SD9 worth it? Differences to SD9VE?

Athappyhiker

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As of yesterday there was a used SD9 at a LGS for $239. Looks in good shape. I already have a SD9VE and like it for what it is. Was wondering if the SD9 at that price is a good deal and if there is any real difference between SD9 and SD9VE besides the black slide coating and front night sight on the SD9? I think the SD9VE is a great bargain for a mid-sized pistol, and while I don't need another 9mm (already have the SD9VE, a M&P9c, a Kahr CW9, a Beretta 92FS and an Astra A-100), I do like good deals.
 
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The differences are minimal and I believed confined to the two items you mentioned (color of slide and sights). Note that the SD-9 sold by Academy has fiber optic front and rear sights; other SD-9s such as the gray and the FDE versions appear to have standard three dot sights, with a plastic rear sight; and older SD-9s have metal front and rear white dot sights.

At $239 that is a good price. You can add better sights later if you want to (sights for the M&P series pistols fit SD's and SD-VE's).

The question is... where is your collection of pistols taking you? You've got some interesting guns there. You might consider the M&P-9 2.0's. They offer more features that people sometimes wish they could add to their SD's.

But dollar for dollar, the SD (and SD-VE's) are a great value, so only you know how much you want to spend and what you are looking for!
 
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The question is... where is your collection of pistols taking you? You've got some interesting guns there. You might consider the M&P-9 2.0's. They offer more features that people sometimes wish they could add to their SD's.

But dollar for dollar, the SD (and SD-VE's) are a great value, so only you know how much you want to spend and what you are looking for!

Good question... I was actually considering buying it (if still available) as a gun to shoot occasionally, but more to save to give to one of my two sons someday (they're 12 and 13) if stupid gun control laws were to be passed that ban purchases of new hi-cap semi-autos. Hate to think that way, but it isn't out of the realm of the possible.
While I certainly can appreciate super-nice guns, I also appreciate good-value guns that can be just used as reliable tools. I'm not a competition shooter, so I tend to view handguns more in the utility/tool group.
 
If I had an SD9VE I'd probably pass on the SD9 and either invest the money in an Apex trigger (brings it closer to an M&P 2.0) or save the dough and look at some of the 3rd generation S&W 9s. Maybe a nice 6906 or 5906. Nothing against striker-fired, but if I were buying with my kids in mind someday, I'd go for the ruggedness of the 5900 series. Big 'ole 5906...that's a gun that could be a family heirloom.

Or a 39-2....slimmer, a bit more elegant, and a bit historic as well as being a sweet shooter.
 
If I had an SD9VE I'd probably pass on the SD9 and either invest the money in an Apex trigger (brings it closer to an M&P 2.0) or save the dough and look at some of the 3rd generation S&W 9s. Maybe a nice 6906 or 5906. Nothing against striker-fired, but if I were buying with my kids in mind someday, I'd go for the ruggedness of the 5900 series. Big 'ole 5906...that's a gun that could be a family heirloom.

Or a 39-2....slimmer, a bit more elegant, and a bit historic as well as being a sweet shooter.

Owning a handful of the 2nd and 3rd gens, range use could be fine but real world may not be. The extra metal to adsorb the recoil is great and it slightly throws me off when I go back to shooting polymer but the 1st shot DA you have to train a bit more for since most striker guns shoot the same 1st to last round. Also my 469, 6904, and 6906 feel heavier on your waist than the polymer variants if that's an issue. I mostly run my 4006 TSW or 4566 TSW IWB so it's not that big of a deal breaker. Haven't had the pleasure of handling a 3913 or winning a bid on one so can't say of they are marginally lighter or not than the stuff I own.
 
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The one thing I did find out is the lettering on the SD9 VE can't be color filled in like on the recessed ones on SD9 unless this was a change over the years. The "SMITH & WESSON SD9 VE" and "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MA U.S.A." parts are pretty much etched on. Only the "-9MM-" part on the barrel is recessed if color fill was your thing.
 
Oh I did. ;)



Came with the S&W X90 light, and upon inspection it wasn't ever fired; it was marked "used" since it was a display model at some store years ago. Trigger is a bit smoother than my SD9VE. Grip is definitely smoother texture. THe SD9 came with metal rear sights marked "M&P" and a front tritium night sight that still glows in dark. Very accurate.

Here's my SD-series pair:
 

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