Hi there, my name is Bobby. I'm new to the forum and thanks for having me. I'm new to pistols too. I just bought a sd40ve and I'm pretty excited about it but I'd like any and all info I can get on it. From shooting tips, cleaning, ammo choices, ccw holsters, and so on....I want to have fun but I'm very serious about this gun as a personal defense weapon to keep me and mine safe. Thanks again in advance.
New to pistols and new to forum
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InigoMontoya
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Welcome!
Sent from my Galaxy Note II
Sent from my Galaxy Note II
Welcome- I'm also new to this forum and "new/old" to pistols. My last interaction with pistols was over 50 years ago in the Navy. I did have a pistol in the house for many years but never took it on a range. I sold it 7 years go when I "really" retired in California and moved back here.
My wife was the instigator here and she selected 9mm and I selected the SD9VE CA version. That version gives us a way to have the gun very safe but at the same time she can fire it without having to rack the slide. She probably can but "Just in Case".
I have a CCL/OCL on the way but don't plan on carrying on my person, perhaps in the car from time to time. I have a laser pointer but haven't tested it with live fire yet. If it performs as hoped and at distances inside the house, the aiming issue is handled.
I might even get into target shooting, something most of the folks on this forum do. More range time coming up after the holidays.
In my olden days I hunted with a rifle (age 12 or so) and in school I was on the rifle team, and enjoyed the perk of checking out pistols on weekends with all the ammunition I wanted. In those days, and here and down in Texas you could shoot any gun just about anywhere except in someone's yard. Those days are gone . . .
My wife was the instigator here and she selected 9mm and I selected the SD9VE CA version. That version gives us a way to have the gun very safe but at the same time she can fire it without having to rack the slide. She probably can but "Just in Case".
I have a CCL/OCL on the way but don't plan on carrying on my person, perhaps in the car from time to time. I have a laser pointer but haven't tested it with live fire yet. If it performs as hoped and at distances inside the house, the aiming issue is handled.
I might even get into target shooting, something most of the folks on this forum do. More range time coming up after the holidays.
In my olden days I hunted with a rifle (age 12 or so) and in school I was on the rifle team, and enjoyed the perk of checking out pistols on weekends with all the ammunition I wanted. In those days, and here and down in Texas you could shoot any gun just about anywhere except in someone's yard. Those days are gone . . .
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fbcmrjrtykr
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Welcome to the forum and congrats on a great weapons choice. The SD40VE was my first pistol and continues to serve the role of my nightstand home defense gun. When I got it, I got caught up in the "make it better" hype and made a few changes to the gun. Notably, I did the Galloway Spring kit because I thought I needed to reduce the trigger pull. It did, but in hindsight, I kinda wish I'd left it factory and just learned proper trigger control with the heavier trigger. I think that, in the long run, that would have made me a better shooter with a wider variety of weapons. I also replaced the takedown lever with a wider one and that I would still recommend. Working the stock lever is a finger buster, the replacement is easy, and it's inexpensive. If this is to be a home defense weapon, you should give thought to a rail mounted flashlight.
As to ammo, stick with name brands. In my case, my SD40VE shoots just about any name brand I give it. The only thing it didn't like was some Fiocchi JHP's I bought trying to be cheap. Never again. Multiple FTF's with that stuff. I shoot a ton of WWB for target and Remington Golden Saber JHP's for SD.
Last point. Clean it, even though it's new, lube it according to the manual, and shoot the heck it of it. It's good to start with and will only get better. Enjoy and be safe.
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As to ammo, stick with name brands. In my case, my SD40VE shoots just about any name brand I give it. The only thing it didn't like was some Fiocchi JHP's I bought trying to be cheap. Never again. Multiple FTF's with that stuff. I shoot a ton of WWB for target and Remington Golden Saber JHP's for SD.
Last point. Clean it, even though it's new, lube it according to the manual, and shoot the heck it of it. It's good to start with and will only get better. Enjoy and be safe.
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S&W Oldtimer
Absent Comrade
Welcome from Va.
jimi1952
Member
Welcome from Pa. I have the sd40ve, probably 1500 rounds thru it and no problems. I put on a set of Tru-Glo sights and a stainless steel guide rod. Only changes I made and am extremely happy with the gun. Good luck and Happy Shooting.
Thanks everyone. Damn glad to be here. To the ammo points....name brand aside, when it comes to self defense rounds...what is the general take on grain, jacket(lingo?) etc???
That mounted flash light....any recommendations?
Any cleaning kit is good or are there bad ones?
Thanks guys/gals
That mounted flash light....any recommendations?
Any cleaning kit is good or are there bad ones?
Thanks guys/gals
fbcmrjrtykr
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I shoot 165 or 180 grain Jacket Hollow Point (JHP) for SD and prefer the Golden Sabers though, if I was richer, I might shoot Speer Gold Dots or Hornaday Critical Defense. I've been reading some good things about the Federal HST's. For practice I shoot Winchester's in the 100 round value pack or Remington UMC's.
The top of the line light is probably Streamlite but, because I'm thrifty and got a Nebo iProtect Elite HP 190 for about $30. The Streamlite is about three times that. The Nebo puts out plenty of light and if I end up replacing it every few years I figure I'm still ahead.
Hoppes makes a good starter cleaning kit. I'd pick up some wooden qtips and pipe cleaners.
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I did a big post about 9mm and then discovered you had a .40 gun, so starting again-.
I agree with target shooting with the Winchester value pack [white box, Q4238 for .40 180 gr]. I get them in 9mm from Walmart but not sure about .40 though. Good price there on 9mm and very clean and consistent.
For defense I reviewed several options and selected Hornady "Critical Defense", a civilian version of their "Critical Duty". Comes in a 20 round pack for .40. This selection was based on listed ballistics and some examples of how it performs in gel tests. Very consistent expansion. Will probably never have to use them but fired a few for testing. (comes in 25 pack for 9mm)
I agree with target shooting with the Winchester value pack [white box, Q4238 for .40 180 gr]. I get them in 9mm from Walmart but not sure about .40 though. Good price there on 9mm and very clean and consistent.
For defense I reviewed several options and selected Hornady "Critical Defense", a civilian version of their "Critical Duty". Comes in a 20 round pack for .40. This selection was based on listed ballistics and some examples of how it performs in gel tests. Very consistent expansion. Will probably never have to use them but fired a few for testing. (comes in 25 pack for 9mm)
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leejack
Member
Welcome from the Alamo!
I recommend you get some training and practice as often as you can. Don't get caught up on the internet hype, just learn your gun and practice. Any brand name factory ammo should do just fine.
I recommend you get some training and practice as often as you can. Don't get caught up on the internet hype, just learn your gun and practice. Any brand name factory ammo should do just fine.
My thought is to stick with 180-gr, since that is probably what S&W had in mind when they designed and tested your gun, but if you do sufficient testing at the range to satisfy yourself that the ammo in question functions reliably and is accurate in your gun, you should be fine. I personally would not go below 155-gr. My gun works very well with the old Winchester Silver-tips (155-gr) and also with Federal Hydra-shoks in 155. In spite of that, I prefer to stick with 180s.
Give the gun-mounted light some thought. Remember that when you point it at someone you are also pointing a (presumably loaded) gun. That's not a great situation. You don't want to run afoul of the law for "pointing a weapon." If you decide you want/need one, you might get some basic instruction in its use. If you buy one, don't buy a cheap one. That unit takes a lot of slamming around when the pistol is fired.
Cleaning - take the barrel out of your pistol and always clean "from the chamber end" (to avoid damaging the crown/muzzle-end of your barrel). Brass rods are good. They can be hard to find, but they are available. Order one, if you have to. Coated rods can be dirt/grit magnets. Don't use stainless brushes. Bronze brushes and a good solvent should do everything you need to do. Pay particular attention to the front end of the chamber and the barrel directly infront of the chamber. Don't let stuff accumulate there.
Jaysq
US Veteran
Welcome from North Caeolina
Thanks everyone. I took it to a buddies yesterday and put 50 rounds of American Eagle 180gr through it. I bought a Hoppes cleaning kit and was able to field strip and clean with the help of the manual. I licked up a box of winchester 165gr because I think I may like the smaller load a bit and understand it to be the ammo of choice for FBI etc. I ordered an Alien Gear Tuck 2.0 IWB holster and signed up for ccw class.
Thanks everyone. I went to buddies yesterday and put 50 rounds of American Eagle 180 grain through it. I bought a box of Winchester 165 grain because I think I may prefer the lighter load and understand it to be the ammo of choice for FBI etc. I got a hoppes cleaning kit and was able to break it down and clean with just the manual. I ordered an Alien gear IWB holster and signed up for ccw class.
photoman
Member
Congratulations on the new gun and welcome to the Forum!
If you are mechanically inclined at all, consider installing the Apex spring kit.
If you are mechanically inclined at all, consider installing the Apex spring kit.
mustangman
Member
Welcome from Texas, and congrats on the new SD40VE.
Model 15-4ever
Member
Welcome from Newyorkistan!
If your new to shooting I would stop by your local gun shop and inquire about taking an NRA Basic Pistol course. You will get plenty of sound advice about basic shooting skills, cleaning methods and SAFETY in that course. After that, seek out someone who is a sound pistol shooter and instructor... they should be able to give you some individual advice and practice techniques.
Any factory ammo you can find reasonably priced should be good for practice... at least once a month 50 rounds. Although if you are like most of us, you will be wanting to shoot more than that, up to your wallet!
If the pistol is for self-defense, seek out someone with credentials to teach you the basics. The NRA has a couple of courses that will suffice.
For self-defense, you can open a can of worms and feast on all the opinions on what ammo you should be using. Whatever hollow point ammunition that is completely reliable and accurate in your gun and in your hands will suffice. FWIW, the FBI uses Speer 180 grain Gold Dot HP ammo. Enjoy your new pistol!
If your new to shooting I would stop by your local gun shop and inquire about taking an NRA Basic Pistol course. You will get plenty of sound advice about basic shooting skills, cleaning methods and SAFETY in that course. After that, seek out someone who is a sound pistol shooter and instructor... they should be able to give you some individual advice and practice techniques.
Any factory ammo you can find reasonably priced should be good for practice... at least once a month 50 rounds. Although if you are like most of us, you will be wanting to shoot more than that, up to your wallet!
If the pistol is for self-defense, seek out someone with credentials to teach you the basics. The NRA has a couple of courses that will suffice.
For self-defense, you can open a can of worms and feast on all the opinions on what ammo you should be using. Whatever hollow point ammunition that is completely reliable and accurate in your gun and in your hands will suffice. FWIW, the FBI uses Speer 180 grain Gold Dot HP ammo. Enjoy your new pistol!
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Howdy
A Hound Dawg Howdy from SC!
You have embarked on a wonderful journey.
A Hound Dawg Howdy from SC!
You have embarked on a wonderful journey.
Thanks for the advice. I actually met with my brother in law, who is a Marine Sgt and range insteuctor. He was able to really help me dial in my shooting and gave me some greats tips and clear instructions on safety.
