Need Input: SD9VE vs Security 9

Outlaw75 said:

I'm in the market for a budget full sized 9mm. Both of these are available at my LGS, price difference is only $20.

1. I have no budget flexibility. None, nada! So please don't suggest more expensive alternatives. (If I had my 'druthers I'd be going for an M&P 9 2.0)

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Outlaw75 said:

Probably should have mentioned that this is not going to be a carry gun. I've got a Shield 9 for that, but it's my only 9mm and I'd kind of like a full size for a range gun.

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I say now is a bad time to buy a gun - unless you absolutely need it - as prices are high and availability is low.

It seems as if you are shopping for a gun you don't need, but a gun you want, and neither of those guns seem to be the gun you want.

I'd hold off my purchase until the rush on firearms settles down. In the meantime, you can save your money and buy the gun you want when the time comes.

Outlaw75 said:

I'm not a fan of Ruger in general. This is based on some past experience with an older model Mini 30.

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Not fair; they've come a long way since the Mini.

I'd take the SD9VE for $50 less, but for ~same price, buy the Ruger.

I have an SD40VE. Feels good in my hand and shoots quite well. The trigger is not the best, to ssy the least. For $20 I bought a "Boudica" trigger kit from Galloway Precision. It is a flat face design. It made a big improvent to the trigger. S&W was sued by Glock for copying their design, one of the things they changed was the trigger design, making it less like a glock and less than a stellar trigger.

JTQ said:

neither of those guns seem to be the gun you want.

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Good suggestion, and the OP stated he'd prefer a M&P 2.0. Wonder what the budget constraints are, but that's none of our business.
So if he wants a gun now, I think his two choices are best options. Boils down to fit, shootability and preference. Both will serve well.

Too bad you lost the SD9VE. I just bought a new one because I like the SW9VE I have owned for many years. Its the gun that stays in my truck. It has never failed in any manner. I did a youtube trigger job except instead of leaving out a spring I installed a lighter one. That was on the SW version. The new SD I bought before the gun world went crazy has a very decent trigger right out of the box and feels great in my hand. They made the feel of the SD much better over the SW model.

I can't comment on the Ruger. Never have even seen one in person. Here is a good video of the SD in action. If this doesn't make you want one I don't know what will. And you can find them NIB on gunbroker for a decent price.

ThomasT said:

Too bad you lost the SD9VE. I just bought a new one because I like the SW9VE I have owned for many years. Its the gun that stays in my truck. It has never failed in any manner. I did a youtube trigger job except instead of leaving out a spring I installed a lighter one. That was on the SW version. The new SD I bought before the gun world went crazy has a very decent trigger right out of the box and feels great in my hand. They made the feel of the SD much better over the SW model.

I can't comment on the Ruger. Never have even seen one in person. Here is a good video of the SD in action. If this doesn't make you want one I don't know what will. And you can find them NIB on gunbroker for a decent price.

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The gentleman in that video can make a HI-POINT look outstanding. But you'll be the one holding, shooting, and living with it. The big difference is that the Ruger is ready to go out of the box, no need to mess with the trigger or anything else for that matter. Since they're both sold find a Ruger SR9C.

Spats McGee said:

SR9 or SR9c can be had in the same price range as the Security 9. I haven't shot one of those, either

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Thousands of round through my SR9c. I've shot a lot of other guns besides my handguns. Many I shoot well, but nothing feels and groups as well for me as my SR9c.

triplebike said:

The gentleman in that video can make a HI-POINT look outstanding. But you'll be the one holding, shooting, and living with it. The big difference is that the Ruger is ready to go out of the box, no need to mess with the trigger or anything else for that matter. Since they're both sold find a Ruger SR9C.

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Thats true. Hickock45 can make any gun shoot well. But its not magic. Its all practice. If he can do it so can you with enough practice. My new SD9VE needs no trigger work. Its fine. And like the OP I don't like the silver slide but I got over it. And if it bugs me enough I will paint it another color. Its not a show piece but a working gun. And my buds 9mm Hi-Point was a very good shooter. Ugly as sin but a real deal for no more than it cost. I have a Hi-Point 9mm Carbine. One of the first ones made. And at 90 yards its easy to roll a small melon sized rock all over the ground shooting off hand.

I just got back from a local gunstore and I looked at 3 Glock pistols. Two Gen 3 guns, a 17 and a 19 and a Gen5 17 and they are nice pistols. But not enough nicer or more solid feeling the the two S&W autos I have to make me want to sell them and go Glock.

I am a Ruger fan and would bet any Ruger auto bought would serve the OP just fine if he had of bought it.

I would most definitely go with with the SD9VE, like Hickcock45, I like a heavier trigger. And it is a nice trigger.

I’ve had both of them. I gave the SD9VE to my daughter and the Security 9 to my sister. They both love their guns.
I like both guns, but I give the Ruger a slight overall edge. The only thing I didn’t like about the Ruger was the guard around the slide stop. It just bothered my thumb.
And as most know, the trigger sucks on the Smith.

I highly suggest you try both triggers. I personally do not care for the triggers on many Rugers. Loved the LC9S but got rid of it, because It was just too light.

GunnyUSMC said:

I’ve had both of them. I gave the SD9VE to my daughter and the Security 9 to my sister. They both love their guns.
I like both guns, but I give the Ruger a slight overall edge. The only thing I didn’t like about the Ruger was the guard around the slide stop. It just bothered my thumb.
And as most know, the trigger sucks on the Smith.

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Lol, the trigger sucks? Obviously there are opposing opinions. Since there are two views on this subject, I would advise the OP to shoot both guns and find out what is best for himself. Usually the best course of action for any gun you choose. And I would consider other guns out there. I would also break down both guns and compare quality. Build Quality, Trigger preference, safety and shoot-ability etc. How much are magazines etc?
If the choice is the Ruger, I would then do my best to choose the SR9C if I would find one. Much better quality.

Ernie Bass said:

I highly suggest you try both triggers. I personally do not care for the triggers on many Rugers. Loved the LC9S but got rid of it, because It was just too light.


Lol, the trigger sucks? Obviously there are opposing opinions. Since there are two views on this subject, I would advise the OP to shoot both guns and find out what is best for himself. Usually the best course of action for any gun you choose. And I would consider other guns out there. I would also break down both guns and compare quality. Build Quality, Trigger preference, safety and shoot-ability etc. How much are magazines etc?
If the choice is the Ruger, I would then do my best to choose the SR9C if I would find one. Much better quality.

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Over the last seven years I have fired over 7000 different handguns. In those guns I have fired very many different SW9VE and SD9VE guns. Every now and then one would have a good trigger, but overall The trigger on them leave a lot to be desired.
Now I have only fired around 20 or so Ruger Security 9s. Of the ones I’ve fired, all had pretty good triggers, or should I say, they were better the the triggers on the Smiths.
Do try to remember that we are discussing the SD9VE and the Ruger Security 9. I agree with you that the SR9 would be the better gun, but that was not one of the guns the OP was asking about.
Now when it comes to mags, the SD9VE mags are much cheaper and easier to find. I gave my daughter ten mags for her SD9VE.
If one was to go with the SD9VE because of the price of extra mags. The money they save on mags could be spent on a trigger upgrade.

Outlaw75

When I was shopping for a compact 9mm
I tried out the Glock 19, the S&W M&P Compact, the SA XD Sub-Compact, and the Ruger SR9c. The Ruger had the best feel to it, great sights, great trigger, and was just the right choice for me.

If you like the Shield you're probably going to love the M&P 2.0. So save up your money and get the right gun for you.

Your question is sort of a Ford vs Chevy question. One of previous choices have been great for me the other worse possible. Ruger certainly has the better reputation for service and long life. I would probably look at the Canik since they have models in the same price range and have not heard of any owner that had problems. For me the safe choice is the Ruger and the SD9VE not even a consideration. The SD9VE is just too close to being a SIGMA. Maybe a Glock police trade-in? Tried to like the M&P once, just never could find a way to be accurate with it where Glock 17 seems to just always just works.

GunnyUSMC said:

Over the last seven years I have fired over 7000 different handguns. In those guns I have fired very many different SW9VE and SD9VE guns. Every now and then one would have a good trigger, but overall The trigger on them leave a lot to be desired.
Now I have only fired around 20 or so Ruger Security 9s. Of the ones I’ve fired, all had pretty good triggers, or should I say, they were better the the triggers on the Smiths.
Do try to remember that we are discussing the SD9VE and the Ruger Security 9. I agree with you that the SR9 would be the better gun, but that was not one of the guns the OP was asking about.
Now when it comes to mags, the SD9VE mags are much cheaper and easier to find. I gave my daughter ten mags for her SD9VE.
If one was to go with the SD9VE because of the price of extra mags. The money they save on mags could be spent on a trigger upgrade.

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Found mags for the SD9VE for $38 and Ruger mags for $34. https://www.gunclips.net/ruger-security-9-15-round-magazine.html

M&P 2.0 is def superior in most regards, if you have decided to head that way. Otherwise, it's the Ruger hands down. Both are robust, solid, reliable, fun to shoot HOWEVER the SD series is famous for a nasty trigger. 8# like dragging a cinder block over a gravel driveway. With stoning and a spring kit you can get it down to 4# silky smooth but it's still a long revolver style double action trigger, steeper learning curve. 9/10 shooters will hit better with the ruger out of the box than the SD after a good trigger job.

Tcruse said:

Found mags for the SD9VE for $38 and Ruger mags for $34. https://www.gunclips.net/ruger-security-9-15-round-magazine.html

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SD9VE mags $28.95
https://gregcotellc.com/cart/smith-...-p-1005.html?zenid=6esb3gnflgoo592ucrejt3knq1

Security 9 mags $32.95
https://gregcotellc.com/cart/ruger-...-p-2166.html?zenid=6esb3gnflgoo592ucrejt3knq1

If we get away from the OP choices, I'd suggest taking a look at the Stoeger STR 9.
The more I shoot this one, the more I like it.
Bad thing is the mags are expensive.

I really like my SD9VE.. goes bang .. accurate .. tuff ,
no nonsense pistol

drobs said:

SD9VE mags $28.95
https://gregcotellc.com/cart/smith-...-p-1005.html?zenid=6esb3gnflgoo592ucrejt3knq1

Security 9 mags $32.95
https://gregcotellc.com/cart/ruger-...-p-2166.html?zenid=6esb3gnflgoo592ucrejt3knq1

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The SW and SD are the same, other then the floorplate. You can find used SW mage from $15 to $20 at most gun shops. I know that I have both 9 and 40 SW mags in a box in my shop.

SD9 All day. Every day!