Just got back from the range with my new Sigma and new M&P9C

The 9c has a light trigger but it was scattering shots, the felt recoil was about the same.

I am not a great shot but I have fun.

The top target is the Sigma the bottom the M&P9c

Hi guys,
Let's not relive the 90's when we all had mullet haircuts (or hair) and handlebar mustaches. The early Berretta's had cracked slides and the early CZ 75's had cracked frames. The early Glocks were suspected of slam fires as I recall and no one liked the magazines that failed to drop. And let's not even get in to all of the issues with the 80 Series Colts! ha! ha! I have put a thousand rounds thru mine and it still bangs cases off my face and locks up funny. The Pythons are "delicate" and the K Frames couldn't take the hot stuff. The new PD J Frames can't either. Maybe we'd all be better off just reverting back to a Model 28 and call it a day. (Oh, the hip pain!) (One Adam 12, see the man...)

Depends on the gloves, I can get a finger in the trigger guard with my duty gloves (Franklin Uniforce) but not with my cold-weather gloves.

I love mine so far. I finally went to the range yesterday after having it for 2 weeks. Put the Hogue grip on also. No failures of any kind. The trigger took a few shots to get used to, but I think after a couple more trips to the range I will shoot it pretty well. I put about 184 rounds through it yesterday.

Hey what is wrong with Colt Model 80's I have 2, but in Massachusetts with our stupid gun laws you cannot buy new Colts and ones made before 1998 have to have been owned in Mass in order to be sold by an FFL.
Smiths were all owned here when they were made which helps because I am a Smith nut

When SIGMA was first introduced, there were some issues, as there are with any new model. "Gun show experts" and "Gun shop warriors" for the most part haven't a clue, they repeat what they heard because they do no research on their own, they neither read books nor subscribe to gun magazines. They are not to be trusted.

The SIGMA works, the molds and tooling are paid for, and it is an excellent firearm (assuming you like a semi-auto that was designed to have the trigger action of a double action revolver in DA mode for each shot - this the SIGMA does quite well).

As long as you do not fool yourself by trying to make it into something it is not (short, light trigger or match accuracy), you will be happy.

Good choice. Be sure to buy a dozen or so magazines while you can! And get a spare pistol, as Col. Evan Quiros did with his Model 29, just in case the first one breaks, as fixing it is as quick as a next day air road trip to the factory, on their dime, parts replacement, and return back by second day air.

Congratulations on an excellent purchase.

Exactly, that is why I bought my Sigma. I am used to a double action trigger like my revolvers. The Sigma is the best choice for me. I don't like hair triggers. I would rather have a longer more controlled trigger than a trigger that if I hipcup the gun goes off. It boils down to what people are use to and like.
Regards,
roaddog28

roaddog28, I agree, I have a 1873 lever gun and a couple pistols that are so sensitive that you fire it without meaning to. I have been lucky that I always keep the weapon pointed down range and also not up in the air, I would hate to launch one over the backstop.

Picked up a 9mm last spring. No problems. I like it and I still like my Glock 19 and my model 915. The Sigma goes bang when it should and handles really nice. I'll keep it.

I was a total newbie to pistols when I saw the Sale at a local outfitter. I went down to the range and rented one. I had no formed opinon on trigger pull. In that session I fell in love with the gun, and my girl friend asked me how it felt, I said "awesome" and she said "Well Happy Birthday!"

Since then, at about 250 rounds I had several FTF, most have been sorted out by grip and positioning or ammo?

Currently the slide does not lock back in the open position at after the last round. (Search for details)

It is going back to S&W this week.

1) gift
2) bout 600 rounds though
3) newbie

I don't think my issues are the result of a bad product (YET). If this was a $500 Gun I would be pissed. Its not. Trigger is a total non-issue.

My $00.02

4

I use my SW9VE every week in competition. I go to a weekly bowling pinn shoot (5 pins - three rounds) and average 5.03 seconds per round. Its all on the shooter. The Glock boys dont shoot any better. There was a guy with a HI-Point 9mm last week that had the second fastest time. If you are a pure shooter, you will do well with any gun.

While I carry my SW40VE for personal protection, I also have two Hi Points that I shoot just for pure fun, a 9mm Compensated model and the .40.

Is it the pigtail spring that gives the trigger that ratcheting feel? I don't mind the long trigger pull, that was one of the reasons that I bought it, but the very slight click, click, click that I get is a bit unnerving.

It was the rough surface on the sear that contacts the plastic at the rear that caused it on mine. Looked like a ladder the way the lines ran across that surface. I think I read that the roughness is caused by it being laser cut. Don't know.

Pop off your slide, look down at the rear portion of the sear where it rides against the plastic as you pull the trigger, shine a bright LED flashlight in there, and you might be able to see the marks.

If you like the trigger as is except for the roughness, just polish away on the sear, stirrup, and striker contact surfaces, will really smooth things out. But then you'd have to get that pigtail spring back in.

Another sigma truth:

After following this gun for years; I notice something else happening:

The number of "happy camper" sigma owners is growing by leaps and bounds! I've also noticed that more people are standing up to the gun bashing "internet cowboys"! hehehe!

Anyone else noticed this trend?

I love it!

Lee

I have a 9v that I have put around 5000 rounds through and carry everyday. I love it for it's reliability and comfort in my hand.

I have also noticed the number of sigma lovers growing.

Phil

You can add me to the "happy camper" corral, too. I bought my sw9ve right after Christmas and didn't get to try it out at the range until last week. During that time, I read and watched everything I could find about the Sigmas. Additionally, even though my trigger was fairly smooth, I did quite a bit of polishing and removed the pigtail spring. Didn't make a lot of difference, but it did make me feel proactive.

My range trip went fairly well, except for about a half dozen light strikes out of 350 rounds. I think I've narrowed that problem down to my gun not liking Academy Monarch 115 FMJs. Only strange thing was that those FTFs cycled just fine through my PF9. The Sigma dented the primers on all of them. All of the problem rounds came from 2 of the boxes and the other boxes cycled fine. I would have worried more about it, except I ran around 120 Gold Dot 115 JHPs that fired flawlessly. As long as my PD rounds cycle well, I'm confident. If the problem continues, I can reinstall the pigtail spring. I did find an error I made that might account for it, though. I had torn down and removed the firing pin assembly while F&Bing. I remember cleaning it up, but must have put it back dry. I wiped a little oil on the plastic FP sleeve and hope that helps the FP travel smoother.

I'd like to say this is one of the most enjoyable guns I've ever shot. I believe I could run a thousand rounds through it in an afternoon with little or no fatigue. Additionally, I shot better with it than I have with any other weapon. 4-5" groups at 21' were the norm and 6" steel disks at 50 to 60' weren't even a challenge. I had several times where I loaded both mags and rang the bell on all 34 rounds. As I said, this is a comfortable gun to shoot. I let about a half dozen other shooters try it out and everyone of them said they really liked it. A couple who were testing guns for purchase said the Sigma made up their minds. All of them thought it was a sweet shooter.

It's a shame it has such a poor reputation, though. When I was looking at mine, the salesperson at Academy Sports tried his best to talk me out of it. So much so that I went home to do some more research before I went back and bought it. To be perfectly honest, it felt so good in my hand that I was probably gonna buy it anyway and I'm sure glad I stood my ground and went with my initial impressions. About the only valid complaint I've seen about the gun is the trigger pull and it seems to suit me just fine. For $250-270, after rebate, it's one of the better bargains I've seen lately. I know I'm happy with my purchase.

Actually I had very little trouble getting the pigtail spring back in my Sigma. I used a set of lock jaw pliers to hold the spring in place under tension while I put the pin back in.

Speaking of my Sigma it looks like I may want to get rid of it soon. Not because I don't like it but because I need other things at this time.

__________________
Smith & Wesson Sigma SW9VE

The only light strike issues that I've heard about come from guns that had the springs removed or replaced with after market ones.

I'd put it back in in a heartbeat. I also am not a fan of that Monarch ammo.

Glad we have another happy camper!

Lee

Count me among the happy. Bought mine back in December because I just couldn't resist the rebate deal. A bit miffed it got extended to April because the timing to buy before the end of 2009 caused me to pay $319 rather than the perodic sale price of $299.

I don't keep close round counts but I'm somewhere between 100 and 150 rounds and have had two malfunctions. 1 due to an overlength reload and one because I failed to seat the magazine fully.

Personal story part of this: The SW9VE is part of a flurry of trading activity I've been on lately. It started last May when I bought a Glock 19 from a co-worker. My first handgun purchase since 2001.

After getting the Sigma I decided to sell the G19 for a compact .45. Was looking at a Glock 36 but decided on a Taurus PT745 because I could task the $200 savings toward one of my life-long goals: CMP Store Visit - a set on Flickr

The SW9VE allowed me to keep a striker-fired, polymer frame 9MM in the collection and allow much enhancement to said collection.

One other advantage to it: There's no lore out there about its barrel design and cast lead. I've shot 50 rounds of some RCBS 115gr tuncated cone I cast with no leading at all.

Now I have to resist the urge I've been having to take further advantage of the rebate to expand into .40 S&W lest that purcase mess up the deal I'm trying to work for a 28-2 at slightly below market pricing.

I don't ever see them being on sale for $299 or $319 anymore. I've priced them anywhere from $359 to $389 last week. I did have a gun store employee quote me a 9mm at $319 but when I called back(got the owner) to make sure they still had it he informed me they had not been $319 for over a year and his employee quoted me the wrong price. Glad I called before driving the 40 miles one way.

How much is a barely used Sigma worth?

__________________
Smith & Wesson Sigma SW9VE

Well... Bud's is selling 9mm Sigmas for around $300 with a $50 rebate from Smith. So a new one would be $250. I would think a used SW9VE, slightly or not, would be worth less than $250. But I've seen some really stupid prices on used Sigmas. Needless to say, the guns haven't sold.

You would probably get around $200 maybe a bit less ...

I think it depends on where you try and sell it... trade in, they aren't going to give you squat. Online auction prices are still up in the high 200.00 range to just over 300.00. Private sale would probably be the way to go.

5,000 Rounds!!! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Good for you (and us).
I have seen a few comments on other threads discussing some function problems. They seemed to be primarily first time shooters who were unsure of limp wristing or overlube or ****** ammo etc. I paid $389 but got a $100 range pass with each purchase (costs them nothing). We have yet to see someone post a picture of a broken trigger or spring! Maybe we're getting to the truth!

+1

I had one of the early SW40F guns, in fact TWO of them. Carried them in LE. I initially thought they were good thing - despite a too-slick grip - until they started to **** out after about 1000 rounds. Fail to fire (sear would not reliably reset), trigger broke, firing pin broke, slide/frame fit went ultra-sloppy. I know several other LE types that carried them with similar problems. We all got rid of them. Has left a bad taste in my mouth with that pistol.

Perhaps the "enhanced" guns are improved. I will never know.

I can't answer your last two questions since I do not own a .40. As for your 1st one, I can not shoot my sigma with my gloves. I do not own LE/tac gloves, just a pair of $30 gloves I got from the big and tall store. With that being said, I can shoot my M&P just fine with the same gloves on. I would be a little worried about me not being able to shoot my Sigma with gloves but I only really wear my gloves when I'm out shoveling snow at my house.

__________________
Don't look, reload and shoot!

If you live near an Academy Sports check them out: Weekly Ad - page 8

Regular $319 on sale for $299 thought Saturday.

I suspect their price will increase once their current supply is depleted.

I've never heard of Academy Sports and that is the best price I have seen on them.

They have raised their price to $339

Larry's has them for under $300 . . .

Smith & Wesson SW9VE Sigma 9mm Pistol Black/Stainless [220025] - $299.99 : Larrys Pistol and Pawn, Best Pricing around!

And their last price on the Allied Forces edition was $371...

I bought one and although I paid more than the "sale" price a week prior, I think I still got a good price. I have probably fired about 200 rounds of various junk ammo through it and I have not had one problem. I love the balance and I actually think the trigger pull is very smooth. It's a very accurate gun. I too double tap, and hit center of mass. I use cardboard targets and the center was so blown out I could not count my hits. I can't usually hit a bull in the butt.....I am a retired LEO and I always used wheel guns (19-3 S&W) and I love this SIGMA. On occasion I carry it concealed and it is comfortable. My only problem is I can not for the life of me get 16 rnds into the magazine. 15 is the limit. I must be getting weak in my old age. Great gun

I'm mostly a wheel gun kinda guy, but I've been wanting an inexpensive 9mm, so this sounds like the right time....
Gonna head down to the local Academy to check out the Sigma at 299.00 plus tax then minus rebate...
Question: What is the better deal....$50 rebate then buy aftermarket magazines...or get the 2 magazine rebate???...
Thanks for any info....

They put them on sale regularly. I bought mine 1st week of Feb on sale too.

But they do sell out sale week. I bought mine on a Monday, when I went back Saturday for more ammo, Sigmas were sold out, even the 9mm & 40 that had been sitting in the display case. Only saw the "Hot Deal!" tags in front of 2 empty spots.

That depends on you. Some places the mags cost more than $25 each, but my dealer sold me one (with my gun) for $18.99. Since I now have my minimally acceptable 3 mags, and my SW9E is just going to be a range gun, I decided to get the rebate. If mags are more in your area, you might want to get the mags instead.

Does anyone even make "aftermarket" SW9VE mags? Either way I would stick with oem.

The 2 mags are worth more than $50.

If you prefer the cash to buy more ammo or something, than go for the cash, but the mags are worth more money.

I went for the cash so I can put it in my gun bank for the next purchase.

Lee

I started out planning to go with the $50 but shopping all around the 'net I found the 2 mags to have a greater value so I went with that.

Got an e-mail confirmation they shipped yesteday. My form was sent the second week of Jan.

OK...I pulled the trigger (pun intended)....
The counter guy let me go through three Sigma 9VE's and I picked the trigger that felt best...
Still long hard travel...but smoother on the one I picked....

$299.99 plus tax...$324.74 out the door....minus the $50 rebate = $274.74 net price...
Not bad for new lifetime guaranteed USA made pistol...

Now for the acid test...carry IWB for a few days and fire about 200 rounds at the range....

C ya...report will follow...
Kapuna

It had to happen sooner or later. I see that others have found soem still at 300.

SW9VE:
Rounds to date: 754
Failures of any type: 0
Ammo used:
Winchester Target/Range
Atlanta Arms & Ammo 115 gr TCJ (Factory Reloads)
Hornady Critical Defense™
Blazer 115 gr FMJ (Aluminum Case)
American Eagle 124 gr FMJ
MFS 2000 115 gr FMJ
Remington UMC 115 gr MC

Yes, the trigger is a little gritty although it has gotten better with use. I'm not comfortable smoothing it out myself and don't want to part with it long enough to have it fixed under warranty so it will probably stay as is.

I consider the heavy trigger to be a safety feature; no Plaxico accidents for me! It took some range time to learn how to use the gun properly to not pull it off target due to the trigger, but it works great for me now. At reasonable SD distances (10 yards and less) my shot groupings are under 4". At 7 yards and less, more typical groupings are under 2". I expect these will get better, but I've only been shooting for a year and have only had my Sigma for about 4 months.

I bought my SW40VE 4 days ago. It was the first pistol that I have owned. I used to shoot around with some local cops alot, and fell in love with their Glock 27's. Looking at the gun shop the other day, i ran across the sigma. I liked the way it felt, and especially liked the price tag ($250 less than the 27 i was looking at). I didnt notice the trigger until i shot it the next day. I shot at 20yds and shot about a 4" group. It took some getting used to, but I kind of like it. I've considered removing one of the springs as i've seen alot of other people who have done so. I've also considered sending it back to S&W to have them reduce the pull. That being said, I think i'll leave it as is. I shot 300 rounds on sunday and another 250 yesterday. No jams, no failure to fires, and consistent groups from 10 yards to 30 yards. I like it better than any glock i've shot

I have only had the Sigma for a week but after 3 trips to the range and a round of bowling pin shooting, I am very happy with it so far.

Daily Carry

about 1000 rds not one failure of any kind with a variety of cheap dirty ammo.

eats every hollow point I have used

2 inch groups at 10 yds and opens to about 4 inch at 40 to 60 yds.

Nuff said

You will get better and better. I have SW40VE and love it. But I am a double action revolver person. The Sigma shoots as close to a revolver for me. Double action only semi-autos will always have a longer trigger than a single. I am not a big fan of lighting the trigger. You can take the Sigma apart and polish the friction parts of the trigger to improve the trigger to where it is not as gritty. Lighter springs will reduce trigger pull but you don't want to end up with a mushy trigger. Then you lose the control of the trigger and where it breaks. A good Sigma trigger pull will be around 8 to 9 lbs and be very controllable. That is where mind is. The trigger is still lighter than my revolvers so I like it. I think you will too.

Good luck,
roaddog28

Heres my 9 in combat black, it's factory black with white dot sights. 30 heart shots at 21 feet in self defence class. 22 shots on the spot as fast as I could shoot it and thats fast. Oh of course with clip changes . I can't get over how smooth the clip drops out and install the new.

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i was told by a guy at target world.. there's no such thing as a junk gun
the jimenez AKA sat nite special comes apart someone said thier hand
almost got blown off, sure if you got 2 grand to blow.. i've owned hi points taurus, i like the feeling of the sigma people will tell you anything.. like go buy a glock or HK kohler this is my money i'll buy what i can afford not what the person says.. people like hi-point that's nice i don't want to carry a brick

I bought 40cal for each of my two sons. We could not hit a thing with them. Sent them to S&W. When we got em back they were dead on. No complaints. Just recently bought one for myself. Did a trigger job on it and it is very accurate with no hang ups.
Thanks
Jessie

After looking at the pictures of the Allied Forces sigmas, I have to put it on my list. I love the look of the black ones!

I need another one anyways. My daughter is calling our gun, "hers"! It seems that dear old Dad is getting fewer and fewer shots because she doesn't like to give it up! LOL!

She say's "shoot the Blackhawk Dad, I'll shoot the sigma"! That's my girl!!!

Lee

must be one proud papa