The Smith & Wesson SD9VE+

The S&W SD9VE is an excellent gun for the money in the world of double stack magazine 9mm’s (the same gun is available chambered in .40 S&W and is sold as the SD40VE). It is reasonably priced, well made, and ergonomically superior to the Glock (including a 1911 grip angle) in every way but one... The trigger.

The trigger pull on the SD is, oh, shall we say a bit on the hefty side at about 8-1/2 to 9 pounds. The design team at S&W did a remarkable job of improving on the ergonomics and lowering the cost of their version of the Glock 19... And then the lawyers got involved.

These guns can be found on sale for just above $300.00 regularly with a stainless steel slide and barrel, and two stainless steel 16 round magazines in the box.

There is really nothing I dislike about this gun except the horrific trigger the lawyers made them install for ‘safety,’ ruining a potentially excellent gun by bringing it down to the level of merely acceptable.

How do you turn a $300.00 gun into a $550.00 gun for $75.00?

Happily this little problem can be rectified quickly and quite inexpensively by switching out the trigger and a few springs. With the $75.00 worth (shipped) of Apex parts installed, this gun has a very smooth and reasonable 5.5 to 6 pound trigger, just like the Glock 19. The trigger reset isn’t quite as short, but for a self defense gun it’s a moot point anyway. Most people are not going to be looking for the reset point while someone is trying to kill them. So forget all the crap about resets that have everything to do with target shooting and competition, and nothing to do with staying alive.

So, if you want a dependable, affordable, and well made gun for personal defense, the Smith & Wesson SD9VE (+) should be at, or near the top of the list of guns you’re looking at.

I like it, and I would carry it for self defense (with the Apex trigger and spring upgrade) with no qualms whatsoever, just as I would carry the VERY affordable and proven Taurus PT111-G2.

If the upgrades seem a bit intimidating to you, a good gunsmith, or armorer can complete them in an hour or so.