S&W SD9 any good?

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Axis II

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Found a used SD9mm with 2 mags and case for about $200. My uncle has a sigma and it’s an okay gun. This will be purchased for a new shooter to punch paper. Only concern I have is no safety for them and there appears to be leading on the muzzle. Not sure what it is but it’s like aqua blue color.

Your thoughts? It’s between the Sd, XD freedom and Ruger Security 9.
 
I'm not sure if it's the best "new shooter" gun because of its long, heavy trigger. But I don't think you'd be disappointed for $200.

Haven't shot an XD nor a Security 9, so I can't say how it stacks up in comparison.
 
I'm not sure if it's the best "new shooter" gun because of its long, heavy trigger. But I don't think you'd be disappointed for $200.

Haven't shot an XD nor a Security 9, so I can't say how it stacks up in comparison.
I was concerned about the long and heavy trigger too but he said he’s fine with it. I know the sigmas got a bad rep years ago, so wasn’t sure about this one.
 
I was concerned about the long and heavy trigger too but he said he’s fine with it. I know the sigmas got a bad rep years ago, so wasn’t sure about this one.

Has he dry fired it or test fired it?

The SD9 triggers are better than the Sigmas (anything is better than the Sigmas), but it's kind of in the same vein.
 
Has he dry fired it or test fired it?

The SD9 triggers are better than the Sigmas (anything is better than the Sigmas), but it's kind of in the same vein.
Dry fire yes. I’m taking the sigma out tomorrow for him to test and see. Wanted an M&P but doesn’t like the 2.0 grip texture so refuses to buy one unless it’s a 1.0. I may tell him hold off and wait for a 1.0 even if it’s more. First handgun and all gotta do it right.
 
I have the sd40ve and like it, I installed the spring kit to help the trigger, its not as smooth as a M&P but I've never had a problem with it, you can also get metal sights for the M&P and they fit. I like to disassemble, clean and lube the mags they have been known to have a rattle
 
Dry fire yes. I’m taking the sigma out tomorrow for him to test and see. Wanted an M&P but doesn’t like the 2.0 grip texture so refuses to buy one unless it’s a 1.0. I may tell him hold off and wait for a 1.0 even if it’s more. First handgun and all gotta do it right.

If he's fine with the trigger, than the SD9 would be a good choice; everything else about that pistol is good to go. But I've seldom ended up happy by buying the cheaper substitute instead of a gun I really wanted, so I'd just go with the M&P.
 
I have an SW9VE that has been my truck gun for several years now. I bought it when SW had a $50 rebate and two free mags. Mine is all black. Not the two tone look. Mine also came with one of the high intensity flash lights like a Stream Light with extra bulb. I felt like it was a good deal. I have fired less than 500 rounds through mine but from the first to the last it has never bobbled in any manner. All handloads with Remington 115gr hollow points pushed by 5grs of Bullseye powder. My standard 9mm load.

I watched a YT video about doing a trigger job that involved removing two springs. I did it and it does make a difference. I didn't like removing springs so I put one original back and dug around in my Box-O-Springs and found a replacement for the other spring of the same length but lower power and installed that. Much better. And it was easy to do.

Overall I think its a darn good gun for the money. I like the Academy Sports exclusive version with upgrade sights on it. I just never seem to catch them on sale. If I do I will buy one of them. My mags for the SW9VE will fit. I took one in the store and tried it to see.

My post on the other thread about the SD/SV pistols in regard to the trigger. I have never thought the trigger was all that bad to begin with. Is it up there with a tuned 1911 or S&W revolver? No. But not much is out of the box. But the trigger is perfectly serviceable just as it comes. By the time you buy the gun then buy an after market upgrade trigger maybe you should just spend a little more and buy a higher grade gun. I'm not a new shooter but this gun scratched the itch for a budget 9mm that I feel I got way more gun than I paid for. Mine new was $325 OTD with a $50 rebate and 2 free factory mags that sell for around $40 each. So as far as I am concerned I got a brand new gun for $200 or so and it came with a Streamlight knock off flashlight complete with batteries and spare bulb. What a deal.

2bfree I have posted that same Hickock45 video several times myself. If that doesn't make you want one of these guns nothing else will.
 
I had one for a couple of years for personal and professional carry. Working on pipelines so it had to function in severe conditions (we didn't have dedicated security, line workers carried guns and badges) including extreme cold, heat, dirt, general abuse. I found it to be like a good truck. Just kept running no matter the abuse. I didn't find the trigger to be bad at all, considering it is a DAO service pistol, not a tuned match gun. On the range it ran every type of ammo, 100% always, clean or dirty. I even immersed it loaded in drilling slurry, let it dry and test fired it through a full mag without stoppage. With some practice, it was quite accurate through aimed fire, tactical drills and a very challenging qualification including precision aimed shots at 50 yards.
 
If he's fine with the trigger, than the SD9 would be a good choice; everything else about that pistol is good to go. But I've seldom ended up happy by buying the cheaper substitute instead of a gun I really wanted, so I'd just go with the M&P.
Me too but it’s hard finding an original M&P around here.
 
In the past year I also purchased a SD9 (grey frame/black slide) and I honestly couldn't be a whole lot happier with it. It was quite inexpensive yet performs wonderfully.

Yes, the SD9 is good. When compared to the M&P series, it may seem to lack some refinement but it can hold its own. However, it compares very favorably to the older SW (Sigma) model.

The SD9/SD9VE reminds me of the G2C (which I also have). Both are frequently overlooked due to their low price. Though lately it does appear more and more are recognizing these pistols for the awesome value they offer.
 
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Me too but it’s hard finding an original M&P around here.
Out of the dozen or so guns I've bought the past couple of years, only one has been from a physical store.

I live in an area with only one gun shop within 50 miles, so I buy online.

You can get a new Walther Creed for $269 from CDNN. It is much, much better than a used SD9.
Lots of great NEW guns online for under $300.
 
I have the sd40ve and like it, I installed the spring kit to help the trigger, its not as smooth as a M&P but I've never had a problem with it, you can also get metal sights for the M&P and they fit. I like to disassemble, clean and lube the mags they have been known to have a rattle
I did the same with a Sigma, but found the trigger was still less to be desired. That gritty feeling.

In the following link, it shows the sear housing block. The elongated hole where the pin rides was the culprit. Real fine marks on the surface that the pin rides on. That is amplified into the trigger. I took a neddle file with 4000, or 2000 grit paper wrapped on it, and lightly smoothed the touching surface. Made a world of difference.

https://www.schludershots.com/gun-p...0ve-sear-housing-block-assy.html#.XPUUFfkpA0M
 
Out of the dozen or so guns I've bought the past couple of years, only one has been from a physical store.

I live in an area with only one gun shop within 50 miles, so I buy online.

You can get a new Walther Creed for $269 from CDNN. It is much, much better than a used SD9.
Lots of great NEW guns online for under $300.
I got to looking around and found a M&P9 1.0 full size with safety for $366 shipped with $25 transfer fee. I am going to get the sigma out tonight and my M&P 1.0 and let him give it a try and make his decision.
 
The SD and SW series guns are the most combat proven handguns in the US. They have been the #1 gun in just about every Police Evidence room across the US for years.
I fired two SD9VE's and one SD40VE today.
I bought a SD9VE for my daughter's first gun, she loves it.
 
Well jury is still kind of out! I took a sigma, M&P9 full size 1.0, and an M&P compact 2.0 and at first the sigma was winning and then the M&P full-size was winning and the final test was the point and shoot and the M&P full-size won. Two boxes fired in both guns and in the end the answer I got was I’m going to buy both! I was like whaaaaaat??!! Still leaning heavily towards the M&P full-size. Didn’t get to shoot the compact and says no desire too. Accuracy went to the full-size M&P and lots of head and arm moving to be able to point and shoot the sigma.
 
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Appreciate the update!

Hell, for $200 for that used SD9, he can probably afford to buy both. And who am I to discourage gun-hoarding behavior...
 
The last M&P45s I bought were at an auction, I got lucky gun, 3mags, backstraps and box for 225ea plus 10% fee and tax, everyone wanted Glocks, Colts and Smiths that day, the next auction they were bringing about 300 the same as the Glocks.
With him buying the SD and the M&P at least the holsters and sights are the same, I wished Smith&Wesson would standardized they're mags, I have both a SD and a M&P 40 and it is a pain to need 2 different mags.
 
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