SD9VE - keeping it stock

[Okie21]

I only have 150 rounds thru mine. 124 gr and 115 gr FMJ's. I'll be putting a lot more thru it as time allows. I've read a lot about improving the trigger, upgrading the guide rod, and the take-down lever. I plan on keeping mine stock. I'm new to handgun ownership and I got this particular weapon because of the price and the reliability. I don't have enough experience to compare it to other guns. So since I don't know any better, I'd say its fine for me. Do most of you other guys/gals keep yours stock or are you customizing yours. Just curious.

 

[gpr5223]

I may replace take-down lever. Also I put "talon grips" on my sd9. The rubberized ones.

 

[martybee]

I only have 150 rounds thru mine. 124 gr and 115 gr FMJ's. I'll be putting a lot more thru it as time allows. I've read a lot about improving the trigger, upgrading the guide rod, and the take-down lever. I plan on keeping mine stock. I'm new to handgun ownership and I got this particular weapon because of the price and the reliability. I don't have enough experience to compare it to other guns. So since I don't know any better, I'd say its fine for me. Do most of you other guys/gals keep yours stock or are you customizing yours. Just curious.

I am keeping mine, (SD40ve) completely stock. I love it the way it is!

mb

 

[Derosa]

The original version is usually the best. Does your significant other want a new & improved version?

 

[Valorian]

I also just recently purchased the SD9VE. I've only got 100 rounds through it so far. I want to put another 100 rounds through it first but I'm considering installing the Apex spring kit to bring the trigger pull weight down.

 

[mlk18]

Nothing wrong with leaving it stock, nothing wrong with making it your own. S&W designed the gun to a certain set of specs; some as determined by designers, some by lawyers, some by Administrators. That's how it goes. Companies like Apex, Galloway, etc. all make a good living from people who want to customize or personalize their handguns outside of those specs. To each his own.

 

[coachray]

SD9VE stock

I'm keeping mine stock. As far as the trigger goes, I'm getting used to it and getting more accurate with it the more I shoot.

 

[martybee]

The SD40ve was the 1st. gun I owned. The first time I shot it, it scared the heck out of me! Four rds. was all I could take! After I shot it for a few more times it got easier to handle. I now have about 475 rds. through it. It is a very nice piece.

mb

 

[Dr Denby]

There are a million and six threads in this section about improving the SD performance and action vs doing nothing.

Whatever works best for you.

Doc

 

[Okie21]

There are a million and six threads in this section about improving the SD performance and action vs doing nothing.

Whatever works best for you.

Doc

Lol I see that now. This is kinda like the car hobby. Some people like to keep their vehicles stock. Others like to tinker. We're all having fun doing it. Thats all that counts.

 

[cptrick3]

I like messing with stuff so I did a spring kit in mine (SD9VD). Really didn't like the new feel of the trigger and took it back out. Go figure.

 

[TS7424]

I only have 150 rounds thru mine. 124 gr and 115 gr FMJ's. I'll be putting a lot more thru it as time allows. I've read a lot about improving the trigger, upgrading the guide rod, and the take-down lever. I plan on keeping mine stock. I'm new to handgun ownership and I got this particular weapon because of the price and the reliability. I don't have enough experience to compare it to other guns. So since I don't know any better, I'd say its fine for me. Do most of you other guys/gals keep yours stock or are you customizing yours. Just curious.

First thing I did was replace the slide lock lever, the original was too short for me to release the slide to clean it, also replace the trigger with a Apex one and spring kit that made the pull so much crisper and improved the trigger feel. also replace the slide rod with a Galloway metal one, the plastic one started to chip on slide end and looked like a piece of spaghetti after a couple of hundred rounds

 

[Arik]

I don't own a SD But all my handguns are stock. I either like they way they are or I don't.

 

[kenny brooks]

Only thing the sdve needs is a bigger take down latch. Which I plan to do..the trigger is fine since I am used to shooting double action revolvers...but I order the apex something to have other than that sdve are fine guns..if they fix the trigger they give the m and p a run for the money

 

[mlk18]

I would submit that the SD9VE doesn't NEED anything. But then again my Kawasaki Vulcan Classic didn't NEED anything either. Yet it has a windscreen, beach bars, a backrest, custom exhaust, more lights, etc., etc. Drives a whole lot nicer and is much more comfortable, but even stock it got me around town and was fun to drive.

 

[mak1965]

Same thing with guitars!!! On my new Stratocaster, I only removed the stock tuners and did Locking tuners, it does help. On my Gretsch 6120, Did the Bridge to something called a Compton, which is a solid piece of Stainless steel, There is always some you can do to make it your own. On my SD9VE, Take down lever!

 

[MyDads38]

My SD9VE and SD40VE are both stock and will stay that way. All my other handguns are also stock and will stay that way. That's just me, and that's how I like it

 

[ou1954]

Take down lever

Same thing with guitars!!! On my new Stratocaster, I only removed the stock tuners and did Locking tuners, it does help. On my Gretsch 6120, Did the Bridge to something called a Compton, which is a solid piece of Stainless steel, There is always some you can do to make it your own. On my SD9VE, Take down lever!

I'm willing to make a little bet with you. Based on my experience with the .92mm longer bar, I decided I wouldn't have needed it after I had taken the SD9 down a dozen or so times. I still have it in there, like the stainless color, so it will stay.

I'll bet that after a month or so you will agree that you don't need a longer bar any more.

 

[CAC22]

Okie21, I just replaced the take down lever with an 'extended', it is awesome. Simple install. Every time I took my SD to the range, I hate having to fiddle with the stock 'take down' lever to release the slide and clean it. Now that I have done the install, I would urge you (assuming you are having to fiddle with the stock TDL) just DO IT. You will not be disappointed. Further, I also recently installed the Apex trigger kit, another winner. Didn't appreciably reduce travel, but made a noticeable difference in my shooting, not to have to cope with an 8 plus pound trigger pull. Am very happy with both.

 

[sdh91]

I have the SD40VE and I the only change I may consider is a tru glo or similar front sight. I am ok with the trigger on the SD40VE. Yes it has a long travel and it is a heavy pull but this is a self defense gun so i don't mind a trigger that needs to be pulled with intent.

 

[RJJ 1971]

Both of mine are cerakoted and I have stippled the grips on both. Internals are stock.

 

[ou1954]

Sights

I have the SD40VE and I the only change I may consider is a tru glo or similar front sight. I am ok with the trigger on the SD40VE. Yes it has a long travel and it is a heavy pull but this is a self defense gun so i don't mind a trigger that needs to be pulled with intent.

I posted elsewhere about my chance meeting and discussion with a policeman who was carrying a Glock. He said there was no need, at least in his opinion, for any special night sights. I've never tried one and sort of feel he hasn't either. They have to be discussed at the police range, which is outside.

Night sights surely seem to be popular with the folks on this forum, however.

He did seem to agree that my laser pointer sight "probably" would be useful in a night (Or I suppose daytime) home invasion. I don't think he had ever tried one.

My only issue with the laser pointer is that you can't just take it off and then put it back on and expect to see it zeroed in, as advertised. A typical change in alignment at 15' is about 4-5 inches. Well, I don't shoot that good anyhow unless I take time to aim.

I would "guess" that in a home defense situation folks don't aim like they do at a gun range anyhow. I'll probably never have that experience but one instructor is recommending that I try some of those live fire contests, "USPSA" I believe they are called.

 

[mak1965]

I'm willing to make a little bet with you. Based on my experience with the .92mm longer bar, I decided I wouldn't have needed it after I had taken the SD9 down a dozen or so times. I still have it in there, like the stainless color, so it will stay.

I'll bet that after a month or so you will agree that you don't need a longer bar any more.

I tried so hard not to change it! But my fingers thanked me after I did, it took 2 months of trying, everyday.

 

[sdh91]

I posted elsewhere about my chance meeting and discussion with a policeman who was carrying a Glock. He said there was no need, at least in his opinion, for any special night sights. I've never tried one and sort of feel he hasn't either. They have to be discussed at the police range, which is outside.

Night sights surely seem to be popular with the folks on this forum, however.

.

I don't think I would go with night sights, thinking more of the daytime optic sights. I recently used a shot gun with an optic front sight at a clay sporting tourney and was impressed with how quickly I was able to get on target. Not sure if the optic front sight will do the same on a pistol but it seems like it would allow me to lock on target quicker.

 

[Redcoat3340]

I went for the whole package on my SD9: Apex spring kit, extended takedown bar, steel guide rod, and picked up an M&P metal rear sight. I liked the gun stock, I like it a lot better now. (Talon grips on the way....for $17 how can I go wrong there?)

Funny thing is, the idea of doing anything at all, ever, on any of my 39's or 59's never entered my mind. I love them the way they are, totally stock (except I put Pach grips on my 39-2 shooter).

I was considering night sights on my 908 as it was my carry gun, but when I switched to a Shield for carry (and went the whole package on that) I decided to leave a great gun a great gun and not try to "improve" it.

I'm wondering that the difference in how I feel about my older metal Smiths and the new poly ones is the difference between merely tuning up a "plastic" tool and altering a classic piece of craftsmanship. Or am I just being silly?

 

[ou1954]

Barrel stop

I tried so hard not to change it! But my fingers thanked me after I did, it took 2 months of trying, everyday.

In another thread today I reported that I just tried the original bar and really didn't have a problem but I put the .92mm longer NDZ bar back in. It is indeed a bit easier, however the shorter stock bar wasn't as much of a problem as it was on day one.

I think my technique improved but I give in to you. I probably mentioned in some much older post that with the stock bar I started putting a rag on the bar to save my fingertips.

 

[micocyco]

I also just recently purchased the SD9VE. I've only got 100 rounds through it so far. I want to put another 100 rounds through it first but I'm considering installing the Apex spring kit to bring the trigger pull weight down.

I would recommend you go to 1000 RDs. before you think about any changes. The trigger will improve & your finger will get stronger. I don't give the trigger a second thought any more.
& I took a fairly new shooter to the range that is looking to get a gun she shot mine & we rented a glock she like the SD9ve better & even I did not find a lot of deference in the triggers.
,
had it three years got to be 5000 RDs.

 

[mak1965]

In another thread today I reported that I just tried the original bar and really didn't have a problem but I put the .92mm longer NDZ bar back in. It is indeed a bit easier, however the shorter stock bar wasn't as much of a problem as it was on day one.

I think my technique improved but I give in to you. I probably mentioned in some much older post that with the stock bar I started putting a rag on the bar to save my fingertips.

Its just that little bit I needed, my guitar playing fingers and some dead nerves in my left fingers, othrwise you are 10000000% correct!!

 

[ou1954]

Barrel Stop Length

It's just that little bit I needed, my guitar playing fingers and some dead nerves in my left fingers, otherwise you are 10000000% correct!!

I have to agree. About your fingers, I played the trumpet/cornet through College and hadn't touched it in 60+ years. Doc Severinsen played a concert here a couple of weeks ago and I decided to try my horn the preceding day. My lip is completely gone. He's 5 years older than I and he still hits all the notes.

I had a chance to talk with him after the show and I happened to be wearing a jacket with a Historical Diving Society patch on it and he inquired whether I dove. I said I did and asked if he did. He said no, he was claustrophobic. I told him that my lip was gone. His concluding remark - "Well, you can't play and I can't dive."

I hope your fingers continue to serve you on your old instrument and your new one, the SD.

 

[mlk18]

When I was a rookie LEO in the academy the lead firearms instructor pulled out a box of beat to death Ruger P-series. He had a heavier hammer spring installed (I would estimate a trigger pull of 14-16#) and would make us sit there and dry fire them every day while in the classroom portion of firearms training then after each range session. He would tell us that if you could get use to these triggers, the S&W 3rd gen triggers would be buttery smooth and light as a feather. He was right too. Some people could only pull the trigger 15-20 times before they were done for, when we started anyway.