Several years ago I purchased a S&W SD9VE with 3 magazines from our local Ace Hardware. Price OTD was $325.
For an entry-level budget-priced self-defense handgun it's pretty damn awesome. Other than the long, stiff revolver-like trigger pull the only thing I did to it after I purchased it was upgrade to an NDZ Performance slide lock (that's the takedown levers piece) as the OEM part I coudn't grab.
The pistol has outstanding ergonomics and fits my hand way better than do Glocks but you knew that.
With ammo and reloading components on the scarce I have instead invested in accessorizing and upgrading some of my stuff and on a whim purchased a spring upgrade kit from M*CARBO (Military Carbine Brotherhood) in Clearwater FL. This kit includes a reduced power striker spring, striker safety block spring, and trigger return spring along with a small plastic slave pin. Price was $19.95 less 10% mil/vet/LEO discount. Apex Tactical also sells a competitive product with 3 springs and no slave pin (you don't need it more on that later).
M*CARBO claims a 35% reduction in trigger pull weight with 100% reliability (no light primer strikes) from 8.5 lbs. stock down to 4.75 lbs.
Installing the two springs in the slide (striker, striker safety block) was a breeze. The installation of the trigger return spring nearly drove me insane until I stopped watching M*CARBO's video tutorial and instead watched Apex Tactical's two frame dis-assembly and re-assembly videos. Using a tapping hammer, a set of basic pin punches, and a roll of masking tape (as an armorer's block) the task again following the Apex vids was very easy.
Trigger pull is now noticeably lighter and crisper and doesn't wear out my index finger after three mags full of ammo.
My next upgrade is installation of a set of Hi Viz LiteWave H3 Tritium-Fiber Optic night sights ($76 from MidwayUSA) but I am presently waiting on a couple of specialty dovetail sight installation punches from Ben Stoeger Pro Shop as I cannot use any of my sight pushers to do it.
It's a shame that the current panic has pushed the price of these pistols up $100-140 more than they were a couple of years ago. I'd like to get a second one in FDE Frame with black slide (Model SD9).
www.mcarbo.com
www.apextactical.com
For an entry-level budget-priced self-defense handgun it's pretty damn awesome. Other than the long, stiff revolver-like trigger pull the only thing I did to it after I purchased it was upgrade to an NDZ Performance slide lock (that's the takedown levers piece) as the OEM part I coudn't grab.
The pistol has outstanding ergonomics and fits my hand way better than do Glocks but you knew that.
With ammo and reloading components on the scarce I have instead invested in accessorizing and upgrading some of my stuff and on a whim purchased a spring upgrade kit from M*CARBO (Military Carbine Brotherhood) in Clearwater FL. This kit includes a reduced power striker spring, striker safety block spring, and trigger return spring along with a small plastic slave pin. Price was $19.95 less 10% mil/vet/LEO discount. Apex Tactical also sells a competitive product with 3 springs and no slave pin (you don't need it more on that later).
M*CARBO claims a 35% reduction in trigger pull weight with 100% reliability (no light primer strikes) from 8.5 lbs. stock down to 4.75 lbs.
Installing the two springs in the slide (striker, striker safety block) was a breeze. The installation of the trigger return spring nearly drove me insane until I stopped watching M*CARBO's video tutorial and instead watched Apex Tactical's two frame dis-assembly and re-assembly videos. Using a tapping hammer, a set of basic pin punches, and a roll of masking tape (as an armorer's block) the task again following the Apex vids was very easy.
Trigger pull is now noticeably lighter and crisper and doesn't wear out my index finger after three mags full of ammo.
My next upgrade is installation of a set of Hi Viz LiteWave H3 Tritium-Fiber Optic night sights ($76 from MidwayUSA) but I am presently waiting on a couple of specialty dovetail sight installation punches from Ben Stoeger Pro Shop as I cannot use any of my sight pushers to do it.
It's a shame that the current panic has pushed the price of these pistols up $100-140 more than they were a couple of years ago. I'd like to get a second one in FDE Frame with black slide (Model SD9).
M*CARBO
Precision CNC Machined American Made Firearm Performance Parts. Superior Aftermarket Firearm Performance Parts Manufactured by Combat Veterans to meet strict Combat Ready Expectations! M*CARBO - MILITARY CARBINE BROTHERHOOD. A COMMUNITY OF VETERANS, POLICE OFFICERS AND 2ND AMEMDMENT PATRIOTS!
