SD40VE vs M&P40

[MajorGunner]

Which one is better?

[kaquino]

The SDVE guns are garbage

[gumby]

The SDVE guns are garbage

No they are not. The SD's operate as a true DAO=the striker is not pre-set. While the M&P's are more like the SA XD's=striker is set at about 75%. I suggest you try the triggers on both, to see what I mean.

[tbc]

The M&P is better but it is not on the roster.

[skosh69]

The M&P is better but it is not on the roster.

But can still be bought PPT.

[EspoMan]

The SDVE guns are garbage

According to who, you?

[FNH5-7]

M&P .40 by a long shot. I don't think anyone who can afford an M&P and has them available to them would go with a SD40VE instead of an M&P.

Another similar question would be which is better XD or XDm.

[BigPimping]

My SD40 is a reliable and accurate shooting gin at a fair price. Hickok45 likes them as well. MP40 is nicer, but way more $$$$

[sholling]

The SDVE guns are garbage

Wrong! The SD40 is a very reliable easy to operate handgun sold at a bargain price. M&Ps have better triggers but when they were both on the roster the M&P was $130 or so more expensive. Both benefit from aftermarket trigger upgrades, but the more expensive M&P's trigger can be upgraded to near perfection.

[slayer61]

My Mrs. has both and likes the M&P better. Says it just "feels" better, noticeably better quality

[MellonPopper]

The SDVE guns are garbage

Do you or have you owned one? While I can say the trigger pull isn't my favorite of my gun collection, it certainly was easy to get used to. It is consistent, very accurate, comfortable in my hand, and reliable. I've never had a single malfunction of any kind. If that's garbage, I'm good with it.

[David-K]

That's an apples to oranges comparison. Just because they both shoot .40 doesn't make them siblings. Both are(were) at two entirely different price points. Triggers are completely different, too. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with the SD. It's really affordable, eats anything and I feel the heavier trigger can be a benefit if you're using it for carry purposes. Besides, you'll never notice that trigger when "the time actually comes".

[19K]

No they are not. The SD's operate as a true DAO=the striker is not pre-set. While the M&P's are more like the SA XD's=striker is set at about 75%. I suggest you try the triggers on both, to see what I mean.

No one cares about that.

The sd is a crappy pistol

[EspoMan]

That's an apples to oranges comparison. Just because they both shoot .40 doesn't make them siblings. Both are(were) at two eintirely different price points. Triggers are completely different, too. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with the SD. It's really affordable, eats anything and I feel the heavier trigger can be a benefit if you're using it for carry purposes. Besides, you'll never notice that trigger when "the time actually comes".

Exactly. I've owned both guns and never had a problem with either of them. I liked to shoot the M&P much more obviously, but the SD never jammed when I did fire it. I even used it as my HD gun for a very long time.

[rsrocket1]

It really depends on what you want.

From a quality and reliability standpoint, they are equal. S&W has a lifetime guarantee on both guns and will replace worn parts for free. Both guns will go bang when you pull the trigger and are both more accurate than most shooters so as long as you do your part, the gun will do its job. So from a pure SD/HD standpoint, the SD40VE is a better "bang for the buck" being that at $300, it is 3/4 the price of an M&P (or usually half in this state since you'll have to PPT from folks who charge way more than the real retail price).

From a features standpoint, the M&P wins. It has a fully cocked striker so the trigger pull first releases the striker block, then the sear. The striker block imparts little resistance, and the final trigger break is only when you pivot the sear. The SD40VE is similar to the Glock where the striker is only partly cocked. So the trigger pull not only raises the striker block, it also pulls the striker back a little more, the releases the sear. Pulling back the striker and fighting the trigger return spring results in a longer and harder trigger pull but if you're used to double action revolvers or SA/DA guns like the Sig, it is easier than that.

The M&P also has changeable backstraps to adjust the depth of the grip, metal rear sights, the ability to convert the gun to 357 Sig with a change of barrels or to 9mm with a barrel and magazine swap. The M&P also has the potential to use the Apex FSS trigger kit which shortens the pre and overtravel while the SD40VE only has the ability to change the springs to lighten the trigger pull, not shorten it. The Apex FSS kit really helps accuracy for some people (me included), but if you have good shooting techniques, you really don't need it. I tend not to pull perfectly straight back and the M&P exaggerates this into an inconsistent accuracy which is masked in guns with better triggers such as the 1911 and a good SA revolver. You won't be able to do this mod on the SD40VE, but again for basic utility shooting, it won't really matter.

When I was considering the M&P40, SD40 and Sigma 40, I only wanted to buy one gun one time. The Sigma would have been about $340 after tax and DROS and the M&P was $485 OTD new so for $145 I figured I'd go all the way and am glad I did. I have since added the Apex FSS kit and 9mm conversion so it is a very useful range/HD gun for me.

Again, it depends on your need. If you want the best ergonomics with options, the M&P is the way to go. If cost is everything but you don't want to compromise on quality or reliability, you won't go wrong with an SD40VE.

Hope that helps.