SD9-VE Upgrade Options?
- Thread starter Awek99
- Start date
I really don't like the trigger on this gun. Don't like the way it looks, and I don't like how heavy it is (over 8lb). It also feels spongy to me, which is undesirable. I have heard nothing but good things about the Apex Tactical trigger kit, but I am always open to opinions and recommendations.
Forgot to say, that is really hard wood. Dunno what kind of wood it is, or if its just a hard section, but standard rounds were going right through other 2x4's quite easily. The exit on standard rounds usually has split wood and a sizable hole. This 2x4 was much lighter in color than the other boards I shot.
Dry firing
(Y) S&W says yes, according to several posts I've seen.
(N) At least one person said dry firing broke the firing pin off the striker assembly. S&W replaced his striker I believe.
I use snapcaps, just in case, while practicing holding a steady aim. - however I don't use one after a cleaning.
Whatever you do you need to keep loaded magazines far away from your gun when dry firing. (I have a CA version and you have to have a magazine in the gun for the trigger linkage to connect.)
(Y) S&W says yes, according to several posts I've seen.
(N) At least one person said dry firing broke the firing pin off the striker assembly. S&W replaced his striker I believe.
I use snapcaps, just in case, while practicing holding a steady aim. - however I don't use one after a cleaning.
Whatever you do you need to keep loaded magazines far away from your gun when dry firing. (I have a CA version and you have to have a magazine in the gun for the trigger linkage to connect.)
I just bought a new SD9VE and plan on replacing the slide lock with the extended version and also replace the plastic guide rod with a SS one. I also really wish the thumb slide release extended out from the gun more but I can't find an extended version and I doubt it would be an easy replacement if I did.
i never use the slide stop as a slide release better too rack the slide !
brchambersjr
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Capt Crunch
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Honestly, it doesn't really matter either way for modern guns. The only one I know of where is matters is the XDs, the manual actually suggest using the slide stop to load a round into the chamber due to it's construction.
So I've been doing trigger pull practices at home, using a AA battery balanced on it's positive end right at the front sight. I try to pull the trigger without making the battery fall. It's hard to get it to balance even just holding the gun, let alone while pulling the trigger. But I got it down 
Slide Stop/takedown lever
I see lot's of confusion here. The original poster was, I'm pretty sure, talking about the bar/stop/lever you have to hold down when disassembling the gun, not the slide lock that holds the slide back after the last round has been fired.
The problem is that different folks call this part different things. I have already posted several times on a good replacement that is just 1 mm longer than stock but laser cut and not stamped.
I see from my comments in the envelope where the stock part is kept that the OEM part is 28.52 mm long. The new part is 29.50 mm long. I was really surprised at the difference in finger wear and even more surprised when I measured the two parts.
The envelope says it's an "Extended Slide Lock Lever Stainless Steel".
The envelope has a phone number and an email address:
203-438-7784
[email protected]
I see lot's of confusion here. The original poster was, I'm pretty sure, talking about the bar/stop/lever you have to hold down when disassembling the gun, not the slide lock that holds the slide back after the last round has been fired.
The problem is that different folks call this part different things. I have already posted several times on a good replacement that is just 1 mm longer than stock but laser cut and not stamped.
I see from my comments in the envelope where the stock part is kept that the OEM part is 28.52 mm long. The new part is 29.50 mm long. I was really surprised at the difference in finger wear and even more surprised when I measured the two parts.
The envelope says it's an "Extended Slide Lock Lever Stainless Steel".
The envelope has a phone number and an email address:
203-438-7784
[email protected]
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If someone wanted to spend a lot of money, could they customize an SD9-VE to be one of a kind? Like a custom metal frame (that would be so neat!), improved hardware materials, custom grips, custom stamping, maybe some sort of custom coating.
I know some will say why? I will say cause I like the gun, and why not? Some will say it's putting lipstick on a pig, I say it's turning that pig into some amazing bacon.
What do you guys think?
I know some will say why? I will say cause I like the gun, and why not? Some will say it's putting lipstick on a pig, I say it's turning that pig into some amazing bacon.
What do you guys think?
Steelhat
Member
A custom metal frame would make it a totally different gun and one need to find someone who can machine it out of a chunk of stainless steel for example. That would require a 3D scanner that can transfer the data to a CNC machine. If that would be possible it would also pretty dang expensive. Who ever does that job would also need to have a manufacturer FFL if that would be done for anyone else than the person who actually does the work. There might also be legal issues coming up with S&W when you copy their design. 
If you want a full metal gun - add another gun to the collection.
Also one might want to have the slide milled out in certain spots to reduce weight, or put a reflex sight on. I've seen pictures of other pistols like Glock's or M&P's that got that treatment. But then again, the SD series is a $300 gun and customization of those kind would probably cost more than the gun itself.
A way easier and cheaper way to customize your SD would be the ceracote route which would gave you the option of different colors on the slide and frame.
The only thing that I did to my SD9VE was putting the Apex spring kit and trigger in. That reduced the trigger pull to about 6 lbs., reduced the take up and eliminated the over travel. Also have the +3 mag extension on one of my mags which gives me 19 rounds now. I also put a Hogue slip on grip on it to increase the grip circumfence and enhance the fit to my hands.
If you want a full metal gun - add another gun to the collection. Also one might want to have the slide milled out in certain spots to reduce weight, or put a reflex sight on. I've seen pictures of other pistols like Glock's or M&P's that got that treatment. But then again, the SD series is a $300 gun and customization of those kind would probably cost more than the gun itself.
A way easier and cheaper way to customize your SD would be the ceracote route which would gave you the option of different colors on the slide and frame.
The only thing that I did to my SD9VE was putting the Apex spring kit and trigger in. That reduced the trigger pull to about 6 lbs., reduced the take up and eliminated the over travel. Also have the +3 mag extension on one of my mags which gives me 19 rounds now. I also put a Hogue slip on grip on it to increase the grip circumfence and enhance the fit to my hands.
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Thanks for the reply! Man that would be pretty cool, if I had a 3D scanner and machining systems that could punch out custom frames and hardware. I didn't actually plan on doing anything like that, I was just curious if it was possible.A custom metal frame would make it a totally different gun and one need to find someone who can machine it out of a chunk of stainless steel for example. That would require a 3D scanner that can transfer the data to a CNC machine. If that would be possible it would also pretty dang expensive. Who ever does that job would also need to have a manufacturer FFL if that would be done for anyone else than the person who actually does the work. There might also be legal issues coming up with S&W when you copy their design.
Also one might want to have the slide milled out in certain spots to reduce weight, or put a reflex sight on. I've seen pictures of other pistols like Glock's or M&P's that got that treatment. But then again, the SD series is a $300 gun and customization of those kind would probably cost more than the gun itself.
A way easier and cheaper way to customize your SD would be the ceracote route which would gave you the option of different colors on the slide and frame.
The only thing that I did to my SD9VE was putting the Apex spring kit and trigger in. That reduced the trigger pull to about 6 lbs., reduced the take up and eliminated the over travel. Also have the +3 mag extension on one of my mags which gives me 19 rounds now. I also put a Hogue slip on grip on it to increase the grip circumfence and enhance the fit to my hands.
I like the gun a lot, but I'm probably gonna put different sights on it, wider take down lever, stainless guide rod, custom rear slide plate, the trigger kit, and maybe the spring kit. Have you had any trouble with the lighter spring kit? Someone said they didn't like it as it caused light primer strikes.
Customize? Why?
I like mine for what it is. I did replace the barrel stop with one just a mm longer because the one on stock model was hard on my fingertips.
Other than that the gun does exactly what it was designed to do. It provides affordable self protection.
I just can't imagine what metal sights would do to improve my safety in a dangerous situation, nor do I see how coating the gun would make it better for the intended purpose.
If I wanted a target pistol, and had the cash on hand for that hobby, I would buy a target pistol. I had my life of target competition over 60 years ago on the NROTC rifle team. I had my life of carrying a sidearm in the Navy. I had my hunting life during High School with a rifle received at Jr. High Graduation.
I just don't see any of the "upgrades" discussed here as improving the gun for it's intended purpose or making it more reliable.
Beyond all those experiences I only have one desire . . . I'd like to own a classic 1911A just for the pleasure of owning a classic.
I like mine for what it is. I did replace the barrel stop with one just a mm longer because the one on stock model was hard on my fingertips.
Other than that the gun does exactly what it was designed to do. It provides affordable self protection.
I just can't imagine what metal sights would do to improve my safety in a dangerous situation, nor do I see how coating the gun would make it better for the intended purpose.
If I wanted a target pistol, and had the cash on hand for that hobby, I would buy a target pistol. I had my life of target competition over 60 years ago on the NROTC rifle team. I had my life of carrying a sidearm in the Navy. I had my hunting life during High School with a rifle received at Jr. High Graduation.
I just don't see any of the "upgrades" discussed here as improving the gun for it's intended purpose or making it more reliable.
Beyond all those experiences I only have one desire . . . I'd like to own a classic 1911A just for the pleasure of owning a classic.
