I picked up an SD9VE at PSA a few months ago for $270.  My intention was for it to serve as a vehicle gun but I never came to love it due to the trigger.  I started reading about the Apex kit and decided to buy and install.  I knew it would be another $60 down the drain if the trigger did not significantly improve.  I was very shocked and surprised that the Apex kit caused a MAJOR improvement of the trigger feel, weight, break, etc.  Since I then had a pistol that I regarded more than a vehicle gun I decided to do something about the sights.  I went cheap here and installed a set of TruGlo fiber optics for about $45 from Amazon.  At that point the SD was on par with any of the many Glocks I had previously owned.  I never liked the stainless slide as I had never been a fan of the two-tone look and, luckily, I had a family friend Cerakote the slide black at no cost.  I forgot to send the barrel but I actually like to "not totally murdered out" look.

Here is the cost break down.
SD9VE - $270
Apex Spring Kit - $20
Apex Trigger - $40
TruGlo sites - $45
Cerakote - $0
Total - $375

It took some time and effort on my part but I now consider the SD my "goto" 9mm.

Looks like a shooter!

looks like you did some stippling too

Looks good.

Neat Project gun

Did you have to do any filing on the trigger?

Not bad at all.  I've almost done the same thing with one of the FEG's that AIM had for sale some time ago.  I bought the gun because I wanted a part off of it, but since I got it, I've taken out the magazine safety, changed out the safety, and am now thinking about changing out the grips and sights and making it a "loaner 9mm" for whenever someone wants to go shooting.

Academy sells a version very similar.  Blackened slide and fiber optic sights, marked SD9 (or 40). $349

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/smith--wesson-sd9-self-defense-9mm-pistol

I did have to take off a little bit from the rear of the trigger.

Looks good. The APEX trigger and spring kit make a HUGE improvement.

Pretty cool OP.

Great job

I'm going to do the 40 version like yours when I see one used

Very nice. I bought an SD9 when they first came out, then an SD9VE when they did. I put the stainless barrel in the SD9 and it looks a lot like your custom. Definitely a great gun for the money.