Why do I see so many used SD9VEs for sale?

[mikem]

Is there some kind of "knock" against the SD9VE?

I ask because I've noticed that on *rmslist and a local gun trader site there seem to be lots of them for sale relative to the number made.

I know nothing about these pistols and have nothing against them. I'm just wondering why I see so many of them listed for sale.

I did a little checking on the Internet and found them going for less than $300 brand new.

What's the story?

 

[RGVshooter]

Because they're millions of them out there & they're cheap.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Saw a post on another site were a guy in Canada just bought one for $233 U.S. At that price I'd put one in every cup holder in my truck and I gotta bunch of cup holders.

 

[mikem]

Because they're millions of them out there & they're cheap.

I understand that many were made.

But why don't people hold on to them instead of selling them? Do they have some inherent flaw(s)?

As I said, I have nothing against the SD9VE. I have never even held one, let alone fired one.

But I'm always on the lookout for a firearms bargain, so I'm asking questions.

I just don't get why I see so many used ones for sale. When I get ahold of a firearm I like, tend to keep it, not sell it.

See what I mean?

 

[mikem]

Because they're millions of them out there & they're cheap.

Does anyone here know how many SD9VEs S&W made?

Or are they still making them?

Thanks.

 

[hoc9sw]

At my LGS, people bring in the ones they bought cheap at Academy, and want to trade up a little as they learn to shoot, and want something a bit nicer.

Pity that they are about worthless for trade-in / purchase, as the shop has to about give them away. So most leave with them after buying a new pistol. I don't know if they sell them in other shops, or just pile them in a corner.

 

[OKFC05]

"When I get ahold of a firearm I like, tend to keep it, not sell it.

See what I mean? "


You, sir, are out of tune with modern gun buyers...same as I am.
I am not a gun collector, gun trader, gun seller, gun tinkerer, just a shooter and instructor.
I have used the SW/SD Sigmas as loaners/trainers for 2 decades, and in stock form they are rugged and reliable. They don't lend themselves to mods and not much aftermarket bling is available. The SDs were developed to address the myriad trigger complaints about the SW, which is discontinued. The SD9VE is a cheap service pistol that stands up to abuse and use, not a "platform" to constantly "upgrade." And as hoc9sw pointed out, there are more sellers than buyers for basic pistols: around here $150 is top for a used Sigma.

 

[Beauetienne]

A functional pistol at a cheap price.
I never bought one due to the trigger feel.

 

[Okie21]

Was my 1st pistol and I learned to shoot with it. I've since moved up to the M&P. I sold it to LGS got $200. I regret selling it, though. Despite the bad trigger, I liked how it felt in my hand and it was dead reliable. Had close to 3000 rounds through it without a single failure.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[RGVshooter]

Does anyone here know how many SD9VEs S&W made?

Or are they still making them?

Thanks.

Of course S&W is still making them. I have no idea of the numbers out in the streets but they've been making them since 2012 to the present. I think the reason why you may see so many in the used market is because most new shooters purchase these guys because of their low price, they start shooting and eventually they save up and/or trade the gun towards something they may like better. The SD9VE series pistols are very well made. They are of the same S&W quality of any other polymer pistol they produce.

 

[Redcoat3340]

I'll echo what a couple of other folks said...they are good guns, but of the "entry level" type. It was also one of my first pistols, I think I had some trigger work done and then sold it to upgrade to something a bit nicer (can't quite remember, but it could have been a 459.)

It was affordable and a good value, but you learned there were better performing pistols around....like the M&P or Browning HP. My first "new" car was a Plymouth Duster some time around 1970...but I traded up to a big Ford Crown Vic or mini van or something like that as the family grew. (And I should NEVER have sole that MGA I had when I was single. But who knew....)

 

[Ballanrk]

I’m pretty new to the firearms world. 3 years into it, made a choice to start carrying. When I was first looking I considerd a SDVE, partly because I decided on S&W, partly because of budget. I shot and researched them. Nothing stopped me from buying one, but knowing how I am, I would have bought one and regretted not going straight to M&P. So, I went with M&P. But, and especially for first time gun owners, they are a nice option for the price.

I thought of it as good brand vs High Point for example.

My guess is a lot of people approach it the same way, but then get bit by the gun bug and want to “upgrade”.

Th SDVE certainly fills a price gap between low quality, “unreliable” brands and the inability to spend $500 or more on a Glock, Sig, etc.

 

[S&W59]

They are much akin to Glocks; polymer framed 9mm firearms produced in abundant quantity that are reliable handguns in a pinch. Why they aren't held onto is the fact they are reliable but otherwise extremely unremarkable firearms. A Glock is a Glock is a Glock. No one collects Glocks. Tons of people rely on them for self-defense but I'll challenge anyone to cite someone bragging on their collection of tupperware guns.

 

[GKC]

Why they aren't held onto is the fact they are reliable but otherwise extremely unremarkable firearms.

They aren't "flash" guns nor BBQ guns. Some people buy them because S&W is a brand they've heard of and because they are inexpensive (which is entirely different from "cheap"...I've bought some expensive pistols that were definitely cheap.) Some people buy them because they are reliable, and can be relegated to car duty or knock around duty, and it really doesn't matter if they get a little banged up or worn. And then some people buy them because they really give a lot of value for the price, and can be used in a lot of ways...home defense, loaners to visiting friends and relatives to introduce them to shooting, or just a great carry gun...simple, reliable, the heavy trigger eliminates the worry about a safety, and in non-Communist states, they can hold a great capacity: 16 rounds in 9mm, and 14 rounds in .40 (I think.) I would really like to see a SD45VE!

A Glock is a Glock is a Glock. No one collects Glocks. Tons of people rely on them for self-defense but I'll challenge anyone to cite someone bragging on their collection of tupperware guns.

You must not spend much time on the Glock forum...

 

[Muss Muggins]

A Glock is a Glock is a Glock. No one collects Glocks. Tons of people rely on them for self-defense but I'll challenge anyone to cite someone bragging on their collection of tupperware guns.

Dude . . .

19X
19 with OD Green Frame (3rd Gen)
Two 26's (Third Gen)

Pretty awesome. Having carried the 19X for about a month, I'm convinced it's the finest combat pistol ever designed . . .

Edit: And when I find a new SD9VE for less than $275 OTD NIB, I'm a buyer . . .

 

[Bat Guano]

I somehow wound up with three of the things. I really liked the grips and feel of them. The triggers were fairly awful, and I put an Apex in one to see if it would help (it didn't). And I was still getting the hang of loading for the 9mm, which can be quirky. Ammo they didn't like, other pistols gobbled up. I wanted to like them, but they got used for trade stock and barter.

 

[Kenny53]

I had one many years ago. I didn't care for it. I sold it or traded it can't remember. I do own a Glock 19, when I bought it they didn't have generations.. Somehow and I didn't plan it this way I have ended up with MP pistols. I am very happy with these guns.

 

[ken158]

Functional but cheap. There are a lot of LEO trade-in's on the market when Glock came to the rescue of small departments and offered killer trades. How much is a $200 gun worth?

 

[spad124]

They don't lend themselves to mods and not much aftermarket bling is available. . . .The SD9VE is a cheap service pistol that stands up to abuse and use, not a "platform" to constantly "upgrade." And as hoc9sw pointed out, there are more sellers than buyers for basic pistols: around here $150 is top for a used Sigma.

I think this ^^ hits it right on the head. Many gun buyers today want to have a “platform” to upgrade with lights, grips, triggers. The SD9VE is a simple, rugged, reliable pistol. It’s inexpensive, but the quality outweighs the price. There are more expensive pistols, generally European, that are not built as well or, more importantly, as reliable. Yes, the trigger is not a 2# target trigger, but it’s not intended to be and can be mastered with practice.

I tend to think of the SD9VE as a modern autoloader equivalent of the Model 10 revolver. In its day before the wondernine revolution of the late 1980s, the Model 10 was the no frills, inexpensive, reliable, rugged, and accurate handgun. Sometimes you could hardly give a used one away. It’s only recently that Model 10s have jumped in a price.

My other pistols are Sigs, CZs, and 1911s so I’ve had some opportunity to compare to what are considered good autoloader pistols. And, yes, I have some K frames.

 

[Sage]

I think one of the reasons is it is an affordable "entry" level pistol.