S&W Releases New SD9 VE and SD40 VE

[Fat B]

In the world of S&W the V simply equals bare stainless steel. People love to call the E enhanced, but the word has never actually been associated with the designation of E. I presume it is a product code that means lower price, like E for essential. So just like with the SW9VE, the SD9VE is just an SD9 with a bare stainless slide that costs a little less to produce and thus can be sold for a little less. But since S&W is lowering the price point it does make one wonder of the SW9VE is on its way out of production.

Smith and Wesson's own press release says VE stands for value enhanced. I got this off of S&W's facebook page, leads to a PDF.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/NEWsd940ve.pdf
Personally I think "value enhanced" sounds like a spin for cheap. It may be a spin for cheap but it doesn't have to sound like it. They should come up with something different.

 

[angel71rs]

Buds already has a placeholder on their website listing it at $320. Might have to pick one up when it becomes available.

 

[Jim H]

With only a $10 difference from the Sigma I just don't see the Sigma lasting long before they pull it. Basically its a much improved Sigma for only $10 more so why would anyone want the Sigma? With modern CNC machines all you have to do is load them with a new program.

Why wouldn't a Sigma buyer buy a SD for only $10 more if the Sigma was not available? I would and will!

Great questions, guys! While I am no Grand Vizier of Marketing, I would bet that 'killing' either the SD or the Sigma would not result in buyers switching to the 'other' gun just because it was available.

Buyers are funny, and I don't think the $10 means a lot either way. It could be any difference in how the guns feel, or subtle difference in the appearance. Shoot, it might come down to the buyer thinking that the "Sigma" has a 'real' name and the "SD" sounds like a computer component...

I also bet they aren't running all of their assembly lines full blast on any one product, but instead they run until they have some calculated amount of shelf stock and they then switch to another model.

Anyway, this is my $0.02 worth of opinion.

Enjoy shooting, and shoot many guns!

 

[Shark88]

Seems like S&W kept this new model hush hush, I posted about 2 weeks ago we couldn't get Sigmas anymore and I think most of you thought I was nuts. I even sent them an email asking about discontinuing the Sigmas and didn't get an answer back. I guess they wanted to keep it quiet and this is what they were planning all along. I'm anxious to see the new ones at work soon.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

A brief review: The Firearm Blog » S&W Nerfs the Model SD: Introducing the Model S&W SD40 VE

I don't like the SD frame "feel" as much as I do the Sigma. I like the SD trigger better

 

[cbr6864]

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I don't like the SD frame "feel" as much as I do the Sigma. I like the SD trigger better

Agree my Sigma feels much better than my SD the SD feels thicker but shorter from front to back. But the rest of frame is much thinner than the SD.

 

[KyWstJoe]

Quite a price drop and retailing at $320. should fly off the shelves. Like a Sigma with a better trigger.

 

[RPNelson]

Look like a Sigma to me.

Glad I got my Sigma when I did...and yes looks just like a Sigma. I paid 249.00 for my 9VE, I hope the difference is the trigger pull...then again I dont want two Sigmas, even if they call it something else.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

In the world of S&W the V simply equals bare stainless steel. ... code that means lower price, like E for essential. So just like with the SW9VE, the SD9VE is just an SD9 with a bare stainless slide that costs a little less to produce and thus can be sold for a little less. But since S&W is lowering the price point it does make one wonder of the SW9VE is on its way out of production.

I thought the VE meant Victory over Europe (Gl*ck) excuse my Austrian.

Geoff
Who notes his wife likes the grip and trigger on the Sigma 9VE.

 

[Dragon88]

One of my LGSs got a SD9 VE in today. $329. These are shipping already so start looking/calling around if you want one.

 

[Out West]

That stainless SD slide would look sharp riding on a dark earth frame.

Just sayin.

Out
West

 

[cbr6864]

With the new SDVE its good news bad news, Bad news if you want to sell your Sigma....good news if you want to buy a used one.

The prices of used Sigmas will hit rock bottom now.

 

[Ofc.JL]

Gentlemen; If I had a dime for every almost new SIGMA that gets sold to the LGS after the "Newby" couple or Individual buys one at Academy for $299+tax, and discovers they cannot handle the long, stiff trigger pull at the range, I would be very wealthy. While we know that the current SIGMA series pistols are fine with break-in and/ or a polish job, the Neophyte new owner knows none of this. Some new owners attempt to adjust the trigger and sear, making the weapon unsafe(I have seen many used SIGMA's altered in the sear spring area!) or take it to the LGS to sell it in disgust and get whacked on a trade-in deal as most LGS's don't allow much money on a used SIGMA. New owner now has a bad taste in his mouth for S&W. Not good for future sales. Originally, the SIGMA was heavily researched and S&W spent a bunch of money on the design in an attempt to get LE market share back from Glock. The original SIGMA came with a 5lb trigger pull and they were entirely shootable. Only problem was, it was a Beta model as the Investors wanted the pistol out to make money, and it just wasn't ready. Result was serious SIGMA function failures in the field w/ LE and LE gave the SIGMA a bad name that it carries to this day. The SD series trigger is far and away a much better assembly that comes from S&W at roughly 8lbs, with a quick take-up and pretty decent reset. Well broken in, the trigger pull will drop to 6-7lbs. SD's really handle and shoot very well! With the VE series enhancement's, S&W's MSRP is under $400 and once Academy gets a hold of them, $299.99 a copy, perhaps. And none of the SIGMA stigma. New pistol owners will stay happy with their purchase and S&W will see the "SIGMA" line finally making money and NOT being so damn high maintenance w/ owners and users. The SIGMA VE series line will probably be discontinued and the SD will now fill the slot. When I heard that the SD was being discontinued, I told S&W that they should "VE" the SD and drop the SIGMA. Of course, S&W was way ahead of me. I applause the decision, if they drop the SIGMA into the history books. Much as we love 'em, we are definately in the minority. The "King" is dead, long leave the "King"
I will get a new SD VE just as soon as Academy knocks them out at $299 a copy. You betcha'!
FWIW
Ofc.JL

 

[S&W Rover]

I cannot add much to the many good comments here, but I'd like to say I really like my SD9 at $320 from Bud's two years ago; I did not like my Sigma at any price; I think the Sigma is done except perhaps for a large scale foreign military assistance run (like IRAQ/AFG during the past couple of years); and I think the SD-VE has taken it's place.

 

[Knightrider03m]

With the new SDVE its good news bad news, Bad news if you want to sell your Sigma....good news if you want to buy a used one.

The prices of used Sigmas will hit rock bottom now.

The used gun market on Sigmas was always low, however you still don't lose as much on a Sigma that you would on an M&P or a glock. I don't think having the SDVE will make the used Sigmas drop much.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Some local shops here in FL priced used Sigma's HIGHER than the current selling price of a new one in a different display.
My Sigma has a good trigger pull 9VE but I compare it to a .357 Ruger Security Six.
Geoff
Who doesn't understand.

 

[Jlduke]

I wonder if the original SD's will end up being worth more over time because they'll be hard to find. As it is I never see them around. I don't think either Academy here in Tulsa even has them anymore. I think people will really like the new SD's at such a low price which could make the sleek looking melonite version more desirable.

 

[dondavis3]

When will the newly announced SD9 VE be available

 

[Fat B]

I held one in my hand yesterday at the LGS!

 

[avenir]

Just picked up a new SD9VE at Academy in Plano, TX for $299.00.... was the only one they had. I'm a SW40VE owner and quite pleased with it, hope the SD9 is even better.

 

[Aahzz]

Saw SD9VEs in 2 local shops today - one wanted $359, and that was with the 10 rounds mags that SO are not required here in KY. The other was $329 with the appropriate 16 round mags, so that one came home with me - range report to follow later in the weekend...

 

[Scrat]

can't say as i'm sold on the new ve's i guess to me and mind you this is just my opinion but seems kinda dumbed down version of what i have and love!

 

[dondavis3]

Let us hear your range report.

 

[s laeder]

sd9 ve

does the apex trigger kit void the warranty on this gun

 

[JWH321]

I would suspect that it would be dependent on what the warranty issue was. Would they be expected to repair an Apex trigger, no, but the May consider repairing a broken recoil spring.

I've always found S&W to be very reasonable folks.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Not sure why this thread was resurrected, but my first thought was "New SD9VEs???" Then "oh, never mind."

 

[dogsoldier]

I saw an SD9VE with a BLACK slide at Gander Mountain last week. And NO...it WAS NOT an earlier SD9, but an SD9VE. BLACK slides ROCK!