S&W SD9 VE at the range.

[9mmforMe]

Thank you to my wife for getting me this pistol. I got this from under the Christmas tree last week and am still shocked that my wife bought me a handgun.

So off to the range I went today.

I had:
100 rounds of Federal 115 gr FMJ
50 rounds of Remington 115 gr FMJ
50 rounds of WWB 147 gr JHP personal defense

This range was new to me, it was a nice smallish shop, quaint, old timey atmosphere with ancient gun paraphernalia adorning the walls and cabinet tops, paintings, old cartridge boxes and such. The range had 6 lanes and I got number 2.

I asked the gentleman at the counter what he thought of the SD9 and he said its basically a Sigma with the stiff trigger included. Well it was his shop so I decided not to argue with him about the upgrades and how this handgun is not a Sigma (and the Sigmas were not bad little guns anyway). So I went back to the range anteroom, put on my ears and eyes, found my lane and started seeing how well it performed. And did it perform. No malfunctions whatsoever...nada...not a one. The gun shoots POA, was very comfortable to shoot, with minimal muzzle flip and a joy to handle. I stayed at 7 yards to keep it easy for point of impact as well as reliability, man it was fun!! The SD9VE is a great gun for the money...hell its a great gun for 100 bucks more than was paid, IMO. Either way it looks like a keeper and the source of many good times in the future.
BTW...I love the trigger...its like a light DA trigger on a revolver, and that's just fine by me.

 

[Texron]

Got mine about six months ago. I've never had a single problem with it and I love shooting it. I have a number of handguns, this is the one that is by my bed at night.

 

[5-SHOTS]

Congratulations, very nice Christmas gift. Nice pistol and... target.
I think the S&W SD9 VE is one of the best if not the best value in the pistol market today. I also think it looks very cool. I really enjoy the hickok45 video review of this gun.

 

[snooperman]

I bought one for my Grandson and liked it so much, I bought one for myself. What a great 9mm pistol for the price. It shoots every thing we put in it and is accurate enough for personal protection or a house gun. It is one of the best values going and S&W say it is one of their best sellers. Enjoy

 

[wally]

I've always said the late production Sigma (VE models) pistols were a great first autoloader if you were coming from Taurus revolvers. Any improvement in the SD trigger over the Sigma would make it that much of a better buy. I've a 9mm Sigma for practice and a .40S&W that lives in the truck.

A very reliable pistol at that price, backed by the best customer service in the industry is a very nice deal. At this price point their only real competition is Taurus or EAA or something you've likely never heard of before.

 

[krupparms]

The S&W, SD 9VE & the .40S&W version are real sleepers on the gun market! These guns shoot great & are a good value. S&W did a good job & I would gladly recommend this pistol to anyone looking for a good bargain on a new pistol. And they are made in the U.S.A.! I know you will enjoy it!

 

[SeanSw]

You got a good one. Your pistol appears to be a much better shooter than the sd9ve I borrowed at the range. None of us could get a decent group with a variety of ammunition and the sights were not well regulated. The windage could have been our fault but the elevation is off shooting a few inches low at 7-15 yards.

 

[9mmforMe]

Thanks 5-shots. I really like the handgun a great deal. I have heard of some people having problems with the sights and of course many have spoken about the trigger. I wonder if those with point of impact problems are having problems with trigger control? Anyway, it is a total sleeper and I'm eyeballing a second one. I really liked the Hickok45 review as well!

 

[rtz]

Trigger kits can be had now if anyone wants a lighter trigger:

https://apextactical.com/store/product-list.php?pg1-cid21.html

 

[krupparms]

I replaced the sights with night sights from Tru -Glo, made for the S&W model M&P pistol. Yes they do fit. I paid less than $100 for the sights and getting them put on. The gun shoots a lot better now. Those plastic rear sights need replacement. Sigma magazines also work in the newer S.D.s. I haven't had any trigger work done & don't feel I need to . These are very acceptable pistols & at a good price. Yes you can get some great used pistols at or near that price & a few made overseas! But this one is made in the USA & brand new! You can get upgrades for it, and S&W has good C.S. . I have shot about 500+ rd.s thru it with no problems . I plan to keep this pistol & USE IT!

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I've been thinking of getting one in .40 just to be able to get ammo (around here when 9mm and even .45 is gone there's always .40).

 

[wally]

I've been thinking of getting one in .40 just to be able to get ammo

Good choice, it won't take long to have spent more on the ammo shot through it than you did on the gun!

 

[Mike J]

Thanks for posting about this 9mm. My sisters husband got her one of the tiny .380's. After she went out shooting with me she decided she wants a compact or full sized 9mm. It depends on funds but I was thinking if I might try to round one of these up for her.

 

[jamal28]

The gun is beautiful comfortable to hold and small enough to conceal it also has a better trigger than the sigma. It sports a smooth eight pound d/a trigger has decent sights and 16 rounds 9milli. Whats not to like about it. All for under $350

 

[9mmforMe]

Sounds good Mike,
I love the gun and would say to you that if this pistol fits her hand well and she is comfortable with its controls, go for it. Rent one if possible or at least have her hold one to handle/dry fire. I love this pistol and plan on getting a companion soon...better than the Glock 19 IMO, a gun I do hold in high regard.

 

[justice06rr]

Congrats on the SD9, its a great pistol.

A good friend of mine has the same one and he let me shoot it. I'm impressed with its overall quality and reliability. The trigger is a tad on the heavy side, but not bad once you get the hang of it.

Have fun shooting!

 

[9mmforMe]

Thanks Justice. I plan on some good range time and carrying it concealed once I get my permit. Want to get another one as well as a back-up.
The trigger doesn't bother me at all and with one in the chamber I like the idea of a stiffer trigger for safety sake, along with the other safeties of course.

 

[xjsnake]

The trigger will smooth up with time and will lose a lot of the creep after a few hundred rounds.

Throw in an apex kit (~$20) and you have a trigger that isn't all that far from a glock for a lot less $