Well I was going to get another Sigma 9mm but they were out of everything but an SD40. I was dead set on buying something so I walked out with a new SD40. There are a lot of small differences between the two.

External differences

Trigger guard
On the SD it is larger and squared off vs the Sigma's smaller and rounded.



Mag release
SD is just a little smaller

Grips
SD a little thicker but overall smaller than the Sigma also the pronounced ridge on the Sigma where the mag release is smaller on the SD. SD also lacks the mag well plug.


Rail
SD is standard Sigma need an adapter

Frame
Appears a little thinner than the Sigma which is why the dust cover looks bent. The SD has a nice index point on the frame for your thumb and trigger finger.

Sights
Sigma plastic junk SD metal much better




Internal

Trigger
They look exactly the same with the expection of the sear block. With the Sigma the sear is pressed against the plastic sear block which gives you that gritty feeling, you also have three springs the so called pigtail spring and the two coil springs. The SD just has a piece of metal that acts as a lever to activate the striker, does not ride against the sear block so much smoother. I have not fully taken the sear block apart but there appears to be only the one pigtail spring in the SD.











The trigger pull feels far better on the SD as it doesnt ride against the plastic sear block.

The striker spring on my SD40 feels much lighter than the striker on my Sigma 9mm.

Over all

The SD seems to have far more play in the slide to frame fit, if you shake the gun you can feel the frame shake on the frame. The Sigma feels much tighter. You also have the mag rattle in the SD. Is the SD worth the extra $100 yes and no for me the only thing I really care about are the sights and standard rail. The trigger is cleaner yes but I also had no problem with the Sigma trigger. I like the way the Sigma feels in the hand better than they SD. Don't really care for the slide serrations on the front of slide as they tend to snag but nothing a good melt job won't fix. I have only put 100 rounds through the SD it shot well no problems as my Sigma is a 9mm and the SD is a 40 cal I cant really compare the two. Trigger reset feels the same as well as take up. The SD is a little snappy seeing as it is a 40cal.

They are both fine guns for sure but if you dislike a firm trigger id go with the SD it is not so light that I wouldn't want to carry it chamber loaded just a little lighter than the Sigma. Both guns are priced perfect for what each one offers.

side note anyone with an SD notice a fair amount of lateral play in the striker as well as a good deal of play in the slide to frame fit? On my Sigma the striker has almost zero play but with the SD it will wiggle back and forth in the channel when I grab it. Just wanting to know if this was normal, as it seems to move more than id expect.

Good on the purchase hope you enjoy it. This thread is however useless without pics.

Waiting for battery to charge on camera

Congrats on the purchase!! i actually ended up doing things just opposite of you !! bought my .40 in the sigma and the 9mm in the sd.

I have a couple of each and they both fit their intended role nicely. Congrats on your purchase. It's nice to know that you have options with S&W and all of them are winners!

Nice! I went in to look at a Sigma. I didn't like the plastic and hated the trigger. I was told by the director of household finances to go ahead and buy the M&P if that is what I wanted. After sitting for a while at the counter I ended up buying a SD9. It offered enough over the Sigma and it felt better in my hand than the M&P.

Congrats on the purchase!

Great pics and comparison!!!

This is the thread I was looking for!!! Thank you for the pics!!!

This really was a great comapison of the 2 pistols. I have seen the SD40 only $20 more than the Sigma. I bought the Sigma because I love the feel of them and wanted to get one new while they were still available.I had to really think which one but I kept having the thought that I know what a Sigma feels and shoots like so it will be my drawer gun. I live in the booneys in Arizona and there is no gun store within 50 miles of my home.

To give you all an update I have maybe 500rds through my SD40 with no problems the slide and striker haven't become any looser than the day I bought it.

I was able to compare my SW9VE and SD9VE and noticed another difference. The muzzle end of the SD barrel is stepped at the muzzle end; the SW is not. This allows a tighter barrel to slide fit on the SD without compromising reliability. Perhaps this is related to the pinned in rear sear block with moulded in slide rails.

Not really the SD barrel appears to be flared/bull barrel but all they did was mill down the rest of the barrel to save overall weight, the OD of both barrels where they touch the slide are the same.

Nice comparison of the two pistols. I'm committed to nine mil caliber and do like the Sigma ergonomics. Their other guns are attractive too.

__________________
USN WWII Korea
NRA

Ok I'm a novice to handguns. The one I have say s@w on the side with sd9ve on it. It looks a lot like the black one in the pics mine is also two toned so and I bought it this yr. in Feb. brand new with that being said which one do I have?

You have a value version of his black gun.

Thank you AIRMAN for your service and "OUR FREEDOM".

thank I thought it was but wasn't 100% sure. I do know that I like it... now looking for a laser for it. I know there's alot of them out there can't decide if I like the one that replaces the sights or the tlr3 with the light and laser any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. Didn't mean to hijack the thread

IMO I would skip the laser and just get a light and fiber optic or night sights.

Nice comparison. I looked at and tested the SDs when they first came out, and found them to be a drastic improvement over the SIGMA/SW Series. The current SDVE series now has plastic sights unlike your SD, which had metal and a front night sight, I think. The trigger is so much better, in my opinion, that the two pistols aren't in the same class.

I've been debating on those after I posted that appreciate it

Hey cbr6864

You mention the striker is looser inside the slide channel compared to the sigma.

Is the channel bigger or the striker smaller compared to the sigma ?

I know my SD40VE striker has a lot of side play in the channel.

I don't like it either.

3

I'm glad that you're happy with your SD. I have my Sigma temporarily until my M&P 40C gets delivered & it seems that all that was wrong with it are corrected in the SD. My neighbor wanted it so bad he paid for it already & technically it's his. SD is Still a good budget handgun but better.

I'm not carrying the Sigma much these days because I'm trying to keep the Sigma as new as possible. I've had it for about 14 months & found that it's a lot of gun for the money. Now I carry my FS M&P 40 & the trigger is worlds better than the Sigma's which really never bothered me. It smoothed out well with use but still just a little bit gritty.

Happy SD shooting! You have a winner.

__________________
Former USN, Retired US Army

How's the M&P carry compared to the sigma ?

3

OK, I hate to break up the love-fest, but these are both inferior pistols.

The M&P handguns (all versions) are so much better that I don't know why S&W still makes the Sigma. I had the opportunity to try out most of the M&P line during a combat training course and I was very impressed. There is no comparison, except maybe price and saving a few bucks on a tool that you may have rely upon to save your life is not a good idea.

bring on the flames...

__________________
Shoot safe.

MDR

Certified NRA Instructor
Certified NRA Range Safety Officer
NRA Life Member

When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, in his sleep--not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Can't speak for that line of pistols, but I choose an M & P 40 FS. I like it so much I just ordered a 40c. The FS has been flawless so far. About 500 rounds through it.

__________________
Criminals don't register guns.

Gee, you joined 10 years ago, and THIS is your first post?

I hate to break it to you, but your opinion isn't going to change my mind. You are entitled to your opinion, of course...as we are ours.

Here's a video showing what a superior shooter can do with one of these "inferior" guns...

SD9VE 9mm (Close-up ) - YouTube

It's not the right gun for everyone...that's why we have so many choices, and I'm glad we do! It's not a bad gun for the purpose for which it was designed. Like I've said before, it's not a 1911 (what else is?)...but it's a good gun nevertheless.

I sold my Sigma so I can not compare the two

I have one, pleased with it. Some play, but overall I like it. I would like to get an M@P in 45 and 22, then that would be it for me. I also have a 22 Smith and Wesson target that shoots very well.

__________________
NRA/VFW Life USN MCPO Retired.

Sorry for the delay in answering. Been a busy couple of weeks & actually got some paying work in.

Carry feels very similar. At times I'll have to check to see which one is in the holster that day, lol.

The Sigma is just a little shorter than the M&P but both fit the same holsters good. I get an extra round with the M&P giving me 15+1 instead of 14+1. M&P has a better trigger. It's totally stock as it was a police issue. I bought it from a PO friend who bought his back after being issued a new one. The M&P 40 came with Trijicon night sights which are nice. The front sight will need changing in a couple of years if not sooner. It's not quite as bright as the rear sight. No big deal for daytime shooting. Another good thing about buying a PD issue is the three mags I get with it. An X Grip & I'll be able to use the same mags in my M&P 40C but I can use them without them as well.

M&Ps have an actual standard picatinny rail giving a better choice in accessories like flashlights & lasers

Overall I'd say the M&P is superior to the Sigma. The difference in new selling price should dictate the superiority. $300 for the Sigma, $455 new at the LEO/Military/Security price including Trijicons & 3 mags for the M&P, $390 for the used one I bought. I still like the Sigma & if I didn't need the money for my M&P 40C I would have kept it. Besides my neighbor was bugging me for it.

I shoot both well & expect to shoot the compact just as well. Compacts sell for the same LEO price in either 9MM or .40S&W as the FS. I'm well used to Sigma's trigger & it doesn't bother me in the least with no mods whatsoever. If I were to keep it I might take a spring or two off of it but as a carry gun it's more than adequate.

I bought the Sigma after giving my Glocks (G23 & G21) to my son & needed a weapon after Wisconsin got a concealed carry law. The Glocks were my duty weapons when I was doing armed security. I think you'd have to look far & wide to find a gun of that quality for the price of $300 which included an Uncle Mike's holster & a box of 50 American Eagle rounds. If I started working armed security again I wouldn't hesitate carrying one after putting many rounds through it to be sure I could trust it just like I do with any other gun.

__________________
Former USN, Retired US Army

I have the Sigma (with trigger spring replacement) and am Currently trying to justify gittin' the SD. If'n the M&Ps are that much better than both, I don't c the need to have a Sigma and an SD. Perfectly happy with Siggy.
Somebody posted that they do what they are made for but still insisted that the M&P was better (for S.D.) but if the Sigma doesn't have durability issues or malfunctions, what's wrong with leaning on it for S.D?!?

Is the weapon used for home defense? If so, I recommend TLR4 laser light combo. I love the fact that it is so simple to remove and install. I take mine off for most target shooting. I love the fact I can temporarily blind an aggressor, and the quick target acquisition a laser offers. The laser does maintain "zero" even after removal and reinstallation. I feel the light gives me a huge tactical advantage in the darkness of night. Does it signal my location? Yes, But once the light hits someone in face, they can't see anything else for a few moments. Enough time to place the laser center mass and end the situation.

Nothing!

M&Ps do have a better trigger out of the box than do Sigmas, SDs, and SDVEs. The grip (back strap) is adjustable on M&Ps, while it isn't on these other models. I don't like the plastic recoil guide rod assembly, but I replaced that with a stainless steel guide rod assembly from Galloway Precision. I replaced the plastic rear sight with a steel rear sight from a M&P. I also replaced the take down lever with an extended take down lever. The only thing I don't care for on the SDVE is the slide stop...it does seem flimsy and cheap, compared to the M&P line.

None of these changes I made make the gun any more reliable...they were personal preference. The SDVE pistols are very reliable, and solid shooters. The main issue is, can YOU manage it? If you can't manage the trigger (and personally, I don't believe in modifying the trigger/fire control group) and some cannot, then it's not the gun for you. You may be able to manage the M&P trigger better...and if so, then that's the gun for you, or any other pistol that you can shoot effectively.

The gun itself is reliable...but it you and the gun are just not a match, for whatever reason, then it's not a good gun for you.

Great thread. I'm personally considering the sigma and SD in 9mm for a home defense handgun but am concerned with the trigger. Both feel good in my hand but for the money, durability, trigger pull and overall quality I'm going to have to move up to the M&P 9c. For me it's worth the money!