Should i get a sigma?

[Lucky Scott]

I have one in in .40 cal. and it is just fine. Not the best trigger but it is a nice light gun that is easy to carry. I like a gun with no safety, one less thing to worry about. It hits what I aim at, and is easy to carry.

It is an inexpensive, gun and I would not compare it to more expensive guns, but it does what it is supposed to.

[Rudolf the Red]

I own one and like it. The trigger is what it is. Practice is all one needs. I intend on carrying it concealed in hot weather when the P7 needs a rest. My Made in USA G19.

[!@#$]

S&W Sigmas were Smith's first-gen polymer gun, done under old management. They tangled with Glock in court over some design issues.

As I understand it, the Sigmas were not designed to be "high-lifespan" pistols. They were not designed for daily shooting, etc. - more for folks that needed a low-cost reliable gun for home defense, or as a security guard/armored car guard. The rumor is the design lifespan for these guns was around 5,000 rounds - though they seem to be well-enough designed that they'll last quite a bit longer.

If you're looking at a Sigma, I suggest you look at a new S&W M&P pistol instead - your choise of 9mm, 40/357Sig or 45ACP. They did it right with this gun and have given Glock a run for the money in terms of overall quality/reliability, and a set of ergonomics many prefer over Glock.

it was the subcompact (s&w380, s&w9m) sigmas that were rated to only 5,000 rounds. the full sized sigmas will shoot all of the ammo you can get.

i have 2 and they are reliable quality pistols with heavy triggers. shoot it like a DA revolver. if you are on a budget they are fine also look into the ruger P95.

if it were me i'd save a bit more and buy a new or used 9mm glock. maybe change the sights but keep the rest stock.

[till44]

Like everyone has said, great trunk gun or back-up gun for the range or whatever. They can be found for $250 and if I found one again I may pick it up again. I had way over 5000 rounds through mine without a single problem, shooting all kinds of ammo.

If you found a good deal and don't want it let me know, I might take it.

[cannon]

should i get a sigma? i have been hearing negative stuff about the gun. Is this stuff really true? Any sigma users out there? or any sigma users that own both a glock and sigma?

No. I have no reason for saying no. I just felt like it.

[cindynles]

I had one of the early (late 90's) Sigmas and it seriously sucked a**. Bad trigger, jam-o-matic, and razor sharp edges that sliced my hand up almost every time I shot it. I got rid of it and replaced it with a Ruger P95 back in 1999.

I hear that the new version of the sigma is greatly improved, but it left a really bad taste in my mouth.

A Ruger P95 is about the same price ($299 when on sale at Turners) and has a much better track record.

[Clinton]

My Sigma 40 is great! Aside from the crappy trigger, it will shoot reliably, any ammo, all the time. There is really no reason to not pay the low asking price for one of these.

[Group 4]

Got the new generation SW9VE and am up to about 1,000 round in under 5 months. Haven't had any problems with it and can group 3-4 shots in two inches from 21'. And I only started shooting in January. So I'd say 'yes.'

[bigthaiboy]

I had one of the early (late 90's) Sigmas and it seriously sucked a**. Bad trigger, jam-o-matic, and razor sharp edges that sliced my hand up almost every time I shot it. I got rid of it and replaced it with a Ruger P95 back in 1999.

I hear that the new version of the sigma is greatly improved, but it left a really bad taste in my mouth.

A Ruger P95 is about the same price ($299 when on sale at Turners) and has a much better track record.

The current SW9VE is a very different gun to the Sigma S&W built in the 90's. The current generation (3rd?) is a vast improvement. Today's Sigma will fire pretty much anything you feed it with. Bear in mind the Sigma is designed as an entry-level combat / LE pistol, it is not a fancy $700 target pistol, it is still a great gun for the money.

The 11lb trigger was designed to prevent accidental discharges. Many people see this as a problem. In fact, it was designed to be heavy because it has a double-action trigger, meaning that it requires a very deliberate pull on the trigger to fully cock the striker to fire it, resulting in, there is absolutely no chance of a ND if accidently dropped on the ground. Many other striker-fire pistols including the Glock use a half-cock system, hence the lighter and shorter trigger pull. Comparing the trigger pulls a DA trigger pull to a 1/2 cock is like comparing diesel engines to gas engines.

I have both the SW40VE and a Steyr M9-A1, and compared side by side, it is almost identical in shape and size, apart from the slightly lower barrel profile on the Steyr. The polymer grips are almost identical in size and shape, so the ergonomics are very good. For me, either pistol has better ergonomics that the brick-like grip of a Glock (which I personally have tried to like, but just can't warm to).

Go to a range that has a rental Sigma, and a run a box or two of ammo through it, and compare it to other pistols. That is really the only way to find it whether a Sigma suits YOU.

[leelaw]

Should you get a Sigma? No.

Should you get an M&P? Yes.

[9mmepiphany]

The 11lb trigger was designed to prevent accidental discharges. Many people see this as a problem. In fact, it was designed to be heavy because it has a double-action trigger, meaning that it requires a very deliberate pull on the trigger to fully cock the striker to fire it, resulting in, there is absolutely no chance of a ND if accidently dropped on the ground.

i understand the heavy DA trigger pull as a safety factor...my duty gun was a DA/SA Sig 226...and my objection isn't so much the weight as the smoothness of the trigger travel. the 2 current Sigmas i have tried had gritty triggers that would start and stop almost at random...making jerking the trigger almost a better option. in this case, the low cost of a Sigma works against it. folks who buy them for their price, can justify sending them away for the trigger work they need to correct the trigger...i usually recommend a SigPro (amother undervalued pistol) which already comes with a nice trigger.

when the M&P first came out, it also had some quality issues as well as a mushy/indistinct trigger and rather esoteric slide serrations...what it had going for it was great feel.

S&W seem to have been taken their beta testing and have fixed the "falling apart" issues.

Apex Tactical now has a set of DIY parts to address the trigger.

it's a bit more expensive, but if you want to stick with S&W, the M&P seems a better way to go

[ojisan]

It took me less than an hour to clean up the trigger action, including the time to figure out how to get it apart.
This is a very easy gun to work on.
I initially removed the 2nd heavy sear return spring as recommended on the net, but after smoothing up the lock work, I put that spring back in.
'09 SW40VE, works great, shoots straight.

[Turbinator]

If anyone is interested in a Sigma 9mm, a friend of mine is selling one. I can get you in touch with him if needed. It comes with 2 hicap rebuild kits.

Turby

[PressCheck]

Only firearm I've ever sold!

[bigthaiboy]

the 2 current Sigmas i have tried had gritty triggers that would start and stop almost at random...making jerking the trigger almost a better option. in this case, the low cost of a Sigma works against it. folks who buy them for their price, can justify sending them away for the trigger work they need to correct the trigger...

I spent quite alot of time on the S&W forum before I went and bought a Sigma. Most members were happy with their Sigma's triggers, but the few members there who got a gun with a gritty trigger, would to just call S&W customer service and they would send a shipping label to pick the gun up, and then ship back with a good turnaround time. The 'smiths at S&W would polish up the trigger parts and ship it back, all under warranty.

I appears in the recent crop of Sigmas, S&W has addressed the issue with the gritty trigger. Mine was fine out of the box, but a tiny drop of oil on the trigger to striker linkage bar seemed to help, since it does touch the frame.

I paid $370 OTD for a brand new SW40VEm, which is hard to beat for a brand new American-made handgun. For the price, I wasn't looking for refinement, but what I do get is an extremely reliable workhouse pistol. You don't buy a Chevy pick-up truck for refinement. You'd buy a Bentley.