Table-top review of new SW9VE ($250)

S&W Rover · Oct 8, 2009

I just received my new SW9VE. Initial impressions:

-- Overall very good quality evident in innards and exterior finish.

-- Great grip (grippy surface, good grip angle, nice width).

-- The trigger seems smooth, just a little heavy (may do a mod later), not nearly as long as I had expected from reading all the web articles.

-- Very smooth, precise magazine release and insertion.

-- Disappointing front sight. The white dot is painted and on the surface (not recessed). The sight is plastic with melted backing. Seems like the first thing that would break in heavy service, holstering often, etc. Not mentioned in any of the reviews on the SW9VE that I read beforehand, but a definite yuchh factor. May order a replacement part just to have one on-hand. Anyone know of a better variant that is available? Will a Glock (metal) front sight post fit here?

-- Chambers the first round (a snap cap in this case) readily - no need to "slingshot" the slide to pick up that first one.

-- Overall first impression: a very good value at $250. Do others who have the SW9VE agree or disagree with the above?

Range testing to follow this weekend. Will put a couple hundred mixed FMJ and a small selection of JHP -- reliability is the #1, #2, and #3 factor in whether I like (and keep) a pistol.

WildCard ZX6R · Oct 8, 2009

The sights are definately one of the places where they skimped on quality. The other IMO is the weak magazine release spring, seems to easy to bump the mag out inadvertently, though this might be me being used to the extra heavy springs i keep in my 1911 mag releases.

But as far a sights go, Meprolight, Trijicon and MMC all make replacement sights for the Sigma. I have a Merpolight bead on shotgun that is quite nice and i had a set of MMC sights on a 1911 that were exceptional, i don't know how these products fair on the sigma however. I would assume good since they are from reputable companys.

My personal pick is the MMC which i will be getting sometime though i can't decide between fixed or adjustable.

MMC fixed :

They don't have a pic of the adjustable on thier site unfortunately.

PT Night Sights and MMC Sights Night Sights web site and online store

thejestersgate · Oct 9, 2009

Overall I'm very happy with mine. The front sight is a little large for my taste, however It's good enough for such an affordable pistol. After the gun is broken in (1000-2000) rounds, I plan on having the trigger polished. No magazine problems exept it's kinda of a tight fit with 16 in the magazine. Anyone know what might cause this?

Walthernut · Oct 9, 2009

WildCard ZX6R said:
The sights are definately one of the places where they skimped on quality. The other IMO is the weak magazine release spring, seems to easy to bump the mag out inadvertently, though this might be me being used to the extra heavy springs i keep in my 1911 mag releases.

But as far a sights go, Meprolight, Trijicon and MMC all make replacement sights for the Sigma. I have a Merpolight bead on shotgun that is quite nice and i had a set of MMC sights on a 1911 that were exceptional, i don't know how these products fair on the sigma however. I would assume good since they are from reputable companys.

My personal pick is the MMC which i will be getting sometime though i can't decide between fixed or adjustable.

MMC fixed :

They don't have a pic of the adjustable on thier site unfortunately.

PT Night Sights and MMC Sights Night Sights web site and online store

If you do a search on their site they have photos af their adjustable sight @$117 a pop.

OKFC05 · Oct 9, 2009

No magazine problems exept it's kinda of a tight fit with 16 in the magazine. Anyone know what might cause this?

New spring. Springs are designed to relax about 10% (down to normal), so just keep using it.

The sight is plastic with melted backing. Seems like the first thing that would break in heavy service, holstering often, etc. Not mentioned in any of the reviews on the SW9VE that I read beforehand, but a definite yuchh factor.

Never broke one, never seen one broken. It is made of the same nylon as the frame.
Suggest you try shooting it awhile before you redesign it; you may be surprised.

S&W Rover · Oct 9, 2009

Fired 200 rounds of 115 gr FMJ, of various manufacture.

First impressions:

-- Fed everything (Brown Bear, Blazer Brass, S&B) flawlessly. Feeds the first round very readily when the slide is pulled back and released, without the need to slingshot the slide.

-- The trigger is tricky. Had best success staging it back, then holding, then pulling the last bit to release the striker.

-- Accuracy is better than it seems. I was conscious of the gun moving a bit as I pulled the trigger, which is heavy and a bit long -- but the results on the target paper weren't that bad! More work required to master this trigger.

-- The barrel is thicker/heavier than my other 9mm's (P228, P6, FNP-9) and got hotter -- presumably because it holds the heat more.

-- The pistol is easy to disassemble and clean. The stainless receiver and barrel make it easy to see where the dirt is! Particularly important when shooting less expensive ammo. (Added: The groove for the slide rails is not very wide. My standard cleaning technique for this area on my pistols is a Q-tip, but Q-tips don't fit the Sigma in this place! I'm going to have to get some pipe cleaners!).

Overall -- very happy with this new acquisition.

sniper47 · Oct 9, 2009

deleted wrong topic

KyWstJoe · Oct 10, 2009

My every day carry is a 9VE and I just ordered one for my wife as her CCW should arrive in a few days. She wants mine, broke in (1200 down the pipe), been to S&W for polish the ramp, open the throat and a trigger job. All free including shipping. They made the trigger very smooth but still was long and hard. I think she likes it because it's "shiney", I polished the slide to a mirror finish. I'll do hers too if she wants. I took the torsion spring out from the sear assemble and the pull is 7-8# now. Still long and hard enough to prevent a "Plaxico" discharge. I would rather she have the new one with the heavy trigger for now being new to daily carry. I'll probably send her's to S&W for the same mods they did to mine and after she gets more experienced with the gun I'll pull the spring out. The trigger is perfect for a carry gun with no safety now. Not too light, not too heavy and still very long. It stages great. This spring does absolutely nothing but increase trigger pull. It has nothing to do with the striker springs and won't cause light primer strikes. It takes about 5 minutes to do with a big paper clip and can be put back in 5 minutes if you so desire. It's on You Tube as "S&W trigger job"

MattB · Oct 10, 2009

To put in perspective how good of a deal the Sigma is at $250, I seriously considered purchasing a Sig P6 today for $400. And the Sig was 29 years old and had some wear on it. If I didn't already have an M&P I'd seriously look at a Sigma for a DAO 9mm.

S&W Rover · Oct 10, 2009

KyWstJoe's SW9VE looks stunning with the shiny slide.

The SW9VE is a GREAT deal at $250. I removed the extra trigger spring from mine today, and the trigger is not as heavy, though just as long. This appears to be a good mod -- no affect on the striker itself, and no impact on safety. Will test it on the range shortly -- also need to run some JHP's through to test function with ammo other than FMJ.

To put the Sigma trigger in perspective... it is NOT like the crisp single action of a good M1911 or Sig SP2022 ("like a glass rod breaking") but it is very serviceable. In fact, my SW9VE trigger feels a lot like... my M&P 45. Not that the M&P autos get great reviews on their triggers, but they don't attract the criticism the Sigma gets. They are rightfully considered very serviceable.

And as long at this pistol feed, fires, and ejects 100% of the time... which this one has so far... it is a winner, and a great value at $250

highdesert45 · Oct 11, 2009

Satisfied with SW9VE

I am satisfied with my SW9VE. No problem with the sights or the trigger pull. KyWstJoe's polishing job is outstanding...I may try that. I am seriously considering getting another, this time, though, in black. The only nagging thing is that voice in the back of my head saying, "Go for the .40"...I may or may not listen to it.

brianc73 · Oct 11, 2009

Sw9ve

I just purchased my SW9VE for $250 with 2 mags. I purchased a fobus paddle holster which seems to work well for me. I have not had any problems with the sights or with anything else for that matter. The gun shoots straight and yes the trigger pull is harder than my other guns but I kind of like it that way for safety reasons. I would recommend to gun for any gun enthusiasts.

Walthernut · Oct 11, 2009

highdesert45 said:
I am satisfied with my SW9VE. No problem with the sights or the trigger pull. KyWstJoe's polishing job is outstanding...I may try that. I am seriously considering getting another, this time, though, in black. The only nagging thing is that voice in the back of my head saying, "Go for the .40"...I may or may not listen to it.

I have developed arthritis in my wrists and on damp days I find the .40 a bit of a challenge. Just some food for thought.

highdesert45 · Oct 11, 2009

Hard on the wrists

Thanks, Walthernut, I will take this under consideration. I am turning 50 this year (oh no!) and am having trouble with one of my knees. I have been a coach for years, but have not done much lately. The last thing I would need would be to limping around, AND feebly clutching my pistol as I try to line up that front sight...

Walthernut · Oct 12, 2009

highdesert45 said:
Thanks, Walthernut, I will take this under consideration. I am turning 50 this year (oh no!) and am having trouble with one of my knees. I have been a coach for years, but have not done much lately. The last thing I would need would be to limping around, AND feebly clutching my pistol as I try to line up that front sight...

You could go for the .40 and if it tires you switch to the 9mm. I notice with the .40 when I start with a full mag the gun isn't too bad, but as I continue firing and the overall weight of the pistol decreases it gets for lack of better words 'snappy'. On the lighter side I got about 16 years on you.

highdesert45 · Oct 12, 2009

Give .40 a try

I have a friend in the Delaware, Ohio Police Department who tells me that the officers like the 9 mm, but swear by the .40. I just might do that...and my hat is off to you, sir, my elder!

brianc73 · Oct 13, 2009

Looks Great!!

Your SW9VE looks GREAT!! What did you use to get such a shine on the slide?? I have a SW9VE and would like to shine mine up like yours. Thanks.
Brian

MK · Oct 13, 2009

highdesert45 said:
I have a friend in the Delaware, Ohio Police Department who tells me that the officers like the 9 mm, but swear by the .40. I just might do that...and my hat is off to you, sir, my elder!

Nothing wrong with the 9mm, but I prefer the .40
between the two. A lot of my use is in the woods, and I like
as much horsepower as I can get.

It's bigger, goes just as fast or slightly faster, and the blunt nose
cuts a mean hole that doesn't close up as easy as a sleek nose
9mm.
I would say repeat shots are a tad slower with the .40, or at least
for the average person. It can pop up a bit.
But myself, it doesn't bother me to shoot it.
Heck, I'd have a 10mm if I had my way when in the woods. :/
That's got a good bit more pop than a .40 S&W, so if you look at
it that way, the .40 doesn't seem so bad.

KyWstJoe · Oct 14, 2009

brianc73 said:
Your SW9VE looks GREAT!! What did you use to get such a shine on the slide?? I have a SW9VE and would like to shine mine up like yours. Thanks.
Brian

I used wet sand, started with 600 to get the bead blast finish off. Then 800, you need to stay with the 800 until all the scratches from the 600 are gone. Then 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 then Mothers Mag polish. Just remember not to rush it and move up in grit until all the scratches are gone from the previous grit. It took about 4 hours. You can get these grits at an auto body shop supply.

gunlovingirl · Oct 15, 2009

I was considering one of the 9mm. You can't beat the price with the rebate. However, I can get a slightly used .40 in box with papers and paddle holster for $225. My concern is the recoil. With both actually. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands, and am wondering if the .40 would be too much. I've always preferred a wheelgun, but the price of these Sigmas is very tempting. Any thoughts, besides the posts above, on the difference in recoil between the two? One other thing, my concern isn't just with recoil, but also racking.

Table-top review of new SW9VE ($250)

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