SD vs. M&P...

[Plain Old Dave]

I get they are different guns, but being a long action revolver guy, my first question when somebody says they have a Smith and Wesson Military and Police is, "Is it a 32-20 or 38 Special?" That said, I am considering either one or the other of these two. However, I don't see any real difference other than price between them; they appear to both be self loading self cocking pistols. What am I missing?

Follow-on question. How durable are plastic framed firearms? That seems to be a not particularly robust choice for frame material. Has anyone seen cracked frames?

 

[scattershot]

Regarding the plastic frames, I was a skeptic too, until I watched some torture tests on YouTube. I was amazed how much downright abuse some of these guns can take and still function.

I have two M&P handguns, no issues with either of them. As far as I know, the differences are the trigger system and the non adjustable backstraps on the SD series. I've been considering one myself..

 

[OKFC05]

The S&W SW (Sigma) and SD (Improved Sigma) are the same basic platforms sharing basic frame design and magazines, but having different sights and triggers. The mags are the same within caliber. Some limited aftermarket items available. Just good reliable service grade pistols.

The M&P is a separate more developed platform with different magazines from the SW/SDs, but all the M&P magwells are the same, so they fit all the same magazines (except the Shield). A compact .40 might look funny with a compact 9mm barrel and a full size 9mm magazine. but it will work.The M&Ps have a more complex metal frame inside the nylon-like polymer and are better regarded for heavy use, like competition. S&W has concentrated on developing variants of the M&P like the Pro and Pro CORE for specific shooting games and tastes. In addition, there are many aftermarket products available.

How durable are plastic framed firearms? That seems to be a not particularly robust choice for frame material.

You could not be more wrong. Their durability is incredible compared to a similar priced metal gun, and comparable to expensive metal frames costing twice as much. I know M&Ps with a couple of minor parts replacements that have gone 100,000 rounds. The slide rides on 4 very hard metal points, and wears very slowly.

The one criticism I find inescapable about the "plastic fantastics" is they are ugly; functional, brutally reliable with minimal care, yes, but did I mention, ugly?
Having shot S&W revolvers for 50 years, I have to admit the modern M&P pistols are far more durable in competition than the old M&P revolvers. But the revolvers are sure pretty.......

 

[MyDads38]

I have both the SD9VE and FS M&P 9; I shoot them both well now, but since the SD9VE was my very first poly frame pistol, I had over 1,000 rounds through it before I bought the FS M&P 9. I actually shot the SD/VE better, until I got comfortable with the M&P.

Always been a revolver/1911 guy until I got bit by the poly/striker fire bug. I have 2-SD/VE's, 3 FS M&P's, 2 Shields-9mm, 40 S&W and 45 acp. I really enjoy them all and haven't had a single issue with any of them. I personally found the SD9VE to be more like a double action revolver and had no trouble shooting it accurately from the start. You'll have to decide if the money difference between the 2 is worth what you intend to use the pistol for. New SD/VE's around my area are $279-$299 all the time. New M&P 9's average $450, but sometimes go on sale for less. Bud's has Police trade in FS M&P 9's for $349 and I think that is a pretty decent price on one, IMO.

I don't think there's a bad choice to be made either way!

 

[GKC]

Since you are a revolver guy, you may not find the trigger on the SDVE series pistols as "bad" as some who've never shot a revolver (particularly in DA.) I've had several SDVE series pistols, in 9mm and .40, and the triggers on the newer ones seem smoother and lighter than on the first ones I bought, but that's relative. The trigger pull is still around 7.5 to 8 lbs at best, unmodified. I don't find it bad, especially on a gun with no external safety...but some do.

While it's nothing close to a 1911, the M&P series usually does have a lighter and better trigger pull than the SDVE series guns. Of course, there are other differences between the two, and you should get "more" in a higher priced gun. IMO, the SDVE series guns are a capable, reliable, and cost-effective home and self-defense gun. If you want something for target shooting or competition, you should invest in a gun that is designed for that purpose.

While there have been incidents of cracked frames in polymer framed pistols, and not just S&W models, they are not common and in general the polymer frame is rugged and durable. There are so many makes and models of polymer framed guns on the market today that the polymer frame obviously works...or it wouldn't be so predominant.

 

[JJEH]

I had a SD40 once. I like it, wasn't too bad.

But I sold it and got a M&P. They are better quality, better triggers, better grip and more accessories are available, i.e. barrels, sights, etc. But that's just my opinion of course

 

[JaPes]

My ownership experience that qualifies me to reply...

I used to own a M&P 9mm full size.

I currently own a SD9VE.

I However, I don't see any real difference other than price between them; they appear to both be self loading self cocking pistols. What am I missing?

The M&P series has:

• Replacable backstraps that also alter palmswell: Small, Medium, Large.
• Metal sights
• Full size and compact frame sizes
• A partially pre-cocked striker.
• Scale like rear cocking serrations
• Ambidextrous slide stop lever: it's on both sides.
• Ambidextrous magazine release: it can be switched to the other side.

The SD9VE has:

• Stainless slide and barrel.
• Forward and rear cocking serrations.
• Polymer rear sight.
• Slide stop lever on the non-ejection port side only.
• Magazine release on the non-ejection port side only.
• The grip is not modular: no backstraps.
• The striker is not pre-cocked. It takes a long pull to fully cock the striker. Reset is full out. It's more revolver-ish .without double strike capability.
• The trigger press is heavier than the M&P.

The M&P comes in full size and compact size. What S&W deems "compact" in the M&P is more like sub-compact in every other manufacturer's pistol line up. The SD9VE is more "compact" in size. Smaller the M&P full size. Larger than the M&P compact. It's just right.

The other difference is price: the M&P series being more expensive. The polymer used in the frames is different between the M&P and SD series. The SD series feeling lighter. No difference in strength that I am able do perceive under live fire.

*Note: Both pistols are OEM equipped with the hinged trigger shoe safety. The hinged trigger shoe induces a bit of mush and travel to the trigger pull. I never replaced the trigger on the M&P I owned. I did replace it on the SD9VE (as pictured).

Follow-on question. How durable are plastic framed firearms? That seems to be a not particularly robust choice for frame material. Has anyone seen cracked frames?

I've owned several different polymer frame pistols from different manufacturers from the lofty H&K to the lowly Hi-Point. I haven't had one crack on me. The only time I've witnessed a frame failure was due to flawed ammunition: an overcharged hand load.

 

[Virginia John]

I own revolvers, a Sigma and a M&Ps. What you get should be based on your requirements or needs. My Sigma is strictly a 9mm semi-automatic hand gun. It can never be anything else. My M&P is a 9mm, .357Sig and a .40S&W. Both the Sigma and M&P are great carry guns, which is the best part of the polymer frame. Decide what you want. If you have friends that have these guns, ask to shoot them.

 

[osbornk]

I chose the SD9VE because of the price, it fit my hand and I like the looks. It was the best value I could find for under $300 and has a lifetime warranty. The only thing I have done to it rather than shooting it is to replace the plastic rear sight with the metal one for the M&P. There was really no reason I changed it because it looks exactly the same and was a $15 expenditure. I bought it for what it is and have no plans to do anything more with it. It is remarkably similar to the Glock 19 for far less money.

 

[JaPes]

I preface what I'm about to post by stating I like, own, and have owned several different handguns from different manufacturers.

A friend with no experience shooting expressed interest. He is dead set on buying his first handgun, and wants a Glock 19 Gen4 based on what he sees in TV shows and movies. I told him that while I applaud his blind choice (my primary carry is a Glock 19 Gen4), he won't truly discover his preferences until he shoots. I took him to the range. I brought the polymer frame 9mm's currently in my collection:

• Glock 19 Gen4
• S&W SD9VE
• Styer M9-A1
• Glock 43

This friend is so new to firearms, untainted by internet forums. He has no idea about price, manufacturer, trigger types. I thought everyone had some sort of basic order of operations common sense that could be applied to firearms. When I saw him loading rounds into a magazine backwards, I knew I had to start from the ground floor with a .22lr.

Once he started to consistently demonstrate safe firearms handling without needing me over his shoulder, I gave him a loaded mag. Once he began to understand sights, stance, trigger, and grip, I moved him up to center-fire.

10 rounds through a handgun, and I'd have him switch guns. It kept him from associating the new shooter high to a single handgun. I did not want him to like a gun just because it was the first he'd ever shot. After he understood how each worked, he was safe, and he learned some recoil mitigation, I let him switch pistols on his own.

He kept coming back to the S&W SD9VE. Why? He liked the grip, sights, and trigger. Now he knows what features he might actually prefer. He's a southpaw. He now wants to rent a couple handguns with ambidextrous controls.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I prefer the feel and action of the old no-frills early M&P, I have fired several of the SD's and they did the job too.

 

[turbo6]

I haven't shot a true M&P in forever so my only basis for comparison is my Shield vs my SD9VE.

Overall, the Shield wins for accuracy with me, the trigger is a bit easier to work with. They both are soft shooters in my opinion, but the Shield has a bit more front flip. The SD is obviously larger so it soaks up the felt recoil better, so it feels more balanced, yet the trigger isn't quite as refined.

Overall, you can't really go wrong either way. The SD is not unacceptable in anyway and I can put holes on paper consistently at your normal self defense range, so no complaints.