S&W 9mm ve
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montanaoffroader
Member
I like my SD9VE. No bells and whistles, but reasonably accurate and reliable. Some folks don't care for the hinged trigger, but it doesn't bother me all.
If you are looking for an inexpensive plinker or full sized self defense pistol it is a good choice. If you want match grade accuracy, keep looking. YMMV
If you are looking for an inexpensive plinker or full sized self defense pistol it is a good choice. If you want match grade accuracy, keep looking. YMMV
rdnktrkr
Member
I purchased a sd40ve a few years ago, no problems so far, I have installed a trigger spring kit and polished the internals with some toothpaste and printer paper and that helps the trigger a lot. It will never be as nice as a M&P.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Ahhhhh...the Son of Sigma.....
Seriously, though, this is a fine, inexpensive pistol with a good reputation and factory support. For 1.5X the cost of a HighPoint, you get 2X the gun! Lol.
I've shot my buddy's VE 9mm and it is OK in every way, though not exceptional in any. He uses it as a glove-box gun and it is perfect for that role, being corrosion resistant, reliable, and cheap enough that he won't cry if it did get stolen or dropped on the gravel.
Seriously, though, this is a fine, inexpensive pistol with a good reputation and factory support. For 1.5X the cost of a HighPoint, you get 2X the gun! Lol.
I've shot my buddy's VE 9mm and it is OK in every way, though not exceptional in any. He uses it as a glove-box gun and it is perfect for that role, being corrosion resistant, reliable, and cheap enough that he won't cry if it did get stolen or dropped on the gravel.
FL-NC
Member
My understanding is that they are reliable. I think the trigger is rather heavy, and I'm not crazy about plastic sights. If there are upgrades available for both, I would take a look. Of course, these upgrades may start elevating the price tag to where you may as well buy something else. I recently acquired a Ruger SR-9C for my dad. As a diegard Glock user, I was pleasantly surprised with the Ruger.
I have a9mm Shield and Ruger SR9c. Last year when S&W offered rebates I bought an SD9VE. I was really surprised at how well made it is. Stainless steel barrel & magazines and well finished. Even the inside of the slide lacks machining marks.
It's accurate and has been malfunction free through many hundreds of rounds. Some will say the trigger is too heavy, but the pull is very smooth and not overly long. I shoot DA revolvers a lot so the 8# trigger doesn't bother me at all. I think it's a great gun and am surprised that they aren't more expensive
It's accurate and has been malfunction free through many hundreds of rounds. Some will say the trigger is too heavy, but the pull is very smooth and not overly long. I shoot DA revolvers a lot so the 8# trigger doesn't bother me at all. I think it's a great gun and am surprised that they aren't more expensive
entropy
Member
Smith and Wesson put a Glock and a Hi-Point alone in a room, and the SD9VE was the result. 
You mean the Smegma?
That said, aside from the trigger, which can be adapted to, they are reliable, accurate and can be found at a good price point.
You mean the Smegma?
That said, aside from the trigger, which can be adapted to, they are reliable, accurate and can be found at a good price point.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...w9c-sw9e-sw9f-sw9g-sw9gp-sw9m-sw9p-sw9v-sw9ve
The elongated hole that the pin rides on in the links' pic is the main problem of the rough trigger. The surface that the pin rides on is slightly rough, but is amplified to the trigger. At least, that is what I found. Galloway precision also has, or had a replacement spring for the block. Removal of any stock must be ever so slight, as the metal is probably only case hardened.
The elongated hole that the pin rides on in the links' pic is the main problem of the rough trigger. The surface that the pin rides on is slightly rough, but is amplified to the trigger. At least, that is what I found. Galloway precision also has, or had a replacement spring for the block. Removal of any stock must be ever so slight, as the metal is probably only case hardened.
Mosin Bubba
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- Jul 5, 2012
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- 1,936
I've got one, and I really want to like it, but I just can't.
The pros:
-Can't beat the price.
-Surprisingly good build quality for what you pay - the slide release is snappy, the mag glides in, the two-tone finish looks great.
-Dead reliable, I've shot a couple hundred rounds of WWB, cheap brass, and Wolf through it with no jams or misfeeds.
-Fits my hand like a glove, and may be the best-feeling semi auto pistol I own.
The cons:
-I can't hit anything with it.
That trigger just gets me every time. It's fairly smooth, but kind of heavy and very, very long. You'll hear it compared to a DA revolver trigger, and that's what it feels like. I've never been able to shoot DA revolvers worth a darn, and a lot of DA pistols with heavy triggers give me problems at well. Just the other day, I was out shooting a friend's Taurus 92 (the Beretta knockoff) and was missing every shot a couple feet low at 25 yards. The guy just looks at me, puzzled that his gun was shooting so poorly. He takes it, fires one shot, and dusts a milk jug at 25 yards. So a lot of that is just me.
But yeah, the SD9VE is one of those guns I can't shoot at all, and rather than practicing with DA triggers and getting better with them, I always just find myself reaching for single-action pistols that I can actually shoot.
FWIW, I put an Apex spring kit in it, and that lightened the trigger a bit, but didn't make it any shorter and overall didn't make the gun any more shootable. I'm going to have to pony up for the Apex trigger and see if that makes a difference, because the Smith is such a nice gun otherwise, but I just never got around to doing it. I'll put it on my next Brownells order.
The pros:
-Can't beat the price.
-Surprisingly good build quality for what you pay - the slide release is snappy, the mag glides in, the two-tone finish looks great.
-Dead reliable, I've shot a couple hundred rounds of WWB, cheap brass, and Wolf through it with no jams or misfeeds.
-Fits my hand like a glove, and may be the best-feeling semi auto pistol I own.
The cons:
-I can't hit anything with it.
That trigger just gets me every time. It's fairly smooth, but kind of heavy and very, very long. You'll hear it compared to a DA revolver trigger, and that's what it feels like. I've never been able to shoot DA revolvers worth a darn, and a lot of DA pistols with heavy triggers give me problems at well. Just the other day, I was out shooting a friend's Taurus 92 (the Beretta knockoff) and was missing every shot a couple feet low at 25 yards. The guy just looks at me, puzzled that his gun was shooting so poorly. He takes it, fires one shot, and dusts a milk jug at 25 yards. So a lot of that is just me.
But yeah, the SD9VE is one of those guns I can't shoot at all, and rather than practicing with DA triggers and getting better with them, I always just find myself reaching for single-action pistols that I can actually shoot.
FWIW, I put an Apex spring kit in it, and that lightened the trigger a bit, but didn't make it any shorter and overall didn't make the gun any more shootable. I'm going to have to pony up for the Apex trigger and see if that makes a difference, because the Smith is such a nice gun otherwise, but I just never got around to doing it. I'll put it on my next Brownells order.
stchman
Member
I'd get the Ruger 9E before the SD9VE unless the price is too good to pass up.
I've seen Ruger SR9 pistols on Armslist lightly used for a little over $300, so that's an option as well.
I've seen Ruger SR9 pistols on Armslist lightly used for a little over $300, so that's an option as well.
Quit trying to make me want one.
Academy had sd40ve cal for 289.00 this morning. Took it to the range and 3 boxes of ammo. Put 150 rounds through it with no problems . The trigger little stiff but ok. SS.Looks good it's light weight. Really a nice gun for the money !!
Cornhusker77
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- Dec 20, 2008
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- 635
I've got the SW9VE (Sigma), bought it in in 2008, and I really like it, even though the trigger leaves a lot to be desired.
It's not a bullseye pistol but once you get used to the trigger, it shoots as straight as most polymer pistols.
It's not a bullseye pistol but once you get used to the trigger, it shoots as straight as most polymer pistols.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I get to shoot a good many SD9VE and SD40VE’s each year. Smith did put out some SD9 and SD40’s. These came with a black finish on the slides and fiber optic sights. The Same gun, just dressed a little different.
The older SW9VE and the SW40VE’s had heavy triggers. The SD models have better triggers.
I would buy a SD model over a Hi-Point and day.
Oh! In the hood they use the SD’s more then Hi-Points.
The older SW9VE and the SW40VE’s had heavy triggers. The SD models have better triggers.
I would buy a SD model over a Hi-Point and day.
Oh! In the hood they use the SD’s more then Hi-Points.
CajunBass
Member
I liked it enough to buy a used one recently. The only thing I don't like about it is when loaded it weighs more than I'm willing to lug around. Especially with a spare magazine.
I had one of the SW9VE's back a few years ago. I didn't think the trigger was all that awful, but I am a D/A revolver guy. Again I liked the gun, but I bought it mostly to see if they were as "bad" as some said. Mine seemed to be OK, and worked just fine. I ran into a fellow who was starting a job as a security guard somewhere who needed a gun but he didn't have a lot of money...out of work and all, so I sold that one to him. Never heard anything from him, so I guess he was happy.
I had one of the SW9VE's back a few years ago. I didn't think the trigger was all that awful, but I am a D/A revolver guy. Again I liked the gun, but I bought it mostly to see if they were as "bad" as some said. Mine seemed to be OK, and worked just fine. I ran into a fellow who was starting a job as a security guard somewhere who needed a gun but he didn't have a lot of money...out of work and all, so I sold that one to him. Never heard anything from him, so I guess he was happy.
My wife was gifted a SD9VE a short while ago and she loves it, which is strange as she has always been a revolver person. Many years ago we bought a Colt Trooper MK III .357 Magnum and it became "her gun" and she pretty much hasn't liked anything else that I have acquired over the years. Until this S&W SD9VE came along she really wouldn't shoot anything but her Colt. Now she always wants to take her Smith with her every time we go to the range. Then last month Crimson Trace had the Laserguard laser sight on sale for 40% off and she went for it. Now I can't get it away from her!
GunnyUSMC
Member
The only time I had a SD9VE that gave me trouble was one that had been thrown from a moving car. The frame was tweeted a little and it took a little effort to get the slide back on all the rails. But I was still able to test fire the gun.
I gave my daughter one a few years ago and she loves it.
I gave my daughter one a few years ago and she loves it.
d2wing
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- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
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- 6,431
The problem with the one I had is that it had extra springs to simulate a revolver double action pull. I wonder who though that was a good idea. Removing useless springs and replacing a couple others and a little gentle smoothing fixed it. It shoots well enough to win a match against some high dollar guns. Other than the fixable crappy trigger they are well made quality guns designed for duty use. Off course there are better pistols but only if you can shoot them better.
From what I understand the heavy trigger pull is basically the safety as there is not any kind of manual safety on the gun. Keeps you from having an accidental discharge when handling the gun. That's what I heard anyway. I don't know if that was S&W intention.
wadcutter45
Member
"Removing useless springs...." Now there's a good idea....hmmm.
mljdeckard
Member
I think heavy triggers in general are products of police departments who don't trust their officers to follow the safety rules and think that a heavy trigger is a substitute for proper training.
I had the old Sigma, and it really was that bad. Maybe these subsequent evolutions fixed a lot of those problems, but what I decided at that time, was that there are too many good guns on the market for bad guns to deserve second chances.
I tell my carry students to eat ramen for a while, and find a used Glock 19. But I have known a few people who bought a 9ve to keep in their bug out bag with three magazines, just to have it there. I can't say that's a bad idea.
I had the old Sigma, and it really was that bad. Maybe these subsequent evolutions fixed a lot of those problems, but what I decided at that time, was that there are too many good guns on the market for bad guns to deserve second chances.
I tell my carry students to eat ramen for a while, and find a used Glock 19. But I have known a few people who bought a 9ve to keep in their bug out bag with three magazines, just to have it there. I can't say that's a bad idea.
Stew0576
Addicted
I have one, I'm getting 2 inch groups at 10 yards, is it the best i can expect?
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