SD40, possible homerun?

inthere

Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2005
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
SE, PA
I traded for a S&W SD40 last night and S&W hit a home run, if no issues creep up.
The SD40 is like a cross between the M&P and Sigma with the price point about $50 more then a Sigma, putting the SD40 around $400. The SD40 appears to have an upgraded Sigma frame. The same ergonomics of the Sigma, but with a standard picatinny rail. The frame has the right amount of texture for me (front and back strap) but the mag release isn't amb, only right handed. It's a striker fire trigger system SW is calling the SDT. The trigger is not gritty and heavy like the Sigma, but more on lines of the M&P.
The slide appears very similar to the M&P, the dealer told me the slide was "carbon steel" w/ a melonite finish. The web site states the slide is stainless steel w/ melonite finish, I won't know how to check that. The SD40 has serrations similar to the M&P. The sights are metal with only the front sight being tritium (night sight) and it comes w/ two 14rnd mags.
I fired approximately 300rnd of various ammo (180grn Federal Hi-Shok?, 155grn and 165grn American Eagle, 165grn Federal HST and 165grn Speer) and not one hic-cup. I was use to the trigger after about the third mag, more of a DA/SA shooter. The SD40 trigger was breaking in as the round count increased an it handled the recoil well. I was shooting the center out of a B27 target at 15yards, that's combat accurate in my book. FYI: I didn't clean/oil the gun prior to shooting, purchased and onto the range.
We'll have to wait and see how durable the SD40 is with a higher round count. I'm hoping S&W tested the SD40 thoroughly prior to letting it hit the sales floor, I had an early M&P w/ issues.
 
Register to hide this ad
Congratulations on your SD! I'm interested in the SD9, myself.

If they work as perfectly as my sigma, with a lighter trigger to boot, I'd be very interested in one.

BTW: There has never been any grit in my trigger, never. I wish I was the first guy to use that word on the internet; I'd have submitted a patent on it and collected royalties all these years.

Enjoy your awesome new gun! Go Smith, Go Ruger, Go USA!!!!!!!!!!!

Lee
 
I am also waiting for the SD9. I really wish one of my local gun shops would get in an SD40 so I can handle one and pull the trigger. Until then all I have is reviews. Thanks.
 
mlk18 & inthere, I'm with yas!

I predict a homerun for the good guys!

Lee
 
the dealer told me the slide was "carbon steel" w/ a melonite finish. The web site states the slide is stainless steel w/ melonite finish, I won't know how to check that.

Why would you need to check that?

If Smith & Wesson publishes it as stainless and your dealer says its carbon...That would usually be seen as evidence your dealer is off in La-la land and doesn't know what he's talking about.
 
I love my SD40 as well. Have about the same number of rounds as you with about the same results. Just one failure to fire but I'm 99.9% positive it was a bad round (swelled primer from spilling solvent in my ammo can). Over all I love mine and after a little more testing it will be my carry and replace my M&P 40c for every day. For now though I am sticking with my M&P because I am more comfortable with it.
 
I am very interested in the SD9 but Smith says it has not produced a
Mass. version yet,that means a 10lb trigger..Hope that when they do it will be fixable like the M&P trigger..
 
Just a note to potential SD buyers. Make sure you don't get one with the slide out of alignment with the frame. My SD40 was off. S&W said send it in but after more than 2 weeks they returned it with no repair and no explanation. When I called them they said it was within specs. That means to me that they don't mind you getting a defective pistol. Sad indeed but what can you do except try to warn others.
 
Just a note to potential SD buyers. Make sure you don't get one with the slide out of alignment with the frame. My SD40 was off. S&W said send it in but after more than 2 weeks they returned it with no repair and no explanation. When I called them they said it was within specs. That means to me that they don't mind you getting a defective pistol. Sad indeed but what can you do except try to warn others.

How does it shoot? That's really the first measure of a pistol in this price range.
 
Just a note to potential SD buyers. Make sure you don't get one with the slide out of alignment with the frame. My SD40 was off.

Could you post some pictures or describe exactly where/how it is out of alignment? I am intereeted in getting one of these and in my excitement to close a deal might not do as through a review of the gun as I should and miss something if I don't know exactly what to look for.
 
This guy saying there is a problem started his account to bash the bun and his homepage is glock talk. I have no problems with either my SD40 or SD9. Until he shows something different just ignore him.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just a note to potential SD buyers. Make sure you don't get one with the slide out of alignment with the frame. My SD40 was off. S&W said send it in but after more than 2 weeks they returned it with no repair and no explanation. When I called them they said it was within specs. That means to me that they don't mind you getting a defective pistol. Sad indeed but what can you do except try to warn others.

*NO * repair? That's not what you said here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/159962-sd40-problem.html#post135715310

So..
1. the S&W 360 view shows this "defect" (http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/154448-sd9-sd40-3.html#post135691483)

2. S&W says it is within spec after repairing another issue/complaint

3. The pistol "shoots fine" (from: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/154448-sd9-sd40-3.html#post135691483)?

Not sure what your complaint "barrel and frame don't line up" means? Pics would help.
 
When I looked at them I did notice some "slop" in the slide and frame. I don't own one, but I did handle it and the slide does wiggle on the frame. On the other hand, the M&P pistol I looked at didn't wiggle at all.
 
I have been seriously tempted to buy an SD9 myself! It just feels good in my hand and (for me at least) is about perfect in size and weight for CCW (if Il. ever does allow us to do that!), and unlike brand G doesn't bite the hand that feeds it!
So does anybody have experience the 9mm version yet?
 
Lost my Sigma

"Somebody, I say Somebody", got away with my perfectly good Sigma.
What a shame!:rolleyes:
Now I have an excuse to get an SD9. :D
 
I Have an SD40 no problems shoots any ammo i feed it.Nothing out of line in mine.I really like it.
 
Back
Top