Dry firing a S&W Sigma SW9VE

[neonstorm]

Hello all. I just picked up my first handgun - a Sigma SW9VE. I've read up a lot about them and done my homework, and found that the Sigmas are a reliable, simple, inexpensive firearm with a drawback - a stiff trigger.

I've read a lot of other members here that report it improves after lots of live and dry firing, and I'd like to help mine loosen up too. Should I use 'Snap Caps' when dry firing or is it safe to do it without them?

They sell here locally for $17 for 5 of them, which is more than enough to buy 100 rounds! I've also read about DIY Snap Caps, but it usually involves reloading equipment which I don't have.

Any opinions?

Thanks!!

Ryan

 

[S&W620]

No, with a striker fired pistol you are good to go.

Dry fire away!

 

[Whirlwind06]

Never hurts to use a snap cap.
If nothing else the process of loading a snap cap into an empty mag. Then chambering the snap cap, just might keep you from having a ND.

 

[tbreed725]

use them if you want or dont the owners manual plainly states you have to dryfire the weapon to dissasemble and clean, therefore why would they make a required step of dissasembally harmful to said weapon?

 

[madmattmd]

I have a Sigma .40VE and have dry fired the living daylights out of the thing. You can dry fire your Sigma without any concerns, but, keep in mind that although this will smooth out the trigger, it won’t lighten the pull any.

Also, some folks on the S&W Forum have posted a “how-to” on lightening the trigger by futzing around with the springs (as well as an internal polish job). Many do not recommend attempting to modify the springs because it may effect the reliability (light primer skrikes?).

Matt

 

[neonstorm]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Very good information!

Dry fire away!

Can do! Thanks for the quick reply!

...might keep you from having a ND

Sorry, but you're speaking to a handgun newbie here. What's an ND?

...the owners manual plainly states you have to dryfire the weapon to dissasemble and clean, therefore why would they make a required step of dissasembally harmful to said weapon?

Good point! Didn't even think about that.

...some folks on the S&W Forum have posted a “how-to” on lightening the trigger by futzing around with the springs (as well as an internal polish job). Many do not recommend attempting to modify the springs because it may effect the reliability (light primer skrikes?).

I read about that, but was a little concerned for reliability issues as you mentioned, as well as voiding the warranty...

Thanks all!

Ryan

 

[Whirlwind06]

ND = negligent discharge.

Basically the gun going off when you did not intend it to go off.

The routine of loading a snap cap into a empty mag then making sure that the chamber is empty, inserting the mag with the snap cap. The pulling back the slide to chamber the snap cap. Can reduce the chances of a ND.

Here are my dry firing rules:

• No live ammo in the room.
• load a snap cap into the chamber.
• Double check the there is a snap cap chambered and not a live round.
• If I put the pistol down for any reason during a dry fire session. I recheck the chamber when I pick up the pisotl to make sure there is a snap cap chambered.

 

[neonstorm]

Well I guess ND = bad. I don't ever want to combine 'handguns' and 'negligience'. Thanks for the info. I've yet to take a safety course, so any advice like this is very useful. I've decided not to even buy any ammo until I've learned the in's and out's of handgun... handling.

Thanks!!

Ryan

 

[MAX100]

some folks on the S&W Forum have posted a “how-to” on lightening the trigger by futzing around with the springs (as well as an internal polish job). Many do not recommend attempting to modify the springs because it may effect the reliability (light primer skrikes?).


The only way you have to worry about light primer strikes is if you replace the striker spring with a 3.5 lb spring. If you do try it and light strikes happen just put the factory one back in, that simple.

I removed one of the springs in the sear assembly housing. There are only two, a large one over a thin one. I removed the large one and kept the thin one. The large one is there only to increase the trigger pull. I then did some polishing and my Sigma has one of the best triggers you will find on a Sigma. About a 5 lb pull and very smooth. Still long but there is nothing you can do about that. Go to the Sigma forums and see what you can find on the subject. My Sigma is also very reliable.



GC

 

[Bill2e]

I truely don't get all the fuss over the heavy trigger in a Sigma. I hear every one talking about there Sigma as a cheap reliable "TRUCK GUN" or "NIGHT STAND GUN" even a "CARRY GUN", but never a match gun to shoot tight groups @ 25 yrds.

For a defensive weapon I see nothing wrong with a heavy trigger pull. I actually see it as an advantage as the gun will only fire when intended.

 

[MAX100]

If you can easily have a better trigger pull, why would you settle for one that is heavy and rough. A better pull always results in better accuracy. A 5 - 6 lb pull is still very much in the safe range and it will still be long which that alone makes it safe. I like mine so much it is a carry gun.


GC

 

[neonstorm]

Thanks for all the follow ups guys. I didn't mean to fan the flames of the Sigma trigger debate.

My first and foremost priority is safety, followed very closely by (perhaps side-by-side with) reliability. If the trigger can be smoothed out a little and still be safe and reliable, then I would probably look into it - but it's not a huge priority. Especially with no external safety - I want to make sure I want to pull the trigger before it goes off!

I think this being my first handgun is a plus in terms of the trigger - I don't have anything to compare it to, so it's fine with me!

I've been scoping out the S&W forums too, thanks for the heads up!

Ryan

 

[Firepower!]

Good luck with SIGMA. I had two of them before I gifted them out one to my brother and other to my Brother in law.

 

[MAX100]

Firepower! What I come away thinking after reading your post is, either you don't like the Sigma or you love your bother and bother-in-law a whole lot.


GC

 

[TheActor]

I had a sigma sw40v. The firing pin was replaced twice before I started using snap caps. (The second time it broke was the same week I'd just gotten it back) Sold it and the next guy had to get it replaced yet again. Each time the weapon failed during dry fire. Each time required shipping it to S&W because they don't sell that part. It was very accurate and had only one hiccup in over 4k rds.

 

[barnetmill]

Bill2e Wrote: "For a defensive weapon I see nothing wrong with a heavy trigger pull. I actually see it as an advantage as the gun will only fire when intended."
You are correct in that under stress a heavier pull is safe, but I have found that it does slow down my rate of fire.

I do carry my sigma 9VE in a holster around my place doing yard work or work on my house and even when training because it is safer, but I would choose my glock or P14 if I knew that something was likely to happen.