Replies

• bisley Posts: 10,815 Senior Member

  March 2013 #2

  If you have to ask this question, you may need some safety instruction. It is perfectly safe if the pistol is in proper operating condition...as long as you follow the cardinal rules of safety, one of which is to keep your finger away from the trigger unless the muzzle is pointing toward something you are willing to destroy.

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• LMLarsen Posts: 8,337 Senior Member

  March 2013 #3

  Welcome, Chuck. I suggest you call Smith & Wesson and ask them to send you a manual for your pistol. If it's the one I think it is, it's much like an S&W M&P or a Glock, and is perfectly safe to carry, but you must learn it.

  “A gun is a tool, no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.”
  

  
  NRA Endowment Member
  

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• Jayhawker Posts: 18,317 Senior Member

  March 2013 #4

  chuck1947 wrote: »

  I just inherited a S&W SD40 VE and it has no external safety. I work as a security guard and am allowed to carry a weapon. Is it safe to carry this pistol or it just a bedside drawer gun?

  
  

  Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"

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• gunrunner428 Posts: 1,018 Senior Member

  March 2013 #5

  Chuck, the SD40 VE is following a hugely popular trend in guns copying the Glock "safe-action" trigger. There is a little hinge pivot in the trigger, which is activated by placing your finger on it in firing position. Until then, the little point on the back of the trigger is physically blocking the trigger from being pulled.
  
  In addition, the specific internal "passive" safeties act to keep the internal works locked up and safe until the trigger safety is engaged. No extra thought on your part, except that your safety is keeping your finger OFF that trigger until time to shoot.
  
  Police training has focused on a ready position, trigger finger extended along the frame and pointing alongside the gun, in a position ready to instantly snap into trigger-pull position. Some I've heard and seen advocate using the takedown catch as a "ready" contact spot - your fingertip is touching this on either side until you decide that firing is inevitable. The pics I'm finding of the SD series actually has a textured "finger locator spot" on the frame on both sides - look over the features here: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757962_-1_757752_757751_image

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• shooter Posts: 1,186 Senior Member

  March 2013 #6

  The S&W website has an archive of owner's manuals in PDF format for downloading. Several manufacturers do, in this day and age. Thanks to Al Gore for inventing the internet! :tooth:
  
  Here is a link to yours.
  
  http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/S&W_SD9%20&%20SD40%20Manual_04_15_10.pdf

  There's no such thing as having too much ammo, unless you're on fire or trying to swim!

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• bruchi Posts: 2,581 Senior Member

  March 2013 #7

  You are asking so that means you are more that a smart enough guy in my book, continue to be so and educate yourself regarding firearms safety and the particulars of any gun you are to handle, I will add that carrying a handgun in a holster that covers the trigger guard adds immensely to the safety factor.

  If this post is non welcomed, I can always give you a recipe for making "tostones".

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• Teach Posts: 18,428 Senior Member

  March 2013 #8

  bruchi wrote: »

  I will add that carrying a handgun in a holster that covers the trigger guard adds immensely to the safety factor.

  
  Unless you happen to be a New York cop with the habit of trying to holster his Glock with his finger on the trigger. Fortunately, some of them take themselves out of the gene pool even if they manage to keep breathing after the ND.
  Jerry

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• coolgunguy Posts: 6,637 Senior Member

  March 2013 #9

  :roll2: :worthy:

  "Bipartisan" usually means that a bigger than normal deception is happening.
  George Carlin

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• chuck1947 Posts: 3 New Member

  March 2013 #10

  Thanks, The manual that came with it mentions little other than the lawyer instructions about "pointing it in a safe direction" and the other safety stuff.

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