SD40 VE Upgrades

[MidwestGunner]

Bought new in 2013, I am now looking to start upgrading my SW SD40 VE. Is there a slide option available? It would look ba with a black slide!!

[Technosavant]

You could have the slide refinished; there's a number of finishes that would give you the dark coloring you'd like.

There's not a whole lot of upgrades one can do to the Sigma series guns. Apex makes a spring kit that can improve the trigger pull. It is also possible to get night sights (steer clear of the Meprolight kit; I tried that on my SW9VE and was extremely disappointed with it). Generally, these guns are pretty utilitarian tools. They don't have the aftermarket support you find for the M&P line or others that will find competition use.

Beyond the Apex springs and refinishing the slide to your own preferences, I'd probably just spend the money on ammo and magazines.

[Wreck-n-Crew]

I have to agree with technoSavant. The apex trigger is the best thing that you can do Just don't get it to light if you're going to carry it. You can refinish the slide but I wouldn't. And some of the older versions Had black slides Available.

[carguychris]

Originally Posted by Technosavant

It is also possible to get night sights (steer clear of the Meprolight kit; I tried that on my SW9VE and was extremely disappointed with it)... They don't have the aftermarket support you find for the M&P line or others that will find competition use.

FWIW the SD series takes the same sights as the M&P. This is a Very Good Thing, because (a) there are many more options than with the earlier SW-series Sigmas, and (b) the stock front sight does NOT need to be drilled out, as the M&P/SD sight fits in a dovetailed slot. (The earlier SW-series front sight attached using a plastic peg that was melted or "mushroomed" into place, rendering non-destructive removal impossible.)

[loose_holster_dan]

why put that kind of money into a POS gun? just sell it and upgrade.

[Technosavant]

Originally Posted by carguychris

FWIW the SD series takes the same sights as the M&P. This is a Very Good Thing, because (a) there are many more options than with the earlier SW-series Sigmas, and (b) the stock front sight does NOT need to be drilled out, as the M&P/SD sight fits in a dovetailed slot. (The earlier SW-series front sight attached using a plastic peg that was melted or "mushroomed" into place, rendering non-destructive removal impossible.)

That's a good change. When I decided I'd never manage to get the Meprolights zeroed I had to send my slide back to S&W to have a new front sight installed. Surprisingly they didn't charge me a thing.

Originally Posted by looseholsterdan

why put that kind of money into a POS gun? just sell it and upgrade.

I rather disagree with your characterization of the gun. As I said, it's utilitarian. In some ways it's even rough. But it's reasonably accurate and very reliable. Hardly a hunk of junk. If I needed a handgun to save my life it wouldn't be my first choice (there are better guns on the market) but I'd not feel poorly armed if it's what I had in my hand.


If the OP is interested in something other than cosmetic changes or spring kits, then yes, there's not much to be done. But I don't know what kind of things one would want to do to this kind of gun anyway. It's not fancy but it is functional.

[Leejack]

Great gun. No need for sights, apex or anything else.

[ghbucky01]

I had the same gun, and I did some research and learned a few things:

It is a fairly new model, so finding any accessories was very difficult, even holsters for it were hard to find.

It is pretty much an entry level gun. I decided that rather than try to upgrade it, I would sell the gun and step up to a nicer pistol.

[zombietactics]

Here yez go:
GALLOWAY PRECISION

[9miller]

Hogwash, I have a SW9VE and I really like it, more so than a glock. It has never let me down and it is my carry gun. A marine finish would be what I would do if that is a route you want to take, the metal on the slide will gouge off before the finish, it's tough as nails. Also, I took 600 grit sand paper to all the contact points in the sear housing, the interrupter, and firing pin, then followed up with 1500 grit paper and removed the pig tail spring in the sear housing. WOW!! the trigger pull dropped about 3.5-4# and it was a smooth pull like you wouldn't believe! I have been wanting to get the apex spring kit but haven't got to order it yet.

[ClydeFrog]

To jazz up a SD40 .40 to me is like if you put $800.00 custom rims on a 1984 Ford Escort sedan, .
There are a few common upgrades you can add but most would void the S&W factory lifetime service plan, .
Trijicon HD night sights are worth it for a carry pistol. As posted, you can also get the Apex trigger upgrade.
As for slide/barrel/mag treatments, Id look at the popular long lasting Metalife SS C. It's a silver-grey color & protects the metal parts. To get the entire SD40 upper done is $78.00 USD(each extra pistol mag is $10.00 which is a good price).
Robar's NP3 Plus is also a good system but it's not cheap.
For dark/black colors, Id check www.Black-T.com . Birdsong's Black T is in wide use by many LE agencies & military spec ops units.
Bearcoat & Swanson's Armory of Jacksonville Florida offer some decent color choices & good protection. Cabelas, www.Cabelas.com reportedly field tested a few custom choices & only Bearcoat was able to hold up well on the field guides weapons.

[MidwestGunner]

Great feedback from all. And whats wrong with rims on an 84...lol.


Thanx Again!!!