SD9VE

[ThomasT]

I have started a couple of threads asking about different 9mm handguns because I wanted something new. Well i was the only bidder on this NIB S&W SD9VE so now its mine at what I consider a decent price. I already have the SW version that has been a perfect truck gun for several years.

And yes I have heard all the stories about the triggers and consider them overblown. I have worked on the trigger of the SW I own and while its not a target grade trigger its fine for what it is and the intended use of the gun. And the trigger is much better now than it was. And I have read that S&W made the triggers better on the SD series of guns. I hope to have it by next Wednesday.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/858634927

 

[FL-NC]

The same pistol was/is issued to the afghan army and police. So, naturally, we obtained several from talis who no longer had a need for them.

 

[ThomasT]

The same pistol was/is issued to the afghan army and police. So, naturally, we obtained several from talis who no longer had a need for them.

I remember reading that. I think they were the SW version weren't they? The new version has a couple of upgrades I like. A slightly lighter trigger and a dovetailed front sight in case I want to upgrade the sights. I have 4 mags for my SW version and they fit both guns. So that gives me 6 mags total. That should be all I need. And now I have one each to leave to my two sons when I croak.

 

[MAKster]

The SD9VE is a solid US made pistol for $300. It is the 4th or 5th generation of what started as the Sigma. S&W is committed to this model which means you will be able to get parts and accessories in the future unlike some of the other economy guns that have no support and disappear after a year or two. All the complaints about the "heavy" trigger are overblown. Still way lighter than a traditional double action trigger.

 

[ThomasT]

Still way lighter than a traditional double action trigger.

I used to shoot falling plate matches way back in the early 1990s with double action revolvers. To be competitive you HAD to shoot double action only. So I have shot double action so much I tend to forget that a double action revolver can be fired single action. Maybe thats why I don't mind the triggers on these type of guns or the long reset of the trigger. Its all what you get used.

 

[357smallbore]

Bought my SD in late 2014. Solid weapon. Accurate, eats all 9mm I feed it. 4000k rounds down the pipe. Trigger is just a bit heavy. But I am a revolver guy, so it really doesn't bother me. I paid $299 new from Academy. For ccw, home defense or just plain plinking. You have a keeper!

 

[Random 8]

I had one for awhile until a trade opportunity came up that was too good to pass. It was no target pistol, but with practice was quite accurate. Otherwise it was a reliable workhorse that went "bang" no matter what ammo, weather, dirt, grime, position, grip, etc.

 

[Bama59]

I had a used SD9VE $225 the only thing I did was smooth the back strap a little and wide body take down plate. Had to sell it and few months later bought a M&P 9 with slightly smoother trigger

 

[Gordon]

I just gave to a son in a non free state , an original .40 Sigma I've had since 1996 (I had 6 9mms and 6 .40s I got for $200 each at a gun store which went under, along with a bunch of AKs ) and used as a beater truck and car gun (which means it got shot alot !) . I put a trigger spring up grade in it years ago and when I did smoothed the interior parts out . It was the most accurate of the six .40 Sigmas I had and therefore I kept it and a sister 9mm Sigma that were the best of the group. These things seem to be reliable as Glocks and are lite and robust and fit the hand exceedingly well. I sold 8 of them for $300, legally, and got my money back with 4 free pistols and have two my self left; a grand daughter got one of the 9mms. I still have stashed just in case, a 9mm & a .40 with 3 mags each. A great gun design IMHO , excellent warranty

 

[1942bull]

I owned a SD9VE for about 3 years. I replaced it with a PPSM2 because I wanted smaller. The SD9VE is a very good pistol. It ate any ammo I fed it, The trigger was good but not great. Do not get me wrong. It was absolutely serviceable especially after you put a few hundred rounds through the gun. Mine never malfunctioned in any way even with cheap 9mm ball ammo. You made a good buy for a NIB one, it is a gun that you can truly master without needing to put a thousand rounds down the tube, But don’t be impatient with the trigger. It improves a lot with use,

 

[mokin]

I have no experience with the 9mm but plenty with the .40. Those seem to be great guns. Just practice with it. I can only imagine a 9mm would be easier.

 

[Jonesy814]

I bought an SD9VE a couple years ago when S&W had a rebate on them. It's accurate & reliable. What more do you need

 

[mgmorden]

They're decent guns. My SD40VE had a bit of a break-in period but seems to have smoothed out. I've also got the SW in .357 Sig which has run fine.

 

[FL-NC]

I remember reading that. I think they were the SW version weren't they? The new version has a couple of upgrades I like. A slightly lighter trigger and a dovetailed front sight in case I want to upgrade the sights. I have 4 mags for my SW version and they fit both guns. So that gives me 6 mags total. That should be all I need. And now I have one each to leave to my two sons when I croak.

I think you may be right, now that I think about it. All of the ones we "recovered" were typically given to our interpreters as sidearms. Our interpreters were issued AK's or in some cases MP5's if they were available; if they had sidearms, they were typically Tokarev pistols they either obtained on the street or in the same manner as the S&W's.

 

[Buckeye63]

I do like mine ... lotz of rounds down the pipe ...
runs 100%

 

[ThomasT]

The only thing I don't like about this gun is the silver slide. The SW version I have is all black. I like that. Is there an easy way (cheap) to color the slide? I would have bought one of the FDE versions if I could have found a deal on one.

 

[Mike J]

Not sure about cheap. You could have it cerakoted. Not sure if there are do it yourself kits for that or not.

 

[ThomasT]

Not sure about cheap. You could have it cerakoted. Not sure if there are do it yourself kits for that or not.

In the end I doubt I would do anything to the slide. Just live with the silver color. I just wondered if there was a spray paint durable enough to coat the slide. A cerakote would be more than it was worth on a gun in this price range. I looked on Brownells but didn't see anything I would buy.

 

[Mike J]

In the end I doubt I would do anything to the slide. Just live with the silver color. I just wondered if there was a spray paint durable enough to coat the slide. A cerakote would be more than it was worth on a gun in this price range. I looked on Brownells but didn't see anything I would buy.

I understand. I've never owned or shot a SD9 but I believe if it were mine I'd just shoot the snot out of it. If it works well that 2 tone stainless look may grow on you.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Smith offered a pistol called the SD9 (no VE) for a while as an up-market Sigma. I believe that they're identical to the SD9VEs, except that they are all-black and have metal sights instead of plastic.

They are discontinued now AFAIK, as they morphed into the "value-enhanced" model that you see today, but you could probably find a used one on Gunbroker.

I like the two-tone look of the VEs though. It's nice to have a bit of color in a world of matte black polymer pistols.

 

[ThomasT]

Smith offered a pistol called the SD9 (no VE) for a while as an up-market Sigma. I believe that they're identical to the SD9VEs, except that they are all-black and have metal sights instead of plastic.

They are discontinued now AFAIK, as they morphed into the "value-enhanced" model that you see today, but you could probably find a used one on Gunbroker.



I like the two-tone look of the VEs though. It's nice to have a bit of color in a world of matte black polymer pistols.

I like it! I knew they made these. For a while Academy had their own store brand that looked similar except they had fiber optic sights IIRC. And they were all black. I regret not buying one. I kept waiting on them to go on sale but I missed it every time they did.

Her are a couple of pics of the SW version I own now along with the free super bright flashlight that came with it. It also came with a $40 rebate and two more free factory mags. It has been my truck gun choice for several years now.

 

[ThomasT]

Smith offered a pistol called the SD9 (no VE) for a while as an up-market Sigma. I believe that they're identical to the SD9VEs, except that they are all-black and have metal sights instead of plastic.

They are discontinued now AFAIK, as they morphed into the "value-enhanced" model that you see today, but you could probably find a used one on Gunbroker.

I like the two-tone look of the VEs though. It's nice to have a bit of color in a world of matte black polymer pistols.

I like it! I knew they made these. For a while Academy had their own store brand that looked similar except they had fiber optic sights IIRC. And they were all black. I regret not buying one. I kept waiting on them to go on sale but I missed it every time they did.

Her are a couple of pics of the SW version I own now along with the free super bright flashlight that came with it. It also came with a $40 rebate and two more factory mags. It has been my truck gun choice for several years now.

View attachment 908264 View attachment 908265

 

[JERRY]

for a sub $300 gun brand new, its near impossible to beat. I had a Sigma years ago, was a good gun.

 

[entropy]

While I have reservations about the older Smegmas, the SD9VE and SD40VE seem like good solid guns for the money. I dislike the articulated trigger on them, but the M&P guns have them also, and people rave about them. My younger son celebrated his 22nd birthday last week by getting his carry permit and buying an S&W40VE. I am awaiting a range report.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I've purchased a couple of the SD40VEs and have never had a problem, one of them I replaced the sites with some from one of my M&Ps and replaced the springs and polished the trigger, I think that is worth the $25 and 1hr. My only complaint is the price of mags, I rarely see them less than $28, sometimes the 9mm will be $20.