S&W SD40VE Pistol review(ish)

00Silverado4x4 · November 19, 2015

I am officially a pistol owner. I picked up a S&W SD40VE pistol a couple of weeks ago. I got to shoot it last weekend. Between the wife and I we burned through the first box of 50 pretty quickly. I was using Monarch 180 grain TMJ rounds so nothing fancy in any sense. I had a few amateur fail to feed issues when I first shot. I was babying the slide to chamber the first round and the pistol just doesn't like that. Once I got over the new gun jitters and rack the slide properly to chamber that first round everything went well...operation wise anyway. I'm still getting used to how to hold and aim the thing so needless to say I'm not making any impressive shots or records yet. Last couple of magazines full I started hit the target a little more effectively. Right now this is going to be a weapon to shoot for target practice rather then any kind of defensive needs. I have the 12 gauge for the defense mode...sent a few rounds down range of that too. Dang I love that thing. It's a real blast, all puns intended.

When I was shopping for a pistol I handled every pistol that was in the display case and this just one felt so comfortable to hold and function. I don't really care for the take down tabs for field stripping but the rest of the disassemble was extremely simple. Cleaning is a breeze and reassemble is very simple and quick. I'm not looking to do any of the "upgrades" that I read about as I intend to maintain my warranty for a long time.

So far I'm quite impressed by the pistol, except for my lousy (hopefully soon to be improving) aim, my fault not the weapons of course. Recoil wasn't nearly as bad as I read about in the reviews. I do have big hands so it was relatively easy to keep the pistol under control. I've shot all kinds of weapons in my life and this one is proving to be a much fun, and challenging as any of the others. Eventually it'll join the "defensive" group of weapons I own. I really like how the action works in the sense there is no external safety (minus the pointer finger and that thing between my ears). That and the fact that it'll only go bang if I fully pull the trigger. No need for a decocker or manual safety or whatever other systems there are in other weapons. To me, simple is good. No extra thought required. Also I like how the triggers works as it has the same pull from the first to the last shot (some users may not like it but I do). Keeps me focused on trigger control.

Once I get some more rounds sent down range I feel this is going to be an awesome weapon to have at the ready. So there you have it. My brief, sort of, review. Feel free to drop in your [constructive] comments.

Kerrslight · November 19, 2015

Lets see a pic!

00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

Finally got it! Not a great pic, but it a great pistol.

BlackZ71Silverado · November 20, 2015

Recoil is tame because that's a heavy pistol.

Keep practicing proper technique while shooting, the accuracy will come.

How do you like the trigger? That's the only issue I have with S&W, those awful triggers they use.

Any specific reason you went with that model pistol?

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00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

The trigger is a little stiff, but started loosening up as I shot. I don't mind the long pull each time. It doesn't feel heavy too heavy to me. The only reason I went with this model was completely because of the feel of it in my hand. It just felt natural & comfortable to me. I was undecided if I wanted the 9mm or the .40. Ammo cost difference was pretty much the same. When I went to Academy to purchase, they were sold out of the 9mm. I took that as a sign to just go with the .40. Round count in the magazine between the two models is only 2 rounds. I figure once I am proficient I shouldn't "need" more than a few rounds to stop any "threats" so having 14 vs 16 is a moot point in my thinking. Picked up another 100 rounds last night with hopeful plans to go out this weekend to dispatch a few unruly targets (beer cans, paper targets).

robvas · November 20, 2015

I owned a S&W 40 and while it was reliable (and cheap!) I never fell in love with it. I don't like what they made the frame out of as far as grip/feel goes. Much prefer the way the Glock is. If I got another S&W I'd go for the M&P

00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

My wife got the S&W M&P Shield 9. She decided on hers the same way I decided, it felt right. I found the grip to be a bit thin and just a touch too short, even with the 8 round magazine. I shot a few rounds of hers and it shot real nice, but just didn't feel like "my" weapon. I'm not a huge fan of the polymer lower frame either but at least the design is nice. Last few days I've being doing all kinds of research into exactly how my pistol operates so that way I can understand what all the little pieces do inside of it. It looks all kinds of complicated but now I see how simple the setup really is. Still very confusing to read about all the different actions these pistols have but I'm wading through it and starting to understand.

crafferty · November 20, 2015

Couple words of advice for a new pistol shooter. First, you want to stand square to the target. Second, you want to use a push/pull grip. Your dominate hand will push and your non dominant will pull. Third, keep both eyes opening while shooting and focus on your target not the sights. These are three common mistakes and three easy fixes that will greatly improve accuracy.

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00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

Thanks I appreciate the advice. Some of those I knew from shooting other pistols/revolvers, some of those I'm needing to learn. The square stance is definitely something I'm still working on. In the military they don't necessarily train you to shoot a pistol quite the way you need to.

kstruckcountry · November 20, 2015

It looks like a nice gun! The more capacity the better, mine is 19+1. I don't think there's necessarily a "right" way to shoot, while there definitely are wrong ways. Since I've shot a shotgun a lot, the square stance with the pistol is very unnatural for me, and I find I shoot better with my right foot lighter and behind me. Also, my trigger (XDm) is very light and the push-pull method many use makes me less accurate. I experiment with new grips and stances all the time to try to improve my shooting, and what works for me doesn't always work for friends.

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00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

That's why it's difficult for me as well. Used to shooting rifles and shotguns so the stance is a complete rework for me. The difference is capacity was small so I felt it to be a good move to a slightly bigger/heavier round.

The conclusion I came to is if you break into my house you better be able to handle your choice of weapon better then I will be with my choice of weapon!

crafferty · November 24, 2015

It looks like a nice gun! The more capacity the better, mine is 19+1. I don't think there's necessarily a "right" way to shoot, while there definitely are wrong ways. Since I've shot a shotgun a lot, the square stance with the pistol is very unnatural for me, and I find I shoot better with my right foot lighter and behind me. Also, my trigger (XDm) is very light and the push-pull method many use makes me less accurate. I experiment with new grips and stances all the time to try to improve my shooting, and what works for me doesn't always work for friends.

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Switching stances can be very hard, especially when you have years behind it. The idea behind standing square is that it allows great mobility and control. Since your square the shooter can move in any direction without having to transition thier feet. Plus it also allows the shooter to move the torso over 180 degrees without the need to move thier feet. Lots of good reasons for the switch in my opinion.

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