SD Self-Defense Trigger "Philosophy?"

[ditto1958]

Do you like the trigger on your SD? If you aren't crazy about it, do you tolerate it? Did you know what the trigger was like before you bought it?

Back when I bought my SD9, Academy cut their price by $100 to make room for the VE's. I spotted one, and got curious. I did a bit of internet research, including reading about how the trigger works, and went back the next day and bought it.

I have been very happy with the quality of the gun. It is built really well. The materials are excellent, the workmanship is first rate. I also like the way it takes down just like a Glock, and has only passive safeties.

My biggest problem with the gun has been learning to shoot it straight. I've gotten much better with practice, but ammo was pretty expensive even before this nonsense we are dealing with now. At first, when I shot it, I was really, really bad. I could stand 10 feet from a gallon milk jug, and not only miss it, but have no idea where my shot went. I have shot it around 500 times, and dry-fired it even more. Am getting better with it, but still have a long way to go.

In contrast, I recently brought home a Glock 23. Out of the first 50 rounds I put through it, I think I only missed what I was plinking at 2 or 3 times. I'm no marksman, that's for sure, but suddenly I was Hickok45 for a day.

My understanding of Smith's philosophy behind the SD triggers is that the guns are primarily self defense guns and the trigger is designed to avoid unintentional discharges. My problem with that philosophy is that while it is well-intended, it may be that the trigger defeats its purpose if folks can't hit anything with it.

What about you? Are you a good shot with your SD?

 

[Scrat]

I really like my SD9 as far as the trigger I don't mind it at all since I also shoot a sw40ve (now that's a trigger that takes some getting used to!) I am no marksman but I can hit what I aim at with my pistols

 

[csioktech]

are you having trouble with it being heavy or just a long travel on the trigger. apex makes a spring kit that can lighten it up but it doesnt help with the length of travel.

 

[marlin.357]

Philosphy? We'll probably never know what that was, however a good guess is that it was to design a entry level polymer framed pistol, with a very simple, reliable design for a double action trigger.

The striker is under minimum compression and must be compressed by the trigger pull to have enough energy to fire the primer similar to a double action revolver. To some it feels "mushy", well, yeah, your compressing the striker spring! Is it short & crisp like a match tuned 1911, no way!

It isn't difficult to master the SD trigger, or even the old Sigma trigger, align the sights on the target, press the trigger back smoothly in one motion while keeping the sights aligned--bang. Practice while dry firing.

If you don't like it, sell it, you can probably recoup your money in today's market.

 

[coolaide]

Dry fire at the mouse cursor on your computer screen over a dark brackground. Makes it easy to see which way your pulling.

 

[Hock]

Dry fire at the mouse cursor on your computer screen over a dark brackground. Makes it easy to see which way your pulling.

If you're pulling to the left put more finger on the trigger, if pulling to the right use less finger.

Later,
Hock

 

[GKC]

Do you like the trigger on your SD? If you aren't crazy about it, do you tolerate it? Did you know what the trigger was like before you bought it?

Actually, I didn't know what the trigger was like on my SD9VE before I bought it. I had previously owned a SW9VE and an SD9 (not the newer VE model) and while the trigger was better on the SD9 than the SW9VE, it was still heavy. I wasn't intending to buy a semi-automatic, and in fact went into Academy Sports to see if they had any Ruger LCRs (they didn't...other than the 22 model...and none of my LGS had any either.) When I saw the SD9VE priced at $299 with 2 magazines, I thought I had better buy it...I couldn't dry fire it inside the store, but I thought I knew what it was going to be like, but when I got it home I was pleasantly surprised! The trigger was much better than the previous SD9...much better.

I like this gun.

 

[cbr6864]

ITS A DA GUN......enough said.....with the Sigma/SD each pull of the trigger fully cocks the striker and releases it unlike others such as Glock or XD. If people are wanting a light weight trigger buy a SA handgun.

 

[Tslepebull]

Do you like the trigger on your SD? If you aren't crazy about it, do you tolerate it? Did you know what the trigger was like before you bought it?

Back when I bought my SD9, Academy cut their price by $100 to make room for the VE's. I spotted one, and got curious. I did a bit of internet research, including reading about how the trigger works, and went back the next day and bought it.

I have been very happy with the quality of the gun. It is built really well. The materials are excellent, the workmanship is first rate. I also like the way it takes down just like a Glock, and has only passive safeties.

My biggest problem with the gun has been learning to shoot it straight. I've gotten much better with practice, but ammo was pretty expensive even before this nonsense we are dealing with now. At first, when I shot it, I was really, really bad. I could stand 10 feet from a gallon milk jug, and not only miss it, but have no idea where my shot went. I have shot it around 500 times, and dry-fired it even more. Am getting better with it, but still have a long way to go.

In contrast, I recently brought home a Glock 23. Out of the first 50 rounds I put through it, I think I only missed what I was plinking at 2 or 3 times. I'm no marksman, that's for sure, but suddenly I was Hickok45 for a day.

My understanding of Smith's philosophy behind the SD triggers is that the guns are primarily self defense guns and the trigger is designed to avoid unintentional discharges. My problem with that philosophy is that while it is well-intended, it may be that the trigger defeats its purpose if folks can't hit anything with it.

What about you? Are you a good shot with your SD?

The Sigma (from which the SD was derived) was designed as a transitional weapon for people trained with double action revolvers. It has no separate safety lever, just the trigger safety. In reality the trigger feels very similar to a "tuned" DA revolver. The length of the pull requires a conscious pull to discharge it. Personally I think the trigger is perfect for my uses. I keep mine in the bedside table. If I grab it in the middle of the night to investigate suspicious noises I don't want to mess with safety's and I don't want to "stress fire". I shot double action revolvers for years, I shoot the SD just as well.

 

[USAF385]

I'm very happy with my SDs trigger after I put in the apex kit and spent 2 hours pulling the trigger. It's so smooth now I'm going to do work on my full size M&P next since it still had the factory trigger.

 

[USAF385]

The Sigma (from which the SD was derived) was designed as a transitional weapon for people trained with double action revolvers. It has no separate safety lever, just the trigger safety. In reality the trigger feels very similar to a "tuned" DA revolver.

Personally I felt the sigma had a very spongey feel compared to revolvers.

 

[ou1954]

I have a SD9VE and thought that the trigger was supposed to be "blocked" unless you pulled with your finger on the lower half. Another safety feature.

Now I see that it's almost impossible to put pressure on the trigger without moving the blocker behind the trigger. The "blocker" is tiny and is easily overcome. On the other hand I see that the Glock triggers and aftermarket triggers for the SD series have a central blade that runs essentially the whole length of the trigger.

My guess is that the S&W trigger block is intended to prevent firing when the gun is dropped, not in actual use.

Anyone have a thought on this?

 

[MyDads38]

I shoot my SD9VE very well. So well, that one of the instructors at the indoor range I shoot at, asked me what mods I had done to it! He was shocked when I told him it was an all stock gun.

Honestly, after several years of not shooting, I'm still working to get back to the skills I had as a younger man! I still concentrate on the basics, but find I'm doing much better and getting my instinctive/muscle memory back "in sync".

"Accuracy" means different things, to different people. When I go to the range, I like to observe other people and how they shoot. I'm amazed that some folks can't keep rounds on a 12 x 12 target, at 5 yards, let alone hit somewhere in the bullseye! I'm not a target shooter by any stretch anymore, but I get frustrated with myself if I can't keep all my shots in a 2" - 3" group, centered, out to 15 yards! With any of my handguns, factory or reloads, standing without support. At 5, 7 & 10 yards, my groups stay 2" or less. And that's all 50 rounds, not just a mag full or 5 shot groups. When I have a flyer, I know I didn't do something right, and I give myself a good, stern talking to before the next shot! LOL

 

[MOONDAWG]

If one has learned the "basics" on a double action revolver "first" they won't have a problem with the SD line.

Far too many novices tend to get proper sight picture/sight alignment THEN, move their focus to the target, jerk the hell out of the trigger, then blame the "gun" for their low left umbrella sized groups.

 

[ou1954]

I continue to follow this forum to learn more about modern pistols and applaud those who want to improve their weapons in any way they see fit, absolutely no disagreement with anyone here.

As for me I have made a decision to not modify my SD9VE. I will use is as a self defense weapon. I can easily hit targets of the size and distance required for self defense and that's all I need. I do have a concealed carry license but don't intend to carry it as things are now. ][Added comment, full disclosure - I have added a laser pointer and am considering replacing that with a combination flashlight and pointer. I should also say that I sold my pistols in California in 2007 before retiring to my home state of Oklahoma and sold my rifles, one of which I had owned since I was around 12 years old, at a gun show here in Oklahoma. We decided to buy a defensive weapon after a knife murder and a gunshot event in our neighborhood, and a beheading 2 miles from here.] I recently read an article of interest and can send a private message to anyone who asks for the link, but it is probably not appropriate for this forum. I will comment on it, however. [Frank Magliato vs. People of New York]

Magliato was facing a goon armed with a 24 inch police baton, charging him from across the street, and shouting that he intended to kill him.

Magliato then drew his legally-carried .38 caliber revolver, cocked the hammer in an attempt to intimidate his attacker, and, at a distance of between 30 and 40 feet, shot the man between the eyes, killing him instantly.

Mr. Magliato testified at his own trial that the gun fired by accident. He willfully created a hair-trigger condition in his gun. He got 15 to Life, though that was later reduced.

If I decide to shoot in competition I'll buy a gun similar to those we used on the NROTC Rifle and Pistol teams in the 1950's. I was on the University of Oklahoma Rifle team and our best day is when we beat Texas A&M on their own range. Oklahoma was a "dry state" in those days and the first time I drank anything stronger than 3.2 beer was when they gave us wine to drink from the winners cup.

 

[user151]

Well since the subject is SD, and this has been mentioned, here it is...
New York -vs- Magliato: Some Useful Lessons

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I'd have to side with the dissenting judge. Magliato had plenty of opportunity to walk away and let the law handle it. When he went home and armed himself, he created the conflict, IMHO.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ou1954]

I had thought that Magliato had actually modified the gun but perhaps not. I do see a warning in my SD manual about "staging" the gun.

Have a look at the story from another writer:

Why Farago (And You) Shouldn't Modify A Self-Defense Gun's Trigger - The Truth About Guns

 

[ou1954]

Here is an interesting one, not a case but a commentary:

Pride, Fighting, Self-Defense & Self-Control

Once more I agree that improving the performance of any weapon, the main topic of this forum thread, is reasonable. On the other side, we all know of 3-5 current or recent "Stand your ground" incidents now being revisited in the media. Here in Oklahoma the relevant laws lean towards the threatened person. I will defend us in the home or perhaps on the porch, but I won't chase someone out to the street and then shoot. If I remember the law and my SD class training correctly, firing a "warning shot" is against the law here.

 

[leejack]

I love the trigger on the SD. There are no modifications needed whatsoever on this gun.