Good write up
@starling. But if the SW9VE is a 3rd generation gun then is the SD9VE a 4th generation gun? I have both versions and like them both. The SW has been 100% so far but I haven’t shot the SD version yet. I expect it will be just as reliable as the SW has been.
pretty much. S&W just didnt want to call the SD9 a sigma to try and stop everyone from bashing them. They changed a few things with the trigger. Obvioussly there are difference in the slide. Barrels interchange. I think the trigger are a little better but thats it. IMO S&W cheapened the construction when they did the SD9. They frames are a little more flimsy. The extractor was cheapened. The barrels are not as thick (maybe for weight purposes). I dont like what they did with the steel tabs by pulling on the frame. I also dont like that they thinned the area of the frame tabs that the recoil spring system sits up against. SD9 is a fine gun. S&W just changed some things (probably to lower production costs) I dont really care for. As they are they accurate and reliable pistols, feel great in the hand, have slightly better triggers.... and are one of the best bang for the buck on the market. I wish they would have kept that certain Sigma look because I thing for a polymer pistol the asthetics were great.... but they decided to go the M&P route which I have always founf strange. They are Sigma Gen4 though. Quite a few parts interchange.
Sigma also had a lot of small runs. There are some full size Gen1 SW357Fs out there. There is even a titanium slide versions in the hands of collectors. They are extremely rare though...maybe only a few. I have seen one and only one. They had ported versions....different color frames...melonite finishes....special editions etc. S&W worked really hard to address peoples concern on these.
If you do have a 357sig version go easy. Sigmas dont really handle hot 357sig all that well. The pressure spike is pretty high and You can get cracks in the polymer around the locking block on the inside of the frame. Its usually around the rear of the recessed area on the right side (muzzle would be forward). This can happen if you go hot and heavy on the 40s as well. It wont blow up... but parts of the frame cracking kind of suck. The tops of the trigger that the pin ride through can crack. I have had that a few times. Dont take out or drench the little peace of white felt inside the trigger return spring. Its not for cosmetics. Its there to stop vibration and promote durability in the spring. If you drench it in oil you can soak it in alcohol and dry it out. Dont screw around with sear reset springs or use an ink pen spring to try get a lighter trigger. Smooth it out if you have to and except that the gun was designed with a heavier trigger for a reason...move on with your life and enjoy it for what it is. Dont try a reduced striker spring as they can induce light strikes. My recommendation to folks who are going to carry a sigma or SD9 is to use Federal ammo or other with softer primers. Sigmas often dont like hard primers. I have had no problems with WWB but I keep my striker springs pretty fresh. I have had light strikes with brands like Wolf, Geco, PPU etc.
There is more probably but thats todays sigma info drop LOL.
The aftermarket stuff is a book unto itself...357 sig and 40s&w match grade ported barrels, red dot mounts, lasers.... yada yada yada.
As I said S&W put a lot of work into the Sigma and they sold a ton of them. They were big news when they first arrived. One of the early pistols designed around the 40s&W. All kind of stuff out there on lawsuits and why sigma sucks compared to glock etc. I never really cared about that. I just focussed on the guns themselves and I always liked them. I like the triggers once they are smooth but I seem to be immune from fear of heavy longer trigger. I still shoot all mine a lot when I dont have to worry about never having ammo again. I carry a melonited 3rd gen 9mm for a primary quite a bit when I need something smaller and easier to conceal. I prefer them to glocks just based on ergos. Glocks are fine pistols as well though.
There are better guns out there sure. Much of that is just personal preference. The pistols work well and I am efficient with them. I dont abuse mine, soak them in mud, run over them with a car, do 5,000 dry fires daily, or try to blow them up. I just try to let people know what they are getting into and what My experience is with pistol designs when gentlemen look like they are pondering a decision. Warts and all.
My only real desire would be for it to have second strike ability. I wish S&W would have just went full true double action only. IMO the pistols would have been perfect had they done that. Sort of a DAO revolver, highly ergonomic, high capacity semi auto hybrid. The way they constructed the recoil spring assemble is backwads too... no reason to do that and it would have eliminated that problem entirely. Not real fond of plastic sights but its not that big of a deal.
Editors still sick with the "VID". Say they wont work unless thier kids get free full ride scholarships to school of choice and new Jeeps. Still negotiating. Please excuse gramatical errors and poor spelling. Its the best of what I have right now.