S&W Sigma

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bucaneer88

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I'm looking at a SW9VE. How can I tell if the Sigma I purchase is the latest generation, in which the trigger problems (and other quality issues) were resolved? Do the older "problem" versions have a different model number?
 
I have one, all I can say is that it has the rail so it might be a new generation, I think I bought it back in 2003. Its a Glock knockoff you know, it has a horribly heavy trigger, the sights are uber cheap. But it sells cheap and is slimmer than a Glock even though it uses a double stack mag. It makes for a decent home defense pistol but I would not use it in combat. You can dry fire the trigger a whole lot of times I have heard to get the gritty feel out of it and you will have to check and see if S&W will still take them back in to do the trigger mod, the spring is too heavy, its like a 7-9 lb. pull. If its under $250 get it, otherwise I suggest something better like a Sig.
 
Thanks. I've heard that the triggers on the older versions are poor but that S&W had fixed the problem. If I do decide on the Sigma, I want to make sure I get the later generation.
 
trigger still heavy but i own one and loved it (until i can afford something else). Trigger mod is really easy. All you gotta do is polish the sear, take out the 2 springs inside. It will improve trigger pull from 10-12 lbs to about 7-8 lbs. Still heavier than the 5.5 lb glock pull IIRC.

it's still 200 bux cheaper than a glock depending on store but in my economy it certainly is " that much cheaper".

BTW the ones you see in store should be the enhanced version SW9VE or SW40VE i believe.
The only other models available will be the allied forces model which has black slide.

I have had 1500 rds with no hiccup. Trigger has improved greatly and as accurate as you can be.

But it is what it is, a defensive pistol with "lawyer" trigger installed. So it will not be your nice target pistol.
 
I bought one in febuary that had been made in November 2008. Trigger is a little stiff, but the gun is solid, simple, and doesn't give me any problems. I have fired about 250 rounds through it and only had 1 ejection problem. I had fired three boxes when I bought it, no problems. Second time at the range at about round 97 of 100 the empty case didn't make it clear of the gun, almost but not quite. Probably due to some cheap ammo (8.98 walmart stuff) I pulled the slide back a little and it fell out, so not too bad for the price of the gun.
 
I also have a Sigma 9mm, I absolutely love the gun, the trigger is hard but in a way I like it being the way it is. I haven't had any jams or stovepipes, no problems at all. The only thing i don't like about it is there is absolutely no safety on the gun, they should have made the gun a little safer besides for the hard trigger.
 
I recently acquired a SW40VE and I love it!!! The trigger is hard for a reason as there is no safety. People need to get over the trigger issue. Going into it you know the trigger is long and hard.(clean thoughts) For a carry weapon it is perfect as there is no safety to worry about in a time of crisis and it is light and very easy to carry. You either love it or you hate it. If you don't like it let me know and I'll buy it from you!!!
 
I had a couple light strikes and FTF's first time out and it was to be my every day carry so I sent it back to S&W (their nickle) and also complained about the trigger. Had it back in 10 days and they polished the ramp, opened up the throat (a lot), replaced the recoil rod and spring and "adjusted the trigger" in their words. A thousand + rounds later it has been absolutly flawless and the trigger is much better. It is still long and hard but for a carry gun that's a good thing, it's very smooth and the break is really perfect. No more thinking "when the hell is it going to go bang". I found for me if I "pull" the trigger instead of "squeeezzze" it my accuracy is very much better. If TSHF we will all be "pulling" not "squeeezzzing". I carry mine in a Kholster IWB and it's very comfortable. I also pimped it out a little polishing the slide to a mirror finish. My nephew said it's like putting rims on a Yugo, LOL.
 

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Midway has the Wolff spring replacement that brings it up a lot. The M&P has a much better triggerfor not a lot more $. I won't sell either.
 
Most of the spring mods result in occaisional light primer strikes, this is fine for the range but not acceptable for self defense. If you want a target pistol, get one, the Sigma is a self defense gun. Reliable, accurate and safe with no manual safety to deal with.
 
My suggestion to you is to go visit a gun shop or shooting range that sells gun, and actually get the feel for the gun itself and the trigger.
 
I bought 2 in 40 cal. and both operate reliably. Nice psitols and the price is right. For around $350 you can't expect to get a HK or Sig but you can get a pistol that is backed by Smith and Wesson.
 
Any thoughts on the difference between standard SW9VE & Allied Forces version?
How about 10+1 vs. 16+1. It seems like the 16+1 is less expensive. Is it less reliable with this type of magazine?
 
From reviews, the gun isn't quite up to par with a Glock or XD, but is reliable enough considering it's almost half as expensive as the glock/xd
 
Any thoughts on the difference between standard SW9VE & Allied Forces version?
How about 10+1 vs. 16+1. It seems like the 16+1 is less expensive. Is it less reliable with this type of magazine?
Click to expand...

The standard SW9VE has a stainless slide. That's the version I own. The Allied Forces version has a black slide. I think that's the main difference, if there's something else different, hopefully someone can chime in on that.

I've owned an SW9VE since '04. Mine is the 10+1 version (high-cap ban was in effect at the time). I love mine, and it's a very reliable shooter. I don't see any reason why 16+1 would be any less reliable. My groups tend to be a little low and to the left, but it fires whenever i want it to, and i've gotten pretty accurate with it. I shoot it like a DA revolver, with a long trigger pull. I like the long trigger pull a lot - less chance of accidental discharge.

The only things I don't like about the Sigma:

1) weird (proprietary) rail under the barrel. This is resolved with a $10 adapter easily obtained from any gun website. But why does S&W not just make the rail something standard? Not really a big deal, just an odd choice.

2) Front sight is melted onto the slide on mine (believe this is the case for them still). If you want to replace your sights with night sights, the old front sight will no longer be usable, as you'll have to knock it off of the slide, destroying it (i guess you could re-melt it on there somehow). Not really a big deal. Most folks probably don't swap their sights out much (or care about their stock sights if they get new sights).

I find this pistol reliable and definitely accurate enough for self defense. The grip is far more comfortable in my hands vs. a Glock, which is what sold me on it. I can't recommend the Sigma enough for a reliable, affordable pistol.
 
To answer your question, as in the first one asked in your post...to visually see if the Sigma is the latest generation, look for a "loaded round" indicator on the top of the slide, at the rear of the ejection port (basically a hole between the slide and the ejection port). My generation does not have that, and all have had it since my generation. I think the version I have, and onward, is where they corrected their various problems with the pistol.

I believe the jamming version was the SW9V (no E), but I may be mistaken on that.
 
The only real problem I've had with mine (SW40VE) was light primer strikes on Wolf ammo. So long as I stick with US manufacture it runs fine. I didn't really like it much until I pulled the extra trigger springs out. That lightened the pull a lot.

The grip does feel nice and very natural. I do think it's a little slick, though. I think with wet hands it might be a problem. I need to look into some aftermarket grips.
 
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