apex video shows.) Be sure to clean out the channel and dry it thoroughly, again no lube in this area. You can also leave the slide locked open for the week or so that the magazines are sitting, and it will help break in the recoil spring a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atOw-1FoJV4

3) General gun cleaning: I've used lots of products, but right now I'm using Weapon Shield (it's a CLP.) Hickok45 has a great cleaning video on YouTube, cleaning a Glock with Ballistol. A SD9VE is very similar to a Glock, and Ballistol is a great product...if you can stand the smell. Some people like it, others don't. I am in the "don't" camp...it was great lube, but it smelled (to me) like old sweat socks on a hot, humid day. The good thing is, there are plenty of other great products on the market, and most if not all of them work well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZf4mUM10Vc

4) Rear sight: if you wish, you can replace the polymer rear sight with a metal rear sight from a M&P 9. They are often in stock at Midway, or you might find a member who is willing to sell one or give you one, if you post a WTB ad in the classifieds. Or, if you like, you can find night sights that fit (others can give you recommendations on these.)

4) Trigger: in addition to live fire, lots of dry fire will help smooth out the trigger, and help you get used to it. I don't use snap caps. What I do is do a number of dry fires, just pulling the trigger, and then I do a number of dry fires with a penny on the slide, right behind the front sight, trying to see if I can keep the pistol on my point of aim without letting the penny fall off.

5) Accessories: the most useful accessories for the pistol IMO are a stainless steel recoil spring/guide rod from Galloway Precision. I also like the extended slide lever...it's easy to install, but be sure to keep the spring compressed while you do, as it's not retained like on a Glock, and it will fly out of the gun and hide in the most inaccessible place in your work area. I also like a grip sleeve on mine, and while both Hogue and Pachmayr make good ones, I found the Pachmayr to be more comfortable for me.

6) Ammo: each gun can be different, and while most SDVEs aren't known to be ammo sensitive, you should certainly try your carry ammo to be sure it functions well. I like Hornady CD, personally, although some don't. For range ammo, I like WWB, Remington, or Federal FMJ.

I hope you enjoy your new gun!

 

[SamMeow]

Welcome to the forum.
The SD9VE is a great underpriced pistol.

I prefer to breakdown, clean and lube any new firearm.
You never know if it might be over packed with factory grease or oil.
They will do that since it might be on the shelf for a while. Also gets you acquainted with the firearm before actually firing.
Frog lube is good, but I am a simple Hoppes guy. Clean with solvent, oil as recommended, and a very small amount of grease to the slide/rails (applied with a toothpick). Wiping off excess.

Slide Lock, not a release. Although it can serve as one.

Trigger may take over 500 rds to "smooth out." But 7.5 - 8 lbs isn't that bad compared with a DA revolver. I point and click.

Ammowise, no issue for me at least with any brand. Btw I cleaned mine when I first got it, loaded the mags fully and let them sit about 4-5 days to break in the springs. No FTF's, FTE's with about 400 assorted rounds. Winchester (WB, SXZ HP), Fed AE, Hornady (Critical Duty, Critical Defense, Zombie max), PMC, Hertzers, Freedom Ammo reloads, Tula BrassMax, Tula steel cased.
The only ammo I stay away from is +P+.

Have fun shooting!

 

[kenh999]

Wow! Awesome and very helpful responses guys. Thanks!

Just ordered 200 Federal AE 115gr FMJ with an Uplula loader from PSA. I'm in SC so ship time shold be short. Now over to Amazon to order a 2pack of Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic ears and 2 Champion Over-Spec Ballistic Glasses. Wife and I both wear glasses. With Amazon Prime should have all this by the wkend.

Do I need to buy targets or do ranges (indoor at LGS) normally provide those?

 

[leejack]

They usually give you one with the lane rental, and then you purchase extras if you need them.

 

[micocyco]

Wow! Awesome and very helpful responses guys. Thanks!

Just ordered 200 Federal AE 115gr FMJ with an Uplula loader from PSA. I'm in SC so ship time shold be short. Now over to Amazon to order a 2pack of Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic ears and 2 Champion Over-Spec Ballistic Glasses. Wife and I both wear glasses. With Amazon Prime should have all this by the wkend.

Do I need to buy targets or do ranges (indoor at LGS) normally provide those?

I think most ranges don't like the small 12'' or 18'' targets.
The range I use is $12 for the lane & $1.25 for a large target 8 or 10 different ones. I am a penny pincher so I use a cheep roll of masking tape to cover the bullet holes & go for round 2

 

[Pepsi]

Congrats on your SD9VE purchase. You're going to really like it a lot. Have had mine for just over 6 months now. Like you I had several pistols back 30-35 yrs ago. Love this forum for all the great information everyone shares. So many great comments above I've really nothing to add. Enjoy your new pistol.

 

[ManoGod]

Well they said it all. A wonderful gun. I've had zero problems with it. You and your wife enjoy. You'll sleep a little better at night knowing you have a "dependable" intruder deterrent close to you. (no i'm not referring to your wife LOL)

 

[MOONDAWG]

Congratulations, you've made a wise choice in the SD9-VE.

I've owned GLOCKs since they were available here in 1987. Had one of nearly every model they produced. They were all reliable and rugged, but fit my hands like a scrap piece of 2X4 lumber.

Th SD9-VE was "love at first grip". They fit my hand like there were molded to it, are 100% reliable, accurate, and yes, I like the heavier "revolver-like" trigger on a defensive handgun.

The icing on the cake is their price point. It doesn't get much better than this.

 

[jackinil]

All this praise convinced me. I've got a SD9VE coming next week. It'll be my nightstand gun.

 

[pawpaw1967]

Congrats on your new gun, i have the sd9ve also best semi auto ive owned yet. my trigger smoothed out alot by 500 rounds. and it smoothed out so much that i kept it stock till around 1700 rounds. then did the upgrades big improvement and only cost about 60 bucks. at 2300 rounds now and not 1 failure or jam. awesome gun for 325 bucks. good luck and safe shooting