Hello I am new to this. I am looking for my first gun and there is a local gun shop with both of these on sale + the rebate. The SD would be 285 and the shield would be 310. My question is, what would be better for a truck gun, or should I jump on the shield?
Shield vs SD9VE
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MWater
Member
The Shield is a subcompact intended for concealed carry. If you're not going to conceal carry it, it is not a good choice. All things being equal, you will not be able to shoot it as accurately as you could a full size handgun and it may even be uncomfortable (more perceived recoil due to the weight and width). Ammunition capacity is also very limited in order to make it thin and light.
The SD would be a better choice for your purposes, but I think you might find better luck with other options.
The SD would be a better choice for your purposes, but I think you might find better luck with other options.
BigDog48
US Veteran
Someone will probably flame me for this, but the SD9VE isn't exactly the "star" of the S&W line-up, so if those are your only two choices, I'd go Shield. However, as others have noted, those aren't your only two choices, and there are lots of quality used guns available in that price range and lots of better choices of new guns for around $400. A deal isn't a deal unless it's for something that's right for you. Having said that, I have 7 S&Ws, 2 Glocks, a Beretta, a Ruger, that I shoot regularly, a Taurus I'm going to sell (cheap) and two keepsake WWII pistols my dad brought home from the North Africa/Italy campaign -- a Walther PPK and a Beretta 1934.
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Arik
Member
If you're just going to keep it in the car make sure you know your laws first
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That's helpful, since OP already mentioned that and why he's looking at that gun to begin with...
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I've owned both. The SDVE is a fine basic pistol that shoots reliably. After I put an Apex trigger on it, I was quite happy with it. I sold it and got a Shield 9mm because I wanted to CC, and I felt the SDVE was too big for that.
I had no issues at all with the SD9VE. It did what is was advertised to do. The guts of the SD9VE are pretty much exactly the same as a Glock.
Also, the barrel on the SD is longer, making it a little more accurate than the Shield in my somewhat unskilled hands.
So, if I was looking for a truck gun, I wouldn't be disappointed that I choose the SD.
I had no issues at all with the SD9VE. It did what is was advertised to do. The guts of the SD9VE are pretty much exactly the same as a Glock.
Also, the barrel on the SD is longer, making it a little more accurate than the Shield in my somewhat unskilled hands.
So, if I was looking for a truck gun, I wouldn't be disappointed that I choose the SD.
The Shield's are great concealed carry guns. Excellent for that purpose. But if you are not planning on carrying it, there are better guns for other purposes.
But one thing to remember, "Cheap guns are cheap for a reason". Rarely will you encounter that "undiscovered diamond in the rough" we all hope to find at a bargain-basement price. You don't have to go super expensive, but don't go "the cheapest gun you can find" either. The SD9VE might not be that, but it's pretty close. The SD9VE is not a gun that you see often. You may hear them described as "A good gun for the price". You might want to ponder why that is before buying one.
Many people buy Glocks. But to me, those are so boring. They are the Ford Taurus of the gun world. Yeah, they work. Yeah, they are reliable. They are ugly. Ergonomics are terrible, they feel like you're holding a brick. They're not going to razzle-dazzle anyone or turn any heads. But they do work well and are reliable. For the same money as a Glock, or probably even less, you can get a really nice gun - say, an HK VP9 or a Walther PPQ. The S&W M&P's are good guns too, but I don't put them in the same class as the HK or Walther that I mentioned.
CDNN SPORTS - HK VP9 9MM
CDNN SPORTS - WALTHER PPQ M2 9MM - FIREARMS
The Shield is a GREAT first gun, IF it is for concealed carry. That doesn't sound like what you want it for, so I'd look elsewhere. You didn't say what "truck gun" means to you either. What exactly do you plan to do with it? Plink? Hunt? Self defense? Something to be left in the truck always, seldom shot or maintained?
Depending on what you want the gun for, you might find something totally different - like a used Ruger Blackhawk - to be just the ticket. Or even an S&W Victory or Ruger SR22 (if target shooting and plinking is mostly what you want it for). You should define "truck gun" to get the best recommendations.
But one thing to remember, "Cheap guns are cheap for a reason". Rarely will you encounter that "undiscovered diamond in the rough" we all hope to find at a bargain-basement price. You don't have to go super expensive, but don't go "the cheapest gun you can find" either. The SD9VE might not be that, but it's pretty close. The SD9VE is not a gun that you see often. You may hear them described as "A good gun for the price". You might want to ponder why that is before buying one.
Many people buy Glocks. But to me, those are so boring. They are the Ford Taurus of the gun world. Yeah, they work. Yeah, they are reliable. They are ugly. Ergonomics are terrible, they feel like you're holding a brick. They're not going to razzle-dazzle anyone or turn any heads. But they do work well and are reliable. For the same money as a Glock, or probably even less, you can get a really nice gun - say, an HK VP9 or a Walther PPQ. The S&W M&P's are good guns too, but I don't put them in the same class as the HK or Walther that I mentioned.
CDNN SPORTS - HK VP9 9MM
CDNN SPORTS - WALTHER PPQ M2 9MM - FIREARMS
The Shield is a GREAT first gun, IF it is for concealed carry. That doesn't sound like what you want it for, so I'd look elsewhere. You didn't say what "truck gun" means to you either. What exactly do you plan to do with it? Plink? Hunt? Self defense? Something to be left in the truck always, seldom shot or maintained?
Depending on what you want the gun for, you might find something totally different - like a used Ruger Blackhawk - to be just the ticket. Or even an S&W Victory or Ruger SR22 (if target shooting and plinking is mostly what you want it for). You should define "truck gun" to get the best recommendations.
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Disabled1
US Veteran
I own (5) of the fantastic plastic handguns (SW9VE, SW40VE, SD9VE, SD40VE, SD9). They are all great guns. Basically, they are a "POOR MANS GLOCK" equal to the G19. That being said, I would carry any one of them CCW. But, the Shield is a much better CCW. You can carry it in your pocket, or strap it to your ankle. For a good truck gun, you cant beat any of the SW/SD series of guns.
OP, I think you will find this forum a better place to discuss the SD series of guns;
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-sd-sigma-pistols/
OP, I think you will find this forum a better place to discuss the SD series of guns;
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-sd-sigma-pistols/
Arik
Member
What does razzle dazzle have to do with a gun in the glove box? Or any gun really
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Once again, the answer to the OP's question is remarkably simple: He needs one of each. 
And the SD should be this one:
Smith & Wesson SD9 Self-Defense 9mm Pistol | Academy
And the SD should be this one:
Smith & Wesson SD9 Self-Defense 9mm Pistol | Academy
amcline82
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I can't tell you anything that has not been said already about the two platform. I will also echo there are a lot better choices out there in that price range, used Glocks for starters.
I'm more interested in the idea of a truck gun what good does a gun do sitting in your truck? The only gun that is in my car is the one that I'm carrying on me that day. If I go to a place where I can't carry it it gets locked in the glove box or I just don't carry it. Then as soon as I am done there it goes right back on my hip. Just my 2 cents.
Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.
I'm more interested in the idea of a truck gun what good does a gun do sitting in your truck? The only gun that is in my car is the one that I'm carrying on me that day. If I go to a place where I can't carry it it gets locked in the glove box or I just don't carry it. Then as soon as I am done there it goes right back on my hip. Just my 2 cents.
Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.
jbtrucker
Member
OP stated first gun, I started shooting and buying handguns four years ago and was advised to start with a full size. Try out whatever fits your hand and afford. Practice grip ,finger control and stance and then move on to smaller frame handguns. Enroll in a firearm Basic Training course, Gun won't do no good if can't hit the target
That comment was not meant to imply razzle dazzle is important. It was simply an extra sentence in comparing a Glock to a Ford Taurus. In other words, "IF you expect a Glock to razzle dazzle, it won't". Or put differently, "If you think there's something special about a Glock, there isn't." It's a basic, solid, reliable gun. It's nothing special, because we are awash in basic, solid, reliable guns everywhere.
The Shield, in all it's variations, is a huge success, and no one can dispute that. On the way to 2,000,000 guns sold.
Get a Shield, get an SD9, no detractor is going to volunteer to stand in front when you pull the trigger.
"Cheap" guns? So what, not everyone cares, by the way they seem to be flying off the shelves.
Get a Shield, get an SD9, no detractor is going to volunteer to stand in front when you pull the trigger.
"Cheap" guns? So what, not everyone cares, by the way they seem to be flying off the shelves.
