SD9VE vs TP9SF

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whatever

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I am in the market for a full size 'budget' 9mm handgun. I own plenty of higher end handguns that I carry/train/collect. I don't need to be told to save more $ and buy a Glock...I've got that spectrum covered.

I want a budget firearm for a couple of reasons: to use as a loaner for new shooters/ammo testing/'torture' testing/etc. I'm also looking to just get something new for kicks and grins.

I'm looking hard at the sd9ve and the tp9sf. Both are $300-$350 and seem fairly robust. Reviews for folks who own them are generally very positive. What are your thoughts on these two firearms? What other 'budget' 9mm handgun (sub $400 NIB) would you suggest?
 
I like my TP9SA. It's just a range toy for me. The only con for me is lack of aftermarket support.

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I've got an SD9VE. It's a solidly built gun and I absolutely love the way the grip fits my hand. One of my favorite pistols ergonomically. It's a Glock 19 knockoff and I think the size is just about ideal. The controls are snappy and everything works very smoothly. It's never failed to go bang either.

But the more I've been shooting it, the less I like it. The trigger is pretty smooth, but heavy and very, very long. I installed a $25 spring kit (worth it) that lightened the trigger but did not shorten it. I shot the pistol on paper from a benchrest a few weeks ago and just could not get it to group well. I think the dots on the sight may be off, and AFAIK the sights are not adjustable. I'm admittedly a pretty poor shot with a pistol, but I was dead on with some other guns so I have my questions about the Smith.

So in short, the SD9VE is a surprisingly nice budget gun that I can't shoot well, and that kind of ruins the appeal for me. Rent or borrow one and try it out for yourself, your mileage may vary.
 
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I use to have the Canik tp9sf and it was a very good gun with a lousy importer who won't sell you parts. What I would recommend is a Walther PPX. You can still get them for under $300 from CDNN. They look a little odd but they have a great trigger and they are very accurate. The gun has a lifetime warranty and you can buy parts.
 
What I've found out about these budget guns is that in almost every category they're "just OK". I purchased a SAR B6P for a "truck" gun. It sits in my car under the blazing sun, in the summer humidity and I don't care much because I only paid $242.00 for it. Its reliable, eats anything and is generally OK.

Here is my review of the SAR B6P:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=786697

The Taurus Millennium G2 PT111 is super cheap, I got mine for $197.98. I wouldn't hand it to a new shooter though, I think its snappy, I don't like the trigger and the damn thing shoots low and to the left and of course everyone tells you to train train train with it. My HK P7M8 shot point of aim right out of the box , I think my first shot group was just a little over 2" at 10 yards and I didn't have to train train train with the trigger - but whatever. I think the Taurus Millennium G2 PT111 could be used to do short-barreled ammo tests, but I personally don't think it'll stand up to torture tests.

You can occasionally get the SD9VE for $259.99 + $12.99 S/H

I'd probably go with the Smith.

Something else though - for new shooters, you can get the Kahr CT9 when its on sale for $275-ish and it has that nice double action trigger that I think helps new shooters.
 
whatever

You might also want to consider a Ruger SR9E for a budget 9mm. loaner/range gun. Bud's has them for $344. I have an SR9c and really like it's design ergonomics, trigger, and sights.
 
I own the TP9SA and it is a great pistol. I've never shot an SD9VE, but have handled them and they feel cheap. Get the Canik.
 
Another TP9SA owner here. Very nice pistol on par with others that are 2x as much in cost.

As for the Smith, I was literally looking at these same two when I was looking for a full size. I went with the Canik because it's more full size (longer barrel, bigger grip), the wonderful trigger and capacity.
 
bannockburn said:
whatever

You might also want to consider a Ruger SR9E for a budget 9mm. loaner/range gun. Bud's has them for $344. I have an SR9c and really like it's design ergonomics, trigger, and sights.
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Second that on the 9E. Grabagun dot com has them for $299 + $5.95 flat rate shipping...
 
The SD9VE. American made, great reputation, small enough for most to CCW, availability of parts, and S&W warranty support. The Shield is also in your target price range from places like Palmetto State Armory.
 
I had an SD40VE. It went bang every time, but the trigger was awful. The more I shot it, the less I liked it.
 
I'd get the TP9. There's a reason there are so many positive reviews out there. As someone who has owned both, the TP9 blows the SD9's trigger and ergonomics away. Both are great guns but in the long run you'll enjoy the Tap9 more.

I also have the PPX and while it is a great gun with a good trigger, Walther stopped building them last year so parts will inevitably dry up.
 
I would go for the S&W. When I worked at a LGS we sold a lot of them to first time buyers on budgets, and when they came back later to buy more ammo, accessories, etc. they were all still very happy with their pistols. Also its a S&W- American, and supported by a very established company.
 
My brother in law asked me to tag along to a gun show last winter and he ended up buying a Kahr CT9 as his first pistol. Got it for $335 OTD. I already have a K9 and a P380 so I'm a fan of the Kahr trigger, and the CT9 is no exception. We put 100 rounds through it that day and it feeds jhp and fmj's reliably, shoots to point of aim and recoil isn't bad despite it being very lightweight.
 
I like the sd9ve a lot, even prefer the grip over the m&p line. Mine has been modded with an apex kit but it wasn't really necessary. Don't expect a glock or m&p style trigger because it's a bit different. I admit that I have come across one sd9ve that did not have the sights regulated at the factory.
 
SP2022 Sig quality factory night sights 16 rounds on board and a rail. Got mine for 349 over a year ago. I have been seeing them on slickguns for 399 lately. I have also been seeing some deals on XD's under 4 bills.
 
Owned 2 of the Smiths, the older model and newer one. Still didn't like the idea that I had to "fix" the trigger right out of the box. I don't mind buying Turkish pistols. My budget gun is the SAR B6P Compact 9mm. I carry it everywhere as my "truck" gun. Still have the G17 in my nightstand.

The SAR was $270 and I pre-ordered a couple of extra mags. Shoots well, accurate, good trigger, comfortable recoil, not supposed to be +P rated, but I do load it for SD anyway. Fits my hand great and I like the hammer-fired idea after years carrying strikers. I am trying to snag another in stainless.

Looked at the TP9 SF as well. May get one in the future. Good luck in your search.

M
 
I know several people who have owned the SD9VE and (those who knew anything about handguns) universally hated the trigger.

Having tried one myself, I have to agree.

I know nothing about the Canik.
 
I have about 500 rounds experience with my SD9VE. Great pistol! If you are right handed with medium sized hands the ergonomics are close to perfect. The workmanship of the stainless steel slide is excellent, S&W did not skimp. Accuracy and grouping at 7 yards (only have shot at this distance) is very good, the gun puts the shots where the front sight dot covers.

One complaint, the take-down which is exactly like a Glock, can be a pain as the take down thing-a-ma-jig is too short and difficult to push down.

The thing most commented on about the SD9VE is the trigger and how heavy it is. Yes it's heavy, but to someone used to shooting revolvers DA it's normal. I don't see the need for the Apex spring and trigger conversions. Learn to shoot the pistol as is.

Another pistol in the same price range is the Ruger 9E. Another good one with a lighter trigger. Only comes with one magazine though.
 
The more I think about it the more I think your intended purposes, while not incompatible, are better served by different guns, not 1 gun.

To use as a loaner for new shooters - I'd go with the TP9SF, assuming they're moving up from a .22LR to 9mm, I'd want to give them a smooth light trigger. I still think the full sized Kahrs are great for that.

For ammo testing/'torture' testing/etc, I'd go with the SD9VE. If you're testing some new designer ammo and it breaks your gun, your Smith will be back in action in no time. If some esoteric ammo damages your TP9SF, Century Arms might have adequate customer service (not saying they do), but their customer service isn't as good as S&W.
 
While I have never owned either, I can comment on the SD9VE.

I was at a class a number of years ago and, very literally, watched a classmate's weapon shoot itself apart.

I'd also recommend a look at the Ruger.
 
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We have a SD9VE, it was given to my wife by my father-in-law. The long and the short of it is that it's not that great of a gun. It's trigger pull is twice what all my Glock's are, it's mags are $15 more than Glock mags (SD9VE mags are $34.99 each not including tax from Midway), there were mysterious and repeated long term malfunctions over several years until the two-piece guide rod broke around the 500 rd mark. Only shot it a box here and a box there as it wasn't exactly a joy to shoot. I replaced that about a month ago and I haven't shot it since. I wish that we could sell it, but selling a gift is kind of rude.

I've heard good things about the TP9SF, I'd buy one of those blind rather than buy a SD9VE.

Or what about those Tristar C-100 CZ-75 Compact copies? Those are around the same price and those are good.
 
Browning said:
We have a SD9VE, it was given to my wife by my father-in-law. The long and the short of it is that it's not that great of a gun. It's trigger pull is twice what all my Glock's are, it's mags are $15 more than Glock mags (SD9VE mags are $34.99 each not including tax from Midway), there were mysterious and repeated long term malfunctions over several years until the two-piece guide rod broke around the 500 rd mark. Only shot it a box here and a box there as it wasn't exactly a joy to shoot. I replaced that about a month ago and I haven't shot it since. I wish that we could sell it, but selling a gift is kind of rude.

I've heard good things about the TP9SF, I'd buy one of those blind rather than buy a SD9VE.

Or what about those Tristar C-100 CZ-75 Compact copies? Those are around the same price and those are good.
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The Tristar is great. I have two compacts and a full size model and they're all excellent.
 
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