re: Thoughts on S&W?

quote:

---

Here's what I don't understand, if there are advancements in powder and bullet technology, wouldn't those same advancements work in the .40 too to make it that much better? Yes, it would. I am a fan of 9mm too but the law enforcement and militaries moving to it has as much to do w/ more women in those groups needing less recoil and the higher capacity. The .40 is fine as long as the handgun is built for it (see Sig P229 not M&P), and 13+1 is plenty of ammo.

---

I feel the same way and am interested to hear a rebuttal to this.

quote:

---

I like my women like my whiskey

---

Me too.. silent, yet satisfying

quote:

---

I really don't see the problems with the SDVE.

---

Honestly, this is because:

1. You've never owned one, and

2. You really just don't know any better.


And I understand cost and value considerations (despite being mainly a classic Sig user) - but you will be much better served just gutting it up and dropping the coin on a Glock 17 or Glock 19, perhaps a M&P of some flavor (although I know less about them than Glocks, they are popular for other than fashion/trend reasons - Smith finally got it right - partially because of learning from their failures with the Sigma - now known as the SDVE.) The SDVE is cheap primarily because it is built on the ashes of the Sigma - why S&W continues to try to sell the gun - I have no idea, other than they are able to at this price point.

But just don't do it to yourself. Bapple's list is a solid one for alternatives, but every one of those pistols is a compromise over a basic G19 or M&P, period.

In my case, I made a mistake. I bought a Walther PPK - and it was great for its role. Sweet shooting all metal pocket pistol of its day (a lifetime ago). I upgraded to a Sig P220 and have had the Sig disease ever since.

You have a chance to benefit from a whole range of experience here - call it "crowdsourcing" if you like - but start with a reference firearm (and I strongly recommend the G17 or G19, depending on your overall dimension preference at this point) and you'll NEVER be sorry. Start with a weapon with a dicey reputation (like the Sigma/SDVE, whatever they call it now), and you'll always have questions/issues.

quote:

---

Here's what I don't understand, if there are advancements in powder and bullet technology, wouldn't those same advancements work in the .40 too to make it that much better? Yes, it would

---

No, it wouldn't. Doesnt always work that way

Maybe the FBI can convince you

quote:

---

9mm Luger now offers select projectiles which are, under identical testing conditions, I outperforming most of the premium line .40 S&W and .45 Auto projectiles tested by the FBI

9mm Luger offers higher magazine capacities, less recoil, lower cost (both in ammunition and wear on the weapons) and higher functional reliability rates (in FBI weapons)

The majority of FBI shooters are both FASTER in shot strings fired and more ACCURATE with shooting a 9mm Luger vs shooting a .40 S&W (similar sized weapons)

There is little to no noticeable difference in the wound tracks between premium line law Auto enforcement projectiles from 9mm Luger through the .45 Auto

Given contemporary bullet construction, LEO’s can field (with proper bullet selection) 9mm Lugers with all of the terminal performance potential of any other law enforcement pistol caliber with none of the disadvantages present with the “larger” calibers

---

quote:

---

CONCLUSION While some law enforcement agencies have transitioned to larger calibers from the 9mm Luger in recent years, they do so at the expense of reduced magazine capacity, more felt recoil, and given adequate projectile selection, no discernible increase in terminal performance. Other law enforcement organizations seem to be making the move back to 9mm Luger taking advantage of the new technologies which are being applied to 9mm Luger projectiles. These organizations are providing their armed personnel the best chance of surviving a deadly force encounter since they can expect faster and more accurate shot strings, higher magazine capacities (similar sized weapons) and all of the terminal performance which can be expected from any law enforcement caliber projectile.

Given the above realities and the fact that numerous ammunition manufacturers now make 9mm Luger service ammunition with outstanding premium line law enforcement projectiles, the move to 9mm Luger can now be viewed as a decided advantage for our armed law enforcement personnel.

---

EXACTLY, do not buy, especially in .40. Drop another 80 or so bucks for a Shield in 9mm, if you must buy S & W.

Bump

S & W M&P Shield 9 mm. Great gun. I carry it and love it.

Truly spoken.

I carry the M&P Shield 9. This is the holster I currently use.

LINK

quote:

---

I had a Ruger LC9 whose trigger pull was longer than from sunrise to sunset. It was ridiculous. I ditched it and got my S&W Shield. The minute I took it out of the box I was in love. Went to the range and was as accurate as could be.

---

Pretty much the same deal for me, except i had a Taurus PT111 Millennium G2. After about 150 rounds i had 2 eject malfunctions, 2 load malfunctions, 4 fails to return to battery and 2 stove pipes, although they were probably my fault anticipating that long arse trigger pull. I also was no where near accurate with it. I no longer trusted the gun so i sold it right before Christmas. I picked up a M&P Shield 9mm Tuesday, 200 rounds through it, no malfunctions and the steel is ringing.