S&W (Sigma) .380 experience?

[Steelharp]

Found a .380 S&W (Sigma) in a local shop, $180... looks like a nice pocket gun, bigger than a Kel-Tek, but still small and flat, really nice trigger, much better pull than any Kel-Tek or Kahr I've tried. Are these decent guns, or something to stay away from? And is that price ok?

Thanks, Mikey D...

 

[lbmii]

A guy at work bought one new. He had very bad luck with it and S&W gave him a choice to pick out I think one of three different S&W models as a replacement.

 

[Dienekes]

Taught a lady to shoot one as a personal protection piece. She showed up with it and we made the best of it. It went bang almost all the time and it was a gun, but that was about all you could say for it. Even S&W admitted it was pretty well an expendable gun with a limited life expectancy. Disassembly was strange, requiring a roll pin to be drifted out. Mag removal was hard even for me.

I am not even too enthused about small semiautos of any persuasion. They don't put out much power and tend to be a little cranky. I would spend a little more and get a decent J frame Smith. I have seen used Model 60s going for as little as $250 which is a good deal.

 

[Baba Louie]

For a few bucks more you can find NIB Bersa .380's that come with a lifetime guarantee (probably a longer lifetime as well). Tho' it is heavier and has more bulk/size than the S&W.
I've fondled KelTec 3AT's and find them interesting but not enough to spend money on. YMMV
I do own one of the little S&W 380's and really don't regret buying it, but sorta wish I'd saved more and bought a Colt .380 in lieu thereof.

 

[MR.G]

Had one. Throat was not large enough for the round to chamber. Have no idea how that one was test fired. Barrel was replaced, but the gun never worked right. S&W used to make some great guns.

 

[roo_ster]

My buddy has one.

Its a gun.

It goes "bang!"

He's not too enamored with it.

 

[Ala Dan]

I second the thought of the Bersa Thunder .380 ACP; as its
a much better gun than the S&W's Sigma .380. My dealer has
'em for $199.88 OTD.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[otomik]

it has an aluminum slide, thats bad

sigmas 14oz. weight isn't revolutionary either when you consider that the steel and aluminum SIG P232 is 16oz. Bersa is nice but too heavy for pocket carry.
Kahr PM9 is 14oz
Kel-Tec P11 is 14oz
Kel-Tec P32 and P-3AT are around 7oz.
Then there are some really lightweight revolvers too.

 

[field70]

I have a Sigma .380..There is NO WAY I would stake my life on it. It's a jammamatic.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Had one, one of the most inaccurate single shot pisstols (no, that's not a typo) I've ever owned. Had the choice of getting rid of it or a Davis 380 I had , I got rid of the S&W.