SD9VE questions

[hlflorek]

Hey, there. I am new to the forum.
I have an SD9VE, and have a couple of questions for you guru's/

1. I have been thinking about upgrading to the 16 round mags, but have concerns about them being way too long for comfort. How much longer are the 16 rounds mags vs the standard 10 rounders?
Any input pro/con for the 16's?

2. The sights on this pistol are awful. Is there and aftermarket sight available that is fully adjustable for drift and elevation?

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

The 16 round mags are the same size as the 10 round mags.

Any sights for the M&P will fit the SD9VE.

 

[GKC]

Hey, there. I am new to the forum.

Welcome to the forum!

1. I have been thinking about upgrading to the 16 round mags, but have concerns about them being way too long for comfort. How much longer are the 16 rounds mags vs the standard 10 rounders?
Any input pro/con for the 16's?

As BlackTalon said, the magazines are the same in all dimensions. The difference is in capacity. I've only had the 16 round mags, so I don't know if there is a crimp or some other "permanent" feature that will prevent you from changing your existing 10 round mags to 16 round. In some mags, it's a matter of changing the spring and base plate, and maybe the follower, but I don't know if that is the case for the 10 round SD9VE mags.

The obvious pro for the 16 round mag is the higher capacity. I don't know of any cons...other than some people complain that they are hard to load to capacity. I use an UpLula loader, and never have any problem...and usually, I only load mine with 15 rounds.

Another issue I've read about is that when loaded to capacity (16 rounds) the magazine is hard to lock in with the slide closed. I saw a video on YouTube where a guy filed the "legs" on the follower to give it a little more room to compress, and not bind on the base plate. Frankly, if I am in a situation where I can't do what I need to do with 15 rounds, I am in more trouble than I can handle...I don't think having 1 more round in the gun is going to save me at that point!

2. The sights on this pistol are awful. Is there and aftermarket sight available that is fully adjustable for drift and elevation?

I replaced the polymer rear sight on my SD9VE with a steel rear sight for a M&P, which I bought from MidwayUSA for about $16. It's not adjustable for elevation, though. I don't care for adjustable sights, but that's just me.

 

[osbornk]

Another issue I've read about is that when loaded to capacity (16 rounds) the magazine is hard to lock in with the slide closed. I saw a video on YouTube where a guy filed the "legs" on the follower to give it a little more room to compress, and not bind on the base plate. Frankly, if I am in a situation where I can't do what I need to do with 15 rounds, I am in more trouble than I can handle...I don't think having 1 more round in the gun is going to save me at that point!



I replaced the polymer rear sight on my SD9VE with a steel rear sight for a M&P, which I bought from MidwayUSA for about $16. It's not adjustable for elevation, though. I don't care for adjustable sights, but that's just me.

I did the adjustment on the mag from the YouTube video and it made loading the magazine with 16 (and even 15) much easier.

I also changed the sight with the metal one for the M&P that I got from Midway. If you get the one from Midway, don't forget to order the screw as it doesn't come with the sight. It is probably just me but it seems to be more accurate for me.

 

[GKC]

If you get the one from Midway, don't forget to order the screw as it doesn't come with the sight.

Amen! I found that out when I ordered my sight...you'd think it would be a no-brainer to include a necessary set screw with the sight, but no! I ended up getting one from S&W, because at the time Midway didn't have them available to order.

 

[wndmn]

10 vs 16 round mag

if your in a state that the gun came with a 10 round mag be careful about getting a 16. A friend told me that there is no way to tell how old a mag is (preban in mass if you will) so some leo's will go by how old the gun is.

So if you have a 16 rd mag in a new gun and there is no way to date the mag it can be considered illegal so you may want to do some research to be safe.

 

[GKC]

So if you have a 16 rd mag in a new gun and there is no way to date the mag it can be considered illegal so you may want to do some research to be safe.

When all the brouhaha arose over the mag capacity limits, it seems that some were getting their mags date engraved at their local PDs. Of course, if you didn't do it then, that won't help you now.

Just thought I'd post a useless comment for today...

 

[plinker 22]

Find a 17 round Sigma mag, they are all pre '94 ban.

 

[wndmn]

mags

i believe your correct and I've heard the sigma mag will fit the sd9 and 40. Still wondering though is there a way to tell there preban?

 

[TTSH]

I believe you're correct and I've heard the Sigma mag will fit the SD9 and 40. Still wondering though, is there a way to tell they're preban?

Pre-ban Sigma magazines are 15 round (.40) and 17 round (9mm) capacity respectively.

Post-ban Sigma/SD magazines are 14 round (.40) and 16 round (9mm) capacity respectively.

It doesn't get much easier or clearer than that.

 

[mistermills357]

The 16 round is standard, it fits flush to the magazine wells bottom.
The 10 round is non-standard, and it is shipped to states that restrict magazine capacity.
There is a lot of confusing currents in the gun world and that is one of them.
Here is an excellent place to buy factory Sigma mags, MidwayUSA.com
And there are others, like CheaperThanDirt.com

Get some 16 rounders, on general principle, the gun is designed to be hi-cap, so use the capability.

Here is the link for 16 rounders at Midway. Currently, they are running about $35.
Smith & Wesson Mag S&W SW9E SW9G SW9P SW9VE SW9V Sigma 9mm Luger

 

[BJH1950]

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post, so I hope I make sense.

My SW9VE came with two 16 round mags. I bought a couple of extra ones so I can have 2 loaded with self defense rounds for carry and 2 loaded with FMJ for the range. Of course in reality I unload the SD rounds and use all four at the range.

I've NEVER had an issue with getting the mag to lock.

I love this gun. However, I don't like how stiff the trigger is. I bought a "SD Polymer Action Enhancement Trigger" from Apex Tactical Specialties but haven't installed it yet. It is supposed to reduce trigger travel "by approximately 20%." Kind of leery about punching the pin out and not being sure I can put it all back together.

I also bought a lighter spring, though from the discussion here it seems I didn't need to do that.

 

[S&W Rover]

I love this gun. However, I don't like how stiff the trigger is. I bought a "SD Polymer Action Enhancement Trigger" from Apex Tactical Specialties but haven't installed it yet. It is supposed to reduce trigger travel "by approximately 20%." Kind of leery about punching the pin out and not being sure I can put it all back together.

I also bought a lighter spring, though from the discussion here it seems I didn't need to do that.

Knocking the pins out is not that hard to do! You can get a punch set at Home Depot for under $10. Installation of the new trigger and spring is a little tricky but is doable with patience. I installed a trigger kit in my older SD-9 but had some trouble getting it to work correctly, and Apex (Flork) kindly helped me to adjust it. I point this out to say, you can call Apex if you have any trouble installing it -- they are good people.

 

[plinker 22]

I have a SW9VE, a SD9VE and once owned a SW9F with 4 mags so I kept 2 when I sold it.
The 17 round mags for the Sigma SW9F have a different base plate than the later 16 rounders. They can be used in the both the SW9VE and SD9VE, IF approx .010 is taken off the top of the base plate (easy to do). Without taking some material off the top, they can be locked in by force but I had FTFeed. With .010 off, they slide right in, lock and no FTF.

Base plates may not always swap between mags.
I couldn't get the base plates for the SW9F 17 and SW9VE 16 to swap with each other.
The base plate for the SD9 16 did swap to the SW9 17 but the SW9 17 base did not fit the SD9V 16.
I didn't try the SW9 16 base on the SD9 16, I assume they are the same.

 

[JWH321]

The only difference I have found between Sd9VE and SW9VE mags is the base plate. The only issue that it causes is that the lines of the bottom of the grip are not as graceful. The base plates can be changed if you can find a source for the SD plates, but why? I have also found that the whole gun operates more smoothly with 15 rounds in the mag UNTIL the mags break in. Once broken in it feeds very nicely. I put night sights, and the full Apex kit (except for the striker spring) in mine. The Apex kit smoothed out the trigger pull and reduced it to just under 6lbs. It remains long though, but the reset is much improved. The SD9VE has proven to be a reliable and accurate gun at a very nice price point. It's a toss up between it and the Ruger 9e. Both are excellent workmanlike firearms that will serve well for many years.

 

[hlflorek]

Thanks for the replies.
Sorry it took so long, but had a bunch of stuff come up.

Yes, these 10 rd. mags have a huge indent in them to keep the follower from going down any further. Being stainless, I'm not even going to think about trying to pound them out.

Here in KY, a 16 rd mag is not a problem. We're pretty lax here.

I guess I will put them on my Christmas list.....

 

[GKC]

The SD9VE has proven to be a reliable and accurate gun at a very nice price point. It's a toss up between it and the Ruger 9e. Both are excellent workmanlike firearms that will serve well for many years.

This is true. I just bought a 9E, and while the stock trigger is better on the 9E than on the SD9VE, I like the feel of the SD9VE in my hand better than the 9E. I don't mind the trigger on the SD9VE, since it smooths out with a lot of firing (live or dry) and I prefer a heavier trigger on a gun with no safety. It's better than the DA pull on any revolver I've ever handled.

 

[Willcoe]

if your in a state that the gun came with a 10 round mag be careful about getting a 16. A friend told me that there is no way to tell how old a mag is (preban in mass if you will) so some leo's will go by how old the gun is.

So if you have a 16 rd mag in a new gun and there is no way to date the mag it can be considered illegal so you may want to do some research to be safe.

A LEO will not bother to check for age/date on a mag, especially in Mass. If you're in a state with mag cap restrictions. Don't take chances because you WILL go to jail. But then again this may be all moot since the states with mag cap restictions usually don't allow carry.

 

[Porkchops]

Mag issue?

Hey, all. (first post, new member)

I'm not even sure if I have an issue. I just got the SD9VE (still haven't even been to the range with it). But, in my four days familiarizing myself with the weapon, I've noticed that with 15 rounds of SD ammo in the mag, it doesn't look like it seats all the way in the mag well... Should there be a small (1/16") gap between the mag well and the top of the bottom part of the mag?

I plan to go to the range this coming Monday, so I'll update then if no one gets back to me. The firearm is completely stock still, so I'd like to see how the trigger feels, sights work, etc before making any mods...

 

[GKC]

Hey, all. (first post, new member)

I'm not even sure if I have an issue. I just got the SD9VE (still haven't even been to the range with it). But, in my four days familiarizing myself with the weapon, I've noticed that with 15 rounds of SD ammo in the mag, it doesn't look like it seats all the way in the mag well... Should there be a small (1/16") gap between the mag well and the top of the bottom part of the mag?

First of all, welcome.

The mag springs are pretty stout when new. It's usually difficult to get 16 rounds in them, until they are broken in. I've become so spoiled by my UpLula loader that I can't get one round in by hand, anymore!

If you are loading a mag with 15 rounds in it with the slide closed, it takes a bit of a push to lock it in. If the mag snaps in, and locks, then it's fine. There shouldn't be a real gap between the base plate and the frame, but it won't sit completely flush.

Recommendations:

1) Clean your new gun, including taking out the striker and cleaning out the channel. Clean the mags too.

2) Load the mags to capacity, and let them sit for a week or so. Lock the slide open, and let it sit for a week or so.

These will help the gun "break in" and function better. Of course, they aren't mandatory, and the gun should run fine without doing so...although a good cleaning will help. Fortunately, S&W doesn't slather their guns in grease before shipping them, like some other companies do, but a good cleaning and lubrication before the first outing can only help.

3) Buy an UpLula loader, if you don't already have one...your fingers will thank you!