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.

 

[BigCityChief]

^You made 2 good choices: fine, affordable self defense handgun and a great trigger kit. Happy shooting at the range!^

 

[rz625-8]

Watch Hickok45 and see his vid on the SD9VE and you will see how great this handgun is. Made me buy one.

 

[jpendergrass1]

I recently purchased an SD9VE and I have been very surprised. I was dead set on buying a Glock 17 or a SIG 2022 but I could not justify spending $520 on a 9mm when there was a S&W SD9VE sitting in front of me for $319.99. So I purchased it and took it straight to the range and shot 200 rounds through it. As you have probably seen on this site, as I have, the trigger pull makes the gun shoot low left for a lot of people. It did this for me as well but I went to Academy, bought a pack of snap caps, and practiced dry firing for a couple hours just while watching TV just to get used to the trigger pull. Went back to the range two days later and I was able to shoot the gun just as accurately as I could shoot my buddy's SIG 2022 .40. It is just something that you have to get used to but you can also purchase the APEX spring kit and eliminate the problem all together ($21.00). I highly recommend the gun, especially for the price, but have fun finding ammo.

 

[badjuijui]

I am considering using the sd9ve s a CCW in cooler weather if I keep it and can get the trigger pull low enough. I like my sd9ve, but learned a big lesson in buying a weapon: Shoot one first, as the trigger pull on the range is what counts, not in the pull dry firing in the LGS. I had heard that advice and ignored it, to my chagrin.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I've been more impressed with my SD9VE than any other pistol in it's price range and I've owned more than a few.

 

[Derosa]

Hi again, folks - well, my Apex package came in and I installed it yesterday afternoon/last night. Despite my eight thumbs and a flash light that chews batteries and my wife guiding me (my eyes need light to see the nook and cranny of the spring areas and take down lever) it is in; the lightened pull is beyond belief. BTW - I'd like to meet the guy that claims he can do this install in 15 minutes - even with the Apex video running constantly ; I really need his help. I will soon be off to the range and do a follow up.

 

[EBK]

You will love the apex Trigger I know I did. Enjoy!!!

 

[rebel0994]

I have an old SW40ve , that I carry alot. I want to get an SD40ve, but I am used to my old Sigma, it shoots very accurately, and is very comfortable IWB (I'm a big guy). If it ever wears out I might upgrade to an SD, but that may be years from now!

 

[Derosa]

Well, I headed off to the range today. In my bag was my SD 40 VE with the APEX kit installed and a 4586. I had an assortment of reloads, Herter aluminum case stuff (165), Blazer & Federal brass (180), and Remington JHP for the 40; the 45 all ran reloads. For the sake of discussion the 45 ran flawless. The SD had one FTE (aluminum case) after roughly 250 rounds of assorted stuff. The trigger was amazing and ran flawless: takeup/reset/pull/smoothness/etc., was beyond description. When I figure how to post the target pictures, I will. I am a believer that this pistol works and is so underrated, that I just might go buy another. If my wife ...

 

[GKC]

...the trigger pull on the range is what counts, not in the pull dry firing in the LGS.

Actually, for any CCW or HD gun, what really matters is if you can use it to defend yourself when necessary. The critical factors are reliability of the specific gun, and your ability to hit what you are aiming at with the specific gun. I'm sure that in a real defensive situation, you won't notice the trigger...but if you can't achieve even acceptable accuracy at the range, then it is unlikely to improve in a life and death emergency.