Gen 1 Sigma sw9f

[Califpatriot]

I just picked one up in mint condition for cheap from a calgunner. How reliable are they? Would you trust them for HD?

[BigPimping]

Will pay cash.

[plumbum]

First gens were a direct ripoff of a Glock - I suspect some parts might even be interchangeable. S&W got sued by Glock and paid out an unknown amount to settle. S&W redesigned the Sigma series (supposedly as part of the settlement) and the resulting heavy trigger is what still follows the design today.

As for your original question, yes they are reliable, their reputation just suffered due to decisions of the 90’s S&W.

[Califpatriot]

Yes, I'm familiar with the lawsuit--I actually got it in large part because I thought it was a curious piece of history. I'm--for no particular reason--just concerned about the striker breaking.

We'll see when I take it to the range and put a bunch of rounds through it.

[plumbum]

Now if you find a SW9 or SW380 lying around, take a good long look at those and tell me they weren’t ahead of the curve? Alas, no one wanted inexpensive pocket guns pre ‘00.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've had mine since 1998. I've had the ejector break and a few mag followers break. The worst thing is that base plates for the old 17 round mags are non existent. S&W doesn't even know where I could get any. BTW, I trust it enough to keep it on my CA LTC but, it's only there in case I want to carry 17+1 instead of my Shield.

[Califpatriot]

Solid endorsement. Thanks.

[holt7153]

I use my 1st gen SW40F from 1994 for HD. I don't shoot it much anymore but haven't had any problems with it.

[DanGunner]

SW380

I bought one new and still have it. Solid little belly gun that rests in holster attached to center console of my SUV next to my right leg. Listed on my CCW.

[rmnc3r]

I got a Promo Sigma Range Bag with my SW9F. I went S&W because they were cheaper than Glock and being on sale with a promo goodie sealed the deal.

It's a Safe Queen now, but a SW40VE does HD duty for me.

[Springfield45]

Mine was my first handgun I bought back in 1995. It has been a good gun and has never broken on me. It is accurate and served as a good self/home defense pistol for many years. It is not my primary gun today or even second. But I would still trust it if I needed it.

On the other hand,

A friend of mine had the 380 sigma compact pistol. it was absolute junk. It's slide was made out of pot metal, had a weird magazine release and broke after the first 50 rounds. S&W did replace the pistol for free even though it was several years old.

[drifts1]

Now if you find a SW9 or SW380 lying around, take a good long look at those and tell me they weren’t ahead of the curve? Alas, no one wanted inexpensive pocket guns pre ‘00.

There’s a SW380 in my safe right now. Was bought new in 94’, rarely gets shot but it’s been 100% reliable. It’s pretty snappy due to being a 14oz blowback, but with a two handed grip it’ll due at close range self defense distance. They were definitely ahead of the curve with its ultra compact single stack concept. Absolutely no buttons, levers, or switches, or sharp edges. Even the sights were part of the slide, completely snag-free.