SD9 compared to SD9VE

[GKC]

Thanks Ken, I went into B&S Guns ONCE and decided they should rename the place BS Guns. They must have cut their prices since I was there last year.

It's a funny thing, but I mainly go to three gun shops in my local area...and the prices are never the same for any one gun in all three shops...not even close. One particular gun will be higher in one shop, lower in the other, and about in the middle in the third. For a different gun, the shop that was high is now lower than the other two, and so on. I have learned to be a comparison shopper, and check prices in all three before I buy in one. (I also check online, as well as this and other forums for pricing information.)

The guys at B&S Guns have been good to me, and I've done a lot of business there. I know that there are negative comments about them, but I've always felt good about my experiences there. Of course, I am a really wonderful guy...

One thing I was say that is a negative is that they are VERY high on their ammo prices. I usually buy my ammo at Academy Sports, or one of the other two local shops.

 

[marlin.357]

The SD9 and SDVE are the exact same gun (minus the finish and sights) and both have a good degree of play in frame to slide fit when compared to the Sigma. As I mentioned in other posts I believe its due to the rear rails not being attached to the frame.

On my SD the play is the same at the front and rear about .015", but surprisingly doesn't seem to affect accuracy--at least in my hands

 

[mlk18]

The rails are not attached to the frame its not a theory its basic physics.

I am not a Physicist or a professional firearm designer, but something tells me Smith & Wesson has at least one of them on staff. I am also betting that when they designed the SD9 they did so with intention of it working and being at least minimally durable. I will further bet that they tested the design and were pleased with it. And gosh golly they were successful because my SD9's are accurate, reliable and so far very durable. So my score card reads: Reality 1 - Physics 0.

 

[cbr6864]

I am not a Physicist or a professional firearm designer, but something tells me Smith & Wesson has at least one of them on staff. I am also betting that when they designed the SD9 they did so with intention of it working and being at least minimally durable. I will further bet that they tested the design and were pleased with it. And gosh golly they were successful because my SD9's are accurate, reliable and so far very durable. So my score card reads: Reality 1 - Physics 0.

Ok we get you like the fact that the rear rails are not attached to the frame what is your point? Have you ever even taken a look at the sear block in the SD? There is almost no plastic actually holding the rear rails in place.

The problem with the internet is there are just too many kids online with zero knowledge. Having the rear rails attached to the frame is by far stronger and provides less movement than having them directly mounted to the frame.

Who knows why S&W put the rear rails in the sear block, the only thing I can come up with is reduced production cost as well as repair cost. There is a reason no one else is doing this.

 

[AmbroseLee]

WPWarhawk, it looks like the rear sight on the SD9VE says "M&P" on it. Is that the sight that came on the gun? Is Smith & Wesson using extra M&P sights for the SD9VE? Interesting.

 

[Horace & Daniel]

All I want to know is what the hell does "VE" strand for?

 

[cbr6864]

All I want to know is what the hell does "VE" strand for?

"value enhanced" or just a product code

 

[WPWarhawk]

WPWarhawk, it looks like the rear sight on the SD9VE says "M&P" on it. Is that the sight that came on the gun? Is Smith & Wesson using extra M&P sights for the SD9VE? Interesting.

You've got it backwards, the M&P rear sight is what came on the older SD9, the one with the blackened slide.

 

[mlk18]

Ok we get you like the fact that the rear rails are not attached to the frame what is your point?

My point is that no one is having any problems with the design and it is likely no one ever will. We all get that you don't like it and feel that it is some kind of violation of how guns are supposed to be made. It seem that S&W disagrees. And if for some reason the design does become an issue, we all have lifetime warranties to cover us. Who knows, maybe we will all get brand new SD9 Gen3's out of the deal.

 

[cocojo]

I have no problem with the back rails being a module. If there is ever a problem Smith will fix it. My new shield is the same way and that's an M&P. When Glock e series had rear rails break they had to replace the whole frame and a lot of them. I like the SD because it's plain and simple the way i like a working gun. Good looking too.

 

[Out West]

Maybe it is what the advertising calls the "steel subframe". Touted as an advantage.

Out
West

 

[cbr6864]

It appears to be a cost cutting method to me, when i fire my SD you can see the entire back of the slide move from the tension right before the trigger breaks

 

[patbelly]

It appears to be a cost cutting method to me, when i fire my SD you can see the entire back of the slide move from the tension right before the trigger breaks

My Kahr CW9 does that and I can guarantee it is not from the rails moving.

 

[scandmx5]

Does it rattle as bad as the first gens?

 

[mlk18]

Neither my SD9 or my SD9 VE rattles any more than my Glocks or M&P's, so I am not sure what you mean.

 

[scandmx5]

Neither my SD9 or my SD9 VE rattles any more than my Glocks or M&P's, so I am not sure what you mean.

I never owned any in 9. I had 2 SD40's and that was the most rattly gun I've ever heard. The mags sounded like a ball-bearing in a coke can. I never heard any of the 9mm guys have that issue, just other .40 owners. The G19 I owned was silent compared to the SD lol. Either way, I love S&W's and the SD/SDVE's look so much better than Glocks. I loved the melonite and the new duotone models equally.

 

[1wwall]

I dont know about you guys, but our instructor always told us "never carry a semi-auto for duty or combat that doesn't rattle, if it doesn't rattle it'll likely jam on you". I have carried several S&W semis as well as glocks over the years and they have all rattled. Even the Sig 229 I carried was a rattler. One thing I've noticed on the .40 mags rattling, I've observed that they are also marked .357 sig. Maybe this has something to do with it? The ones for my M&P (that absolutely loves me and the feeling is mutual) sounds like it is coming apart, none of my older models did (4006, 4056, 411).

 

[vipermd]

40 sw and 357 sig use the same mag

 

[Fat B]

Not sure what the OP means by stating the SDVE trigger is better than the SD they are exactly the same trigger and sear.

I don't know. I handled a SDVE the other day and the trigger felt like a different design. Seemed shorter, had a more audible snap and concrete feel to the firing pin being released. I'd bet my money that something was tweeked. More than just the machining variations. Or it could be that my SD is just worn and the feel of a new one seems strange but I don't think so.

 

[dondavis3]

@ original OP

Thanks for the write-up and pictures.