Cheap S&W SD9VE the Poor mans Glock?
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TheWessidePoleBlassum
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11,226 Posts
I thought GLOCK was the poor man's Glock!
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4,267 Posts
Reliable to a fault. Older 9mm version here somewhere. This was S&W response to the Glock onslaught - direct copy. Court cases be damned, it was an if you can't beat em, join em era for S&W.
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5,522 Posts
Thanks. Forwarded to a friend who might be interested. I already have a Steyr M40.If you want a GREAT pistol at a bargain price, here it is.
Steyr Arms M9-A2 9MM Semi-Automatic Pistol, 4" Barrel, Polymer Frame, Two 17Rd Mag,
From the Makers of The STEYR AUG In stock. Ships within one business day! Email a COPY of your dealers FFL and Order Number To: aaron@bereli.com Steyr Arms, M9-A2 MF, Semi-automatic, Striker Fired, Medium Frame, 9MM, 4" Barrel, Polymer Frame, Black Mannox Finish, Interchangeable Grips...www.bereli.com
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15,413 Posts
Nothing wrong with one, it’s just not a Glock is all.
I know a few guys who carry one.
I know a few guys who carry one.
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17,257 Posts
Poor man's Glock can be a PSA Dagger.
They probably renamed it because of the suit. Just changed the external appearance and texture. I remember at one point, you could buy a sigma for $300 and get a $100 rebate.
It's the gen2 of the S&W Sigma, for which Glock sued S&W for patent infringement, and WON.....even though there is nothing similar in the trigger control (obviously).
They probably renamed it because of the suit. Just changed the external appearance and texture. I remember at one point, you could buy a sigma for $300 and get a $100 rebate.
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6,222 Posts
I've owned SD9VEs over the years and currently own a SD9 (same pistol but the barrel and slide are Melonited/Armornited for better corrosion resistance).
The trigger is very DAO revolver-like with a fairly longish trigger pull and trigger reset. Pull isn't heavy for a revolver and typically not particularly gritty (although any roughness is easily dealt with via a Dremel with a felt wheel).
People may refer to it as a "poor man's Glock" but if you go trying to replicate a Glock-like trigger you're on a fool's errand: there's no getting around the slop in the interface between the trigger bar and the sear. You can lighten the pull by swapping out springs and the subjective feel of the trigger by swapping out triggers, but lightened springs usually make the pistol ammunition-sensitive when it comes to reliability.
The grip angle and palm swells, the easily-released slide stop, and the contoured-and-semi-protected magazine release are all superior to anything Glock has ever made, in my opinion. The magazines are excellent. The front sight is steel. Sights are compatible with the well-established M&P line.
The only thing I'm not crazy about is the polymer of the recoil spring assembly. It tends to deform relatively easily with use (at least compared to a Gen 3 and earlier Glock RSA*), but the ugly thing keeps on working just fine. I've avoided replacing it with an aftermarket metal guide rod due to a lack of confidence in the aftermarket (a major SD/SDVE aftermarket parts supplier screwed up a while back and the spring would "go solid" at full recoil and batter the frame until the frame's RSA tabs cracked - S&W is hip to this failure now and will not honor warranty claims for destroyed frames) and because it's just plain doesn't seem to be necessary.
If you can be happy with what it is - and there's a lot to like about this 16+1 "revolver" - the SD/SDVE pistols bring a lot of practical value (and they're made by Americans).
*It's close, but a G19 RSA is a little too long for a SD/SDVE.
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The trigger is very DAO revolver-like with a fairly longish trigger pull and trigger reset. Pull isn't heavy for a revolver and typically not particularly gritty (although any roughness is easily dealt with via a Dremel with a felt wheel).
People may refer to it as a "poor man's Glock" but if you go trying to replicate a Glock-like trigger you're on a fool's errand: there's no getting around the slop in the interface between the trigger bar and the sear. You can lighten the pull by swapping out springs and the subjective feel of the trigger by swapping out triggers, but lightened springs usually make the pistol ammunition-sensitive when it comes to reliability.
The grip angle and palm swells, the easily-released slide stop, and the contoured-and-semi-protected magazine release are all superior to anything Glock has ever made, in my opinion. The magazines are excellent. The front sight is steel. Sights are compatible with the well-established M&P line.
The only thing I'm not crazy about is the polymer of the recoil spring assembly. It tends to deform relatively easily with use (at least compared to a Gen 3 and earlier Glock RSA*), but the ugly thing keeps on working just fine. I've avoided replacing it with an aftermarket metal guide rod due to a lack of confidence in the aftermarket (a major SD/SDVE aftermarket parts supplier screwed up a while back and the spring would "go solid" at full recoil and batter the frame until the frame's RSA tabs cracked - S&W is hip to this failure now and will not honor warranty claims for destroyed frames) and because it's just plain doesn't seem to be necessary.
If you can be happy with what it is - and there's a lot to like about this 16+1 "revolver"
- the SD/SDVE pistols bring a lot of practical value (and they're made by Americans).*It's close, but a G19 RSA is a little too long for a SD/SDVE.
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307 Posts
I had one and there isn't a thing wrong with it. I sold it to a friend who was looking for an inexpensive 9mm. If I came across a brand new one, or for that matter, even a used one in excellent shape for $220 I would not hesitate to buy it. I didn't think the trigger was all that bad and it shot well. I do like my Glocks but for me, it probably fit my hand better than any pistol I've ever held. For $220 you'll not have any trouble getting your money back if you ever decide to sell it.
And I do......the SD does just what you say. And,....the 1911 thing, well, I got away from that many years ago.
I also like the Springfield Armory XD/XDm line. I guess I'm just a sucker for guns that work and shoot better than a lot of their more expensive counterparts.
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460 Posts
I think these would be much more popular if store fronts actually carried the gun.
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46,275 Posts
It's an updated Sigma.
The Sigma used to catch a rash of doodie because it was a Glock clone that had teething issues back in the mid 90s with the first iterations of them. The Sigma VE models and by extension the SD models are good solid guns. They have heavy triggers that do smooth out over time. GT used to hate them with a passion, but usually everyone that actually owns them tends to like them.
The Sigma used to catch a rash of doodie because it was a Glock clone that had teething issues back in the mid 90s with the first iterations of them. The Sigma VE models and by extension the SD models are good solid guns. They have heavy triggers that do smooth out over time. GT used to hate them with a passion, but usually everyone that actually owns them tends to like them.
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7,328 Posts
I've owned five of those S&W pistols. Three were 9mm and two .40 caliber. Never had a bit of trouble with any of them and they were so reliable that I'd trust my life to them. As another member posted, the magazines are well made and very sturdy.
Some complain that the trigger pull is too heavy, but my hands and fingers are so strong, it was never an issue for me as an owner and shooter. If I saw that pistol laying on the shelf for sale, you wouldn't get a chance at it. I'd buy it on the spot! It's one of the best deals in the industry!
Flash
Some complain that the trigger pull is too heavy, but my hands and fingers are so strong, it was never an issue for me as an owner and shooter. If I saw that pistol laying on the shelf for sale, you wouldn't get a chance at it. I'd buy it on the spot! It's one of the best deals in the industry!
Flash
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3,877 Posts
The SW SD9VE does get a lot of good reviews but it has nowhere near the track record of Glock as far a numbers in service, rounds put through, and testing. The FBI found the Gen 5 Glock 19 to be the most reliable pistol it ever tested before adopting it and more than a few other elite agencies have adopted it also such as Secret Service, Border Patrol, and some special forces groups.
That said I personally would take the SD9VE over anything poly frame from Taurus but then again for about another $80 these days you can get the Beretta APX A1 full size or CZ P10C which I would spring for instead of the SD9VE. So lots of choices for most any budget and needs. My go to for CCW for 15 rounds is still me Gen 2 Glock 19 and if for some reason I had to replace it I would get a Gen 5 Glock 19.
That said I personally would take the SD9VE over anything poly frame from Taurus but then again for about another $80 these days you can get the Beretta APX A1 full size or CZ P10C which I would spring for instead of the SD9VE. So lots of choices for most any budget and needs. My go to for CCW for 15 rounds is still me Gen 2 Glock 19 and if for some reason I had to replace it I would get a Gen 5 Glock 19.
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27,253 Posts
At $220, it's a good price. Only common complaint is the trigger (when new) is heavy. A NIB Glock is $450 to $500, while used ones are slightly cheaper.
Back in 2009 or 2010, when the S&W SD line was being introduced, I spoke with a S&W representive at the SHOT show who stated that the SD line was intended for those new/first time buyers who thought S&W's M&P line was 'too professional' for them. I guess if you're one of those who thinks merely owning and keeping a pistol in the nightstand is a talisman against evil, $220 (saving $200 - $300 over a Glock) is a good investment.
OTOH, if you're an active shooter, $220 is a great price.
Back in 2009 or 2010, when the S&W SD line was being introduced, I spoke with a S&W representive at the SHOT show who stated that the SD line was intended for those new/first time buyers who thought S&W's M&P line was 'too professional' for them. I guess if you're one of those who thinks merely owning and keeping a pistol in the nightstand is a talisman against evil, $220 (saving $200 - $300 over a Glock) is a good investment.
OTOH, if you're an active shooter, $220 is a great price.
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968 Posts
Nothing wrong with them and the trigger isn't that bad----the price for a new one has gotten out of hand over the last couple of years though
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