Why I chose a new Smith & Wesson SD9 VE over a Glock 45.

[FromSomeGalaxy]

It is about 60% the retail price of a Glock 45 and just looks so much better with that satin stainless slide. This pistol has a loaded chamber indicator on top. I just picked this new Smith up last week. This is my new city carry gun. This Smith has large, sharp, widely-spaced and angled serrations so the slide is so easy to grab and rack. The slide stop actually releases the slide with the firing-hand thumb. Does anybody here have an SD9 VE (value enhanced)? How do you like it? This gun got great online reviews for accuracy and being jam-free on just about any ammo. I have yet to test-fire her at the range. The two nice stainless-bodied mags included were 10-round. A 16-round S&W aftermarket magazine is optional and about $40.00. The gun's Glock-esque poly frame was a bit warped at the front. The mag release is not ambi. I'm right handed anyway and hopefully this gun will not disappoint me during the initial range test-fire. I don't think a slight warp in the plastic frame will impair accuracy or reliability, do you? Should I contact Smith & Wesson about the warp in the front of the gun anyway?

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[Kruel J]

It's a Glock clone. In fact Glock sued Smith over their Sigma series and I believe the SD9VE is Smiths answer to making enough changes to comply. I've owned one. It was a good reliable firearm but the trigger was absolute garbage.

"The Sigma series pistols were so similar to the competing Glock pistols that Glock sued Smith & Wesson for patent infringement. The case was settled out of court in 1997, with S&W agreeing to make alterations to the Sigma design and pay an undisclosed amount to Glock.[6]"

via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_SD#:~:text=The Sigma series pistols were,an undisclosed amount to Glock.



You chose it over the G45 because of price. And that's totally fine. I recommend the VE to people that are on a budget but need a reliable SD firearm. But is it in any way "better" than a Glock besides price? No.

Congrats on the new piece. I'm sure it will serve you well.

 

[Kruel J]

Throw one of these in it and you will like it even more!

Action Enhancement Kit for SDVE

Action Enhancement Kit for SDVE The Apex Action Enhancement Kit totally transforms the SDVE (and SD) pistols. This kit is a significant improvement over the stock factory trigger pull, yet still ideal for duty/carry and personal protection purposes, as we

www.apextactical.com

 

[Member 53328]

You chose wrong. Should have gone with the G45. You'll agree with me later. Haha

 

[Nosferatu]

I had a Smegma when they first came out. I thought the grip was more comfortable than the Grock. The trigger was bubblegum and IIRC, it did have aa few failures. I didn't keep it long.

Nothing real negative about it, but nothing real positive either. It's main appeal is being under ~$300 new.

 

[FromSomeGalaxy]

Throw one of these in it and you will like it even more!

Action Enhancement Kit for SDVE

Action Enhancement Kit for SDVE The Apex Action Enhancement Kit totally transforms the SDVE (and SD) pistols. This kit is a significant improvement over the stock factory trigger pull, yet still ideal for duty/carry and personal protection purposes, as we

www.apextactical.com

I will see how she performs at the range before considering the aftermarket upgrade kit. Another thing, this SD9 has a trigger about 2.50 pounds heavier than a typical Glock and that's fine by me since I'm accustomed to double-action revolver trigger pulls anyway. I would squeeze the trigger in a controlled manner and treat this auto just like a d/a wheel gun. Should I contact Smith about that slight frame warpage near the muzzle and see what they say about it anyway?

Speaking of both Smith and revolvers, I got a new Governor (.45 Colt/.45 ACP/.410 2 1/2) two weeks ago as a home defender, a hunting sidearm and a dangerous-animal protection carry gun in the boonies. I was carrying a two-year-old Smith Airweight .38 +P 5-shot snubby and now that is repurposed as a spare carry gun and a secondary home defender. Here are my two nice silver Smith revolvers in pictures. The new Governor is my pride-and-joy gun. My pet pistol. I now have three minty late-model silver and black handguns all from Smith.

 

[deadeye]

I The two nice stainless-bodied mags included were 10-round. A 16-round S&W aftermarket magazine is optional and about $40.00. ]

Try here they're $23

Magazines | Centerfire Systems

centerfiresystems.com

The SD is the third gen of the sigma there was the original (the glock clone/ law suit one) the VE (value enhanced) and then the SD VE (self defense value enhanced). The magazines on the SD have a rounded front on the baseplate but all three sigma's can share magazines. The warpage in the frame is normal look at a glock they get it too.

 

[User 1234]

One reason to get a Glock is the availability of threaded barrels.

 

[Kruel J]

One reason to get a Glock is the availability of threaded barrels.

Threaded barrels along with TONS of aftermarket parts and accessories. The SD9 doesn't have much out there.

 

[TTSX]

But it was cheaper so it's "better"

 

[FromSomeGalaxy]

Well, I have a confession. I better let everybody have it. I actually BOUGHT the Glock 45 Gen 5 new a week before I ordered the SD9 VE. It's now up for auction online. Mint, unfired. It was a buyer's remorse buy for me. Trigger not as safe being lighter. Very uncomfortable slide to grab and rack. Difficult slide stop to release by shooting hand's thumb. I have the Glock 45 right now. It does have a very slight plastic warpage at the muzzle but you have to practically feel it with your fingers. The muzzle frame area is the only thing that shines over the SD9 VE. Otherwise, the more modest-priced Smith is just better looking and feels a whole lot better to rack and release the slide with the thumb catch.

 

[FromSomeGalaxy]

Threaded barrels along with TONS of aftermarket parts and accessories. The SD9 doesn't have much out there.

I don't want to build a race gun. I just want a simple and reliable carry defender.

 

[Member 53328]

I don't want to build a race gun. I just want a simple and reliable carry defender.

The Glock is hands down more reliable… no one is going to argue that.

 

[FromSomeGalaxy]

Glock, Ruger, Colt and Smith are all major players in handguns. It's like comparing Chevy, Ford, AMC and Dodge.

 

[Member 53328]

Glock, Ruger, Colt and Smith are all major players in handguns. It's like comparing Chevy, Ford, AMC and Dodge.

It's your life. Carry what you want my friend.

 

[FromSomeGalaxy]

It's your life. Carry what you want my friend.

Yes, that goes for every person here. What do people here think of Smith's M&P Shield line vs Glock?

 

[Member 53328]

Yes, that goes for every person here. What do people here think of Smith's M&P Shield line vs Glock?

Well I think my vote is known. Haha. Glock way before M&P although I don't mind the M&P. I personally don't like the shield but I also don't like the Glock 42 or 43. I am not a fan of small guns for self defense.

 

[User 1234]

I don't see threaded barrels as race gun parts.

 

[DirectDrive]

Yes, that goes for every person here. What do people here think of Smith's M&P Shield line vs Glock?

I'd rather have a Glock and I'd rather have a P320 variant over the Glock.
As a main consideration, I think "Shield People" gravitate there because Shield offers a Manual Safety.

 

[TTSX]

Glocks are proven, in factory form, to be among the safest firearms made. Saying it's "less safe" than x is bologna