SW 40VE

[Dalton]

What are the pros and cons of owning this weapon is it accurate,durable,etc.

[easy]

look here - trigger fix

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400180&highlight=sigma

[Old Timer]

I have a 2 year old SW9VE bought new for $299. Smith gave me an extra mag free with the deal.

I had heard about the VEs trigger problems and that it was a piece of junk, but many students were showing up at the range with them so I decided to buy one and test it for myself. (I am of the opinion you can't really learn anything about a gun by shooting it once or twice. You learn by shooting it consistently over several months.)

The first thing I noticed was that the trigger was long, hard, and gritty. So hard to pull that almost every shot was high and to the right. I decided to take a look at the internals so I pulled the sear block and noticed the metal surface was very rough. I used my Dremel tool to polish the inner surface with jeweler's rouge until it was smooth and shiny. I then removed the pivot pin from the base of the sear block and reassembled it without the pig tail spring that had been around the pivot pin.

The next morning at the range I was surprised to find the trigger was light, smooth and crisp! I was able to keep a group the size of a silver dollar at 15 yards dead center with no trouble.

I started to use the gun more often at the range, and, due to it being so light, bought a holster for it and started to carry it daily. I usually carried my Sig, M&P or 1911A1. After several weeks I found I was reaching for the Sigma every morning. It is now my daily carry piece. It has everything a gun should have. Inexpensive (without being cheap), light, accurate, reliable, durable, and fun to shoot! I have put over 5,000 rounds down range with never a problem. (Well, I did have one failure to fire, but that was my fault. When reloading make sure you don't get distracted by the wife and forget to put gun powder in the case prior to seating the bullet!)

Don't get me wrong, I still love my Sigs, H&Ks, 1911s, etc., but that little Sigma has worked its way into my heart and I can't conceive of leaving home without it.

[mcholak]

The Sigma's got a bad rap. If you're looking for a target gun look elsewhere, if you're looking for a reliable gun, at a good price, with great ergonomics you'll love it. As Old Timer said, with a little work the trigger can be greatly improved. I've torn mine down and polished the internals as well. I chose to leave the pig tail but many people don't. There has been exhaustive discussion on this at smith-wessonforum.com. Do a search and I'm sure you'll find more than you ever wanted to know.

I have had my 40VE for about 8 years now. I have no idea how many rounds through it, but it's safe to assume a few thousand. I've had exactly 2 problems with it ever, both from bad magazine springs. S&W sent me a free replacement the first time, the second I had to buy it. I've gone months, maybe even a year without cleaning it and I've had no problems(not that I'm advocating this type of treatment). I usually carry my PM9 rather than my Sigma because of size but I trust the Sigma with my life if it ever came to it.

[joaoalegre]

Be aware that the SW9VE/SW40VE, being 2nd generation S&W Sigmas, are no comparison to the SW9F/SW40F versions.

the SW*VE models apparently rooted out the problems from the SW*F's, typical for a first generation products.

There's lots of forum threads where people discuss their personal experiences of SW*F (bad) and SW*VE (good).