Gun Review Smith Wesson SD9 VEBased on the TTAG reader survey, it looks like our readers want to read more about budget minded guns. As your loyal scribe, I aim to please pun intended. So before you today, we have the Smith Wesson SD9 VE. This fine piece is the lowest priced pistola de plastico in the S W lineup. You might remember some similar looks from their Sigma range of inexpensively priced pistols. Having stripped both guns, I can tell you that the guts look mostly the same between the two. And having shot both of them, I can tell you that the trigger woes the Sigma suffered continue with the SD9 VE. Be not afraid though, as the SD9 VE has many redeeming qualities, too. Appearance, Fit Finish. Comparing an off the rack M P to the SD9 VE, its plain to see that the VE is the budget option. Youll notice things like the stamped sheet metal slide release and plastic guide rod. But youll also notice nicely textured grips and very well finished metal surfaces. The SD ships in a cardboard box, but you get two yes two chrome finished magazines that glide smoothly in the magazine well. Not bad for a low priced heater. Smith and Wesson 3rd model Russian commercial,2nd model American,SW old old model Russian. Russian. 44R,factory NY. Smith Wesson are in the process of revamping their line of 1911s. Peering into this years catalog youll notice theyve dropped some models from their. A look at where to find Smith Wesson serial numbers and the date manufactured on different SW firearms. Firearm Serial Number serial number is 3 letters, 4 numbers, do not include, commas, spaces or dashes. The Victory Model Smith and Wesson. Caliber Revolver. The revolvers of the U. S. armed forces have always been under appreciated by collectors, the good. Model Numbers, Dash Numbers, and Serial Numbers In 1958, SW went from names to numbers. They had so many different models in production, it became difficult to keep. Browse all new and used Smith Wesson Revolvers Model K22 for sale and buy with confidence from Guns International. This is a budget firearm with the budget in all the right places. I was hard pressed to find any machine marks, mismatched castings, or any other signs of poor assembly. Yes, it has some budget minded parts, but its a very functional, solid firearm. Ease of Use. The VE has all the bare essentials. Theres the magazine release right where it oughta be. Slide release is there on the drivers side, and it has two wee little takedown tabs for cleaning. This gun doesnt have a manual safety or a grip safety. EpPAJXUO6c.jpg' alt='Smith And Wesson Model Serial Numbers' title='Smith And Wesson Model Serial Numbers' />Although you can get it in a MA legal 1. Either way, the VE is the literal definition of point and shoot. Smith And Wesson Model Serial Numbers' title='Smith And Wesson Model Serial Numbers' />Ease of Disassembly. Takedown is extraordinarily easy. Move the slide back a little bit, wiggle the take down tabs, and slip the slide forward. Remove the recoil rod and barrel, and clean as necessary. I stopped in my LGS last week and spotted this beautiful Model 1905 revolver sitting in the case. A long time friend of the shops family had passed away. I received the gun completely dry, and shot it that way. I also shot it dirty and very lubricated. It shoots fine, so if youre afraid of disassembly, just keep shooting. Or clean it. The VE just doesnt seem to care. Handling Characteristics. Truth be told, I still had that bad Sigma taste in my mouth when I found out S W was shipping the VE to me. So imagine my surprise when I took it out of the box and found it feels good in the hand. Smith And Wesson Model Serial Numbers' title='Smith And Wesson Model Serial Numbers' />Not only is it comfortable, but it points like an Irish Setter. The front sight has a bright, white dot that makes target acquisition a snap. And the grip angle just seemed to suit me perfectly. The mag release is easy enough to reach as is the slide release. And unlike the M P 4. C I tested a few months back, the slide release actually works. What about those gripsWell I have smaller hands and theyre just fine. Those with huge meat hooks might overwhelm it, and if you have tiny hands you might find it too big. No changeable backstraps here, though, so try before you buy. Now about that trigger. Its problematic for two reasons. First, theres its enormously long travel. Second, it finally breaks at around 8. Its a long way to go, and weaker shooters will be shaking by the time they get it to go bang. I put about 5. 0 rounds downrange before my forearms started aching. Thats when I called Apex and had them send a spring replacement kit. Factor an extra 2. Accuracy. The SD9 VE is intrinsically accurate, but not practically so. I managed group sizes of just a few inches at 7 yards that really started to open up as the firing rate increased. That little quirk is naturally, thanks to the craptastic trigger. Again, fix the trigger and this is a very capable gun for the entry level pistolero. Reliability. This gun has been satisfyingly boring on the reliability front. Like Oprah, it doesnt matter what I feed it, she eats everything. I really wish I had a cool story to tell yall about double feeds or stovepipes, but I dont. Dead nuts reliable. I might do an extended test and soak it in motor oil or salt water or pack it with sand to see if I can get it to jam. If so, Ill let you know. Versatility. The VE is just a good all around gun. Happy as a range toy, concealed carry piece, or extra gun around the housevehicle. In fact, this is probably going to be my recommendation for someone who wants to get their feet wet with gun ownership. It may be a tad large for summertime carry, but for winter carry with a jacket, youd be good to go. Or, keep it in your vehicle or nightstand. Hell, for the money youd spend on a quality 1. Available Aftermarket Options. From what Ive read, it appears that Galco, Fobus, and De. Santis are making hoslters for the SD9 VE. Extra mags will cost you 4. S W. Ouch. It also has a picatinny rail for lasers, lights, and all manner of tacticool doodads. I should also mention that Apex makes a spring kit to fix that nasty trigger issue. Have I mentioned it Okay, perfect. Favorite Feature. The VE is a well made budget firearm. Its cheap to buy and cheap to run. Least Favorite Feature. That nasty ass trigger. Get if fixed before you fire the first shot. Specifications Smith and Wesson SD9 VECaliber 9mm. Capacity 1. 61. Action Striker Fired Action. Barrel Length 4 1. Front Sight White Dot. Rear Sight Fixed 2 Dot. Overall Length 7. Width 1. 2. 9 3. Weight 2. Frame Material Polymer. Slide Material Stainless Steel. Barrel Material Stainless Steel. MSRP 3. 79. more like 3. BrownellsRatings out of five stars Appearance, Fit and Finish   Im dinging a star for stamped sheet metal parts and the plastic guide rod. At this price point, though, you cant have all the things you want, and I get that. But you still cant bring pieces like that to the table and hope for a five star rating. Otherwise, fit and finish was superb. Ease of Use ll the control are where they are supposed to be and function they way they should. Ease of Disassembly You have to do a little sleight of hand to rock the slide back and disengage the takedown tabs. Id prefer the same system the M P uses, but again, cost wins out. Handling ive stars through and through. The VE is a natural pointer, and feels very comfortable in my mitts. Accuracy ench rest accuracy is superb, but overall combat accuracy sucks thanks to the terrible trigger. Reliability cant seem to make it fail. Customize This 4. Yeesh. Otherwise, your standard fare applies. A couple holsters out there and a rail to mount stuff on. Some internet forums claim that you can mount M P sights if you want glow in the dark or high viz additions. Overall Rating Writing for TTAG has made me kind of a snob when it comes to firearms. I wouldnt be caught dead with a Freedom Group Marlin, and I damn sure wont be hoisting a Hi Point anytime soon. But the SD9 VE brought me down a notch. Heres a dead nuts reliable gun thats a pleasure to shoot for a touch over three bones. It has one glaring flaw in the trigger but thats easily remedied for 2. At that price, you really cant afford not to buy one. Or four. Im impressed and I hope the SD9 VE is a big seller for Smith Wesson. Smith Wesson Model of 1. Change revolver. I stopped in my LGS last week and spotted this beautiful Model 1. A long time friend of the shops family had passed away. He was close to 1. Apparently, he was given this revolver as a gift of appreciation during the Great Depression. He put it away somewhere dry and never shot it the entire time he owned it. Legend has it that the gun wasnt fired by the original owner either, who had bought it new some years before giving it away. If all that is true, and I believe it is, the gun could actually be unfired since leaving the factory. Judging by the serial number and the markings, I believe it to be mid 1. However, I did not look it up. If someone has one of the Smith Wesson books and could do so, Id greatly appreciate it 4. Please join me for a short summary of the history of the legendary Smith Wesson Model 1. The first iteration of the Model 1. Hand Ejector. This gun was chambered in 3. Long Colt, but soon morphed into the new 3. Special round, which was significantly more powerful. In 1. 90. 2 there were several changes made, resulting in the new 3. M P revolver. Three years later, in 1. Smith Wesson introduced the Model of 1. These changes were very frequent during the early days of double action revolver production and the K Frame Smith Wessons were no exception. The Model of 1. 90. S W finally settled on the 4th Change version for long term production. The 1. 90. 5 4th Change was built from 1. In 1. 94. 2, it gave way to the war time Victory model, most with the dull parkerized finish. The Victory model was only produced during the war for a few years. However, total production of over a half million examples was about equal to the entire 3. M1. 90. 5 run. Being that we supplied them to several countries, thats not surprising at all. Following World War II, Smith Wesson continued to produce the M P revolver. In 1. 95. 7, the gun was finally designated the Model 1. After that, the guns built between the end of WWII and 1. Model 1. 0 M P revolvers. The Model 1. 0 is probably the most popular and best selling Smith Wesson revolver of all time. They are classly and beautiful to look at, but still tough as nails wheelguns that have been in service in one form or another since the 1. Im personally a huge fan of old Smith Wesson revolvers. Once the model numbers were added, I sort of lose interest. I only buy 5 screw S Ws these days and my favorites are the guns built before WWII. Likewise, this 1. I love the small details and the incredible build quality that was so evident back then. As you can see, this example is very clean. The bluing is near perfect, as are the grips. The barrel is 5, which makes it a little more unique. Successful Erp Implementation Case Study Pdf Examples here. No screw has been turned and its free of scratches, rust, or pitting. Id rate it at 9. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, this gun was extremely well taken care of through its long life. Who here owns a 1. What do you think of them As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.