I don't see the rails ever changing - this model is an anachronism (as I said in the first post, "Yesterday's technology, TODAY!" ) and is certainly due for a discontinuation any moment now. Our friend Srigs (he of holster-making fame) points out that Cheaper Than Dirt sells a $10 adaptor for the Sigma; here's a thread with pics and a link:

http://mp-pistol.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=5832

Anachronism or not, I sure like the Sigma better than a Glock 19. Yep, I said it. And - look at the velocities I posted yesterday - my Sigma gives up nothing to the Glock's polygonally "rifled" barrel (a Glock 19 I chrono'd had those RA9TAs going 1350 fps; my Sigma threw the 127-grainers at 1400 fps average - that's like a 125-grain OLD STYLE .357 Mag from a four-inch barrel). I just can't get over the value that this gun represents!

Oh, and I had no problems shooting AND the replacement frame-heel/gap-filler that S&W sent worked great and didn't walk out.

I'm new here but I feel compelled to reply to Erich's review. This is the best most comprehensive, honest review I have read...and I have been trying to read everything I can on the Sigma. As I said in the new members introduction I recently bought a Sigma 9 for my wife...ultimately it cost me $210 from Cabelas which was the main reason I bought it. However after examining it and shooting it...wow! I like my 1911 but from a pure practicality standpoint I'm not sure this pistol can be beat. Inexpensive, reliable, accurate, simple, easy to clean, light and easily concealable. Only wish I had enough for two of them...that 1911 gets heavy after a day. Maybe someday I'll get the M&P 9. If the Queen gets in maybe that day will be sooner than later!

I have 6 Sigma's now with another on the way. With the rebate and mag deal you can't go wrong. I look for these to up in price not from S&W but demand and supply. 1911's are pretty but I have had nothing but trouble from every 1911 I've owned.

Brian, thanks so much for the kind words. My head's swelling up.

For the price, I'm almost tempted to go buy a
9mm version also... :/
I too kind of expect the prices to creep back
up on those, unless they discontinue them..
That may not happen too soon if they keep selling
a lot of them.
MK

awesome review, keep up the good work

Thanks! I think I'll go shoot the Sigma some more tomorrow.

Erich - What a well-thought-out and informative review. In about 1996 a local sporting goods store brought in factory reps from nearly all of the big firearms companies and, for a modest fee, we got to shoot any / all of them. This was a really big deal for Central Oregon at the time. I remember that I hit the clay pigeons with the "brand new" Sigma better than anything else I shot and I shot at least 20 different handguns throughout the day. The Sigma just felt "right" and now I understand why. I never did buy one as a striker-fired gun just didn't/doesn't seem as safe to me as traditional sa/da. My 3913 is a better choice for me. Thanks again.

I was at the range/shop yesterday and saw the sign advertising this deal. I took note of it, but thats about it - I'm a revolver guy at heart.

But upon reading this thread and doing some research into prices, I think I'm sold - I can throw one of these into my collection for a few hundred bucks and enjoy!

I have one question for those more enlightened/experienced than myself. Personally I'd rather go for a 40S&W model because it's a little higher up on the stopping-power scale over the 9mm. But how different are the ammo prices? This is going to be 99% a range gun, so if 9mm prices are notably less than 40S&W, I'll be sold on the metric variety.

And as a corollary to the above question - what's your favorite online source for current ammo prices? I haven't found one I've liked or that can give me a definite answer what relative prices between calibers are.

Hummm. With the usual 9mm FMJ vs .40 S&W,
I'd say 2-3 bucks more per 50 rounds using
the .40 ammo.
Some variation with the hollowpoints, etc..
IE: 20 rounds of Gold dots for 9mm is $19
at one inline source.
The same for .40 is 3 bucks more at $22.
So a bit more, but not a huge increase.
I had a hard decision when I got mine.
I knew I could get ammo cheaper for a 9mm, and I
knew that you can get some pretty stout stuff
for 9mm.
But... Being I'm using mine for possible animal
problems, I decided I would be better off with
the bigger heavier slug, being it's moving at
a usually equal or faster rate than the equal
9mm version with it's lighter slug.
After all, I would really be better off with a
.357, .41, or .44 magnum to really get serious
with larger animals.
So I thought I better get the .40 s&w.
With just off the shelf FMJ's, the 180 gr from
the .40 is moving slightly faster than the
147 gr from the 9mm with most loads.
I can get hotter P+ loads for the .40 that
approach "standard" .357 magnum levels as far as
stopping power. IE: they register "11" on the
Taylor scale.. I know of no 9mm load that can
reach "11" on that scale. Maybe not even "10".
A standard 147 gr 9mm doing 950 fpm only rates
a "7" on that scale.
A standard 180 gr .40 doing 975 fpm rates a
"10". Of course , velocities will vary..
Anyway, if I had to ward off a mad hog/dog, with
a choice of the 9mm, or the .40, I'd want the
.40. The wider blunt slug is going to make a
bigger hole.
So that's the route I went.
For plinking, I actually like a 22LR, either
rifle or pistol.
Pretty accurate, and cheap to shoot.
BTW, I think I find cheaper ammo deals at the
local stores, than I do online.. As an example,
the box of 50/ win white box was about $12.99
where I bought the pistol at. I assume 9mm was
probably in the $9.99-10.99 range just
guessing..
Thats not too bad.. I also have Wal marts
close by.. But I think the sporting goods place
"Academy" was actually cheaper than wal-mart.
MK

S&J;
Regarding ammo price difference between the 9 and the 40, yesterday at the local Academy I checked them out and the Remington 250 round box of 9mm is 10 bucks cheaper than the 40 S&W of the same ammo maker. Like the previous poster said, about 2 bucks per 50. To me, that is significant.
Ed

I picked up a first gen sigma 9f with 3 17 round mags for next to nothing. I had seen the reviews and bad coments from many people online, but I also saw the same gun being offered for much more than I paid for it. I figured that if I did not like it, I would not be out a lot of money and might actually make a few bucks. I have never liked the glocks. They do not fit my hand. I mostly shoot my colt 1911A1. The 9F works wonderfully. It does not have a rail but I do not have a need for it anyway. The only thing is, I am having a hard time finding a holster currently available for it. Most available around here fit the VE and does not work with the 9F.

Welcome to the hangout Jayaustin. You bought yourself a fine pistol with a Sigma. At one time I had seven of them. The one I keep in my vehicle has seen the most action but only maybe 500rds or so throught it. I have not had a single FTE, FTF. They are the most under rated pistols out there IMO.

I have a 1994 vintage SW9F that's still ticking. It has been to S&W for upgrades and checkups 3 times. No problems with anything I feed it.
Also have an SW9VE that runs fine, although not as many rounds through it.

-BUD

Don Hume still lists the 9F:
http://www.donhume.com/Products/ProductsList.cfm?action...yWeapon&WeaponID=214
Galco does, too.

-BUD

quote:

Originally posted by jayaustin:
I am having a hard time finding a holster currently available for it. Most available around here fit the VE and does not work with the 9F.