SD9 VE or Ruger SR9

J

jim.c

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2013
Messages
51
Reaction score
17
Location
Mesa, Arizona
I'm looking for a full size 9mm to use for a range/SD gun and I have it narrowed down to the SD9 VE or the Ruger SR9. Both feel great in my hand. Does anyone own both pistols ? I would appreciate any input from the members here on the Forum. Thanks, Jim
 
Register to hide this ad
I used to have an SR40C and traded it on a FS M&P40. When my brother was looking for an inexpensive first pistol, I suggested he get a SD9VE which I did. Although I don't own it, I've shot it some. I traded the Ruger because it started having light-strike issues and it had too many safety features. I will say that Ruger responded well - replaced the striker, magazine disconnect and did some other work. It had a wonderful trigger and was great to shoot, but all the safety features were too much for me. The SD9VE is less expensive, but still a good pistol. It isn't as left-hand friendly, and doesn't have as many bells and whistles. If you want more safety features (frame safety, magazine disconnect, tactile loaded chamber indicator and maybe some I forgot) go for the Ruger. If you prefer your gun doesn't have those things like I do, then for a range and SD gun, go with the Smith and spend the money you saved on ammo. From a personal standpoint - I decided my M&P(s) are worth the extra cost.
 
I chose the SD, to me it's the perfect SD gun.

Simple design and function, no magazine safety deals to worry about. I like the idea of having one ready to roll with the magazine out.
 
I haven't owned the SD9VE, but I did own the SD40VE. It was a good pistol, shot well, felt good in the hand, light weight, no complaints. I sold it because I wanted to add another 9mm to my lineup. I would not hesitate consider the SD9VE or SD40VE again - for the price, it's hard to beat. I've heard a number of folks refer to the SDVE series as an 'inexpensive' Glock. I don't know about that, but I will say the SDVE pistols are prettier than the Glocks.

As for the SR9, my brother has one. It's also a nice pistol, feels good in the hand, shoots well, reliable. I've owned several Ruger firearms and I've never owned one that wasn't a great rifle/pistol.

Between the two, I might lean toward the SD9VE myself. My 2 cents.
 
Last edited:
I've never shot an SD, but last week I rented an SR40. The trigger was awesome. But overall, I like my M&P more.
The stock sights were hard for me to pick up. The safety was difficult to function, as in awkward. Didn't like how it felt in the hand. But it had some positives. Like ambidextrous magazine release. Like I said, the trigger.
Honestly though, try to shoot them both first. At least fondle a few.


Sent from my SPH-M930BST using Tapatalk 2
 
I think it comes down to what features you want and what you can live with.
Do you want a SD/range gun with a safety ? (SR9)
8 lb or 6.5 lb trigger. (SD vs SR)
Do you want to spend $150 more? (SR)

I'd say get the SD and if you wish toss in an apex kit and use your savings for ammo.

So with that said let me throw a curve ball at you.
The SD9VE is a very good SD pistol with a heavy DA trigger. Great gun for the money!
I have one and like it.
Now on a side note, if you want what I consider to be a great multipurpose pistol look at the SR9C
The trigger is smoother and crisper feeling than the SR9, with a stock 5.3 lb trigger.
Very accurate. Has the ability to serve double duty as a great CC or Home Defense.
The short 10 rd mag for CC and I keep the extended mag in it at home that gives the full size grip.
The SR9C is a well made pistol.
Average price around here is $435- $459
Very accurate, fits my hand better than I ever expected.
Ruger Customer Service is great too.
 
Got a Cabela's flyer yesterday, the sd9ve is on sale for $329. I have the Apex upgrades in mine. She's a keeper!
 
SamMeow thanks for the curve ball but I already have what I consider the perfect CC pistol. I'm looking for something larger for range time and I'm pretty sure it will be either the SR9 or the SD9VE. For me it comes down to reliability and how the gun feels in my hand. Both feel great in my hand and I could be happy with either one. That leaves the reliability issue. Hopefully I can figure that out with research and the help of the Forum.
 
i have shot both, own a SD40, SD40VE, and SD9VE. all great firearms. my friend has a ruger. i personally dont like the safety.. the DA trigger on the SD is heavy, it does have a learning curve. once mastered its way more gun than one would expect for the money and it has a lifetime smith warranty. they are best in business for support
 
They are both well made reliable guns.

I've test driven them both. I preferred the ergonomics and handling characteristics of the S&W SD9VE so much more that I bought it, and a second one as it's mate.

Being $150 lower priced than the Ruger was just icing on the cake.
 
Do you think the difference in barrel length is a factor with these two pistols. The Ruger SR9 is 4.14" and the SD9VE is 4". Not a huge difference but will it affect the accuracy or will it not make a difference ? One of the things I like better on the SD is the sights. They are larger and easy to see. The Ruger's sights are very small and it takes me a second to acquire the sight picture. Both feel good in my hand. Reliability and how a gun feels are my main concerns. Thanks, Jim
 
The rear sights on the SD are plastic and have painted on dots.
When the paint wears/cleans off...keep that in mind.

Mine are still fine. My gf's sd9ve has one of the rear sights wearing off...
Im going to drill a small divet in each side and fill em with glo paint.
 
SamMeow said:
I think it comes down to what features you want and what you can live with.
Do you want a SD/range gun with a safety ? (SR9)
8 lb or 6.5 lb trigger. (SD vs SR)
Do you want to spend $150 more? (SR)

I'd say get the SD and if you wish toss in an apex kit and use your savings for ammo.

So with that said let me throw a curve ball at you.
The SD9VE is a very good SD pistol with a heavy DA trigger. Great gun for the money!
I have one and like it.
Now on a side note, if you want what I consider to be a great multipurpose pistol look at the SR9C
The trigger is smoother and crisper feeling than the SR9, with a stock 5.3 lb trigger.
Very accurate. Has the ability to serve double duty as a great CC or Home Defense.
The short 10 rd mag for CC and I keep the extended mag in it at home that gives the full size grip.
The SR9C is a well made pistol.
Average price around here is $435- $459
Very accurate, fits my hand better than I ever expected.
Ruger Customer Service is great too.
Click to expand...

+1. I'd get the SR9c before the SR9, too.
 
I have both. I'll echo what the others have said:

1. The SR9C has a manual safety and a magazine disconnect safety. The SD has no safety.
2. The SR9C comes with two 17-shot magazines. The SD comes with two 16-shot magazines. Fair enough.
3. The SR9C's barrel is just a tad shorter than the SD's.
4. The SR9C is about $130 more (where I'm at) than the SD.

I own both. I've had no problems whatsoever with either gun's functionality. No failures to fire, failures to extract, stovepipes, magazines coming out when I didn't want them to, nothing. The Ruger is more accurate. The SD has better slide serrations. Both have a well-textured grip. The Ruger has an ambidextrous safety and magazine release button. The SD is easier to take down. The Ruger's trigger seemed to lighten up quicker than the SD's. So...

I prefer the SR9C. I've been a Ruger guy all my life, and I think the Ruger feels more solid. Maybe that's just me. However, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the SD series, especially at the cost.

Gott dangit, let me take some side-by-side photos and get them up...
 
Last edited:
JNIeporte, Thanks for the info. I would love to see photos if you have them. I'm still undecided. I like both pistols. I need to go look at both of them side by side again. I did like the sights on the SD better than the SR9. They both feel good in my hand. I had read some bad reviews on the SR9 but if you look hard enough you can find good & bad about all guns. For me it's reliability and how a pistol feels in my hand that make the difference. Thanks again to everyone for all the feedback.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
5906 Possible Issue?
Replies
3
Views
239
Exchipy
Exchipy
Kanewpadle
Pistol Caliber Carbines
5 6 7
Replies
138
Views
6K
Riposte1
R
lrrifleman
Questions concerning loading the Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense bullet
Replies
4
Views
269
robertrwalsh
robertrwalsh
Terry G
M&P 2.0 .45 Compact
Replies
5
Views
322
jack zeller
J
J
10mm M&P PC with Apex Trigger Reset Failure
Replies
9
Views
184
hardluk1
H

Latest posts

Back
Top