Smith & Wesson SW SD40
- Category
- Pistol
- Barrel
- 102 mm
- Weight, empty
- 643 g
- Introduced
- 2012
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 is a subcompact semi-automatic pistol chambered in .40 S&W, introduced by Smith & Wesson in 2012. The pistol features a polymer frame and a stainless steel slide, providing a durable platform designed for years of reliable service in both duty and civilian applications. With a magazine capacity of 14 rounds, this pistol offers ample firepower for defensive applications. The striker-fired action delivers a consistent trigger pull for every shot, reducing training complexity and providing reliable ignition. With a 4.0-inch barrel, this pistol balances concealability with ballistic performance, providing near-optimal velocity and a practical sight radius for accurate shot placement. At 643g (22.7 oz) unloaded, this lightweight pistol is well-suited for daily concealed carry without causing fatigue over extended periods of wear. Positioned as an affordable, entry-level defensive pistol, this model delivers core reliability and function at a price point accessible to budget-conscious shooters seeking a dependable home defense or carry option from a trusted American manufacturer.
Smith & Wesson has been manufacturing firearms in Springfield, Massachusetts since 1852, making them one of the oldest and most respected names in the American firearms industry, with their revolvers and pistols serving in virtually every major conflict and law enforcement agency worldwide.
Alternate designation for SD40 series. SW = Smith & Wesson prefix used in certain catalogs.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Category
- Pistol
- Country
- United States
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2012
- Variant of
- Alternate designation
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 102 mm
- Overall length
- 183 mm
- Height
- 133 mm
- Width
- 33 mm
- Weight, empty
- 643 g
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Short recoil
- Firing mechanism
- Striker fired
- Trigger
- Self defense trigger
- Trigger pull
- 27.0 N
- Capacity
- 14
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Polymer
- Slide
- Stainless steel
- Barrel
- Steel
- Finish
- Matte stainless
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 308 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 546 J
- Effective range
- 50 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Picatinny rail
Textured grip
White dot sights
Accessory rail
Ambidextrous slide stop
Loaded chamber indicator
Reversible magazine release
Striker fired
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 75 .40 S&W pistols | 643 g | 734 g | Lighter than about 80% |
| Overall lengthAmong 75 .40 S&W pistols | 183 mm | 185 mm | Near the median |
| Barrel lengthAmong 75 .40 S&W pistols | 102 mm | 102 mm | Longer than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 75 .40 S&W pistols | 14 | 11 | Holds more rounds than about 80% |
Answers
Questions about the Smith & Wesson SW SD40
How much does the Smith & Wesson SW SD40 weigh?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 weighs 643 g (1.42 lb) empty.
What caliber is the Smith & Wesson SW SD40?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 is chambered in .40 S&W.
How many rounds does the Smith & Wesson SW SD40 hold?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 holds 14 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the Smith & Wesson SW SD40?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 is 183 mm (7.20 in) long overall, with a 102 mm (4.02 in) barrel.
Who makes the Smith & Wesson SW SD40?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 is made by Smith & Wesson (United States).
When was the Smith & Wesson SW SD40 introduced?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 was introduced in 2012.
How does the Smith & Wesson SW SD40 operate?
The Smith & Wesson SW SD40 uses a short recoil action, and its firing mechanism is striker fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
Provenance
Confidence in this record
75%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/smith-wesson-sw-sd40' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "smith-wesson-sw-sd40", "name": "Smith & Wesson SW SD40", "manufacturer": { "id": "smith-wesson", "name": "Smith & Wesson", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1852, "website": "https://www.smith-wesson.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:40", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:40:48", "version": "6e259a578cb1b21d72610d761d652c983ff25806b9e736e2db8d2938596e9202" }, "category": { "id": "pistol", "name": "Pistol", "description": "Handguns designed to be fired with one or two hands" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 2012, "barrel_length_mm": 102, "weight_empty_g": 643, "action_type": "short_recoil"}