SD40 - lay it on me.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I would like opinions from those folks who have spent some time with the SD40. I am trying to decide between that and another M&P full size (.40).
It's use will be range / home defense, so it will get used much.
Opinions from those who have both M&P and SD would be great.
I know the M&P well and the sole reason for considering the SD is price. And it's just a bonus that it uses M&P mags and fits in an M&P holster.

 

[setxn]

Seems to be a small group that own SD pistols. And a lack of comments -good or bad.Curious also.

 

[Backon4]

I have a M&P40c, SD40, SD9, and a Sigma 40V. The SD40 is my favorite gun by far. To me the trigger is just right, grip feels great and has great texture, front night sight, and big enough for good control but small enough that it is easily concealed.

The SD fits perfectly between the M&P and the Sigma and offers a great pistol at price point that beats everything in it's range. I recommend finding one to try out.

I did a comparison of all 3 on here a while back but can't seem to find it.

 

[ADKeagle]

I have been very pleased with my SD40. I can't think of any features missing that would justify spending the extra cash to get an M&P. I have had zero malfunctions and have found the gun to be very accurate. I think this gun may be the best quality value gun out there! I had'nt heard that M&P mags and holsters work with the SD series. You might want to double check that. I have read, however, that the sigma mags and sigma holsters work. Obviously that makes sense since the ergonomics more closely match those of the sigma.

The one thing that I have noticed about this gun is that if you search around online, you can't really find any threads about people unhappy with this gun!

 

[OKFC05]

And it's just a bonus that it uses M&P mags

SD and Sigma mags interchange; M&P are different.

Suggest you find a place to rent and fire one of each and learn about them firsthand.

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

Quote:
Suggest you find a place to rent and fire one of each and learn about them firsthand.

Why would I do this? In my original post I said I know the M&P well (and i do) and I was looking for opinions from folks who have actually handled the SD. Not a flame here, but I don't see the reason for your suggestion.

ADeagle & Backon4, thanks, exactly the info I was hoping to get.

I like the way the SD feels in my hand and how it points, but when I dry fire a new one the trigger feels a tad heavier and a tad longer than any M&P I've fired. Not bad mind you, just different. Looking at pictures of the trigger mechanism it bears a resemblance to my Walther PPS in design.
I have found most triggers improve with use and I would expect the same with the SD. I think the M&P trigger and the old 990L triggers are near perfect for a defensive weapon. The SD maybe in the same boat.
I'll fork one up this weekend.

This is where I read that the holster was the same as the M&P. Looking at all three guns (sigma, m&p, & sd) the SD looks closer to the M&P, to me anyway. Don't know where I got the mag is the same info. Some days my head is nothing more than a hat rack.

Smith & Wesson SD40 Semi-Auto Pistol

 

[OKFC05]

Why would I do this? In my original post I said I know the M&P well (and i do) and I was looking for opinions from folks who have actually handled the SD. Not a flame here, but I don't see the reason for your suggestion.

Well, if you insist, I'll tell you why directly.
You don't seem to know much about the SD, and you will get a quick education if you shoot one. I own and shoot the Sigma and M&P regularly, and have shot the SD.

The SD is an improved Sigma, not a junior M&P. If you expect the SD trigger to become like the M&P trigger with use, it won't. It is longer and has a longer 2nd shot reset. You can't feel the 2nd shot reset dryfiring it.
The M&P trigger can be improved with the APEX parts, which are not made for the Sigma and SD.

Most people I know who start with the M&P think the SD is a step down. Who knows what you will think until you actually try it?

Understand I like all three, for what they are. The M&P is a whole different gun than the Sigma/SD frame.

 

[Backon4]

I prefer the trigger on the SD, after a few thousand rounds through my M&P the trigger has gotten too light for me to feel comfortable carrying it. At 3.5lbs right now it just makes me feel unsafe. I carry my SD at 7.5lbs and neither the pull or reset bother me. It is exactly what I was looking for in a self defense gun.

 

[HskerRed]

I prefer the trigger on the SD, after a few thousand rounds through my M&P the trigger has gotten too light for me to feel comfortable carrying it. At 3.5lbs right now it just makes me feel unsafe. I carry my SD at 7.5lbs and neither the pull or reset bother me. It is exactly what I was looking for in a self defense gun.

Totally agree with that. I have an SD9 that I bought for the feel in my hand and the heavier trigger than the MP9 I rented a couple times. IMHO a self-defense gun should have a more "deliberate" trigger pull, if that word makes sense. Seems to me the laws and attitudes today demand that you be damn sure of yourself before committing to firing your weapon in self-defense. No fears of jittery unintentional shots with the SD9.

Not to knock the MP though, because I have been eyeing an MP9 Pro if I decide to get crazy and try a little "paper killing" competition.

 

[presspics]

I have both. The M&P is a great platform and the trigger is very tunable. As a defensive gun I really prefer my SD40. It has a long smooth trigger (after it broke in) of around 6.5 pounds. It is thin, light and compact enough for every day carry. It has really become my favorite gun.

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

Awesome, thanks for the replies. It makes it easier for me to make a decision when several people say the same thing.
I will buy one.
R.D.

 

[presspics]

Don't judge the gun by the trigger right out of the box. The trigger breaks in very quickly and smoothes right out.

 

[Backon4]

Mine were fine right out of the box (I have both the SD40 and the SD9(wifes, wink wink)) No break in needed. Smooth pull slightly longer reset with a positive feel. You won't be disappointed.

Also to confirm, Sigma and SD same mags, M&P different. Although my sigma and SD mags work in my M&P40C.

 

[jppezz23]

I agree with Backon4.Try one before you make a final choice.I love mine.

 

[Out West]

I have one and like it very much. I've owned the Sigma and the M&P. I prefer the SD. Others may not. I find the fit of the SD to superior. If you are familiar with the Glock 19 you will find the SD to be almost identical in size. Perfect for concealed carry: IWB or otherwise. Finally, the last gun show I attended had SD's going for $349! At that price, you can not go wrong.

I am also surprised that there has been so little discussion of the SD on this forum. Can't figure why. It's way easier to shoot than the Sigma, due to the trigger, and comes with more standard features than others costing much more money. Someone suggested that the gun works too well to get much attention. That could be the truth. (Just as an aside, I get amused to see all the new posts about the Sigma's heavy trigger. The Sigma has been known to have a heavy trigger for years. Why are we still talking about it?)

Out
West

 

[ADKeagle]

Someone suggested that the gun works too well to get much attention. That could be the truth.
Out
West

I agree with that 100%... just look at the number of threads on the BG380! I believe the SD series came out about the same time but has remained relatively anonymous online. Many people only post when they have problems or are looking for help. Most of the threads I can locate online about the SD are positive ones

 

[mlk18]

There is an alarming lack of pictures in this thread.

 

[carbuncle]

I second that!

 

[BigRich315]

As an owner of a Sigma 40 (and an M&P40c), I can't wait to get ahold of an SD40. I like the Sigma for what it is: a gun that flat out works. Any issues I can find with it look like they have been remedied in the SD40, mostly what seems to be borrowed/learned from the M&P..

The SD is a perfect compromise between the value of the Sigma and features of the M&P (think of it as maybe a Buick between a Chevy and Caddy?[though I've always been more partial to Buick]). I expect another great seller. I'd love to see a $349 deal from Bud's, or maybe $329!

 

[nun]

I have the M&P and with 1000 + rounds threw it I have had 0 problems. Yes the trigger is lighter than the SD but if you want a good range gun I think that's a plus. I am sure the SD is a reliable pistol. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for. I do agree that shooting a couple hundred rounds threw it is the best test.