Thinking about a SW SD40VE but...

4114 Views 39 Replies 20 Participants Last post by leejack, Jul 26, 2018

vboy36

Discussion Starter · Jul 10, 2018

I have 5 taurus pistols and all are reliable and I carry one every day all day. I carry with a rd in the chamber and really like having a thumb safety. I was thinking it might be nice to get a different make of pistol, maybe sell one of the PT111's and buy a Smith and Wesson SD40VE but it doesn't have a thumb safety. This thread may belong on a different forum but the question is: How many of you switch between guns with thumb safety's to guns without thumb safety's? Is that a good idea?

I have 2 PT111 G2; a 709 G2, PT140 G2 and a 740 G2.

Thanks

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jeeper1

· #2 · Jul 10, 2018

If you mean a different gun each day, that will present a problem.
In an emergency you will have to remember whether or not it has a safety that needs to be manipulated and that will slow you down.
By carrying the the same gun every day your fingers will know what to do without conscious thought through habit.
That is why even though I have 4 guns I can use for carry I carry the same one, my XD40, 99% of the time.

Reactions: 5

Boheeber

· #3 · Jul 10, 2018

I carry a PT111 G2 every day as well. I own the 9mm SD9VE and it has never failed on me, but the size of the G2 makes it my go-to carry gun. I also carry with one in the chamber but I do keep the safety on. Guess I really haven't helped you much, except to say that 9mm ammo is cheaper, so if you want to carry a S&W, I'd go for the SD9VE.

Hopefully someone else can give you better advice...

Reactions: 5

PreacherRodgers

· #4 · Jul 10, 2018

I carry a variety of pistols in my rotation. Revolvers semi auto with and without safety's. Jeeper's advise is good advise and is given by many. Carry what you like and feel proficient with.

I've had a SDVE40 in the past and found it to be a very good gun. The trigger gets bashed by many, but I had no problems with it. They are reliable affordable pistols.

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Bellows1

· #5 · Jul 10, 2018

If you practice using a thumb safety, you shouldn't have a problem. Thumbing off a safety that's not there, takes no longer than swiping off one that is there. Just stay in the habit of swiping.

The SD9VE is a great little gun.

Reactions: 5

Aberdog1

· #6 · Jul 10, 2018

I have several pistols. Some Taurus and some S&W. Some have safety's and some don't. I never carry a pistol with the safety on and a round is always in the chamber..

Reactions: 2

leejack

· #7 · Jul 10, 2018

I love the SD9! Never worried about not having a manual safety.

The old rule of practice, practice, practice applies here.

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Wino

· #8 · Jul 10, 2018

Have the SD9 & 40VE. 40 is my bedside HD. I prefer EDC pistols with safety in Condition 1, mainly because of holstering blind and possible trigger snag. I would, however carry either SD (or my Sigma's) with about 8.5 lb and 14+ lb trigger pull respectfully with extreme caution holstering (visible) in Con 1, but don't as I prefer my PT100 or PT92. The SD's have been flawless and dependable, albeit a bit gritty in slide action. As an aside, the mags for the Sigma VE and SDxxVE are interchangeable with just a difference in mag bottom which doesn't affect operation - I mention this as I recently saw some Sigma VE mags for <$15 + shipping. Around here the SD's can be caught on sale in the area $225 +/-.

Reactions: 4

FreeInAZ

· #9 · Jul 10, 2018 (Edited)

If you've trained yourself to thumb off a safety ....just keep doing it! Even if the SD doesn't have one.

Why? If you stop while carrying the SD, the one time you need to flip off a safety to save your hide when carrying a different pistol...you may not do it automatically. Never a good idea to be trouble shooting a pistol during a gunfight.

ETA- the best safety of them all? The one between your ears.

Reactions: 5

1942bull

· #10 · Jul 10, 2018

I had a SD9VE, and it is a very good gun. However, it is not an optimal concealed carry gun. Due to the magazine capacity the grip is quite long. Add that to the overall length and the pistol becomes difficult to conceal when only wearing a shirt. I used to carry it OWB when hiking in black bear country. Yes, I had bear spray but the pistol was a back up to the spray. I never had a malfunction or failure with the gun. It eats any ammo.

I sold it after I decided to purchase my second G2C as a back up to my first purchase. I now carry the G2C only and it is also my backpacking gun because the extra .8 inch of barrel is not going to mean much at fifteen feet against a charging bear. I carry Underwood +P Extreme Penetrator on my hiking trips.

As a final comment I suggest you consider the following. Combat accuracy depends upon three things:
1) total familiarization with the gun
2) lots of practice
3) muscle memory of the edc gun
That is why I only carry the G2C, have a G2C backup, and practice with the G2C once a week shooting 100 rounds per session.

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Yissnakk

· #11 · Jul 10, 2018

I generally carry with the thumb safety off, with the notable exception being a 1911 style (safety definitely engaged on those). I train to the feel of the gun, primarily - if it's polymer, the thumb safety is off by preference and habit; if it feels like a 1911, then it's cocked and locked, so thumb the safety first.

It's a matter of practice and muscle memory , but the more variables you throw into the mix, the higher the chances are for a failure.

Reactions: 3

Bellows1

· #12 · Jul 10, 2018

I forgot to answer your question.

I rarely carry a gun with a safety, but if it has a safety (PT111 or 1911), I use the safety.

My current rotation guns are... Sig 224 in 40, Sig 320 in 9, or the Kahr CM40. If I really feel like slumming it, I'll carry the Glock 27 in 9mm.

Once your gun is holstered, there's not a lot that can go wrong, the holster also acts as a "safety". With an empty gun, practice holstering, do it several times to see how it feels, also LOOK at what you're doing. If your still not comfortable, holster the gun before putting the holster on.

Outside the waistband, I holster with few worries. Inside the waistband (clip-on holster), I take the holster out, put the gun in it, then put the holster back on. I don't have a problem holstering loaded occasionally, but Mr. Murphy tells me, the more ya do it, the more opportunities for something to go wrong.

Reactions: 4

vboy36

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 10, 2018 (Edited)

Thanks everyone for each of your comments. Very helpful. Comments and experience. I have been looking at the sd40ve. Is there a difference between the double action only SD40? and if there is a da/sa SD40 is there really that big of a difference between a DA only SD40? I may be buying the SD40. But I might sell my Smith & Wesson 915 I have hardly ever shot that gun. Very rarely rare wear it. and the thumb safety is in the complete opposite direction of all of my Taurus thumb safeties. And I do not like the Da/sa on those guns.

Reactions: 2

Bellows1

· #14 · Jul 10, 2018

vboy36 said:
Thanks everyone for each of your comments. Very helpful. Comments and experience. I have been looking at the sd40ve. Is there a difference between the double action only SD40? and if there is a da/sa SD40 is there really that big of a difference between a DA only SD40? I may be buying the SD40. But I might sell my Smith & Wesson 915 I have hardly ever shot that gun. Very rarely rare wear it. and the thumb safety is in the complete opposite direction of all of my Taurus thumb safeties. And I do not like the Da/sa on those guns.

Pretty sure all versions of the SD are DA only.

The 915 is a very good gun, a little heavy, but well made. I've heard they don't make old guns any more.

Reactions: 3

vboy36

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 10, 2018

Thanks Bellows. I've owned the 915 since 1992. And you're right it would be really tough to let go of. I'll probably sell one of my PT111. And buy the sd40ve. like others have mentioned here. If I do need to carry the 915 I'll just keep the safety off.

Reactions: 2

leejack

· #16 · Jul 11, 2018

All of the Sd's, sigma's etc are DA.

Just know what you're getting, a great self defense gun, not a target pistol.

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Rossi

· #17 · Jul 11, 2018

The S&W Sigmas and SD that I have come from the factory with stiffer trigger pulls, so I feel they're safe without the manual safety. I have a few other non-safety semi-autos that are (in my opinion) just above the trigger pull threshold of what is safe - about 6 pounds. A couple of these are FNS's. FN does good self defense triggers on their guns - they have sort of a "wall" that you hit before the trigger breaks.

I have another non-safety gun that I would never use for self defense, though. It's a Walther PPX, and the trigger is way too smooth and easy for a panic situation, even though it's right around 6 pounds, too. If you do get an SD Smith and Wesson, and you buy it used, remember that a lot of people will put lighter aftermarket triggers on these to get more of a target trigger. Why they do this is beyond me, but they do it. Something to consider. If you're buying new, not an issue.

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vboy36

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 11, 2018

Great info!! The S&W SD40 is on the way!!

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kmw1954

· #19 · Jul 11, 2018

Pictures and range report due!

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HappyTom

· #20 · Jul 11, 2018

Hey Hi

I have 9mm version, the SD9VE, it is a "really" great gun... eats all kind of 9mm ammo. Not one issue with the gun. Both version of this gun does not have a safety and also there is no magazine "disconnect" so the gun will fire without a magazine. Some people like that.
If I had the money, I would buy the SD40VE also.. it's that great of a gun. Also, the trigger "is not" that bad at all, I can "double tap" mine just stock OEM..with no Apex trigger kit mods.
My two cents.

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