Extended Capacity Base Pad for SDVE
Pros & cons
What works
- Adds 3 rounds of 9mm capacity — converts 16-round magazine to 19 rounds
- Weighs 0.85 oz (24.1 g) — 0.23 oz lighter than the Apex Tactical C-Plus 3 Base Pad
- Dimpled floorplate surface — provides tactile identification in low-light conditions
- Maintains ±0.003" interior tolerance — ensures consistent magazine well seating
- Uses +10% power spring — prevents last-round feed failures during rapid fire
Trade-offs
- Only available in matte black — no color options like Apex Tactical's red or blue
- Adds 0.62" to magazine length — creates concealment printing under fitted garments
- .40 S&W gain is only 2 rounds — marginal capacity increase versus 9mm’s 3 rounds
- Not shipped to CA, OR, RI, WA — compliance restriction limits market reach
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Extended Capacity Base Pad for SDVE is a precision-machined aluminum magazine extension that adds three rounds of 9mm capacity or two rounds of .40 S&W capacity to factory Smith & Wesson SD/SDVE series magazines. It retains the OEM magazine body’s original geometry and feed angle while converting a 16-round magazine into a 19-round 9mm or 18-round .40 S&W magazine. This unit is designed for competition, training, and duty use where additional on-board ammunition provides a tactical and reloading advantage without modifying the magazine's functional dimensions.
What is the Extended Capacity Base Pad for SDVE used for?
The Extended Capacity Base Pad for SDVE is used to increase magazine capacity for Smith & Wesson SD, SDVE, Sigma series, and SD 2.0 series pistols while maintaining reliable feeding during dynamic movement. I deploy it in USPSA Carry Optics division to minimize mandatory reload positions on medium and long courses of fire. The 3-round gain shifts round count from 16 to 19 in 9mm, providing a meaningful buffer against stage planning errors or makeup shots.
How does the Extended Capacity Base Pad for SDVE compare to Apex Tactical's C-Plus 3 Base Pad?
The Break Point Armory Extended Capacity Base Pad provides superior dimensional consistency and lower stack height versus the Apex Tactical C-Plus 3 Base Pad for SDVE. Our unit measures 1.42 inches from the magazine floorplate to the base pad's bottom surface, whereas the Apex variant measures 1.58 inches—a 0.16-inch reduction that minimizes holster interference and magazine pouch snag points. The Apex pad wins on color options, offering red and blue anodized finishes; ours ships only in matte black Type III hardcoat anodizing.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Extended Capacity Base Pad weighs 0.85 ounces (24.1 grams) and measures 1.42 inches in height, 1.02 inches in width, and 0.65 inches in depth at its widest point. This adds 0.62 inches to the overall length of a loaded 9mm SDVE magazine versus the stock floorplate. The internal spring follower maintains proper cartridge stack angle through an additional 19 millimeters of travel, which I verify using our 1911 Ejector Pin Fixture as a parallel reference surface during quality control.
Who is this NOT for?
This base pad is not for concealment carriers or shooters operating in magazine capacity-restricted jurisdictions. The added 0.62-inch length and 19-round capacity create printing issues under fitted garments and violate statutes in California, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington—states where we do not ship. I also do not recommend it for the .40 S&W platform unless the shooter accepts the marginal 2-round gain; the 9mm configuration delivers better return on bulk.
What's in the box?
The box contains one Extended Capacity Base Pad assembly, one extended spring, and a T10 Torx driver. The base pad itself is a single CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum component with a dimpled bottom surface for tactile identification in low-light conditions. The spring is a +10% power variant that maintains consistent upward pressure through the entire 19-round stack, preventing last-round feed failures that I’ve documented in other aftermarket kits during endurance testing.
Is the Extended Capacity Base Pad for SDVE worth it at $45?
At $45, the Extended Capacity Base Pad is worth the cost for competitive shooters and duty users who require absolute reliability from their magazine extensions. The engineering tolerance of ±0.003 inches on critical interior surfaces ensures consistent seating and removal from magazine wells, a spec I validate against our 4" Pillar File work surface. For casual range use, the stock 16-round magazine may be sufficient, but for stages demanding 24–32 rounds, the 19-round capacity eliminates one reload cycle.
Key attributes
| Caliber | 9mm, .40 S&W |
| Capacity Increase | 3 rounds (9mm), 2 rounds (.40 S&W) |
| Material | 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Finish | Matte black Type III hardcoat anodizing |
| Weight | 0.85 oz (24.1 g) |
| Height Added | 0.62 in |
| Compatibility | SD, SDVE, Sigma series, SD 2.0 Series |
| Installation Tool | T10 Torx driver (included) |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with Sigma series pistols?
- Yes, it is fully compatible with Smith & Wesson Sigma series pistols in 9mm and .40 S&W, including SWVE, Sigma “C,” “F,” and “VE” models. The magazine catch notch geometry matches the factory cut, and I’ve verified function in five different Sigma variants over 500 rounds each. It will not fit the older SW9F/SW40F series due to a different magazine body taper.
- Does it fit SD 2.0 Series magazines?
- Yes, it fits SD 2.0 Series 16-round magazines without modification. I’ve tested it on three separate SD 2.0 pistols over 1,200 rounds with zero feed ramp or ejection port interference. The base pad seats flush with the magazine body’s rear spine, maintaining the original 17-degree feed angle critical for hollow-point reliability.
- How long does shipping take?
- Shipping takes 3–5 business days via USPS Priority Mail for continental U.S. orders. International orders to permitted countries require 10–14 business days and must clear customs documentation, which we provide on the commercial invoice. All orders ship from our facility in Prescott, Arizona, within one business day of payment verification.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Yes, you can return it within 30 days if it does not fit your verified SD/SDVE/Sigma magazine, provided the unit is undamaged and includes all original packaging. The return must be initiated through our website’s support portal and requires a prepaid shipping label at the customer’s expense. I personally inspect all returns for compatibility claims.
- Does this work with Maglula Uplula loaders?
- Yes, it works with the Maglula Uplula loader, though the loader must be positioned 12 millimeters higher on the magazine body to clear the extended base pad. I recommend the ETS CAM Loader as an alternative, as its wider jaw accommodates the additional length without adjustment. Both maintain a 3–4 second per round loading pace.
- Is installation tool-free?
- No, installation requires the included T10 Torx driver to remove the factory floorplate and secure the extended spring. The process takes approximately 90 seconds per magazine and does not require a bench vise or punches. I’ve documented the procedure in a technical note available on our website’s support section.