The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Gunset Training Group or its affiliates.
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Earlier this summer I decided to do an evaluation of the much underrated (at least in my mind) Smith and Wesson SD9VE line of pistols. Over the years I’ve had these come through my classes, played with them in gun shops and taken them off of criminals. The ones that came through my classes and that I played with in the gun shops always left me with a desire to see how well they really shot. So when I found a used one in the used gun case at The Miami Armory for less than $200 (with 3 magazines) I bought it without thinking twice about it. So why did I buy it? Well, there are a couple reasons.
First, I have spoken with many people over the years who have a limited budget who are looking to buy their first pistol. I’ve never really been able to recommend a sub $200 pistol before. I was hoping that the SD9VE (as a used pistol) would solve that.
Second, it is not uncommon for some of my students to have a pistol that breaks in class and have to finish the class with one of mine. Or, they may not own a pistol and want to take a CCW class. So I was looking for another loaner pistol to go along with my Gen 2 Glock 19. After shooting the first SD9VE I bought in stock form, I added some Apex Tactical parts to it to see how “shootable” I could make it. Namely, their flat face trigger and their spring kit. Buying those parts cost about $50. I also bought 3 extra magazines and 2 +3 base pads that were also made by Apex Tactical. So for an investment of $350 I got a pistol with 6 magazines and an improved trigger.
The main problem I had with the SD9VE, at least what I thought was a problem, was the apparent lack of holster support for it. Since I started this project I have learned that is not a valid concern at all. Turns out, the SD9VE will fit in a variety of good holsters that are technically for other pistols. If you ever buy an SD9VE, just know that I have at least 3 holsters for M&P pistols (either full size or 5″ models) that work extremely well. Safariland ALS and GLS Pro Fit holsters fit just fine. A JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster (M&P full size) fit like a glove. I also found that a JMCK AIWB holster designed for my CZ P-07/Olight Valkyrie Mini worked just fine if you attached the Valkyrie to the SD9VE. So don’t worry about holsters.
One of the things that I didn’t like about the SD9VE were the crappy factory sights. I’ve been a fan of high visibility yellow sights for a long time. I’m also a fan of having at least a tritium front sight on carry pistols. Since I was trying to keep the overall cost down, I went with a set of the Ameriglo CAP Sights. I’ve been using these for years and have installed them on several of my Glocks (including my Gen 2 Glock 19). As a side note, there was an issue with the front sight and Ameriglo was fantastic about replacing it. No hassle, just sent me another one free of cost.
In the midst of all of this, I found another SD9VE at a local Cabela’s for less than $200. So I bought it, even though I wasn’t able to try out the trigger due to some stupid shop rules. Why? Well, I had accidentally bought 2 Apex spring kits and figured I better buy another pistol so the second kit didn’t go to waste.
Turns out this second pistol musta been a “Friday Afternoon” pistol. The channel for the striker block was so messed up that I could hardly get the block out. I had to get a Dremel tool in there and smooth it out. Once I got the channel smoothed out, the Apex kit went in just fine and made the trigger pull much better. Since I happened to find a sale on Warren Tactical sights, I bought a set – fiber optic front and plain black rear.
So what are my thoughts on the overall project and how these pistols stack up compared to others?
I was pleasantly surprised with how much fun the SD9VE’s are to shoot and how “shootable” they were. I shot them (mostly the first one I bought) in quite a few practice sessions and in 2 indoor USPSA matches. Overall I’ve got over a thousands rounds through them. They fed everything I fed them without a hiccup.
Without a doubt, the trigger is or would be the main complaint about these pistols. Shooters with any significant experience or proficiency with the most common striker fired guns out there – Glocks, M&Ps, CZ P10s, HK VP9s and the Walther PPQs – will more than likely HATE the trigger on an SD9VE. Even an Apex’d out SD9VE. And here’s why I think that is – the SD9VE trigger has a really long reset for a striker fired gun. It really reminds me of the DAO trigger on my first duty pistol, which was a S&W 4044. I happen to like shooting double action pistols, even double action only revolvers. So I’m used to a longer reset like what is present on the SD9VE. Shooters that aren’t used to that may not be so understanding.
My biggest complaint with the SD9VE’s is with the slide stop. Neither of my SD9VE’s consistently lock the slide back on an empty magazine. It’s 50/50 whether or not the slide locks back. I know it’s not my grip, because it happens even with a cut down slide stop and it happens even when I pull the slide back on an empty mag. Even happened with brand new magazines. It can be frustrating, but for many years I had to deal with this same problem on my Sig P229/228/226 duty pistols. I fixed that problem by changing my grip. I’ve got an idea for how to fix this, but haven’t tried it yet.
As with most new semi-auto pistols, I think the SD9VE comes with a heavier than needed recoil spring. So, I broke out the Dremel and ground off the front of the plastic guide rod so that I could replace the spring. I put a 13# Glock 19 spring in and I can notice a difference with how the sights track. I do this to just about all of my pistols.
I’ve run these SD9VE’s through some drills/tests I use as a metric of how I can perform. I shot the F.A.S.T. (5-7 second runs), the Casino Drill (15-16 second runs), Dot Torture (clean at 5 yards) and the Rangemaster Instructor Development qualification course (300/300) and compared them to what I know I can do with other pistols. I didn’t really notice much of a difference shooting the SD9VE compared to other iron sighted pistols.
I think the SD9VE grip shape and texture are one of the best out there on a factory pistol. Smith hit a home run with that frame.
Overall, here is what I think about the SD9VE: if someone had a limited budget (less than $200) and needed a reliable, shootable full size pistol to carry or for home defense I would recommend a used SD9VE without hesitation. This would also make a good pistol for a kid going through the Police Academy that needed to buy their own pistol. Used with 3 mags for less than $250 (CDNN has mags for $19.99).
I would also have no concerns recommending the SD9VE to an instructor who was looking to get a couple inexpensive loaner guns to keep on hand. You can easily find used SD9VE’s for less than $200. I just came across a 3rd one the other day. I didn’t buy it, but the guy standing next to me in the shop did as soon as I put it down. Add the $20 Apex spring kit and you have a very shootable loaner pistol.
Want to have a pistol for each member of your family “just in case”? The SD9VE would be an inexpensive way to do that. Right now there are over a dozen used ones on GunBroker for less than $200.
I would not; however, recommend buying a new SD9VE that cost over $300. There are better options out there in that price range. Used guns from all the big manufacturers can be found for $300-350 if you’re patient and willing to look around. And most of them are “used” only in the sense that they had a previous owner. They aren’t even broken in yet.
So the next time you’re in a gun shop (or pawn shop) and you see a SD9VE sitting there all by it’s lonesome for $199 or less, you may just want to take it home with you. You won’t regret it. I know I didn’t.