Smith & Wesson SW40VE

Hey guys! I just want to get some opinions on this particular weapon. It is basically modeled after Glock's revolutionary design. In the 90's, Glock even filed a lawsuit against S&W.

Anyone know how accurate this handgun is? What the best ammo would be(hydroshock)? Is it as durable as a Glock? And the all important question, will it hold up to expectations when the SHTF?

All input and discussion is welcomed. Thanks guys!

I live in the UK so we arnt allowed any handguns of any sort.

The only thing i wanted to say is that the trigger guard looks chunky and ugly

If it looks like a glock and shoots like a glock, why not buy a glock?

reply to post by Biigs


Glocks cost almost $150-$200 more depending on which model you get. It's a budget gun

reply to post by stormrider26


remember this is coming from an old guy...
but I am an old guy who is a retied gunsmith...

First I'm not nor have I ever been a fan of the "Polymer Frame" weapons...
Yes even Glock had lots of issues with misfires jams and failure to load due to torquing of the frames...

LEO's buy them by the truckload not because there the best... but because they get huge discounts for placing bulk orders...

that is all I will say on the subject of plastic guns...

Top of my best combat weapon is a custom Chuck Wilson 1911 A1 but lets face it, who has 2 grand to spend on a daily carry piece???

My choice is a Ruger 944 loaded with 165 grain golden sabers
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/1cd5de0374ec.jpg[/atsimg]

edit to add... best ammo choices are as follows
.40 S&W

Barnes all-copper bullets (140 & 155gr) loaded by: Cor-Bon (DPX40140)

Winchester Ranger 180gr JHP (RA40T)

Winchester Ranger 165gr JHP (RA40TA)

Winchester Partition Gold 165gr JHP (RA401P)

Winchester Bonded 180gr JHP (Q4355)

Speer Gold Dot 155gr JHP (53961)

Speer Gold Dot 180gr JHP (53962)

Federal Tactical 165gr JHP (LE40T3)

Federal Tactical 180gr JHP (LE40T1)

Federal HST 180gr JHP (P40HST1)

Remington Golden Saber 165 gr JHP (GS40SWB)

I would say go hold it. If there is a dealer around you that allows you to test a firearm before purchase please try it.

For me I do not like the feel of the Glocks. I prefer the Springfield.

Maybe take a look at this.

Clicky

or even

Clicky 2

One person might be more accurate with specific grain round while that would not be as accurate for another. Best thing that I can say is get out there with a few different types of rounds and see what works best for you.

reply to post by Vodo34861


I have fire one once before. The only thing I do not like about it is the 8 pound trigger pull. I just want something I can have untill I purchase a Glock 23.

By the way...
Most people dont know what happens to a bullet when it hits a body...
not all bullets are are created equal...

I know these are 9mm samples but to help you make your choice in what rounds to buy...
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/cc6adf63c7fc.jpg[/atsimg]

The S&W SW40VE is so closely modeled after the Glock full frame series, that Glock sued them and won. I have fired the SW40VE, and for the money it isn't a bad handgun at all. I would say if it's in your price range and you don't mind the terrible trigger that they all come with, go for it. One draw back is the cost of magazines for it, but for the selling price of these they have to make their money back somehow.

ETA:

Smith & Wesson introduced the Sigma series of recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-auto pistols in 1994 with the Sigma SW40F, followed by the Sigma SW9F 9 mm, which included a 17 shot magazine.[17] Glock initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against Smith & Wesson. The latter paid an undisclosed amount to settle the case and for the right to continue producing models in the Sigma line.[23] The gun frame is manufactured from polymer, while the slide and barrel use either stainless steel or carbon steel. In 1996, Smith & Wesson updated the Sigma by adding a compact model by shortening the barrel (from 4-1/2 to 4 inches) and again in 1999, modified the series by changing the grip by adding checkering and adding an integral accessory rail for lights and laser targeting devices.[17]
SW9 in 9 mm Luger Parabellum[17]
SW40 in .40 S&W[17]
SW357V in .357 sig[17]
SW380 in .380 ACP[17]

Wiki

reply to post by Vodo34861

For me I do not like the feel of the Glocks. I prefer the Springfield.

Entirely agree. I have shot dozens of Glocks, and I have never like one yet.

I loved my S&W 9 mm. I loved my Springfield 1911 .45. I love my little Beretta .380.

I will never carry a Glock, and I will especially never carry any other gun looking to imitate a Glock.

I had the 9mm version of the sigma and I wish that I never traded it. It's almost the same as the glock, just a few minor differences. Heavy trigger pull but you can lighten it up a few pounds with a few cheap mods.

I have the glock .45. The only thing i dont like about it is the heavy triger. i guess i can modify it but im a little tight on cash right now. If i knew what i know now i would have got the glock .40. Its a little bit cheaper of a round and its more stable in flight.

Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by Vodo34861

 

For me I do not like the feel of the Glocks. I prefer the Springfield.

Entirely agree. I have shot dozens of Glocks, and I have never like one yet.

I loved my S&W 9 mm. I loved my Springfield 1911 .45. I love my little Beretta .380.

I will never carry a Glock, and I will especially never carry any other gun looking to imitate a Glock.

I am a big Glock guy, but I must say my S&W M&P is growing on me quickly. I like the feel of the grip better, even more so than the 4th gen Glock grips.

Not sure where you are looking to purchase this gun but here is a link to one @ a great price....

Budsonlinegunshop

From the consumer reviews it looks like it's a great budget buy. I have two Glocks and love them, at the same time I don't consider myself a gun snob, I consider myself a gun slut. Polymer frame, steel frame, what have you, if it'sa quality firearm, shoots straight, and fits my needs I will give the thumbs up.

I say go for it! At that price you can't go wrong.

I love my Glock 23 and the sigma I had but I would trade both in a second for a five-seven.

I own a SW9VE allied forces, I picked it up cheap right before they were being discontinued and at the time S+W had a $50 rebate or 2 extra magazine deal. So for under $400 the pistol and 4 magazines was a great deal. I have since put a couple thousand rounds thru mine with zero malfunctions. The first generation sigmas did have alot of problems, but the newer ones with the "E" suffix are great for the price. As someone mentioned the magazines are more expensive than some other brands, there about $40 bucks a pop, however I found some S+W branded for mine at a local gunshow for $25. Also as someone else has mentioned if you haven't held one already you should do so. S+W really markets the fact that the angle between the grip and barrel is more "natural" stating pointing the pistol is like pointing a finger. In my opinion it is more ergonomically correct than the glocks and XD, both of which I have also shot. I'm sorry that I can't add any useful information for ammo choice as I've never owned a .40.

Originally posted by TheRealTruth84
I have two Glocks and love them, at the same time I don't consider myself a gun snob, I consider myself a gun slut. Polymer frame, steel frame, what have you, if it'sa quality firearm, shoots straight, and fits my needs I will give the thumbs up.

Amen! I am this way too! I love my Glocks, but I also have S&W, Ruger, Taurus you name it. If it goes bang, shoots true, and isn't outrageous to feed, I'll take one!

Reply to post by Biigs

I'd have to go a step further and ask if it looks like a Glock and shoots like a Glock why is the buyer considering it at all?

"Glock Perfection" is the funniest two word joke ever uttered.

So perfect they've remade the entire product line four times now.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Amen brother...
and to those who are still enamored with the GLock...

Only buy a gen III or newer... they have addressed some of those torquing frame problems I mentioned...
and never ever mount anything like a tac light or laser under the front of the weapon... makes the torquing prob all the worse...

I've got an SW40VE (.40 caliber) and I must say it's pretty darn accurate if you can get used to the trigger pull and inconstant feeling of the whole trigger mechanism. After about 400 rounds though it, the trigger mechanism has changed for the worse. I've fully disassembled and thoroughly cleaned & lubed mine on several occasions, paying extra attention to the trigger mechanism, but nothing helps and it feels like general "wear" which has caused the degradation.

The main symptom is that you have to apply mass force to get the trigger pulled, where the firing pin won't be released until the very end of the trigger pull, which is never the same. It feel as if some of the plastic parts in the trigger assembly are bending, stretching and/or distorting when pulling the trigger. I would estimate 9+ pounds trigger pull.

When the gun was new, there was no problem - trigger pull was always extremely stiff -- right out of the box, but at least the "break point" was somewhat crisp. However, now it's extreme mush, with about an extra 3 pounds pull ON TOP of the original 5-8 pounds.

All in all, I've owned several Smith & Wesson firearms (including models 28-2 Highway Patrolman .357, 39-2 9mm, and 5906 9mm) in my life which have all been well made, and never degraded the way my SW40VE has.

Seeing as how I can't "trust" this SW40VE, it's been relegated to it's original gun case, in my gun safe.

I've also owned (3) Glocks in my life and never had any similar problems with any of my Glocks.

Overall I like the SW40VE I have. As someone said it is an excellent point and shoot handgun. The ergonomics of the pistol are unlike any others I've shot. The sights are junk however. The only adjustment is rear windage and it's a dovetail. Mine shoots about 4" low at 15 feet. I trust the point and shoot better. On rounds, don't try to shoot HP bullets until the gun is broke in, at least 500 rounds. Early on it will feed jam HPs. It also has a unique rail so very little choice for laser sights or lights.