SD9VE Accuracy

[Catpop]

Not a full range test (which I am working on with both boolits and factory), but just a couple of targets to show what I am experiencing on my end.
SDVE has a 4” barrel
By the way I think I read SDVE stands for Self Defense Value Enhanced
LC9 has 3 1/8” barrel They say “a picture is worth a thousand words” I don’t know about that, but for me, I have to mentally visualize it before I can understand it! Gittin old I guess!
Thanks for all the input !
Catpop

 

[Trey Veston]

Yeah, that's not good. I know my M&P40c is very ammo sensitive. I was getting similar groups to yours with Hornady Critical Defense 165gr HP ammo, then started experimenting with my own handloads and Hornady XTP bullets. Got it down to acceptable groups.

 

[Catpop]

Yeah, that's not good. I know my M&P40c is very ammo sensitive. I was getting similar groups to yours with Hornady Critical Defense 165gr HP ammo, then started experimenting with my own handloads and Hornady XTP bullets. Got it down to acceptable groups.

View attachment 874876

Fine shooting there Trey

 

[357smallbore]

I will dive into this conversaton.
I'd say the vast (vast) majority of handgun owners that have guns for self defense do not practice shooting their guns past the 15 yard stick. Sure they may send a target or two out that far every once in a while. My SD is cabable of keeping all its rounds in the ole pie plate at 25 yards. Good enough for me. But I sure dont shoot 100s of rounds out that far. But reality is this. If you have to shoot at somebody at that distance. You will more than likey miss. Hell the cops only land 28-33% of the rounds they fire.
Practice with your gun is the key to success. Apex trigger and springs are an option to help if needed,

 

[joneb]

I've shot one and I did not hit a dang thing I was shooting at, switched to a Colt 1911 45 acp and hit every clay at 15 yards.

 

[drobs]

Picked up a used S&W SD9VE for $250 w/ box and 2 mags at Pawn / Gun Shop. They had 2 at that price.

Fired 50rds of PMC 115gr FMJ at my 25yd gong. Trigger is horrible but the gun was reliable. Didn't hit the gong that many times.
Will test it out on paper to see what is going on.

The front sight seems hard to see compared to my Glocks and other pistols. I understand M&P aftermarket sights will fit this gun and may look into a set of AmeriGlo Hackathorn sights for it. I have these on my 3 Glocks. The orange outline on the front tritium, hits the top of the sight giving me a better sight alignment with the all black rear sight.
https://www.primaryarms.com/amerigl...set-smith-and-wesson-m-p-green-orange-outline

I ordered an Apex spring and trigger combo. The Apex trigger looks like a Glock trigger to me. If I find that significantly improves my accuracy, I might go back and pick up that 2nd pistol. Goal with these low dollar pistols is a dedicated car / truck vault gun.

I previously owned an S&W M&P Shield 9mm, passed on to a family member. I also hated that jointed trigger on that gun. Being left handed, the single side right hand only safety, didn't endear me to the gun enough to invest time or dollars into it.

I like the look of the stainless slide and the heft of the SD9VE.

 

[<*(((><]

Yeah, that's not good. I know my M&P40c is very ammo sensitive. I was getting similar groups to yours with Hornady Critical Defense 165gr HP ammo, then started experimenting with my own handloads and Hornady XTP bullets. Got it down to acceptable groups.
View attachment 874876

Nice pie plate, I see what you did there.

I need to do more rest shooting with my handguns, I've always focused on me with the guns as I'm always the weak link. But it would be good to try and gauge some mechanical accuracy on a few of my guns that I have questions about.

 

[<*(((><]

@Catpop your picture seems to tell a story about "mechanical accuracy" or could it be the ammo you were using?

 

[Catpop]

Yes, Luke, it could be ammo. I only used factory 115 gr FMJ because that’s all I had. Maybe another box of different weight ammo and another series of test is in order?
I did use 4 different handguns.
They were all shot one after another.
SDVE came in dead last.
(It also came in dead last with .356 115 gr MBC boolits over three different Winchester 231 grain test reloads.)
That’s all fact.
I call the SDVE a cheap, but “very reliable” 15 yard or less self defense pistol. Not my words but SW’s own words. SDVE according to SW stands for “Self Defense, Value Enhanced.
I have nothing against my SDVE! It just came last in my test.
But in my humble opinion it does not serve my needs as a test platform for working up 9mm loads due to its inaccuracy.
Does it serve yours, if so, I’m glad for you!

 

[drobs]

Update installed the Apex trigger and spring kit this morning. I paid $44.95 for the Apex kit and $250 for the gun. Looks like Apex raised their price to $54.95 after I bought mine.

https://store.apextactical.com/WebDirect/Products/Details/192785

It's a night and day difference on the trigger pull. Went from horrible to decent Glock like trigger. Shot 50rds through it. Worked good + much easier to hit my gong with. Still need to see how it is on paper.

Should make for a good truck gun.

 

[Catpop]

drobs,
I guess I was lucky bc mine came with a decent trigger. But barrel to slide fit at muzzle is very loose! I guess this is where my SDVE’s inaccuracy may originate.
Hey that could be another quest- but alas so many quest and so little time!
Anyway I anxiously await your test results at 20-25 yards!

 

[94045]

That's odd. I've seen guys group under 3" at 25 yards with the SW9VE and I wouldn't think the SD9VE would be worse. I think it's basically the same pistol with an improved trigger. Poor barrel fit or bad barrel maybe?

 

[Tallball]

I had one. It was reliable. The mechanical accuracy was fine. The trigger was bad enough that the practical accuracy, for me, wasn't that great.

 

[Jack B.]

My wife won one and she likes it just fine. She's pretty accurate with it using Winchester white box 115gr FMJ & Same type Fiocchi ammo. But we are really revolver & rifle people and don't care much for 9mm. We took it to the range, ran a bunch of ammo through it, both brands worked well in the gun. Took it home and cleaned it put it away and haven't shot it since.

 

[drobs]

drobs,
I guess I was lucky bc mine came with a decent trigger. But barrel to slide fit at muzzle is very loose! I guess this is where my SDVE’s inaccuracy may originate.
Hey that could be another quest- but alas so many quest and so little time!
Anyway I anxiously await your test results at 20-25 yards!

What are you using for a pistol rest?

Missouri's alternate methods deer season is going on right now. I need to go check the sights on one of my AR15 pistols at a free unsupervised public range today. I'll bring the SD9VE along.

 

[SeanSw]

My sd9ve doesn't print well with 115gr ammo. Neither did the pistol my friend owned.I definitely useable but I would probably try heavier bullets in before settling on your results.

 

[Catpop]

What are you using for a pistol rest?

Missouri's alternate methods deer season is going on right now. I need to go check the sights on one of my AR15 pistols at a free unsupervised public range today. I'll bring the SD9VE along.

Rest? Anything I can use to prevent any movement of the sights on the target, but here’s a picture of my homemade rest.