to buy or not to buy an SD.

[Derosa]

I have sold my last S&W 40 caliber and looking at a replacement. My eyes are drawn to the SD 40. So, for those that have, please offer suggestions or advice or just two cents. Would you buy again? Or not? And why. The ultimate goals are home defense, personal carry (IWB) some range and vehicle time. Pros & cons please.

 

[J Rich]

It's a great bang for the buck gun. I'd buy another.

 

[Jeffersonwasright]

I'm far from being an expert at this, but I'd want something a little smaller for CC. The SD9VE was the perfect choice for me, but I only use it for home defense.

 

[chevythunder]

I have the SD40VE and love it! I about 800 rds through it now with not a single ftf or even a little hicup. I use it for cc but only during the colder months. It can be concealed under a hoodie easily,but not a tshirt. Sights are easy to see, but have issues like the dots falling off or the rear sight moving. M&P sights fit and are about $11 and the grip could use improvement. But thats a cheap and personal preference. I put traction grips on mine for $11 shipped to my door. Other than that, you couldnt ask for a better gun.

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[wyccad915]

You can't go wrong with an SD I think. I bought the 9ve and would not hesitate to buy the 40ve once I get the money. It's a great gun for the money. I haven't carried mine just yet as I have no license or holster, but I guess it's being used for HD for now. As far as range time goes, I haven't owned mine more than a month, but I have put nearly 300 rounds in and not one malfunction.

 

[crump84]

I own Sd40VE and IMO it's a great all around gun. I've put close to 1000 rounds through it and have only had an issue with one particular brand of ammo. I would have to disagree with a previous poster that it can only be carried during colder months. I actually carry mine quite often IWB with only a T-shirt. With the right holster it can easily be concealed. Not as comfortable as some of my smaller pistols but that's mainly due to the weight of a fully loaded mag. I have made some changes to my sights and the grip but it's solid straight out of the box.

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[USAF385]

The SD is a great option for the price. The trigger is acceptable out of the box, but an apex trigger kit is pretty cheap, easy to install, and works very well. Good for all the purposes you mentioned, except IWB carry in my opinion.

 

[Derosa]

Folks: Thanks to all so far for posting an opinion. I will keep you informed of the next move.

 

[AZ115]

I will suggest also checking the M&P line...

I have sold my last S&W 40 caliber and looking at a replacement. My eyes are drawn to the SD 40. So, for those that have, please offer suggestions or advice or just two cents. Would you buy again? Or not? And why. The ultimate goals are home defense, personal carry (IWB) some range and vehicle time. Pros & cons please.

I did spend the extra $$($550) on a M&P 40c. I would not pass checking one of these out.

The M&P 40c does double duty for me. Its my main CCW with it's 10 round magazine. When I get home I switch over to the 15 round full size magazine and add my Streamlight TLR-4(Laser/Light combo). The 40c rocks!

The 40c feels and shoots like a full size gun. At 21oz it's really not that light, Remember Compact, not Sub-Compact, it has worked great for me. I can comfortably CCW this bad boy all day long.

I have a Sigma that I never CCW because of its size. I won't part with it either. Both of these fine firearms will be around a long, long time. Spend a little extra $$ and see what the M&P hype is all about.

 

[MrJT]

I agree that with a trigger job they're pretty great. The factory trigger is a bit better than the Sigma, but still a little"spongy" compared to most semi autos.

Still, it's a great, reliable gun!

 

[vipermd]

I have carried a Sigma F 40 since they where invented! That said, the out of the box trigger is better than the sigma, accuracy is great, the sights are poor, dots rubbed off, but were replaced by Truglo- fiber optic/tritium, very nice. Sigma F & C mags do fit and run fine. Good Overall choice. Be SAfe,

 

[ttcfan4476]

I love my 40 and would definitely buy another . actually I'm saving for the 9 as well great all around firearm. I put a spring kit in mine cause the trigger was gritty but the spring kit fixed it. You won't regret it. JMO

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[Derosa]

Follow up

Well, folks, I went out and fondled and squeezed and pulled a few times a spanking new SD 40 VE at my local emporium of gun delight two days ago. It just fit my hand. And with little regret I broke out the wallet and laid out cash for it (just under $347.00 out the door) and it came home with me. I am heading to the range soon with an assortment on FMJ and HP to see how it performs. Again, I will keep ya'll informed how it goes.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The SD40 and SD40VE are both excellent guns right out of the box. The SD40 has a front night sight, while the sights on the SD40VE are polymer three-dot. The SD Series has a much better trigger action than the SWVE Series and needs no work. That said, if you can save another $150 or so and get an M&P, you will have top of the S&W service pistol line. At the price of the SD Series, however, you can buy two for the price of some service type pistols; or, you can buy one and a bunch of spare magazines, ammo and holsters.

 

[leejack]

I don't own one but plan to by the 9mm SDVE based on my sigma experience.

 

[GKC]

And with little regret I broke out the wallet and laid out cash for it (just under $347.00 out the door) and it came home with me.

Congratulations...I think you made a wise purchase. It's a good gun, and certainly hard to find anything comparable at the price!

I have a SD9VE, and I've put the extended take down lever in it, a stainless steel guide rod (OEM recoil spring weight), a Pachmayr grip sleeve, and a M&P 9 rear sight. All told, I guess I have about another $50 invested in this gun, and it is one of my favorites...and, ironically, the one I have the least invested in.

 

[GKC]

The SD40 and SD40VE are both excellent guns right out of the box. The SD40 has a front night sight, while the sights on the SD40VE are polymer three-dot.

Actually, only the rear sight is polymer...and can easily be replaced with a M&P 9 rear sight (which costs about $11 or so, if I remember correctly, from MidwayUSA.)

If you do order a M&P 9 rear sight, they have an allen head screw that locks them in place...but the sight doesn't come with one included. I called S&W to see about ordering one, and they sent me a couple for free.

 

[t bell]

I must say my SD40VE has taken a back seat to my new Shield. Mainly because of concealment. It's alot harder to conceal the SD. But for the price it is a beauty. Very reliable and will make a great home defense or ccw, if you can get away with it. I'm 5'6" 165lbs and it looks like I have a small kid on my hip (exaggeration). But it would be hard to conceal under a t shirt, I bet for anybody.

 

[Derosa]

Well folks, I took the new pistol to the range today. In the bag were several boxes of reloads, new WWB, aluminum case stuff from Herter's and JHP from Remington. All were 180 gr. To be brief, all ran flawless; there were no feeding or ejection issues and all went down range where I pointed (well, more or less at my errors). It is far more accurate than I. The only points of discussion were a difficult effort to fully load both magazines; a slippery grip (my issue, not the SD) and a tired index finger I can easily see a grip sleeve or some sort of Talon grip and the trigger mods so often discussed and perhaps better sights. But, the real answers to the unasked question: out of the box it works, it fits, and worth a serious look at anyone looking a at polymer pistol.

 

[Derosa]

FYI folks - i just ordered the Apex kit. Hopefully it will arrive by the weekend and I can do some holiday shooting.