My New S&W Sigma .40 review

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sarduy

sarduy

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This is my review of the Smith & Wesson Sigma .40sw. :what:

I was looking for ammo online and i saw a picture of a sigma, after following the link it lead me to a forum (i cant remember the name) where they were had a few picture and different models, (fullsize, , blue, stainless & allied force) it catches my eye because i wasn't looking for any other handgun, but this one looked sexy, :rolleyes: after a few research the only complain that i have found is people talking about the heavy trigger pull which i will talk later.

Some people said (forum posts) that the early version used to jam once in a while, but after the new version was release all those bugs were fixed. I have no experience with any SW handgun but people love their revolvers & semiautos in general so this was a new adventure for me (something nice to get in the future). last week i called my local dealer to find out the asking price for a new sigma and to see if they had any model in display so i can try them, quest what :what:, the guy was aking $400 OTD and didn't have any in stock, so i call another dealer, this one was asking 380+tax and didn't have one instock but try to sell me a $519 glock 17:rolleyes:, enough with the shopping around:neener:.

This monday i finally found a good deal online, $299 shipped, so i jump on it, it arrived yesterday, but i didn't have the time to do a review:p, the sigma does look a lot like glock, i didn't have the time to shoot it today but i'll go to the range tomorrow, i hope it looks as well as it looks, it come with a 3 dot sight, stainless steel slide and barrel, 2 14-rounds stainless magazines, lock, manual, 2 empty case...:confused: in a yellow envelope. The grip angle work just for me and i find it a little more confortable than my glock-17.

Time to talk about the trigger. As many of you know or have read, it's heavy... but this is the good part, my glock come with a 5.5lb trigger pull and this sigma come with a 7.5lb trigger pull just 2lb over the glock, nothing to worry about, in fact i find it helpful because with the little extra weight in the trigger pull, i have more confidence in it to carry one in the chamber than my glock now, this is not a 'shoot all day range pistol" but more of a CCW, in the end this pistol was build to be a concealed weapon and not a range toy, let the glock and 1911 to the all day shooting at the range ;). after all, one is heavy and the other is big for CCW (but i can tell you they both work great for CCW :neener:)

overall, for $299.00 OTD i'm very happy with the fit & finish of the SW Sigma .40sw and the trigger is perfect for a CCW pistol without external safety :neener:, plus who cares about a trigger pull in a life or death situation :evil: (i dont).










i would like to hear your comments...
 
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I have about 800rds or so through mine without issue but after cleaning one day i noticed the Firing pin safety plunger has some wear through the chrome on it but i guess that happens because it is metal on metal contact. Overall i am very happy with the 40VE and the trigger works like one on a DAO revolver.
 
If you are coming from a 1911 the Sigma trigger is really bad, but if you are coming from a Taurus revolver its really quite good.

Its really easy to pay more and get a less reliable gun.

--wally.
 
Got two of them in .40 and one in 9mm. All reliable and functional. The trigger took a little getting use to, but after practicing DA only with a revolver, it feels "normal" now. I personally think that the S&W Sigma line is one of the most underrated of current production.
 
Your SW40 actually looks quite handsome there!
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hehehe... Thanks, i really like it.

Even the original trigger setup is not as heavy as the bashers made it out to be.
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that's true, while i was reading about it online, almost all post talk about the trigger been ultra heavy, but once i got mine, the trigger does feel more heavy than a 1911 but it's like any other DOA revolver, i think it's fine.

I personally think that the S&W Sigma line is one of the most underrated of current production.
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I found that to be a good point. i dont know why some people (those who have never owned or shoot one) underrate it so much, when in fact, is as good as any other more expensive pistols.

Great looking pistol. How does it recoil compared to other 40's?
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i haven't shot mine yet, been busy with other stuff, but i'll go tomorrow to try it out, and let you know about the recoil and its accuracy.
 
SW Sigma .40sw and the trigger is perfect for a CCW pistol without external safety , plus who cares about a trigger pull in a life or death situation (i dont).
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If the trigger pull is so heavy that it prevents an accurate shot on target in a timely manner, then you should care.

One thing about the Sigma is the overtravel. For most, it causes the gun to pull off to the right immediately following the trigger pull, but prior to the striker hitting the primer.

This can be fixed and it should be.
 
sarduy - many of the Sigma bashers are irate that the Sigma stole borrowed copious amounts of its design from the Glock, an offense that they refuse to lend forgiveness to.

Conversely, put fish scales on it and an ambidextrous slide stop, and it's exciting and new!
 
Glock sued S&W over it and S&W settled. Anyone still upset over that just likes to hold grudges over matters that have zero impact on them.
 
DougDubya said
sarduy - many of the Sigma bashers are irate that the Sigma stole borrowed copious amounts of its design from the Glock, an offense that they refuse to lend forgiveness to.
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Yes, that is what many Glock owners believe. Unfortunately it is not entirely true.

Glock sued Smith & Wesson in 1994 claiming "tortuous acts, including without limitations, patent infringement, federal unfair competition, common unfair competition and deceptive trade practices."

However, the truth is that Glock sent an ultimatum to its dealers, giving them 15 days to decide on which to carry, the Glock or the Sigma. "If your decision is to continue to distribute Smith & Wesson products, your contractual relationship with Glock Inc. will be terminated," Glock said.

In the end, Smith and Wesson agreed to "remove the surface located below the sear in the Sigma Series Pistols, which Glock contends is a positive guide means, and Glock has agreed that such a modification would resolve the patent infringement claim."

As for any settlement, there was a non-disclosure agree in the settlement so nobody knows how much, if any, S&W paid.

But the point is that Glock, in my opinion, was the one who engaged in unfair trade practices by trying to force gun shop owners to stop selling S&W guns. And we all know how that turned out. Every gun shop I frequent carries both Glocks and S&Ws, as it ought to be!
 
sorry to get back on topic but....

If you call S&W and complain about the roughness of the trigger (not the heaviness) they'll send you a prepaid shipping label, smooth it up, and return it to you on their dime. Got mine back within two weeks from the day I shipped it.

Still has the heavy trigger but it's as smooth as the proverbial buttah.
 
I bought one a couple of years ago identical to the one in the pics for $299 at Academy. I didn't have much money at the time, so I picked up a box of Monarch ammo and went to shoot it. I was unaware of the poor quality of the cheap Monarch ammo and it jammed about every third or fourth shot. I was irate, thinking I had gotten a piece of junk gun until I read up some on the ammo. I've tried Remington, Winchester, and Fiochii (hope that's spelled right) with no problembs. I've gotten used to the trigger now and can hit pretty well with it. I agree that the stiff trigger would be desireable for concealed carry with one in the chamber. Over all, I feel that I got a good value for the money.
 
There is a place in Texas that does trigger jobs on these for free. S&W pays for it. The name escapes me right now. I've felt the results and it's worth the cost of shipping. i also noticed that Midway had some different springs in their catalog for the sigma. I've owned 4 of them and sold them all. Wish I'd kept one honestly.
 
a simple DIY trigger mod would be to remove the sear assembly (back of the frame, the 2nd pin). remove the pin and the assembly should slide right up. There should be a vertical spring set towards the rear. It's a set because it has an inner smaller spring inside a bigger one. Just take out the smaller spring and put back the outer spring only. The gun will still be safe but the trigger would be lighter around 1.5-2 lbs. That's what i did and it works just fine. Never experinced light primer hit or any malfunction.

edit: as in 1.5-2 lbs lighter. Trigger pull should still be around 5-6 lbs range, instead of the factory set 9 lbs. ALso get snap caps and dry fire a lot. I have read some people experienced better trigger pull around 1000 rds.
 
As a long time Sigma owner...

I gotta say-takes some guts to come on here and not only admit you have one, but to report it ain't as bad as some make it out to be! :what:

It was my first polymer gun-compared it to the Glock, and the Glock angle just didn't work for me. Back when they were cheaper, and S&W was giving away luggage/range bags with purchase, I think I owned 6 of the darn things just to get the luggage! Ended up selling all but 2 of 'em-have moved on to a variety of the usual boutique/snobbish names (but I wouldn't say moving up), but my bed gun is still the SW9E-got a nice set of free luggage outta the deal!
Over the years, sold 4 of 'em to noobs at work who decided it was time to take responsibility for their and their family's protection-told 'em all the good/bad info floating around about 'em-all of 'em have been happy with 'em.

Learned how to shoot on DA revolvers, so the trigger never bothered me, and it shoots 'bout as well as anything else I have (plenty good 'nuff for SD).

A couple of things I found 'bout the Sigma that drive folks nuts?
1. I have no problem with the trigger
2. I actually think it looks better than a Glock (or M&P)
3. While I'm sure the M&P has improvements, it looks like a "gussied up Sigma" to me (not that there's anything wrong with that :D)

I do get a kick outta folks obsessing over the trigger (think a lot of 'em are noobs that want a 1/2 pound trigger). I also get a kick outta folks obsessing over "correct" sighting procedure. I've talked to a few folks (and read of a lot) who where involved in shootings and it ended up being point and shoot!

BTW-you might want to consider a Hogue HandAll slip on grip-I added it to both of mine.

Welcome to the Sigma club!
Now, you will have the good sense not to tell anyone, won't you? :rolleyes:
 
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I still have my Sigma that i payed $500 for back in 95 or 96, Have not had a problem with it yet. I have fired a little over 3k rounds over the years through it.
 
basicblur said
BTW-you might want to consider a Hogue HandAll slip on grip-I added it to both of mine.
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Great advice! The Sigma hand grip is very good right out of the box but I found it just a bit too hard for my liking. I bought a Hogue HandAll, slipped it on (easier said than done!) and the grip went from "very good" to "perfect" for me. :)

basicblur said
smith and wesson still makes the sigma (why?!)

worse yet, people are till buying those
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Why? Probably because it is the best handgun for the money available anywhere in the world.

Is that a good enough reason for you? :)
 
DougDubya said:
*waves hand back and forth*

I'm too lazy to chase you down. Walk into this. :p

Serious answer? It works, and it's super inexpensive to produce, and there's 20 other respondants who actually do like 'em. ;)
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this reminds of the people who profess that hi-points are quality guns lmao.

sigmas are on sale at my local gander mountain for $250-you always get what you pay for.
 
I like mine

Nice pics. Looks just like mine. I got it for $325 from a friend. I was low and left the first few hundred rounds. You got a good deal. ENJOY!
 
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