S&W Sigma

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SHusky57

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So after buying my S&W 442, S&W pocket knife, and S&W logo'd flashlight, I am on a S&W kick. I also want to get another auto (though I really don't need it).

I love my Beretta Px4 and would love to have another 92FS. But another 92FS would cost me about $500, whereas I could pick up a Sigma for about $280 (plus $50 rebate or 2 free mags, which I will gladly take).

I know the Sigma is not comparable to a gun worth $200 more, but I want first hand reports if any are out there. I know the trigger sucks, and it's nothing special. I just want to know about reliability issues, 3rd generation Sigmas only.

The Sigma will be to my Beretta as a cheap WASR-10 (AK) or SKS is to a tricked out AR-15. Something I can put in an emergency kit and if I ever need it, it will be there....
But again, any jamming is automatic DQ.
 
I have a Sigma 40VE, no issues, stiff trigger but no biggie kinda like a DAO revolver, never had a problem with it.
 
My brother carries a 40VE every day and he loves his. I've shot his Sigma many times and I would definately say that these guns are vastly underrated due to the problems they had with the first generation models(40F, 9F). S&W has reworked the problems with the original design and the VE's are every bit as good as other polymers if you ask me. The only reason they are so cheap is they can't seem to get over the negative image that was developed by the problems with the F models and the lawsuit from Glock.

The new generation Sigmas function flawlessly, eat whatever ammo they are fed and have a much more comfortable grip than some other polymers. The trigger is pretty stout when new but it loosens with use. If this really bothers you you can get a trigger job done for about 75 to 100 bucks at any gunsmith.

I think you would be very pleasently surprised by the quality of these guns if you were to buy one. In my opinion they are on par with just about any other polymer out there in the 400 to 700 dollar range. I would have no qualms about buying one for any purpose.
 
40V

My Sigma is the model 40V and it has been very trustworthy / carried it for most of the spring and summer into fall and now have moved to my full sized 1911 for winter carry.

I read most of the posts on many forums and after firing 500+ rounds of ball and lots of dry firing while numbing myself in front of the TV, the trigger pull feels to me to be at least 1/2 of what it was originally - but during that time I also learned more about the Sigma's trigger and as others have stated it is like a revolver.

It is now my truck gun (for the winter months). Overall it has to be the best dollar value purchase I've made - and the rebate + mag offer currently in place, it is the deal of the year.
 
Can't beat the price

Bought the Sigma in both 9 and .40. The 9 had a rare FTF issue, but was sent back to S&W without problem. (Customer service was great) No issues with the .40. Both are accurate and the trigger pull is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.

The Holiday Promo ($50 or two free mags) makes these Pistols a no brainer purchase.
 
Can't beat SW40VE

For the nightstand or the glovebox. Shoot it, clean it, love it, mine works every time.

I grew up with revolvers, so the trigger ain't no big deal. 14+1 rounds in a paper plate at 25 ft. Enjoy your money well spent.

The only challenge next year will be finding >10 round mags.
 
SHusky, I like the Sigma for what it is: A reliable US made semi-auto that sells new for about $300. I work part time for a locally owned gun shop when I'm not in class. In the almost two years I've been back in town after my time in the USAF, I've watched as we sold literally hundreds of Sigmas. None have come back with reports of problems.

Yes the triggers suck, but they aren't terrible if you're used the heavy DA pull of a J-Frame. The guns themselves are light, ergonomic, and relatively compact. The Ruger P95 is the only US made pistol that's comparable in price and reliability. The P95 has a little better trigger, and is also a little bulkier. Right now, the rebate pushes the Sigma over the top for me.

You could also look for a surplus SIG P6, but magazines will be expensive and harder to find.
 
I was interested in a Sig P6, but for the same price a brand new Smith and Wesson Sigma with a lifetime warranty sounded like a better deal.

Two more questions, one related and another unrelated.
1. Has anyone had any FTF or FTE with a clean Sigma (I understand with cheap ammo and a dirty weapon jams will happen, but with a clean weapon and quality ammo)?
2. Am I correct that leaving a magazine loaded will not wear down the springs, rather it is the dynamic action of the springs (loading,unloading, shooting) that wears them down?
 
I don't own a Sigma myself, but a frequent range partner of mine owns one in 9mm. I'd guess I've put about 4 boxes total of Magtech through it, and I've never had a failure of any kind. I don't think I've ever witnessed it have a problem. I think it feels kind of cheap, but it works and it's accurate. The guy who owns it is pretty nit-picky about cleaning and maintainance, so I couldn't tell you about how it holds up under harsh conditions.

The Sigma wouldn't be my first choice just because I don't like polymer framed pistols that much, and the Sigma is on the lower end of the polymer scale, but it goes bang when you need it to.
 
I've already got a Beretta Px4 and a S&W 442. This isn't my first choice.... it's my third :-D
 
Role: CCW for Car (I am currently a student, even with CCW Permit, the gun must stay in the car during the day).

Sigma pro's
Pros:
-It cost about half what my Beretta costs, and a third of my Sig (less pain if it gets stolen).
-Lifetime warranty
-From what I have heard, reliable when clean (I would like a real torture test on one of them or at least range reports from Afghanistan were they are being used by Afghani military/police)
-I don't have a .40, so it would be something different

Cons:
-I am still not convinced they are 100% reliable
-Accuracy could be better, but from what I have heard, reasonable and comparable to a DAO revolver at 7 yards.

Question: Is the striker cocked enough to fire without a trigger pull? I don't know much about striker fired guns, I only have ones with hammers. In other words, what internal safeties exist other than the trigger?

If I can just have someone do a torture test on their Sigma, and convince me it is up to par with Glocks and the XD, I will gladly buy one.

I hear about FTF's and FTE's from the Sigma's, but I know a lot of people who end up buying these lower end (pricewise) guns are people who have little training and don't maintain/clean their weapons. I know this because I work in an outdoor retailer doing firearm sales, and most people who buy the Taurus/Sigma's looked shock when I tell them they should clean it before they shoot it (b/c of cosmoline).

Comparisons (includes 15% employee discount and 8% tax):
SW40VE Sigma - $250 (after $50 mail in rebate)
Glock 17/19/21/22/32, XD9/40, Beretta 92 - $500
 
Current gen might be fantastic. I'll never know. My 1st gen was THAT bad. If I was fighting for my life, and I saw a Sigma next to a rock, I would hesitate as I decided which one to pick up.

For that type of gun, for general use, I'd cruise the pawn shops for a used Glock, but what do I know.
 
Its an ugly glock knockoff but it works and its well made. The trigger is supposed to be pretty bad, I've only ever dry fired one, a 9mm model, and it was just awful.
 
Is a Glock worth twice the price when it's primarily role is relegated to being in the car?

It just needs to go bang when I pull the trigger, and NEVER go bang when I don't pull the trigger.

I think I may pick one up while they still come with hi-capacity mags.... for $250 it's a steal.
 
Great gun for the money. Best customer service in the industry from S&W. Only downside is the trigger. If you are coming from say a Taurus revolver its not so bad, but if coming from a 1911 its just awful.

I do generally hit better with my Sigma than I do my Glock, as Glocks just don't fit me, the Sigma fits me well. Great car/truck gun for me.

--wally.
 
I love shooting berretta's but the sigma 9ve seems to have less creep in the trigger. Its not a sig. But then again its perfect for ccw. It functions flawlessly and is pretty accurate. I'd say buy one.
 
I used to own one. Would it go bang when I pulled the trigger? Yes, if I pulled hard enough it would eventually go bang. Would it go bang a second time though? Not frequently enough to justify keeping the gun, no. As bad as the trigger was it was the unreliability of the gun that led me to getting rid of it.

For those on the market for a Sigma, I hope that the 3rd gen. gun is better. I'll never buy another though.
 
Did a lot of research on the Sigma before I bought mine many years ago-as everyone has stated, stick with the "E" (Enhanced) models and you should be fine.

Actually, my bed gun is a 9VE with night sights and an Insight light on it.

Since I learned how to shoot on double-action revolvers, I've never been particularly trigger sensitive and see nothing wrong with the Sigma trigger. Sure it ain't got the trigger of a range queen, but it's a SD gun.
Actually, I shoot it 'bout as well as my HK, SIGs, etc.

I upset a lot of folks when I've stated I don't see that much difference between the M&P and the Sigma except for price. I'm sure the M&P is a nice gun, but when comparing 'em it looked like a gussied up Sigma to me!
 
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My SW9VE was a great little gun. I upgraded to a 5906 but the Sigma was a good gun while I had it. Personally a glock isn't worth twice the money unless you cant live without all that fancy jazz that you can stick on a glock. But for me a 9VE is a good gun for a very good price.
 
I owned a SW40VE in the 90's. It fired everytime, but had accuracy issues big time. When qualifying with 180 gr. ammo it shot 6-8 inches to the left and 4-6 inches low. I traded it off for a charter arms .38 snub that I qualified with quarterly and loved.
lloveless
 
My dilemma is nearer to being solved. Basicblur, how many rounds can you put through the thing before any FTFs or FTEs?
 
Basicblur, how many rounds can you put through the thing before any FTFs or FTEs?
Click to expand...

Dunno...I've only got about 100 rounds through it with no hiccups. During my research it sounded like most folks that don't have a vested interest in hating the Sigma report the E series functions well. All I can tell ya is how it handles/feels/shoots AFA accuracy-it's probably as good as my more expensive guns.

Hey, for the price, warranty, and they are running rebates on 'em now, it's darn near impossible to beat!
 
I have a 9VE, the trigger pull is really no big deal, remember it's a DAO with no safety other than the hard trigger pull. It does lighten up with use, dry fire the snot out of it. They ain't pretty but it's a tool not a safe queen. Reliable? They sure seem to be but I'm sending mine back to S&W, 425 rounds, 7 light strikes, 2 FTF's that jammed. Four differant name brand ammo's and both mags had malfs, no pattern. Besides the hard trigger pull it feels like the sear housing is binding. I think it needs some factory TLC. It's my carry gun so any quirks are not acceptable. I might buy a 40 before I send it back that's how comfident they are good. Let's face it, S&W made in the USA for that price you can't go wrong.
 
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