On the fence about the new SD series

[Tslepebull]

I got a chance to handle the new SD9VE and SD40VE at the Dallas Market Hall Show yesterday. Theyt were competatively priced at $329 and I liked the feel of them. I did not get a chance to dry fire one to compare it to my Sigma SW9VE or SW40VE.

Here is my problem. I am very satisfied with my Sigmas; both shoot quite well for me, have been reliable as a stone ax, and after a little internal polishing the triggers are quite smooth with consistent break. I sort of "want" one (or two) of the new SD's but my Sigmas meet my needs quite well. I am not sure they are different enough from what I already have to justify the purchase.

 

[tomaximus]

Just picked one up for 345. I like this gun a lot.The trigger is very Glockish, and it is a good looking gun to boot. I cant wait to get shooting.

 

[Out West]

I already have a 9 and a 40 in the original SD, but at $300 (assuming that get that low) I'd buy another. The SD is a great pistol. Probably a best buy even at $329.

Out
West

 

[Fat B]

I'm with you, it's hard for me to get excited about the new SD. Well, sort of. I'm not excited enough to run to the LGS and look at one because I already have a SD9 and feel no need to have one in black and one in stainless.

I am excited that they brought the SD back from the dead (or was it really ever dead in the first place???) as I was disappointed when I thought the SD was discontinued. Now my pistol will a slow but steady stream of aftermarket parts, holsters, maybe apex kits, etc... coming out for it. Maybe the mag prices will go down too. Maybe.

 

[cbr6864]

If you really like the sigma you might not like the SD, the only real advantage is the trigger seeing as you find no fault with the sigma trigger no real reason to buy the SD other than you just want one. Also the grip is very different on the SD. I have a sigma 9VE and a SD40 like them both the SD is lighter overall with a lighter trigger as well. But i like the grip better on the sigma.

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

I got a chance to handle the new SD9VE and SD40VE at the Dallas Market Hall Show yesterday. Theyt were competatively priced at $329 and I liked the feel of them. I did not get a chance to dry fire one to compare it to my Sigma SW9VE or SW40VE.

Here is my problem. I am very satisfied with my Sigmas; both shoot quite well for me, have been reliable as a stone ax, and after a little internal polishing the triggers are quite smooth with consistent break. I sort of "want" one (or two) of the new SD's but my Sigmas meet my needs quite well. I am not sure they are different enough from what I already have to justify the purchase.

Simple conculsion, stick with what you have and like and save money.

 

[roker]

If S&W is coming out with a lighter trigger pull on the SDVE why can't they do the same for the Sigma?

 

[jppezz23]

I have both and find the grip on both to be good.I didn't notice any difference between the SD and Sigma grip.

 

[cbr6864]

If S&W is coming out with a lighter trigger pull on the SDVE why can't they do the same for the Sigma?

Its the same trigger as the SD because the gun is an SD without the finish and different sights

 

[cbr6864]

I have both and find the grip on both to be good.I didn't notice any difference between the SD and Sigma grip.

The SD grip is thicker from side to side but shorter from front to rear

 

[RightArm]

I really like my Sigma. It's a blast to shoot. I wouldn't think of replacing it and see no need for something else like it. I like to hear the comparisons, though. Back when I got my Sigma, I had to choose between it and an SD. I hadn't discovered this forum yet so it was based on heresay. People told me not to by the Sigma, so of course I did. Glad I followed my gut. Sorry for the testimonial. It's early and I guess I'm getting sentimental.

 

[LedFowl]

I sort of "want" one (or two) of the new SD's but my Sigmas meet my needs quite well.

Heck, if you want it, I think you should go ahead.

 

[Bat Guano]

The reintroduction (?) of the SD is good in that S&W is producing good basic pistols at a good affordable price; but I certainly wouldn't get wrapped around the axle if I was otherwise happy with the Sigma.

Personally I am content if I can hit the sweet spot with a gun: decent value for the money, decent accuracy in my hands, not quirky, and reliable. I am sufficiently impressed with the Sigma as a utility piece to lay in a second one.

Of late I am thinning the herd of guns that do not quite measure up. I do this for fun nowadays, and strange as it may seem I have priorities that occasionally override accumulating guns.

 

[kbr1]

The beauty of the new SDVE is sigmas on the used market will be reduced drastically!!! I got my sigmaVE 9mm for 200 out the door last month!!! Great shooter!!! I'm always going to be looking for value at a discount...That being said I just checked out the new SDVE at my local gun shop and at 329.00 I might have a week moment.At that price I can afford another quality Smith and get that new flooring my wife wants too!!

 

[HalfStack]

Since I removed the torsion spring on my Sigma 9mm I liked it better. A wide trigger and a comfy grip made it a keeper. Having it 100% after 700 rounds doesn't hurt either.

I haven't had my hand on the SDVE to find out the difference though.

 

[Tslepebull]

Well I am back off the fence. I went to the Tyler show today and got to actually dry fire a SD9VE. At this dealer the price was only $319. To tell you the truth the trigger on my Sigma that i had cleaned up using the instructions from this forum is actually better (and that is with all springs intact). The SD9VE trigger is a little gritty and if it is any lighter or shorter I can't tell. Both the Sigma and SD do have trigger tension throughout the trigger arc; no the slack trigger at the beginning of the pull that finally meets resistance mid way through that I have felt with other DA auto-loader triggers. Both the Sigma and SD have very "revolver" feeling triggers, and I like that. For now I will just keep shooting my Sigmas.

 

[osageinmt]

Hello, SW9VE owner here.
I just picked up a SD40VE from a LGS on Friday $319.99 OTD no tax or other fees. Took it and my SW9VE out Sat and put 100 rnds thru the SD to see how I liked it. The trigger is close to my SW, but not as smooth, pull wieght is very close. All I have to measure is my fishing scale, so +or- a lb I guess. Both are right around 8 lbs.

I have polished the trigger on my SW9VE to remove all tool marks which by the way there were quite a few. Also replaced the heavy outer spring with a lighter unit, but left the pigtail spring in place as I understand it this is to assure that the trigger resets when using +P loads. This greatly improved the trigger, dropped the wieght and made it quite smooth. I like it much better now. I have put 500 rds thru the SW, about 1/2 of those since doing the trigger polish.

The SD has texture on the front of the grip and this rubbed my finger and caused a bit of discomfort after 20-30 rnds. Overall I liked it, but I like and shoot my SW9 better, but that may just be cause I have shot it more, and the cal difference. I can see the the price of ammo will factor into my shooting plans in the future.
I will just have to see how I feel about the SD after a few more rnds, and I may have a look at the trigger to see if I might need to remove any tool/machine marks if it has any.
I don't really have any issue with the triggers of these guns being relatively heavy they are after all self defense/home defense guns with no safety other than you trigger finger, if the SD smoothes out to be on par with the Sigma polished trigger it will be a keeper.

anyway that's my early take on the SD40VE.
thanks to those who posted the directions and photos of the trigger polishing and various spring removal/swaps for the Sigma it made a world of difference for me.

 

[KyWstJoe]

Played with my nephew's Sig 1911 and everything is slick as a knife in warm butter. Very expensive gun. would never carry it, too heavy and a short hair trigger. He carrys a M&P9C. Sigma's are what they are. Safe, reliable, inexpensive self defense pistols. The SD-VE's sound pretty much the same with a little better trigger. I moved on to a Glock G30 45ACP but I would say thumbs up on $329. for an SD-VE.

 

[Fat B]

I just held one in my hands today. Other than the sights being plastic, it seemed like the slide was just a different color finish. I know it's a little cheaper because of no melonite but it didn't seem like it.

Also, the trigger was a little different. Not any heavier or lighter but a much more positive click to the trigger and firing pin once the trigger is pulled all of the way. Makes me wonder what they did.

Overall, great gun for the price. Recommended to anyone wanting a good value. I was trying to find a gun at that price point to compare it to. A Taurus?

 

[Tslepebull]

Well, I did it anyway. My local Academy finally got the SD9VE in stock at $299.99. I had $125 in Academy loyalty cards so it was less than $200 out of pocket after tax. Like the other SD's I have handled the trigger was very gritty. Once I got it home I tracked the origin of the grittyness to the striker spring dragging inside the striker channel. I took the slide off and began my standard fluff and buff procedure. After cleaning and lubricating I began dry firing. The drag of the spring in the striker channel reduced as I kept cycling the pistol. After a few hundred cycles the grittyness was nearly gone. This is what I was not able to do witg the other new ones I had handled and the effect was significant. Once the grittyness was gone I was able to compare the trigger of my smoothed Sigma to the smoothed SD. The SD is lighter. I do not have a trigger guage but I would estimate several pounds. The Sigma is still smoother but the SD is definately lighter. I also noticed a trigger stop moulded into the SD trigger guard. This will help with trigger control. I havent gotten the SD to the range yet but have determined that my Sigma mags work perfectly in the SD. I could get new base plates for the mags to match the SD mags but I may not bother.

It looks like my son-in-law is getting a Sigma for his birthday.