Opinion Of Sigma?

[David N]

I just bought a S&W Sigma in 9mm. I've read about how the original version was a thought to be a copy of the Glock and Glock sued S&W. I've also read the second version is made with better quality control.
I just bought one. How many people how there own one of these? What Glock would you compare it to? Is it just as reliable? What do you thinK of it?

 

[trueblue1776]

What do you thinK of it?

not too popular around here, but they work.

 

[Shipwreck]

Yea, the trigger pull is too heavy on them IMHO. Unfortunately, a lot of new people in the hobby get sucked in by the price of the gun.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I think they are completely serviceable SD guns. A value for the money. They are not the best choice for an all around gun. This design is specifically for duty/SD use and it does very well in that role. As a primary range pistol, it's ok, but there are alot of better choices (that equals more money, btw). So, if you want one for carry and/or home defense, I can without reservation recommend it. You should try to shoot one first. Keep in mind that the trigger can be master (rather easily, I would say), but there is little you can do to lighten the pull that would not jeopardize reliability.

S&W's concept was originally to compete directly with Glock. Unfortunately, they pretty much copied several design aspects and expected Glock to take it lying down (that was stupid). The case was settled out of court and I imagine there was some sort of licensing agreement made to settle the case. S&W then went on to tweak the desing a bit and this resulted in the so-called "E" series guns (supposedly meaning enhanced). These have a much better track record, but the heavy trigger remains, although I can tell you that they did clean it up a bit. Personally, I like the Sigma trigger "safety" better than the little metal piece that protrudes from the Glock trigger. It feels better. The Glock safety wears on my finger with a bit of range shooting. I prefer the inspection port in the barrel/slide versus the protruding extractor for loading chamber.

I have 2, BTW. One is a 357V (one of the old Sigma series guns). The other is a 2 year old 9VE. Both have been exceptionally reliable and the only problem I've had was that I had to send the 357V in for a mag release replacement, a common problem from what I've been able to gather. S&W had the repaired gun back in my hands in a little less than 2 weeks.

 

[applekev]

The SW40VE was the first handgun I ever purchased. I never had any problems. These are a very good value for the buyer on a limited budget. Customer service is number one with S&W. I paid $299 for mine brand new.

 

[MadMercS55]

I agree with the above. They are a very nice, working gun. Great for a first gun if money's tight, or a car gun, or just to have one in general. I owned a 357sig Sigma way back and it ran perfectly and even the trigger on that one wasn't horrible. I looked at the current enhanced versions and after getting some trigger time on a friend's 9mm, wouldn't hesitate to pick one up. In fact, I almost did but went with the new M&P .45 instead, based mainly on wanting another .45. On another note, I probably wouldn't buy an original 1st generation Sigma due to problems I've seen and heard about with them during the early years.

 

[Gunz]

NVA, you did fine by buying a Sigma VE. Nothing wrong with them. Be happy you now have a firearm that is made by a major AMERICAN manufacturer, who keeps a lifetime warranty product, made in America, for Americans ( and a few Iraqui or Afghanistani defense forces ).

You will be hard pressed to find a better package for reliability and ergonomics at a $300-$350 price range. Keep it cleaned, lubricated, and good factory ammo, and practice at close ranges of 15-20 feet regularly.

What most people do not talk about often is the fact that a reliably functioning high-capacity 9mm with a DAO trigger in the hands of someone who practices is a million times more valuable than a $2,000 custom 1911 which can be finciky on ammo or lint, and maybe even left at home.


You may shoot low or left or even limpwrist at first. That gun is a point and shoot pistol at defensive ranges. Put up a few 8inch white paper plates, and practice at 15-20 feet until you put all 16 rds into the plate. You are then golden. Forget the nonsense about the heavy trigger, and miserable sights, or Glock-wanna-be comments. That heavy trigger will be the accidental-snag helper.

 

[jahwarrior]

i bought one last year, and i have no complaints at all. the clerk at the store actually tried to talk me out of buying it, pushing the glock 19 on me. i went with the sigma, because of all the guns i picked up (glocks, taurus, berettas, ruger) it felt the most natural in my hand. it hasn't let me down at the range either; over 2,000 rounds, and the only failure was an ammo issue, where a round failed to fire (cheap russian crap). it's never jammed on me. and as far as the trigger is concerened, i like it. i learned to shoot on an old .357 my dad had, and that was alot heavier. sigmas just got a bad rap among shooter's circles. the ones being made now are good quality guns that work.

 

[Hacker15]

I have a Sigma 40VE. As pointed out by several people here, it's a DUTY GUN. It's DA only and the trigger pull (at first) is a positive BEAR (mine registered better then 12 lbs out of the box!). After about 800 rounds, it's down to 9 lbs. I still have the occasional flier, but it's getting better all the time. The pistol is flawless and will eat anything I care to feed it. Since I paid $200 for it (NIB) a few months ago, I can't complain and I qualified with it last month, so I can carry it on the job. It doesn't stack up well against my XD 40 Service, which I much prefer, but it cost less then half what the XD cost and the finish is better (SS slide and barrel).

On the whole, it's a good pistol for the intended purpose. HD gun? Not for me - I'll stick with my Taurus PT111 Pro in 9 mm.

 

[Grunt]

Where I believe the Sigma would excell at is for the person that wants a gun around for home defense but isn't really "into" shooting and here's my reason why. The modern Sigma has a reputation for acceptable accuracy at combat distances, reliable, low cost but with a heavy trigger. The low cost is an advantage for those looking for a defensive handgun but if they had to go with HK, Sig, Colt, Kahr, etc. prices, they may not even consider getting one in the first place. The lower price is attractive to them and they are getting a reliable weapon that is going to be accurate at the closer ranges they may have in their homes. Where the heavy trigger is concerned, this is actually a benifit for these people. When I get folks on the range that haven't qualified in 3+ years, no matter how much you preach it, they still have a bad habit of leaving their finger on the trigger. Now with a conventional DA/SA with the hammer down, you do have a margin of safety but after that first shot, fingers stay on the trigger and I've kicked more than one person off the range for cranking off a round into the bay because of that lighter single action trigger! Another problem I see a lot is shooters throwing one of two rounds, the first DA round or the second SA round because of the switch to a lighter, shorter pull. It's not that big of a problem with more seasoned shooters but again, in this case we are talking about novices. With the Sigma, it's going to be a heavier trigger that isn't as apt to fire a ND round because the shooter left their finger on the trigger as say a Glock, 1911 or a DA/SA auto in the SA mode. You also get away from throwing one shot or the other by having a consistent trigger pull every time. Would I ever own a Sigma? Probably not since I have better quality weapons such as HK, Glock, Sig, Beretta and 1911s to name a few and I personally practice a lot more than the shooters that I think S&W targeted the Sigma for. However, it's not a bad gun and is I think a better choice for novice shooters looking for a defensive handgun.

 

[guitararmy]

Sigma

Speaking of Sigmas, I have a 1st gen 9mm model. What kinds of problems should I expect? Are any of the perceived problems with it fixable? Thanks, didn't mean to hijack this thread but I thought the subject would be helpful for a prospective Sigma owner...

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

You can get a CZ-75 for 300 bucks. Why would you choose the Sigma over the CZ-75?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Where are you seeing NIB CZ-75s for $300?

 

[okiewita40]

I have a Sigma 40VE. I shoot it just as accuratly as the glock 19 I carry for work. Although the right comparison would be the glock 23. I have had my Sigma for over 3 years. I also qualify with it every 3 months. just as I do the glock. Same scores with both weapons.

I think the heavy trigger pull helps you become a better shooter in the long run. Granted a sigma will never be a target quality gun. Mine is 100% reliable and shoots better than I do.

Hope you enjoy the sigma.

 

[wally]

I just bought one, because it was cheap and S&W was having a two free magazine and range bag promotion.

Basically I like it, the trigger is heavy and has a long reset so its no good for steel plates or other "speed shooting" but mine has been 100% out of the box, for <$300 its a good gun -- its easy to spend more and get less.

I'd not recommend it to an enthusiast because the trigger and its long reset just aren't conducive to handgun shooting games, but for a self-defense gun that is simple to use and understand the Sigma has its place. S&W warranty is second to none, they paid the shipping both ways when I had to return my M22A and they really fixed it, been great since its return.

I think the heavy trigger pull helps you become a better shooter in the long run.

Perhaps, but with the cost of ammo these days I think you'll get there for less with other guns.

--wally.

 

[socal44]

You can get a CZ-75 for 300 bucks.

Yeah right.

I have a first generation Sigma 40S&W. It has been 100% reliable. But that trigger...

 

[Mikeo]

I have a 9VE, and I am very satisfied. Excellent reliability, and very good accuracy. The trigger, while not like on a tuned 1911, it is very acceptable for a DA only auto. On many DA revolvers, I've had, the triggers were heavier than on the Sigma. I need some practice with weak hand firing, but for normal strong hand combat shooting, I do quite well. Since it does not have a manual safety, I would feel less secure with a lighter or shorter pull.

You don't have to be pinching pennies or making excuses for owning one of these. They stand well on their own.
Of course, YMMV

 

[gudel]

Why would you choose the Sigma over the CZ-75?

S&W warranty's and its CS for one.

 

[kmrcstintn]

fact: earlier versions weren't as 'smooth' or 'reliable' as newer ones; there have been some improvements made to them

fact: S&W was sued by Glock for design infringements and the 2 manufacturers settled out of court and Glock allowed S&W to continue manufacturing the Sigma line

myth: Sigma is just a less expensive Glock...not really; the front sights are secured differently; grip geometry and angle are distinctly different; trigger characteristics are vastly different

fact: Sigmas cost less than Glock

fact: lots of Sigmas in 9mm were bought thru TACOM division of U.S. Army for distribution to Afghani security forces

opinion: if you want a 'Glock-like' firearm for recreational shooting and/or personal defense, then the Sigma is among several choices on the market; I think the trigger sucks and this would affect accuracy in MY hands; I have witnessed 2 Sigmas returned for servicing after extractors on both were faulty after 750-1000 rounds thru each gun...don't know if this was a fluke; I am NOT privy to them; on the other hand, many people haven't had a lick of trouble from them;

SARCASM: if you get the new 'gussied up' package, you can now get a defensive flashlight with your Sigma (seen this at Gander Mountain)

 

[brashboy]

Why not get the PT111?

The Taurus PT111, which the Sigma resembles in appearance, is very similar in price. Why get the Sigman when you could have the Taurus?

brash

 

[Baneblade]

SIGMA: Smith's Idea Glock Made Already
$300 for a gun with two free mags, a free range bag, and top of the industry Customer Service...
I don't know that you can really beat that. Not my 1st choice, buy I wouldn't knock anyone for buying one. Especially if that was all they could afford.

 

[ugaarguy]

The Taurus PT111, which the Sigma resembles in appearance, is very similar in price. Why get the Sigman when you could have the Taurus?

Hmm, let's see, I work in a gunshop.

We've sold over 100 Sigmas in the past few months without a single return. I don't know the exact numbers on Taurus polymer frame autos, but we don't sell many of them - less than 20 over the past few months at most. Yet, I've personally seen at least three returned for service.

Customer service is the other thing. S&W pays shipping both ways, and has certified armorer's all over the US as well. Taurus requires that everything be sent back to them in Miami - on your dime.

I hate to rain on your parade, but that's my behind the counter experience with the pistols in question.

 

[CajunBass]

I've never fired a Sigma, but I have looked at them, and dry fired a couple. I didn't thing the trigger was better than the one on my Kel-Tec P-11. Now I know the P-11 isn't noted for having a great trigger, but I'd fired mine 1000-1200 rounds or so, and it had slicked up quite a bit. The Sigma's wasn't near as long. For the money, I'd say it's not a bad buy.

 

[hankrearden2000]

I have a SW40VE that I'll be keeping. It wears Trijicon sights and I installed a Wolfe striker spring that reduces the trigger pull down to about 8 ponds. I've had it two years and 700 or 800 rounds and it's been 100% reliable.

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

Ummm... I wasn't joking. CDNN has the CZ-75's. I think Century might have some too. Give them a call.