While shopping the used guns at my favorite store today, the salesman asked me how the used 40VE I bought a few weeks ago worked out. I told him I'm happy with it for $200, but it wanders like the 2 other Sigmas I've owned. No problem, it goes bang every time and will certainly take out any rabid chipmunk or coyote I might encounter while hiking the Indian trails here in Connecticut. A gentleman to my left, a police officer if a holstered Glock and handcuffs on his belt is any indication, stated that he considers the Sigma the Saturday night special of the 2000's I stated that I was under the impression that thugs and bangers carry Glocks nowadays. He stated that he sees plenty of Glocks, but legally purchased and resold (illegal) Sigmas are more and more the sidearm under the seat and are all too often confiscated during traffic stops. Poor people can afford one (like me, I guess) and readily sell them when short of money...therefore, an abundance of illegally carried Sigmas in the city. Any LEO out there confirm this, that is, the Sigma a major player in Crime City (Hartford, New Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport,etc.)

While shopping the used guns at my favorite store today, the salesman asked me how the used 40VE I bought a few weeks ago worked out. I told him I'm happy with it for $200, but it wanders like the 2 other Sigmas I've owned. No problem, it goes bang every time and will certainly take out any rabid chipmunk or coyote I might encounter while hiking the Indian trails here in Connecticut. A gentleman to my left, a police officer if a holstered Glock and handcuffs on his belt is any indication, stated that he considers the Sigma the Saturday night special of the 2000's I stated that I was under the impression that thugs and bangers carry Glocks nowadays. He stated that he sees plenty of Glocks, but legally purchased and resold (illegal) Sigmas are more and more the sidearm under the seat and are all too often confiscated during traffic stops. Poor people can afford one (like me, I guess) and readily sell them when short of money...therefore, an abundance of illegally carried Sigmas in the city. Any LEO out there confirm this, that is, the Sigma a major player in Crime City (Hartford, New Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport,etc.)

"Blame the gun" is a favorite theme of the Brady Bunch and other anti-gunners. Small guns are to blame because they are easily concealed, inexpensive guns are to blame because poor people can buy them, .50 cal are to blame because they are so powerful, and so on endlessly repeated propaganda.

BALONEY.

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Science plus Art

Well, I'm not a cop nor do I play one on TV (nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express), but I do not view the Sigma as a Saturday Night Special. To me, a Saturday Night Special is a gun not only of low price, but of low quality and is usually in a small caliber. A gun basically made to be purchased, used once to kill, then discarded.

While some Sigmas have had reliability problems in the past, and the trigger pull is less than ideal, Sigmas are decent quality firearms. In fact, our armorer says the enhanced Sigmas (basically those made from 1999 on) are among the most durable pistols on which he has ever worked. We have two or three rental Sigmas at the range, and you can bet your last dollar that they get shot a lot (as in 500 to 1000 rounds per month), especially the 9mm, and they just keep on going like the energizer bunny. I was told (but did not witness) by a guy from the factory that they pulled one of the Afghanistan-bound Sigmas a couple years ago from a shipment for a random "torture-test" with the intention of shooting it until it broke. They quit after 30,000 rounds (yes, that's THIRTY THOUSAND). Other than the front sight melting (it's plastic), it worked fine. Also, keep in mind that when the Sigma came out it cost more than it does now over ten years later.

I can see the appeal of the Sigma to the cretins of our society because it's inexpensive. But (to me), inexpensive does not mean Saturday Night Special in and of itself.

Now the short-lived Sigma .380 was only designed with a 2,000 to 3,000 round life span. That one was aimed at the carry-a-lot-shoot-a-little CCW market, but, I concede, could be considered a SNS.

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I haven't noticed that here in Ohio. If I HAD to pick the modern day "Saturday night Special" it would be any of the High Point line. Not that I'm blaming the guns, mind you. They just seem to be popular with the street corner pharmacists.

HRF

Being a former deputy sheriff of 14 years I feel I can safely say that, that "gentleman" is an idiot. Since you didn't mention anything about a uniform, I'm gonna guess he was in civilian clothes and advertising his prowess as an LEO by wearing his badge, gun and cuffs on his belt for all to admire. Guys like that are either new to the job or trying to impress others because of low self-esteem. I never saw a Sigma in a criminals hands. They usually had imported pieces of **** or rarely a nice stolen piece. I would've told him if I wanted his opinion I would call 911. LEOs that wear their gear for all to see off-duty are not using their heads.

Since the Lorcin, Raven .25 era, has there been a "true" Saturday night special? I've been under the impression that with all the money in the drug trade, dirt bags generally carry top shelf handguns. Our Sigma is certainly among the lowest priced 9mm/.40 on the market in quantity, but fair enough in quality. The Newington gun store always has off-duty locals and state police. I don't think the guy was being an *** hat, maybe just making conversation.

Gee, in all the dozens and dozens of gun cases I see and review, I've yet to see a Sigma pop up.

Just had one with a Python though . . .

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Now go make God proud...

Matt Burgard, of the Hartford Courant, wrote a front page piece in November of 2005 about a "community gun" (Glock) used in 11 different shootings, in Hartford, two fatal, by many different thugs on many different nights in Hartford. There is no shortage of illegal guns on our city streets, I wouldn't think a punk would need a cheap handgun.

This LEO is under the impression that Drug Dealers and other criminals are on a "BUDGET" when getting a gun to apply thier trade.Most of the street punks,gang bangers,and "unlicenced pharmacists"are carrying Glock 9mms and the more advanced ones are carrying 38 special wheelguns and snubbies to not leave thier brass behind.Once again if the gun is affordable to the masses it must be bad...This way the poor can train ,get licensed,and carry one too....Only in America.....God Bless.....Mike

An ignoramus comment by an undoubtedly shaved head, pajama clad, modern day ninja with such boorish behavior as trying to impress the gun store crowd with his knowledge and prowess by carrying his pistol on his belt beside his belt mounted badge in a sort of "Police Story" look is just not to be taken seriously. This guy probably stomps cats in the course of duty with his stompin' Jack boots.

The FFL locally here sells the **** out of the SIGMAs. I couldn't begin to guess how many he has sold and always has a bunch on hand. S&W also has a rebate so that even with the low price you either get two extra mags or $50 off.

I can certainly see how what the LEO said could be true given the price. However, the Saturday Night Special designation in terms of low quality is not deserved. Perhaps in terms of inexpensive and ubiquitous yes, but low quality, no.

The owner of the FFL will tell you that he just doesn't get these guns back for any reason. No problems, happy customers.

Two things you must understand:

1- Most gun store employees are full of ****
2- The Hartford Courant is the worst piece of **** on the planet!

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Pete T.

The Sigma is certainly not a Saturday Night Special. It is reliable, long-lasting, and made by one of biggest name brands in the firearms industry.

I like mine a lot.

However, I have noticed that many gun enthusiasts denigrate less expensive guns perhaps to reinforce the wisdom of their own more expensive choices. They don't want to acept that a $350 pistol can do the same basic thing as their $1500 super-duper commando pistol.

All my Sigma has to do is hit an evil doer 5 to 25 feet away from me who has just broken into my apartment. I'm totally sure it can do that mission just fine.

Now, if Uncle Sam wants me to jump from an airplane over Finland, ski to Murmansk, silently neutralize a half-dozen Spetsnaz commandos, break into an office building, steal some documents, and then scuba dive through a pod of killer whales to a waiting sub, I might spend a little more money on a pistol. . .

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Vanquish Fear and Panic!

1- It wasn't an employee who made the comment, it was an apparent LEO 2- The Courant blows, yes, but the particular crime spree and resulting murders were with the same Glock, not an inexpensive handgun. The gentleman made the comment that the Sigma is turning up in the wrong hands, in his experience. Again, I am under the impression that today's punk carries what he wants regardless of price. As the owner of 3 Sigmas (2 now), if I were going to attempt capping your butt from across the street, a Sigma wouldn't be my first choice for accuracy.

At $372.00(incl tax) for my new SW9VE. I would not exactly call that a poor persons gun.

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Veritas Aequitas

Never have run into a bad guy with a Sigma. I have run into a bunch of Lorcin 22/25s, Ruger P series, Smith 900 series, Berettas and even a few Brownings among others.

Did you buy at NGE? If so I think you bought my Sigma.

I have to agree ..... If S&W would increase the price of the Sigma to something like $550.00 or even $850.00 the crime rate in this country would drop to near zero levels.

Newington Gun Exchange, yes. Is it an Allied Forces (black) 40 VE?

Not to up on all the gun lingo. All I know was it was a Black Sigma 40 Compact. I think it sold for $189 + tax. I have my 908 there now. I only shot about 300-500 rounds with the Sigma and 100 rounds with the 90.

Not the same gun. How much is the 908 going for? NGE is a great place .I bought a couple of guns there over the years. I've sold 3 handguns and 2 rifles there. Can't argue with 15 percent commission.

Yes. They store is great. Sold the Sigma in a week. I am trying to get $360 for the 908. Seems to be the going rate. Hope it sells soon.

Check out the "new" Hoffman's Gun Store yet? Not bad. They probably still have the best prices on new guns around, everything else is expensive. I bought my 1st handgun at Hoffman's way back when Hoffman's was on Market Square, in Newington. This is the 4th location of Hoffman's since the '80s. I recently sold my 9VE at NGE with the blue box and 4 mags for $250. It sold the same day. I sold a Mosin-Nagant with 250 rounds of ammo last year. It took 6 months.

Yes..I just went to Hoffman's. Nice place. Most of the employees are very arrogant though. I was looking at the Springfield XD's. Cheaper than NGE. I've been to all 4 Hoffman's too. We will see how to gun range does. You have to buy his ammo. He is not cheap on the ammo. Better off just going to Wolf's in Bristol. I wonder what Hoffman's would give me for the 908??

Hoffman's? Less than $200, my guess. I shoot for free at the Glastonbury range (DEP) every so often on Saturdays and Sundays. I can find you a phone number if you're interested. Open to the public SAT/SUN 10-2pm, except the winter.Very informal shooting in the sand pit from covered points off Exit 11 on RT.2 (WASSUC ROAD) on Tollgate Lane. Not bad at all. It's been available to the public for years and I didn't find out about it 'til last year. Hoffman's and arrogance seems to have been the rule from the beginning. Generally, not NGE, gun stores have a general lack of interest in their customers. Go figure.

The number would be great. I don't usually go to the range for hours anyway. Can you bring your own metal flip targets or just paper? Yeah, I never understood the lack of customer service at a gun retailer. Then again they do put up with a lot of jokers that come in day in day out. Doesn't look like this board has PM. It's a little on "old" side when it comes to forums.

(860) 295-9523 M-F 8-430pm Ask about scheduling a shooting appointment in Glastonbury. Usually two DEP range officers. Will be closing soon, I think, until spring.

and the correct answer to him was........


so?

Uhhhh....no metal flip targets, I think. I've never seen one there so I don't know for sure.I've seen clay pigeons set out in the sand. But it's very informal there. You make your own target stand, hang your own shell fence and return and take your target apart at the end of the session. The first time I went there I was a little worried about taking the AK out of the trunk, but anything goes short of full auto. Nice crew of range officers from the CT. DEP.

Good people buy hand guns they can afford. Saturday night special is old world term for a pistol that may blow up in your face. Few of those out there these days and Sigma isn't one of those. Criminals aren't buying brand name, they are buying what someone stole for a price no matter the manufacture or model.

I think I fall into that category, that is, as a law-abiding citizen I am allowed to purchase (and carry), but I can't afford a new H&K. Buying used guns is great, but I'd love to be able to blow my lunch money on an AR and a couple of Glocks and a new M&P. Unfortunately, my lunch money won't even buy lunch.

The Sigma sells well here too, and I recommend it to those who insist on semi-automatics for home defense. For someone, not really interested in studying guns, who only wants to learn to use a reliable gun for the range and home defense, the Sigma is an excellent choice. I have taught several people to use them.

From various gun dealers and at shows in Virginia, I've learned the guns popular with gang people here are Highpoints and also, the Saiga semi auto rifles.

The Saigas have gone way up here though, $300 for the 308 a year ago, now $500.

I owned a Sigma SW40VE for a few months it sure was reliable but I couldn't hit what I aimed at very well because of the trigger, never did get used to it!

I don't own one but not because I think they're a bad gun. I just don't care for them but the same applies to P-series Rugers and they're ok.
Sigmas fill a niche and for the money they do the job IMO.

I always get a kick out of comments I hear in gun stores.

Once during a casual conversation with a gun store owner, I mentioned the sigma, he immediately said "I hate those things, everybody does".

I said "everybody", he said "everybody". LOL!

The poor sigma gets little love.

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SD9VE, American perfection!

Wow, I had to do a double-take. This thread was revived from 2008!!! :-)

With that being said, GUNS don't kill people, PEOPLE do.

I'd rather have a responsible person buy a reliable $200. gun like a used Sigma (new is more like $270. or so) to have it available for a home invasion/car jacking/etc. than have nothing at all. We can't place blame how expensive or inexpensive a gun is on what the user does with it. We can only blame that same user.

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Live For Today Not Tomorrow

Bet he was wearing a pocket protector so his spiffy shirt didn,t get ink on it from taking notes in class .Trash will use whatever is available . Just my oppinion and worth about as much as this yahoos . Should have asked if he graduated from blanks to one real round yet .

No! he was wearing a "Team Glock" shirt. LOL!

Funny you say that. My wife had a Kel-Tec PF9 which she couldn't hit what she aimed at. We went to the range on Saturday (just this past Saturday) and she managed to clear an entire clip of 8 rounds (extended mag) and not hit the target once at 50 feet (the only distance our gun club allows). She couldn't stand the long trigger pull and it hurt her wrist. So, we went out to one of the LGS and got her a Sigma 9mm and went back to the range. She promptly, on her first magazine, put 3 out of 4 (we only put 4 in to start) into the head of the sillouhette. And she commented that she loved the trigger.

So, I guess it can be relative to what you're used to. I tried it and it was very nice (I have my M&P .45 which I like and we'll be saving to get an M&P for her too, but I had to get her something immediately she could use as the PF9 was definitely out of the question).

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G21C,Shield.40,LCP

Possible that the "Gentleman" in the Gun Shop was a "Plainchothes Officer" on some down time ??

I was thinking the same thing... I've seen plainclothes in a few shops in CT, not really worried about their equipment exposed. Sometimes their having service work done on a firearm etc...

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82nd Airborne Div 1980-1986

Considering the people who have Sat. Night Spec's, I would think any pistol they could get their hands on- since they're illegally purchasing- would be their SNS. I mean, if someone steals a M&P, and can sell it on the street, doesn't it beCOME a SNS?
Matt Murphy- I do like a man who says what they mean. Good job.

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No work? No eat. 2 Thes

Hmmm, I have been known to carry my Sigma on a Saturday night.

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Take your time..quickly.

I picked a new 40ve last year at my LGS for 289 new. Did a bit of trigger tuneing and it is my house and fun gun. Solid pistol. I have also been around leos all my life. They are no different from the rest of use. Some are prutty darn sharp and think before opening there mounths and others are as stupid as a rock.

I've never recovered a Sigma on the streets, but they do have a pretty bad reputation around here. You should have heard the comments when I started carrying my M&P on duty in February. Most thought it was a Sigma. I will admit, before I bought the M&P and started lurking around this forum, I was under the impression that Sigma's were still horrible guns.

My usual response to someone who says the Sigma is junk/worthless, ect. is....

Why don't you step out about 25 yards and let me aim it at you.

That usually closes the disscussion.

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Take your time..quickly.

That's a good analogy to use in the caliber debate, but not on the worthless debate. I wouldn't go 25 yards out and let someone shoot me with a Daisy Red Ryder.

Gun snobs do tend to be everwhere.

But do you feel "Special" when you do???

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Dem's fightin' words wabbit!!!