S&W SD9VE 2000 rnd Review

Finally get some time off to catch up with the TFL Clan and do a review on the SD9VE.

I have added a few upgrades that I wish to mention as a definite plus and give you a breakdown on performance and condition as well as how the upgrades did for performance and handling.

A week ago I dropped my 2000th round this gun. The last rounds to go through were some of my hand loaded 124grn LFP. I ran 100 with no problems.

Some issues that I never heard about in this particular pistol and discovered first time when a friend was shooting it.

He had only shot a few guns in his life and I was at the 1800 RND mark when CLICK! I had him lay it down and discovered the round was never stripped from the stack!

So I rack another RND and turned it over for him to continue and about 7 RNDS later CLICK! By this time I was working in his grip and loaded the extra mag I had for myself and smooth as butter all go bang. I repeated with one more mag and all went bang.

32 RNDS and no more FTF so I hand it back and 3 RNDS later click. It is limp wristing! I check his grip tell him to tighten up when I notice him riding the slide with his thumb and corrected that as well. Had him pin it down and no more problems. So turns out human error....chalk that up to the bad instructor and limpwristing is possible on the SD9VE .

I have added an apex trigger kit to the SD9VE and man what an improvement.

Testing the pull 5 times I averaged 4.9 lb. trigger pull. The kit shortened the reset and the pull is now smooth as any I have ever shot. This is a $20 must have. The accuracy (especially rapid fire) increased dramatically.

Before the Apex 30ft' groupings rapid fire were in a 10" circle with about a 1/3 inside the 4"-6" area. After the Apex they tightened up to 90% in the 4-6" and nothing outside of 8".

I also added the Hogue Grip and improved the feel from good plus to Glove status. Another $10.99 and a must have.

The last upgrade was I put the M&P sights on it. Now accuracy was not affected and the picture not any different but adjusting was now possible and for $20 I am Happy.

After 2150 RNDS the only issues with FTF was when (as previously mentioned) my newbie friend limp wristed (an issue I was unaware of until then).

Among the rounds used range from Hornady Critical Duty 135grn and 115grn JHP to hand loaded 125grn LFP and a mixture of Winchester white box and federal 115grn FMJ.

http://s47.photobucket.com/user/recncru1/media/droid1135.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I broke it down and inspected for wear and damage with nothing out of the ordinary.
http://s47.photobucket.com/user/recncru1/media/droid1127.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
http://s47.photobucket.com/user/recncru1/media/droid1129.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s47.photobucket.com/user/recncru1/media/droid1119.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
http://s47.photobucket.com/user/recncru1/media/droid1117.jpg.html?sort=3&o=9
Turns out that the SD9VE is a great starter gun for $325 with a $20 Apex trigger kit and I would drop the gun down a notch or two without it.

Rating scale for starter pistol SD9VE

1-10 Accuracy
7 without 9.5 with the Apex

1-10 Grip
8.5 without Hogue 10 with

1-10 Trigger pull
6.5 without 10 with Apex (still stunned)

1-10 Sights
8 flat

1-10 Mag release and change
9.5 release 8.5 change

1-10 Function Reliability
9 (It limp wristed!)

The only thought on my mind that irritates me is the Limp Wristing. Had I done a 1000 or 1500 RNd review I would be here correcting my assessment as we speak. I don't know if this is more common than I thought in other guns that I was not already aware of but it is food for thought.

With that being said I am glad I can shoot with the other hand if necessary

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S&W SD9 VE , Bersa Thunder 380, S&W model 586 .357 Magnum 4", Hi-point JCP 40 S&W, Ruger 10/22 Sporter

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