Smith & Wesson SD9VE

You will have people put them down, but some of those same people will sing praises for a Hi Point.
They are very good guns. They have seen more street combat then most guns.

Not bad. My latest proselyte got one as his first gun. The only real downside is the trigger, but compared to the hi-point triggers I've tried... well, the SD9VE trigger is fantastic. You can also get a trigger upgrade down the road if you really want to.

CDNN has mags on sale fairly often for cheap for the SD9VE.

I'd get a SD9VE before a Glock anyway (had to sneak that in for the Glock guys!)

Mr. Mosin said:

@ GunnyUSMC for $300 you can’t beat em.

@ Mauser lover I like the ergonomics of the SD9 better than a Glock.

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You might look at a used S&W M&P police trade in, if you can squeak it in the budget. It is a better pistol, and right now it is only a couple bucks more. If you are open to other suggestions in the sub-$300 range, check out some of the Sarsilmaz offerings.

But yes, the ergonomics of the SD9VE are, shall we say, better than "perfection". On the other hand, the Glock trigger is nearly indisputably better than the SD9. My main reason for saying that I would take the SD9 before the Glock is that it is a hair more than half (HALF! Come on Glock, you can do better than that!) the price of the Glocks; but I also prefer the more American grip angle, and a less blocky grip.

They are both reliable pistols, Glock might be a shade more accurate, but the difference in mechanical accuracy between the two is pretty much irrelevant in a service pistol. If you want more aftermarket stuff, Glock is the way to go, but generally folks who want an inexpensive pistol aren't too worried about all the accessories you *could* spend money on.

Mauser lover said:

But yes, the ergonomics of the SD9VE are, shall we say, better than "perfection".

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This. Looove the feel of the SD9.

The only flaw I can point out with the SD9 is the trigger. The reliability of mine has been perfect, the grip is outstanding, and the fit and finish is great for budget gun. The trigger is the only fly in the oinment IMO. Were it not for that, I'd take it straight-up over a Glock as a range pistol.

Mauser lover said:

Not bad. My latest proselyte got one as his first gun. The only real downside is the trigger, but compared to the hi-point triggers I've tried... well, the SD9VE trigger is fantastic. You can also get a trigger upgrade down the road if you really want to.

CDNN has mags on sale fairly often for cheap for the SD9VE.

I'd get a SD9VE before a Glock anyway (had to sneak that in for the Glock guys!)

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You do know that the SD9VE is called the poor mans Glock. You must be a poor man. Couldn’t help it.
The SD does have a very nice grip and the mags are cheap. The earlier Sigma mags will also fit the SD.
Like said already, the triggers not the best but it is better then the older Sigma triggers.
The polymer frame is not as thick as the frame of the Glock or other polymer frame guns but they hold up very good. The rails on the slide are not a thick either. But of all the Sigmas and SD’s I’ve shot over the years I’ve only had one that I couldn’t get to work. It had been thrown from a vehicle at over 30 mph.
The SD has proven itself on the streets as a reliable gun in a gun fight, in 40 or 9.

Very few complains mostly about ergos, if fit you right I'd rather have one than a High Point.
Please High Point owners and adepts don't take me as disrespectful comment.
If I have to chose I will take the S&W, plenty of magazines, prices goes from 240 to 300 great shape or new.
It is a personal taste for me is a good choice.
I handle one at the local funny show, and went for a use Glock 17 ($380 out of door with tranfer to my FLL).

GunnyUSMC said:

You do know that the SD9VE is called the poor mans Glock. You must be a poor man. Couldn’t help it.
The SD does have a very nice grip and the mags are cheap. The earlier Sigma mags will also fit the SD.
Like said already, the triggers not the best but it is better then the older Sigma triggers.
The polymer frame is not as thick as the frame of the Glock or other polymer frame guns but they hold up very good. The rails on the slide are not a thick either. But of all the Sigmas and SD’s I’ve shot over the years I’ve only had one that I couldn’t get to work. It had been thrown from a vehicle at over 30 mph.
The SD has proven itself on the streets as a reliable gun in a gun fight, in 40 or 9.

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Well... I'm not exactly what one might call "independently wealthy". I prefer to think that I am "value conscious"! Some (my wife included) just call me "cheap". And that appellation, well, I wholeheartedly embrace!

I owned the 40 caliber version. I got one barely used for $199 plus shipping and FFL. I was low on money, and 40 caliber ammo was easy to find.

I had it for several years and it never malfunctioned. The magazines were very good. Eventually I traded it towards something else, due to the rough trigger pull.

Other than the trigger, it was a very nice pistol.

I have a sd40ve and have never had a problem, clean and lube the mags, get a trigger spring kit for about 21.00 and polish everything while you install the spring kit and it is a good shooter. You can use any sights that are for the m&p also if you want to upgrade them. Holsters for my m&p also fit the sd.
Around here I've seen them run about 250 regularly cheaper around holidays, used m&ps run about that also.

My wife has one and she is very good with it and she likes it. She is a revolver person and its the only semi-auto she likes. In semi-auto she has tried a Colt , Ruger and a Kimber and the SD9VE is the only one she likes. I think its a nice solid gun for a first hand gun or a second , third , forth , etc. You get the idea.

It's one of a few that are on my watch list. When the funds are available and the price is right I'll be getting one.

I have the SD9 (non-VE, gray frame/black slide). Great pistol that's not fancy, all business and eats anything.

I had one for a couple of years, and it was a good truck. Carried it for personal and duty protection, and used it extensively for range practice, to the tune of aproximately 5000 rounds. It would just always work, even when I did a torture test and immersed it in bentonite drilling slurry, allowed it to dry and after clearing the bore, fired a full magazine. I really can't recall ever having a fail to feed or fire other than some reloading/ammo related hiccups. The thing was simply accurate and reliable under all conditions. I fired everything from +p+ Nato spec fmj, various hps, and various cast bullet handloads of different bullet profiles, and the gun ate all with gusto.

They lack some refinement vs a Sig or some of the higher end FN or CZ models, but are a good, serviceable, accurate arm. I did eventually upgrade to an FNS that does everything the SD9VE did but with a little more refinement and price.

They're okay, they work.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/203170

I’d personally prefer a used police trade in Sig for slightly more, but it’s better than a clenched fist, harsh language or a sharpened stick.

What everyone else said. Great entry-level pistol (budget wise) and can be upgraded with some Apex trigger stuff and new sights. Ya can't go wrong with it.

I've never fired one, but what I'd like to know is how much can you spend max and what is the use going to be for the pistol? If it's a conceal carry gun, go with something smaller like the Shield or Ruger EC9s, if it's something you want to get some pistol shooting experience with, the SD9VE isn't a bad way to go. Taurus PT111's are cheaper and I don't hear much bad about them.

If it's your first handgun, I'd stay away from Hi Point. No fun to carry, not the best triggers. They are for people who cannot afford anything more, but need something that works for dedicated home defense.

It has my stamp of approval. Mine is a 2014 SD9VE 9mm. Look, Feel, Function and Reliability are all a 10. Sure the trigger is a bit stiff. But nothing training or an Apex Kit cant fix. Shoot UMC 115 ball for practice, and 124 HSTfor defense. No ftf or ftf. $299 got me an awesome weapon.