SD9VE Accuracy

I can keep them all on an 8 inch shoot n see at 25 yards. I am mostly a revolver shooter and the SD9VE trigger pull is very much like a revolver

No experience with the SD9VE, but my experiments in accuracy with S&W striker-fired pistols have not been impressive. My Shield 9mm barely managed to get 8" at 25yds. The XDS 40 that replaced it would do under 2". My current carry gun is the M&P40c 1.0 and it struggles to get under 3" at 25yds while my Glock 19 has done an inch.

I've heard of quite a few accuracy complaints regarding S&W striker-fired guns by those that actually bother to bench test them at 25yds.

I shot one once. It was a friends and it was brand new. I took him to the range as a guest so he could shoot it. It had acceptable accuracy for me. Questionable for him. I remember the trigger feeling weird, but like I said acceptable accuracy. Did not shoot it at 25 yards though so I cannot answer that.

-Jeff

Some time ago, I found a great video on utoob showing tweaking the factory trigger and that helped me a lot.

With bulk gun-show re-loads, a Cop pal and I were VERY happy.... Glock happy with the results. Federal loads were better still. If you're quite happy with your 10 yard results and equally un-happy at 25 it might be an issue of you and those sights?

For the short term, I would suggest focussing on bringing the 10 yard results down further still - with a consistent loading - before worrying too much about the 25.


Todd.

My first question would be how well do you shoot other similar guns at 25 yards? If you are shooting the similar Glock 19 at 25 yards and staying under 3" then yes your gun may need some tuning. How do others shoot that gun at 25 yards? Just trying to make sure its the gun and not the shooter.

Catpop said:

First let me say mine has been totally reliable with both factory and boolit reloads. It’s weight is good for carry and handles well.
But the accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.
Yes I know it’s striker fired which does not lend itself to target use. And I know it was never designed to be target pistol!
But even with the most careful trigger pull and steadied from a rest, I’m lucky to put 5 shots in a 12 x 15 envelope at 25 yards- both factory and reloads! 10 yard accuracy is totally acceptable!
What is your actual experience with this pistol?
Thanks, Catpop

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put a trigger kit in cheap cut the pull down to 3.5 lbs
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apex-Tacti...275738&hash=item33ad455d73:g:wesAAOSwm1VcZaG4

The accuracy is not so different from other S&W autos, but the trigger on some of them exceed 10 lbs. I have killed snakes with mine. The sights Should be improved so that for old eyes I can see some light between the sides of the front sight and rear. Second hand mine cost about the same as a new highpoint and I got my money's worth. Function has always been 100%.

I can't speak for the mechanical accuracy of mine, because I can't manage the trigger either. It's such a sweet pistol otherwise, but God the trigger is bad. I have an Apex trigger sitting in a box that I need to install one of these days.

saiga308 said:

put a trigger kit in cheap cut the pull down to 3.5 lbs
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apex-Tacti...275738&hash=item33ad455d73:g:wesAAOSwm1VcZaG4

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I've done this - just installed the Apex springs and left the stock trigger in there - and I'm not all that thrilled with the end result. It lightens the pull but doesn't really shorten it. You get your money's worth for $20, but it's not going to take you to trigger nirvana; the 2 pound reduction advertised on the Ebay listing seems accurate.

If I'm going to be tearing down a pistol and messing with a lot of small parts, I'd rather just spend an extra $40 and replace the factory trigger while I'm in there. I've put my Apex trigger job aside for a while mostly because I don't want to go through that headache again. Not that tearing down a Glock/Glockalike is difficult, it's just more annoying than anything.

Mosin Bubba said:

I can't speak for the mechanical accuracy of mine, because I can't manage the trigger either. It's such a sweet pistol otherwise, but God the trigger is bad. I have an Apex trigger sitting in a box that I need to install one of these days.



I've done this - just installed the Apex springs and left the stock trigger in there - and I'm not all that thrilled with the end result. It lightens the pull but doesn't really shorten it. You get your money's worth for $20, but it's not going to take you to trigger nirvana; the 2 pound reduction advertised on the Ebay listing seems accurate.

If I'm going to be tearing down a pistol and messing with a lot of small parts, I'd rather just spend an extra $40 and replace the factory trigger while I'm in there. I've put my Apex trigger job aside for a while mostly because I don't want to go through that headache again. Not that tearing down a Glock/Glockalike is difficult, it's just more annoying than anything.

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I have a replacement spring also that I have to install. I will never weaken the spring for the striker and the striker safety. I can manage 6-7 pounds, but not 9 plus. I used to shoot revolver DA and so the trigger pull length is not a deal breaker. In fact I consider it to be a safety feature since I carry that gun about when working my place.
It was used last month to kill a small water moccasin and a year earlier a possum that one of the dogs found in a rotten stump. Possums attack by fruit trees, but they do eat ticks and water moccasins. Have to balance all of my persimmons being eaten or getting attacked/bitten by other critters. The pup has gotten older and now I just find the trespassing possums dead.

I have the SD9 (Ghost grey frame, black slide) and I don't find any shortcomings with accuracy. The trigger is a smidgen heavier than I'd like, but it doesn't seem to affect the accuracy for me.

I have one at this time , and I have owned a couple in the past ..
I have been breaking it in ... It has been completely realiable..
As far as accuracy... It is accurate...
So far only ammo it has been fed is so far is 124gr NATO .. Which is my choice of break in 9mm ammo ..

Buckeye63 said:

As far as accuracy... It is accurate...

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What size groups does it get at 25 yards?

I don't think you can fault the accuracy this guy gets with his SD9VE.

Ratshooter said:

I don't think you can fault the accuracy this guy gets with his SD9VE.

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Yeah but, Hicock..... He can probably shoot a nail-gun that well too. He's a hell of a shot with most anything. True enough though - if ANYONE can..... EVERYONE should be able to.


Todd.

Trey Veston said:

What size groups does it get at 25 yards?

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7 to 10 yds is what I shot mostly, maybe out to 15 yds a bit ... All hits in a paper plate ( my target of choice)

Sorry, but I would not call minute of paper plate at 15 yards accurate by any standard.

Buckeye63 said:

7 to 10 yds is what I shot mostly, maybe out to 15 yds a bit ... All hits in a paper plate ( my target of choice)

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This is at 25 yards and a rest. This is accurate...

ApacheCoTodd said:

Yeah but, Hicock..... He can probably shoot a nail-gun that well too.

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No doubt about it that guy can shoot. Buts its all practice. If you and I and all the rest got free guns, free ammo and a range at home to shoot on when ever we felt like it I bet our scores would go up too. But at least thats proof that the guns will shoot.

Trey Veston said:

Sorry, but I would not call minute of paper plate at 15 yards accurate by any standard.


This is at 25 yards and a rest. This is accurate...

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Paper plate .... Size of a head .. Heart .. If you can hit a paper plate you can certainly hit the above and lung tissue
I practice at practical distance for SD
What does the SD stand for in SD9VE?
I don't take a table and a rest when I go to town for SD carry
I have never shot a handgun from a rest in over 45yrs
I carry for SD .. I practice for SD ..
Im not a target shooter ...
If I want tight groups at longer distances I get one of my rifles with a scope....

There is a mugger .. Hey mugger stand still .. While I unfold my table annd set up my handgun rest ;-)

Buckeye63 said:

Paper plate .... Size of a head .. Heart .. If you can hit a paper plate you can certainly hit the above and lung tissue
I practice at practical distance for SD
What does the SD stand for in SD9VE?
I don't take a table and a rest when I go to town for SD carry
I have never shot a handgun from a rest in over 45yrs
I carry for SD .. I practice for SD ..
Im not a target shooter ...
If I want tight groups at longer distances I get one of my rifles with a scope....

There is a mugger .. Hey mugger stand still .. While I unfold my table annd set up my handgun rest ;-)

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I suggest sir that you how to shoot.

At a distance of about 75 feet, Hickok stopped, facing Tutt, and called out, "Dave, here I am." He cocked his pistol, holstered it on his hip, and gave a final warning, "Don't you come across here with that watch." Tutt did not reply, but stood with his hand on his pistol.[4]

Both men faced each other sideways in the dueling position and hesitated briefly. Then Tutt reached for his pistol. Hickok drew his gun and steadied it on his opposite forearm. The two men fired a single shot each at essentially the same time, according to the reports.[5] Tutt missed, but Hickok's bullet struck Tutt in the left side between the fifth and seventh ribs. Tutt called out, "Boys, I'm killed," ran onto the porch of the local courthouse and back to the street, where he collapsed and died.[4]

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True Hand guns are most effective at the closer distances, but the 9 mm ballisticaly is still quite lethal at 100 yards plus distance. For such distances you need an RMR or similar, decent trigger, and a gun that it accurate enough. You must also know your trajectory and know how to employ stable shooting positions under field conditions.
Yes I will use a rifle if one is readily available. But if a pistol is all you have, then you need to make the best of the situation.
I would not choose a factory Sigma pistol for such, but if I had to would do the best that I could with it. If I can hit a snakes body at close range, I know off hand I can hit a torso at 50 yards with one, but i have been shooting for many years.

I would give Smith & Wesson a call. They will likely ask for the pistol to be returned. In most cases they have paid shipping for me both ways. If you’re pistol is out of spec, I’m sure they will make it right.

barnetmill said:

I suggest sir that you how to shoot.

True Hand guns are most effective at the closer distances, but the 9 mm ballisticaly is still quite lethal at 100 yards plus distance. For such distances you need an RMR or similar, decent trigger, and a gun that it accurate enough. You must also know your trajectory and know how to employ stable shooting positions under field conditions.
Yes I will use a rifle if one is readily available. But if a pistol is all you have, then you need to make the best of the situation.
I would not choose a factory Sigma pistol for such, but if I had to would do the best that I could with it. If I can hit a snakes body at close range, I know off hand I can hit a torso at 50 yards with one, but i have been shooting for many years.

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I have also have been shooting for many years ... I see no reason whay I would shoot a 9mm handgun at 100yds ... and if at emergency or some wild situation that would need to .. I could I guess ... I have a 25 to 30 handguns ... None for hunting.. I really see no reason for myself to shoot a handgun off a table off a rest ...

But I came close to getting into handgun hunting maybe single shot in 30/30 or 35 Rem those are great hunting calibers that I handload for on occasion ...
But I stuck with longguns with hunting and when beating around in the woods I carry a Glock 20 or a Security Six in 357mag
I guess we have different uses for different guns

As the saying goes: shooting off a rest tests the gun's accuracy, shooting offhand tests the shooter's. If we're wanting to know about the SD9's inherent accuracy, then a rest is the only way to test it.

Mosin Bubba said:

As the saying goes: shooting off a rest tests the gun's accuracy, shooting offhand tests the shooter's. If we're wanting to know about the SD9's inherent accuracy, then a rest is the only way to test it.

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Exactly! I don't understand people that have no interest in verifying their defensive weapon's accuracy at longer distances. Often, they get indignant and insulted if you even suggest that they should be capable of accurate shooting at even 25 yards. I can point to several instances of recent defensive shootings that occurred at longer distances.

It seems that active shooting scenarios are more common these days and ALL involve longer distances to incapacitate the shooter.

I just know that if I was in a mall or church or outdoor venue and there was someone killing innocent men, women and children, and I was unable to engage them effectively, or worse yet, ran off, I would feel like a piece of human debris.

If you are taking on the responsibility of carrying a firearm in public, then you should be responsible and be sure that you can use it to its full potential. And to use it to its full potential, you need to KNOW what its full potential is. Which means bench resting it at 25yds for groups, then shooting offhand at 25yds to see if you can be effective at that distance.

If your pistol can barely hit a pie plate at 25yds on a bench rest, then there is no way you can hit the same size target offhand at that distance.

It seems as magazine capacity and semiauto handguns have become more frequent, people seem to accomplish less while firing more shots.