Cherokeegirl87
Member
I've had an SDVE9 for a few months now and I love it! I use a bulldog holster. I've put several hundred rounds doe range with it and never had a problem.
Well, I'm finally an SD9VE owner!
- Thread starter MyDads38
- Start date
Papa32129
Member
Been reading up on these SW polymer guns, lots of good information in these forum bytes.
So I had to join the fun, and I purchased one today.
Now I just have to find time for the range.
Papa
So I had to join the fun, and I purchased one today.
Now I just have to find time for the range.
Papa
Papa32129
Member
Congrats on your new purchase-did you get the 9mm or 40 S&W? Also welcome to the Forum, you'll really enjoy it here!
The nine . I'm really excited about it.
Another day at the range...
Took the SD9VE, M&P 45 and my Buck Mark 22. Ran a box of REM-UMC (green/white box) through the 9 & 45 and a box of Remington Thunderbolts through the Buck Mark. Wasn't expecting any issues with the 9 or 45, and there were none. Been shooting the Buck Mark in 22 Bullseye competition and have only used CCI Std. Vel. through it with no issues. Thunderbolts don't have a good rep., so I didn't know what to expect. No issues at all, and at 5 yards blew out the X ring on a 50' Slow Fire target (wish I could do that in competition!).
I've bought extra mags for the 9 (new) & 45 (used) and all work as supposed to, no issues at all. Very good day at the range, made a gloomy day, well, better!
Took the SD9VE, M&P 45 and my Buck Mark 22. Ran a box of REM-UMC (green/white box) through the 9 & 45 and a box of Remington Thunderbolts through the Buck Mark. Wasn't expecting any issues with the 9 or 45, and there were none. Been shooting the Buck Mark in 22 Bullseye competition and have only used CCI Std. Vel. through it with no issues. Thunderbolts don't have a good rep., so I didn't know what to expect. No issues at all, and at 5 yards blew out the X ring on a 50' Slow Fire target (wish I could do that in competition!).
I've bought extra mags for the 9 (new) & 45 (used) and all work as supposed to, no issues at all. Very good day at the range, made a gloomy day, well, better!
I know this may be/get boring to some of you, but I like to post about the positive things about the SDVE series pistols.
Went to the range again today, a nice ending to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Started out with the M&P 45 and a box of Aguila 230 ball ammo. Shot very well, accurate and no issues.
Then my Browning Buck Mark 22. Except for the Bullseye League I shot in (placed 4th, by the way), I never had much chance to shoot it for fun. Took a box of Federal Champion #510 40 gr. solids and fired through the gun. No issues, even though I could tell it needs cleaned, as it started to act a little "sluggish" when I released the slide on a fresh mag. Accuracy is impressive with this little 22, even though you'd never know by looking at my competition targets! LOL
Then to my SD9VE. Another 50 rounds of REM-UMC without a hitch! I've never considered myself to be a "great" shot, but I'm definitely not the worst. On a reduced B-27 I can keep 20 rounds all in the center at 5 & 7 yards (center of target measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", my group measures 2" x 2 1/4" @ 7 yds.). Oh, if I had better vision, I could do even better! Getting old is not much fun! :-(
My reasons for posting from each range trip are: 1) To keep a "round count" on my SD9VE (to date-790) and 2) To keep tabs on function and reliability. Seems so many folks have issues/problems with their firearms, I just want to show the "other side" for a change. Hope that's okay...
Went to the range again today, a nice ending to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Started out with the M&P 45 and a box of Aguila 230 ball ammo. Shot very well, accurate and no issues.
Then my Browning Buck Mark 22. Except for the Bullseye League I shot in (placed 4th, by the way), I never had much chance to shoot it for fun. Took a box of Federal Champion #510 40 gr. solids and fired through the gun. No issues, even though I could tell it needs cleaned, as it started to act a little "sluggish" when I released the slide on a fresh mag. Accuracy is impressive with this little 22, even though you'd never know by looking at my competition targets! LOL
Then to my SD9VE. Another 50 rounds of REM-UMC without a hitch! I've never considered myself to be a "great" shot, but I'm definitely not the worst. On a reduced B-27 I can keep 20 rounds all in the center at 5 & 7 yards (center of target measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", my group measures 2" x 2 1/4" @ 7 yds.). Oh, if I had better vision, I could do even better! Getting old is not much fun! :-(
My reasons for posting from each range trip are: 1) To keep a "round count" on my SD9VE (to date-790) and 2) To keep tabs on function and reliability. Seems so many folks have issues/problems with their firearms, I just want to show the "other side" for a change. Hope that's okay...
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photoman
Member
Another day at the range 12-13-14...
Started with 50 rounds through the Buck Mark 22 and some Remington Thunderbolts. 5, 7, 10 yards and then 50'. Out of 50 rounds, all stayed within the 3" bullseye except 1 flyer at 50'-that was my fault, not the guns/ammo :-(
Next, another 50 rounds of REM UMC 115 gr. FMJ through the SD9VE. 20 rounds/5 yards, 20 rounds/7 yards, final 10 rounds/5 yards. Main group is 2" x 2 1/2" centered on a B-24 silhouette target. Had 1 flyer just low at 7 0'clock at 7 yards-gonna have to work on that! :-(
840 rounds so far through the SD9VE with no issues.
Then on to my M&P 45, 50 rounds Federal Aluminum 230 gr. FMJ. I was NOT happy with MY performance; the gun ran flawlessly though! 20 rounds/5 yards, 20 rounds/7 yards, final 10 rounds/5 yards. My main group 3 1/2" x 3 1/2", centered on the B-24 silhouette target, but at 7 yards, 1-9 @ 4 o'clock, 1-8 @ 4 o'clock & 3 o'clock and 1-8 @ 5 o'clock! Worst group I've shot in a while! I kicked myself all the way to the car and called myself all kinds of names! I would've "grounded" myself, but I had to drive home! Back to the wood shed for me!
Started with 50 rounds through the Buck Mark 22 and some Remington Thunderbolts. 5, 7, 10 yards and then 50'. Out of 50 rounds, all stayed within the 3" bullseye except 1 flyer at 50'-that was my fault, not the guns/ammo :-(
Next, another 50 rounds of REM UMC 115 gr. FMJ through the SD9VE. 20 rounds/5 yards, 20 rounds/7 yards, final 10 rounds/5 yards. Main group is 2" x 2 1/2" centered on a B-24 silhouette target. Had 1 flyer just low at 7 0'clock at 7 yards-gonna have to work on that! :-(
840 rounds so far through the SD9VE with no issues.
Then on to my M&P 45, 50 rounds Federal Aluminum 230 gr. FMJ. I was NOT happy with MY performance; the gun ran flawlessly though! 20 rounds/5 yards, 20 rounds/7 yards, final 10 rounds/5 yards. My main group 3 1/2" x 3 1/2", centered on the B-24 silhouette target, but at 7 yards, 1-9 @ 4 o'clock, 1-8 @ 4 o'clock & 3 o'clock and 1-8 @ 5 o'clock! Worst group I've shot in a while! I kicked myself all the way to the car and called myself all kinds of names! I would've "grounded" myself, but I had to drive home! Back to the wood shed for me!
I have looked at the ballistics for the .45 and the cost per round compared to 9mm. I think that for Self Defense the 9mm with modern SD rounds is just fine. And I say that knowing that Terry Tussey, the famous 1911 guy, will throw up if he reads this post.
I keep eyeing a SD9VE on gunbroken and in my LGS. I've read a bunch of good stuff about it and this thread pretty much seals the deal..but I have a question:
I've got 3 Smith 39 series (39-2, 439 and 3904) plus a 59 no dash and 459. I carry a 908 or 2" mod 60 and have a Sig P6 next to the bed. Plus a bunch of wheel guns and a few 7.65 Berettas for fun. (My wife is just starting to shoot a 30-10.)
How, oh how can I justify another 9mm? True I don't own anything striker fired, but I really love my 39's and I can't see shooting an SD very much. Tell me it's a whole new experience....I need some enabling here.
I've got 3 Smith 39 series (39-2, 439 and 3904) plus a 59 no dash and 459. I carry a 908 or 2" mod 60 and have a Sig P6 next to the bed. Plus a bunch of wheel guns and a few 7.65 Berettas for fun. (My wife is just starting to shoot a 30-10.)
How, oh how can I justify another 9mm? True I don't own anything striker fired, but I really love my 39's and I can't see shooting an SD very much. Tell me it's a whole new experience....I need some enabling here.
If you need enabling to buy more guns, you've come to the right place!
My first 9mm was a 39-2 (a lot of years ago) and I enjoyed it a lot, sorry I ever let it go. Before I got my SD9VE this past Aug., I was shooting my Ruger P89DC and had also purchased a new Ruger SR1911 45. Did I NEED another 9mm? No. But I kept reading the reviews and I liked what I saw; and when I had the cash left over from vacation, I found it on sale for $299 and the rest is history.
It is a different platform than anything I've shot before and my first poly frame handgun. If you're familiar with double action revolvers, you'll feel a little more at home with the SD VE series, IMO anyway. Mine wasn't gritty or creepy out of the box like some have complained and mine has smoothed out with use. Mine has functioned flawlessly and ran every kind of ammo with no issues.
Since buying the SD9VE, I have also purchased a FS M&P 45 and have an M&P FS 9mm in layaway! That's right, ANOTHER 9mm
So, I hope I've helped, in some small way; to convince you that you NEED another 9mm, and that it should be an SD9VE.
Had a great day at the range today! The gun shop was busy, the indoor range was even busier and everyone seemed to be in the holiday spirit!
Started out with the Browning Buck Mark 22. Another 50 rounds of Remington Thunderbolts all on target out to 50'. I'm really enjoying shooting 22 LR again, especially for fun Need to find an outdoor range that I can plink some tin cans and 2 liter bottles.
Shot the last 50 rounds of REM UMC 115 gr. FMJ 9mm I bought as a Mega Pak. Had 1 round that flashed but didn't go bang very loud. Immediately dropped the mag and pulled back the slide to find the empty case still inside! This was my first experience of this kind. Locked the slide back and found a probe in my range back, and to my pleasant surprise, no bullet lodged in the barrel! Whew, what a relief! Checked everything over, just to make sure and all was good. Out of 250 rounds, 1 flash/pop. If I hadn't been paying attention, could've been an unhappy day! :-(
890 rounds through the SD9VE and no issues with the gun ;-)
Fired 50 rounds reloads through the M&P 45. 185 gr. Lead SWC over 4.3 grs. Bullseye. Very accurate and very pleasant to shoot-no issues at all.
Only a few days till Christmas-the presents are all bought and wrapped. Christmas at my mom's tomorrow (Sunday) and then to Chicago for Christmas with my fiancé's family. Happy Holidays to all, have a Merry and safe Christmas!
Started out with the Browning Buck Mark 22. Another 50 rounds of Remington Thunderbolts all on target out to 50'. I'm really enjoying shooting 22 LR again, especially for fun
Need to find an outdoor range that I can plink some tin cans and 2 liter bottles.Shot the last 50 rounds of REM UMC 115 gr. FMJ 9mm I bought as a Mega Pak. Had 1 round that flashed but didn't go bang very loud. Immediately dropped the mag and pulled back the slide to find the empty case still inside! This was my first experience of this kind. Locked the slide back and found a probe in my range back, and to my pleasant surprise, no bullet lodged in the barrel! Whew, what a relief! Checked everything over, just to make sure and all was good. Out of 250 rounds, 1 flash/pop. If I hadn't been paying attention, could've been an unhappy day! :-(
890 rounds through the SD9VE and no issues with the gun ;-)
Fired 50 rounds reloads through the M&P 45. 185 gr. Lead SWC over 4.3 grs. Bullseye. Very accurate and very pleasant to shoot-no issues at all.
Only a few days till Christmas-the presents are all bought and wrapped. Christmas at my mom's tomorrow (Sunday) and then to Chicago for Christmas with my fiancé's family. Happy Holidays to all, have a Merry and safe Christmas!
No, after I dropped the mag and pulled the slide back, the case was ejected as you would expect. The round didn't have enough force to work the slide and eject itself.
I was just glad there was enough oomph to the round that the bullet cleared the barrel. But I knew from the feel of the gun and from the "flash" from the muzzle something wasn't right!
I've never had a squib from all my years of reloading, and this was the first issue I've ever had with a factory round. Guess I've been more fortunate than most, and hope that continues!
Another day at the range...
Tried 25 rounds (1/2 box) of Winchester Training ammo with 147 gr. FMJ/TC bullets. I've never tried 147 gr. bullets in 9mm before, and the price was okay @ $14.97 box/50. No issues at all with the SD9VE, group was nicely centered on target and group size is 1 3/4" x 2" @ 5 yards. The Defense half of this ammo is $16.97/box/20. 147 gr. JHP with same profile as the FMJ Training rounds. Muzzle Velocity was listed at 950 FPS. May have to try a full box and see how it holds up to 10 yards +. Round count now 915 with no issues
The other 25 rounds went through the new M&P 9 FS. Still center hits, but had some vertical stringing. Main group was 1"w x 2 1/2"h; had 2 flyers at 3:00 & 5:00, which opened the group to 1 1/2"w x 2 1/2". Still acceptable (to me) and again, would like to try a full box out to 10 yards +. Also ran a box of CCI Blazer Brass through the M&P with no issues (115 gr. FMJ). 50 rounds into a nice big hole 2 1/2" x 3" (20 rounds-5 yds., 10 rounds-7 yds., 10 rounds-10 yds., final 10 rounds-5 yds.)
Ran 51 rounds of the 185 gr. LSWC load through the M&P 45 FS, again with no issues. Nice 3" grouping @ 5, 7, & 10 yds., but the goofball holding the gun had 2 llooww hits at bottom of target! Why I oughta...
Anyway, fun day at the range for my first outing for 2015. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Tried 25 rounds (1/2 box) of Winchester Training ammo with 147 gr. FMJ/TC bullets. I've never tried 147 gr. bullets in 9mm before, and the price was okay @ $14.97 box/50. No issues at all with the SD9VE, group was nicely centered on target and group size is 1 3/4" x 2" @ 5 yards. The Defense half of this ammo is $16.97/box/20. 147 gr. JHP with same profile as the FMJ Training rounds. Muzzle Velocity was listed at 950 FPS. May have to try a full box and see how it holds up to 10 yards +. Round count now 915 with no issues
The other 25 rounds went through the new M&P 9 FS. Still center hits, but had some vertical stringing. Main group was 1"w x 2 1/2"h; had 2 flyers at 3:00 & 5:00, which opened the group to 1 1/2"w x 2 1/2". Still acceptable (to me) and again, would like to try a full box out to 10 yards +. Also ran a box of CCI Blazer Brass through the M&P with no issues (115 gr. FMJ). 50 rounds into a nice big hole 2 1/2" x 3" (20 rounds-5 yds., 10 rounds-7 yds., 10 rounds-10 yds., final 10 rounds-5 yds.)
Ran 51 rounds of the 185 gr. LSWC load through the M&P 45 FS, again with no issues. Nice 3" grouping @ 5, 7, & 10 yds., but the goofball holding the gun had 2 llooww hits at bottom of target! Why I oughta...
Anyway, fun day at the range for my first outing for 2015. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
1-10-2015 Range trip...
Scored some good deals on ammo this weekend: 2 boxes Federal Aluminum 9mm @ $9.97/box at WM, 1 box WWB 45 Auto @ $19.99 at Rural King and 1-100 round bulk pack WWB 9mm at Dick's Sporting Goods @$19.99 w/coupon.
Started out with my SD9VE and 50 rounds of the Fed Alum. No surprises here. 18 rounds of REM UMC to finish up. Total round count-958 rounds.
Then to my M&P 9 and a box of Fed Alum. Again no surprises.
Then to my M&P 45. Loaded some test rounds using Falcon Bullet Co. cast lead 200 gr. RNFP and 230 gr. LRN. The 200 gr. LRNFP has a crimping groove, since it is for 45 Colt. I seated to 1.240" which was below the crimp groove and I was concerned about feeding issues.
30 rounds: R-P brass
Rem 2 1/2 LPP
4.3 grs. Bullseye
230 gr. F.B.C. LRN
30 rounds: R-P brass
Rem 2 1/2 LPP
4.3 grs. Bullseye
200 gr. F.B.C. LRNFP
Happy to report that both loads functioned flawlessly with no issues and accuracy was on par for me shooting off hand. Will load another 50 rounds and do some shooting off of a rest and see how they perform.
Scored some good deals on ammo this weekend: 2 boxes Federal Aluminum 9mm @ $9.97/box at WM, 1 box WWB 45 Auto @ $19.99 at Rural King and 1-100 round bulk pack WWB 9mm at Dick's Sporting Goods @$19.99 w/coupon.
Started out with my SD9VE and 50 rounds of the Fed Alum. No surprises here. 18 rounds of REM UMC to finish up. Total round count-958 rounds.
Then to my M&P 9 and a box of Fed Alum. Again no surprises.
Then to my M&P 45. Loaded some test rounds using Falcon Bullet Co. cast lead 200 gr. RNFP and 230 gr. LRN. The 200 gr. LRNFP has a crimping groove, since it is for 45 Colt. I seated to 1.240" which was below the crimp groove and I was concerned about feeding issues.
30 rounds: R-P brass
Rem 2 1/2 LPP
4.3 grs. Bullseye
230 gr. F.B.C. LRN
30 rounds: R-P brass
Rem 2 1/2 LPP
4.3 grs. Bullseye
200 gr. F.B.C. LRNFP
Happy to report that both loads functioned flawlessly with no issues and accuracy was on par for me shooting off hand. Will load another 50 rounds and do some shooting off of a rest and see how they perform.
SD Production
I happened to call my local Bass shop about a minor cosmetic defect in my SD9VE. I wanted to explore the possibility of trading my barrel with one in a display model. The guy I know at that store wasn't in but I talked to the manager at the moment.
He said "We don't have any SD display models, everything is for sale. If you want we can send your unit back to S&W."
I said that, based on what I hear about S&W service, the gun would be gone a long time if they sent it in.
He said that S&W is making 300 guns (I suppose 9 mm and .40) per day and they can't keep up.
That probably explains why my mail order SD9VE took so long that I cancelled it and re-ordered it through Bass. Also, the mail order outfit (one of the bigger ones), gave me no trouble and waived the cancellation fee.
The conclusion is that the gun is very popular and must be in short supply since Bass is a major factor in the market.
I happened to call my local Bass shop about a minor cosmetic defect in my SD9VE. I wanted to explore the possibility of trading my barrel with one in a display model. The guy I know at that store wasn't in but I talked to the manager at the moment.
He said "We don't have any SD display models, everything is for sale. If you want we can send your unit back to S&W."
I said that, based on what I hear about S&W service, the gun would be gone a long time if they sent it in.
He said that S&W is making 300 guns (I suppose 9 mm and .40) per day and they can't keep up.
That probably explains why my mail order SD9VE took so long that I cancelled it and re-ordered it through Bass. Also, the mail order outfit (one of the bigger ones), gave me no trouble and waived the cancellation fee.
The conclusion is that the gun is very popular and must be in short supply since Bass is a major factor in the market.
In spite of all the bad words about the SDVE triggers, I find mine to be just fine. The most important improvement was to put grease between the trigger bar and the frame*, and exercise the trigger a bit. Less than 100 rounds and it's perfect.
Right now I'm on hold because minor surgery is supposed to make me not use my left arm but I can still exercise the trigger with the gun not loaded.
*After I did that I saw a video on Glock trigger tuning and that was a place they polished and lubed. I may work that bar a bit with some very fine sandpaper between the frame and bar.
Jackdaddy63
Member
There are plenty of new SD9VE and SD40VE at the Academy stores in Houston. I've also seen the SD9VE in regularly in pawn shops. I seldom see them in Local Gun Stores, either new or used.
I'm impressed with the 300 SD guns per day (!) coming out of S&W. I hope this means there will soon be a market for spare parts for the gun.
I'm impressed with the 300 SD guns per day (!) coming out of S&W. I hope this means there will soon be a market for spare parts for the gun.
