{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "smith-wesson-sd9ve", "name": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE", "manufacturer": { "id": "smith-wesson", "name": "Smith & Wesson" }, "category": "pistol", "action": "striker-fired-short-recoil", "calibers": [ "9x19mm Parabellum", ".40 S&W" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "SD9", "SD40 VE", "Sigma (predecessor)" ], "coversAlso": [ "SD40 VE", "S&W Sigma series (predecessor)" ], "page": "firearms/smith-wesson-sd9ve.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/smith-wesson-sd9ve.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "Smith & Wesson limits owner disassembly: Field strip only: slide, recoil spring and barrel off the frame.", "This work order is written for the Smith & Wesson SD9 VE. It is reported to cover SD40 VE; S&W Sigma series (predecessor) — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No manufacturer torque values are recorded. The values listed are reported by other sources, not the manufacturer — confirm them before use." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "medium", "verification": "community-reviewed" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "limited", "limit": "Field strip only: slide, recoil spring and barrel off the frame.", "statement": "S&W tells owners never to disassemble beyond the manual's field strip and not to manipulate internal components beyond what it instructs. Its service policy excludes damage from not following the disassembly instructions.", "source": { "title": "Safety & Instruction Manual for the SD, SD 2.0 and SD VE Pistols, linked from smith-wesson.com/products/sdve", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://smith-wesson.canto.com/direct/document/6224qp197t7g72ongbkvn3p44s/bQtPewI3caoPPNANwohwfA-gjOw/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf", "page": "38", "pdfPage": 38, "pageUrl": "https://smith-wesson.canto.com/direct/document/6224qp197t7g72ongbkvn3p44s/bQtPewI3caoPPNANwohwfA-gjOw/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf#page=38", "quote": "CAUTION: Never disassemble your firearm beyond the instructions in the Field Stripping and Inspection sections of this manual." } }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 2, "group": "pistol", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "Glock-like layout, but the sear block's spring is a known fight: owners recommend a vise to hold the sear block and use slave pins for reassembly, and there is 'a trick' to refitting the sear spring. That jig requirement puts it at the bottom of Tier 2.", "confidence": "low", "partCount": { "value": 28, "kind": "line-items", "covers": "complete pistol incl. magazine (keys 4-8) per the MCARBO 'S&W SD9VE / SD40VE' exploded view: drawing callouts 1-28; the legend lists 1-27 and callout 28 (drawn on the slide) has no legend line. Severa", "basis": "parts-distributor-schematic", "source": { "title": "S&W SD9VE / SD40VE Exploded View (linked from the MCARBO SD9VE/SD40VE Trigger Spring Kit page)", "publisher": "MCARBO", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.mcarbo.com/.Exploded%20View/S-W-SD9VE-Exploded-View.pdf", "page": "p. 1", "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "27 Recoil Spring Assembly" } }, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "The sear spring is a chore to refit; a vise or clamp holding the sear block helps.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Galloway Precision Trigger Review", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Forum", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/galloway-precision-trigger-review.334870/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Sear spring assembly can be a chore but with some patience it will go right back together. I suggest the use of a vise or other clamping system to hold the sear block." } }, { "issue": "Reassembly is done with a slave pin, which trigger kits do not always include.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Galloway Precision Trigger Review", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Forum", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/galloway-precision-trigger-review.334870/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Installation was as one might expect except for the fact that the galloway doesn't have a slave pin included for reassembly." } }, { "issue": "Owners who pull the sear spring report there is a trick to getting it back in.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Trigger work on SD9VE", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Forum", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/trigger-work-on-sd9ve.292019/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "and Yes there is a trick to putting in Back in" } }, { "issue": "S&W tells owners not to go past the field strip.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Safety & Instruction Manual for the SD, SD 2.0 and SD VE Pistols, linked from smith-wesson.com/products/sdve", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://smith-wesson.canto.com/direct/document/6224qp197t7g72ongbkvn3p44s/bQtPewI3caoPPNANwohwfA-gjOw/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "CAUTION: Never disassemble your firearm beyond the instructions in the Field Stripping and Inspection sections of this manual." } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 20, "rebuild": 35, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Slide (striker, extractor, sights) and frame (sear block, sear and spring, trigger and pins, slide stop); rebuild longer for the sear spring with slave pins.", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Slide", "removes": [ "slide cap / striker assembly", "striker safety", "extractor", "rear sight", "front sight" ], "tools": [ "sight pusher", "pin punch" ] }, { "assembly": "Frame", "removes": [ "sear block, sear and sear spring", "trigger, trigger bar and return spring", "slide stop", "takedown lever", "magazine catch" ], "tools": [ "pin punches", "slave pins", "vise" ] } ], "hardware": { "pins": 2, "springs": 5, "detents": 1, "basis": "counted by name in the same list: pins = 16 trigger pin, 17 sear housing block assembly pin; springs = 5 magazine spring, 9 barrel stop spring, 18 safety plunger spring, 22 extractor spring assembly, " }, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "slave pins", "usedFor": "Holding the sear block parts while the frame pins go in" }, { "tool": "vise or clamp", "usedFor": "Holding the sear block" }, { "tool": "dovetail sight pusher (or brass drift and padded vise)", "usedFor": "Removing and refitting dovetailed sights for coating" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties", "why": "Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [], "configurations": [], "tools": [], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.", "warning": "Look and feel. Both, every time." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and verify the chamber a second time." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "With the slide locked back, rotate the takedown lever downward until it stops." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Release the slide forward, point the muzzle in a safe direction, and press the trigger to release the sear.", "warning": "Chamber verified empty, muzzle in a safe direction. This is the step that injures people." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Push the slide forward off the frame.", "partsFreed": [ "Slide assembly" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Lift the recoil spring assembly out of the slide.", "partsFreed": [ "Recoil spring assembly" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Lift the barrel out of the slide.", "partsFreed": [ "Barrel" ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "Slide assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Recoil spring assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Barrel", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 6 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": null, "partsDiagrams": [ { "title": "Model and features identification (labelled photo of the pistol)", "source": { "title": "Safety & Instruction Manual for the SD, SD 2.0 and SD VE Pistols, linked from smith-wesson.com/products/sdve", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://smith-wesson.canto.com/direct/document/6224qp197t7g72ongbkvn3p44s/bQtPewI3caoPPNANwohwfA-gjOw/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf", "page": "12", "pdfPage": 12, "pageUrl": "https://smith-wesson.canto.com/direct/document/6224qp197t7g72ongbkvn3p44s/bQtPewI3caoPPNANwohwfA-gjOw/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf#page=12", "quote": null } } ], "materials": [ { "component": "Frame", "material": "POLYMER", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "SD9 VE, standard capacity, 4in, SKU 223900", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Standard Capacity — product specifications, SKU 223900", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-sd9-ve-std-capacity", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "FRAME MATERIAL … POLYMER" } }, { "component": "Barrel", "material": "STAINLESS STEEL", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "SD9 VE, standard capacity, 4in, SKU 223900", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Standard Capacity — product specifications, SKU 223900", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-sd9-ve-std-capacity", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "BARREL MATERIAL … STAINLESS STEEL" } }, { "component": "Slide", "material": null, "finish": "TWO TONE", "appliesTo": "SD9 VE, standard capacity, 4in, SKU 223900", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Standard Capacity — product specifications, SKU 223900", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-sd9-ve-std-capacity", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "COLOR/FINISH … TWO TONE" } }, { "component": "Grips", "material": "POLYMER", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "SD9 VE, standard capacity, 4in, SKU 223900", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Standard Capacity — product specifications, SKU 223900", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-sd9-ve-std-capacity", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "GRIP … POLYMER" } } ], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Set the barrel into the inverted slide and seat it fully forward." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Seat the recoil spring assembly into the cut in the barrel lug and press it down into the slide channel.", "tip": "It seats in the lug cut, not on the barrel itself." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Set the slide onto the frame rails and push it rearward until it seats." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Return the takedown lever to its locked position.", "warning": "Confirm the takedown lever is fully returned before the pistol goes back into service." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Rack the slide several times and perform the function check." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "reported-only", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [ { "fastener": "Red-dot optic mounting screws (6-32 flat head, supplied) into EGW rear-dovetail sight mount", "appliesTo": "Smith & Wesson SD9VE (listed on EGW's M&P dovetail mount; SW9VE is listed as NOT fitting) with the EGW 'Red Dot Sight Mount for Smith and Wesson (S&W) M&P (fits Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c", "qualifier": "exact", "value": 15, "valueMax": null, "unit": "in-lb", "converted": { "value": { "N-m": 1.7, "in-lb": 15, "ft-lb": 1.2 }, "valueMax": null }, "sequence": "Remove the rear sight, install the EGW mount in the dovetail, tighten the set screw if applicable, place the optic on the mount, then apply blue Loctite and torque the optic screws.", "threadlocker": "Blue Loctite on the provided mounting screws (EGW instructions)", "source": { "title": "Red Dot Sight Mount for Smith and Wesson (S&W) M&P (fits Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c) (EGW product page, installation instructions section)", "publisher": "Evolution Gun Works (EGW)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://egwguns.com/trijicon-rmr-sro-holosun-407c-507c-mount-for-s-w-m-p", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Torque mounting screws to 15in/lbs" } }, { "fastener": "Red-dot optic mounting screws (supplied) into EGW rear-dovetail sight mount (Docter/Venom/Viper/FastFire footprint)", "appliesTo": "Smith & Wesson SD9VE (listed on EGW's M&P dovetail mount; SW9VE is listed as NOT fitting) with the EGW 'Smith & Wesson M&P Red Dot Mount | EGW Vortex Venom Plate' (replaces the rear sight)", "qualifier": "exact", "value": 15, "valueMax": null, "unit": "in-lb", "converted": { "value": { "N-m": 1.7, "in-lb": 15, "ft-lb": 1.2 }, "valueMax": null }, "sequence": "Remove the rear sight, install the EGW mount in the dovetail, tighten the set screw if applicable, place the optic on the mount, then apply blue Loctite and torque the optic screws.", "threadlocker": "Blue Loctite on the provided mounting screws (EGW instructions)", "source": { "title": "Smith & Wesson M&P Red Dot Mount | EGW Vortex Venom Plate (EGW product page, installation instructions section)", "publisher": "Evolution Gun Works (EGW)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://egwguns.com/vortex-viper-venom-s-w-m-p-sight-mount-fits-burris-fastfire-and-docter", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Torque mounting screws to 15 in/lbs" } } ], "notes": "The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: \"Tighten the set screw after the sight has been adjusted to the desired position.\" (Safety & Instruction Manual for the SD, SD 2.0 and SD VE Pistols, linked from smith-wesson.com/products/sdve, p. 34)" }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.", "Rack the slide and press the trigger. The striker should release cleanly.", "Hold the trigger to the rear, rack the slide, then release slowly and confirm the reset.", "Press the trigger again to confirm the striker releases.", "Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine and the magazine drops free." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": null, "title": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Owner’s Manual", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson", "reliability": "primary", "url": null, "accessed": null }, { "n": 2, "id": "smith-wesson-34491d", "title": "Safety & Instruction Manual for the SD, SD 2.0 and SD VE Pistols, linked from smith-wesson.com/products/sdve", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://smith-wesson.canto.com/direct/document/6224qp197t7g72ongbkvn3p44s/bQtPewI3caoPPNANwohwfA-gjOw/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf", "accessed": "2026-09-27" }, { "n": 3, "id": "smith-wesson-specs-4f32e9", "title": "Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Standard Capacity — product specifications, SKU 223900", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/s-w-sd9-ve-std-capacity", "accessed": "2026-10-03" }, { "n": 4, "id": "evolution-gun-works-egw-af0fab", "title": "Red Dot Sight Mount for Smith and Wesson (S&W) M&P (fits Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c) (EGW product page, installation instructions section)", "publisher": "Evolution Gun Works (EGW)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://egwguns.com/trijicon-rmr-sro-holosun-407c-507c-mount-for-s-w-m-p", "accessed": "2026-10-11" }, { "n": 5, "id": "evolution-gun-works-egw-3c81c2", "title": "Smith & Wesson M&P Red Dot Mount | EGW Vortex Venom Plate (EGW product page, installation instructions section)", "publisher": "Evolution Gun Works (EGW)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://egwguns.com/vortex-viper-venom-s-w-m-p-sight-mount-fits-burris-fastfire-and-docter", "accessed": "2026-10-11" }, { "n": 6, "id": "pat-smith-wesson-704590", "title": "Virtual Patent Marking | Smith & Wesson", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.smith-wesson.com/company/virtual-patent-marking", "accessed": "2026-10-13" }, { "n": 7, "id": "tier-4fae866c", "title": "Galloway Precision Trigger Review", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Forum", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/galloway-precision-trigger-review.334870/", "accessed": "2026-10-29" }, { "n": 8, "id": "tier-2fc8170c", "title": "Trigger work on SD9VE", "publisher": "Smith & Wesson Forum", "reliability": "anecdotal", "url": "https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/trigger-work-on-sd9ve.292019/", "accessed": "2026-10-29" }, { "n": 9, "id": "tier-8b03bdda", "title": "S&W SD9VE / SD40VE Exploded View (linked from the MCARBO SD9VE/SD40VE Trigger Spring Kit page)", "publisher": "MCARBO", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.mcarbo.com/.Exploded%20View/S-W-SD9VE-Exploded-View.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-29" } ] }