S&W SD40vs SD40V and VE

[Starrider58]

When it comes to Hard sided Molded Composite holsters. What is the diffewrence in the SD40 and SD40v and VE? I as because I have a SD40and a holster for the SD40V or VE will not work. Not in the Fortus brand anyway. 1mm too narrow for the slide to fit in.

 

[Echo40]

Well, the SD40 and SD40VE are the same thing, (VE stands for Value Enhanced because it's the lower priced economy version sans Melonite Finish) so both should fit.
However, there is no SD40V. There's an SW40V as well as an SW40VE as well, and that's what you've got to look out for because the SW40V and SW40VE are last generation versions of the SD Series with different dimensions which would render them incompatible with hard molded composite holsters, so make sure that the holster you purchase is for the 4th Generation SD Series.

Here are some pictures to help you see the difference.

SD40

SD40VE

SW40VE

As you can see, the SD40 and SD40VE are identical pistols, they're just finished differently, so the holsters are interchangeable.
However, the SW40VE is different, being an older model from a previous hardware generation, ergo molded holsters for the SD40(VE) are not compatible with the SW40VE.

On a side note, leather holsters will work all across the board from the M&P to the Sigma Series. I know this for a fact because my SW40VE rides in an M&P40c Holster yet it fits perfectly.