S&W SD9 VE - good choice? or get an XD?

[socalbeachbum]

I'm looking at the stainless 9mm Smith SD9VE and see there is an Apex trigger kit for it, and wondering if this would be a nice choice? I'm also looking at the 4" Springfield XD. Are both of these pretty accurate?

I had a Glock 19 and sadly sold it. I had an FNP-9 and sold it becasue it was not nearly as accurate as the Glock. I like 4" 9mm's and I like striker fired, polymer frame for my purposes, but I'd prefer Glock accuracy level or better.

 

[Warp]

Obvious question, why not a Glock 19

 

[socalbeachbum]

availability. and just hunting around to see if anything similar to the G19 is any more accurate.

my only gripe with the 19 is the grip, the finger things fall right in the wrong place for my hand so I have always used a Pachmayr glove sleeve thing to compensate

 

[Warp]

availability. and just hunting around to see if anything similar to the G19 is any more accurate.

my only gripe with the 19 is the grip, the finger things fall right in the wrong place for my hand so I have always used a Pachmayr glove sleeve thing to compensate

I'm confused (availability)

Isn't the Glock 19 one of the most widespread, available, common pistols with possibly the most aftermarket support possible in all ways from magazines, to holsters, sights, parts, modifications, knowledge, experience, etc?

 

[socalbeachbum]

yes it is. and I've got a G19 on order. they are seriously backordered right now and I am pistol-less, so looking at getting an XD 4" or the SD9VE to add to the collection

 

[2zulu1]

Steyr m9-a1, what Glocks should have progressed to.

 

[Warp]

yes it is. and I've got a G19 on order. they are seriously backordered right now and I am pistol-less, so looking at getting an XD 4" or the SD9VE to add to the collection

Gen4 Glock 19 with three 15 round magazines in stock for $545 shipped from a reputable retailer

http://grabagun.com/glock-19-gen4-9mm-fixed-sights-15rd-3-magazines.html?source=igodigital

 

[danez71]

Gen4 Glock 19 with three 15 round magazines in stock for $545 shipped from a reputable retailer

http://grabagun.com/glock-19-gen4-9mm-fixed-sights-15rd-3-magazines.html?source=igodigital

Gen 4s are not approved in CA.

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns_resp.asp

No Generation 4 Glock handguns have been approved as of: Monday, March 21, 2016

 

[Onward Allusion]

If you already have a G19 on order, just get the SD. While not in the same class as the M&P, the SD is still a decent gun. Shoot with the stock trigger before tinkering with the Apex kit. The SD is 3rd Gen Sigma. Trigger is a lot lighter.

 

[C0untZer0]

Steyr m9-a1

Experience bore axis the way it was meant to be

 

[mgmorden]

The SD is a good gun for the money, however the trigger is all sorts of bad. IMHO, with an Apex spring kit and the replacement trigger, they clean up into what a really, really good factory trigger can be (ie, crisp, short, and about 5.5 lbs), but that's another $50+ to put into the pistol.

FWIW I would look into the XD. OR, if they're CA legal some of the surplus M&P's that have been hitting the market lately. The M&P is my favorite striker fired gun.

 

[FireInCairo]

The XD is one of the best built pistols out there. For the money, it can't be beat.

 

[MikeInOr]

A large part of accuracy is ergonomics and how well the gun fits the shooter. I have guns that I shoot great that my buddies can't hit anything with and they have guns that shoot great for them and I can't hit anything with. One of my buddies had a XDS that he couldn't get a good hold on and was all over the paper with. I had no problem with the XDS and it always grouped really well for me. I now own that XDS and he owns a M&P Shield that he shoots much better with.

I think you need to find a gun you shoot well with and not worry about what other people shoot well with. If a Glock 19 does well for you that is what I would reccomend you buy. There are a dozen Glock 19's on my local Armslist listings, most NIB. There is even a real pretty one in burn bronze.

 

[RON in PA]

The SD9VE is quite accurate in my experience, has very good ergonomics and has been reliable. Most folks discussing them complain about the trigger, it's too heavy blah blah blah, you need an Apex mod. etc. Maybe because I have shot many thousands of rounds of double action revolver I disagree. Yes the trigger is not a Walther PPQ trigger, but if you do not attempt to stage it and fire the gun with one continuous pull as S&W advises in the manual it is quite usable. Also it improves rather quickly over the first few hundred rounds and some dry firing. I bought the gun mostly out of curiosity to see what a lower cost auto can do. I'm impressed and recommend it.

 

[Warp]

Gen 4s are not approved in CA.

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns_resp.asp

Oh. You're in California and want to buy a gun...there's your problem lol. It's normally not difficult in the least to get a Glock 19

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Experience bore axis the way it was meant to be

You mean with a CZ? [emoji1] [emoji6]

 

[danez71]

if they're CA legal some of the surplus M&P's that have been hitting the market lately.

I think only the Shield is left on the CA roster as far as S&W M&P semi autos go.

 

[FL-NC]

I would get the S&W before I got a XD. But Glock would be my #1.

 

[stonecutter2]

I had an SW9VE (my first pistol), which in my opinion is the predecessor of the SD9VE (which improved on a few issues), but S&W had to shed the bad reputation of the Sigma series.

I have a Glock 19 now, and sold the SW9VE.

I found the SW9VE *very* comfortable in my hand, although the Glock 19 also fits me absolutely perfect. I have a Gen 4 Glock 19, which being a little smaller than Gen 3, made it feel perfect. Too bad you can't get a Gen 4

I recommend the SD9VE. I think S&W made good on a good idea for a pistol, and fixed little things like the weird proprietary rail on the Sigma for example.

By the way, my SW9VE never failed me, not once. It tended to shoot low and left, probably due to the long trigger pull, but it always went bang. I felt secure knowing I had that if I needed it.

 

[Winkman822]

Like others have said, just get the Glock, and if need be, send the frame out to be recontoured. I'm giving serious thought to doing this myself. As for the SD9V, it looks like a nice enough gun, but I've read and heard a lot of complaints about the trigger.

As some fodder for another Glock 19ish alternative, take a look at the Walther P99 or PPQ. I have a P99 and absolutely love it. I find the ergonomics to be leaps and bounds ahead of the Glock and I also find it to be very accurate. As a bonus, the trigger is outstanding right out of the box. While I don't own one, I would say the same of the PPQ's that I've shot and handled.

 

[danez71]

The Walthers are also not on the CA roster.


Guys.... there are reasons he listed those 2 guns and not 20 others.


Just to keep it simple.... off roster guns can be brought into CA if you move there (and they arent assault weapons) and LEO can buy them, of course.

So off roster guns do get into CA.... and then they can be PPT thru a FFL to any non-prohibited person. Only LEO can buy an off roster gun from an FFL.

He has probably ordered a glock gen3 because of this reason but apparently they're back ordered.

He may be able to find a NIB Gen 4 in CA and pay a premium for it from one of those guys that keep advertising NIB off roster guns..... but he may be leary, as I am, how those same people keep getting NIB off roster guns.

 

[Winkman822]

I didn't realize the Walthers weren't CA approved. Sorry.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I prefer the XDm line. The trigger is much better than the S&W IMO.

Don't care for Glocks myself.