SD9 Survivor

[S&W Rover]

I’ve transitioned to hammer-fired guns over the past two years. It has been a conscious choice to go with designs that I think have better triggers and are real-world safer to operate (they all have decockers). I don’t have a place in the cabinet for any striker fired guns.

Except my SD9.

The SD9, which is the least expensive handgun in the bunch, does not have the best trigger. But somehow it’s a favorite I can’t get rid of.

Maybe because it fits my hand. Or it was such a good value for the money. Or it because it just works.

 

[JAREDSHS]

I agree with your assessment and can say that I really like the SD9VE that I own. I feel well protected when I am carrying it.

 

[SamMeow]

Mine is not my EDC, but it could be.
It was a nice price when purchased and I like the grip, it works.
I have much better but I see no need to get rid of it.

 

[coachray]

I have other guns that I shoot much more than my SD9VE but I will never get rid of it. It's too reliable of a gun.

 

[spad124]

Same result here. My other pistols are all hammer fired-1911s, CZs, and SIGs. But I really like my SD9VE. It’s my proverbial night stand gun. Reliable, accurate and inexpensive.

 

[3hounds]

I agree OP I really don't like striker fired guns, no traditional safety.

I went with the bigger caliber SD40 & I do like it but it's the only striker fired gun I own.

I put a lot of time & work into the gun to get it to perform more to my liking, a lot better than it did STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX.

Striker fired guns also seem to be MORE BLOCKY LOOKING which I don't like that much, SQUARISH I guess you can say ?

 

[dsk]

My SD9VE is my current home defense gun. Utterly reliable, a bazillion rounds in the mag, a trigger heavy enough that I won't shoot someone by mistake, and best of all its replacement cost is about nil. Aside from some traction tape on the grip it's completely unmodified.

 

[Steelhat]

My SD9VE was my first firearm. The main reason that I got it was the price and the fact that it's a S&W.
Over the years I added some classic P-Series SIGs to the stable because I like to ride the hammer when I holster my gun.
Even though I carry the hammer fired DA/SA SIGs, my SD9VE will stay with me, no need or plan to get rid of it.
I added the Apex spring kit and trigger and a Hogue grip sleeve. I may put some night sights on it and add a WML to it being that it's the only pistol with a rail.
I always refer to my SD9VE as my better Glock. (IMHO)

 

[jbtrucker]

Bought a used SD9VE a few months ago and it is a challenge to shoot , found that it is a lot more manageable with 124 gr. All I've done was install a wide body takedown plate and smoothed the grip a little. 5906 is still my favorite

 

[dsk]

You smoothed the grip on yours?!? That's the only real complaint I have with mine... the checkering on the backstrap isn't aggressive enough and the hard plastic frame feels slippery in the hand. That's why I had to add traction tape to mine. If I ever get the courage to do it I may take a soldering iron and stipple the backstrap instead.

 

[TonySoprano9VE]

My SD9VE is my EDC I trust my life to it!

 

[elm_creek_smith]

A friend of mine was an Assyrian Christian police officer in Iraq after the second Gulf War. They were issued SD9VEs as sidearms. He asked why the US Army didn't use them because they were accurate and felt good in the hand. He and his partner were ambushed one night, and he ran his AK out of ammo, seven magazines! The thing that saved his life was the SD9VE. His partner was down, so he took his SD9VE as well, and when two of the surviving attackers closed on his position it apparently sounded like an MP5K cutting loose. I guess the survivors, not the two who went to kill him 'cause they didn't, decided that enough "brothers" had gone to paradise that night and disappeared. An American patrol responded to the firefight, but it was too late for his partner.

He credits his survival to the training they received from US police trainers and training sessions with some US special forces teams. He said one of the SF guys told him, "You're never out of the fight until you choose to be."

He managed to leave Iraq with his family and has become a citizen. The first gun he bought after becoming a citizen was a Smith & Wesson SD9VE.

 

[Skoll]

My SD9 VE is also my EDC. I have the complete Apex package in it and will be getting some MP sights for it eventually. The only things I dislike is the two tone slide / receiver and the grip isn't the best. Other than that, the guns a damn trooper and is probably more accurate than I am.

 

[touchoneoff]

My SD9VE was my first firearm. The main reason that I got it was the price and the fact that it's a S&W.
Over the years I added some classic P-Series SIGs to the stable because I like to ride the hammer when I holster my gun.
Even though I carry the hammer fired DA/SA SIGs, my SD9VE will stay with me, no need or plan to get rid of it.
I added the Apex spring kit and trigger and a Hogue grip sleeve. I may put some night sights on it and add a WML to it being that it's the only pistol with a rail.
I always refer to my SD9VE as my better Glock. (IMHO)

Yeah, I know what you mean. I hope S&W never discontinues this model, because as a budget pistol, it has a lot to offer.

 

[jbtrucker]

You smoothed the grip on yours?!? That's the only real complaint I have with mine... the checkering on the backstrap isn't aggressive enough and the hard plastic frame feels slippery in the hand. That's why I had to add traction tape to mine. If I ever get the courage to do it I may take a soldering iron and stipple the backstrap instead.

Just a little off front / back strap with strip of fine wet o dry, just right for me .

 

[bubbatime]

I've owned hundreds of pistols. I REALLY like the SD9VE and recommend them to EVERY budget buyer I know. I think they are the ideal gun for new shooters to learn their proper shooting techniques. The revolver like trigger is a wonderful way to learn proper trigger discipline. The slide serrations are excellent and much better than most auto pistols. And I have never had a single jam or failure, in well, ever, from SD9VE pistols.

I like the pistols so much, I keep one as my truck gun. Cant beat the $259-$269 price that these are selling for almost year round online. A budget pistol, that works.