smith46wesson
Member
I’m fairly familiar with the 3rd Gen S&W. I’m wondering how folks would compare them to a Sig M11-A1? My layaway period is almost complete and I’m looking forward to trying mine out.
S&W vs Sig comparison
- Thread starter smith46wesson
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Amp
Member
I like the 3rd gens and still use my 3913 today. Although I have a few striker/plastic guns, my preference is da/sa.
I go to Sig for autos now and Smith for revolvers.
You are going to like your new purchase.
I go to Sig for autos now and Smith for revolvers.
You are going to like your new purchase.
Jeppo
Member
Which model did you buy?
You are asking for an entire lineup of firearms from one manufacturer to be compared to a single model from a different manufacturer
Not really fair
There are many 3rd gen Smith and Wessons that I prefer over a SIG M11
However I would prefer the SIG M11 over the S&W 5904 which is probably it's closest counterpart in the Smith and Wesson lineup.
Not really fair
There are many 3rd gen Smith and Wessons that I prefer over a SIG M11
However I would prefer the SIG M11 over the S&W 5904 which is probably it's closest counterpart in the Smith and Wesson lineup.
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 19,382
- Reaction score
- 30,432
Personally, I'd go for a Colt Gold Cup over both. The sights on the GC are much better (especially for Target work & competition). List price on a Colt GC is $1299 but I've seen them for less. They are reliable tack drivers right out of the box and IMHO if you never bought another Colt, the 1911 Gold Cup is THE one to get!
The Sigs combine a fairly short, heavy double action pull with a short light SA pull. The source of the "crunchenticker" label for TDA pistols.
By comparison, the S&W TDA uses a longer, but less heavy DA pull and a SA somewhat heavier than the Sig. Less of an issue in getting off a well placed controlled pair.
I first encountered Sigs during our early 1990s service pistol trials. As a then long time 1911 user, I found the Sigs decocking lever and slide release confusing. YMMV. OTOH, flicking the S&W safety off with a straight thumb while getting your grip was easy to learn.
By comparison, the S&W TDA uses a longer, but less heavy DA pull and a SA somewhat heavier than the Sig. Less of an issue in getting off a well placed controlled pair.
I first encountered Sigs during our early 1990s service pistol trials. As a then long time 1911 user, I found the Sigs decocking lever and slide release confusing. YMMV. OTOH, flicking the S&W safety off with a straight thumb while getting your grip was easy to learn.
OP
smith46wesson
Member
I’ll be getting the FDE version. From the best I can tell they are actually discontinued in that coloration, but I kinda like FDE and it was a good bit less expensive than I could find a black one. I doubt I will carry it much, if at all, so that won’t make a difference.
OP
smith46wesson
Member
That is true. I did paint it with a rather broad brush. The 915 I used to own would likely be the closest comparison I have personal experience with. My other 3rd gens were a 3913 and a 5946.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Long time user of the 1911 pistols and I have considerable experience with the S&W 39/59/69 series in several iterations. Personally, I find the Sig design superior, the decocker is easy to operate and serves no other function (as with the S&W's safety function), the slide release is close to the thumb and easy to use when needed.
As much as I love Smith & Wesson I have to say that the Sig-Sauer P6-P225-P220-P226-P228-P229 are the pistols S&W wishes they had made.
On the other hand I will take just about any S&W pistol before I'll take a whole box of Glocks.
But that's just me and my opinion.
I have both gold cups, Trophy and National Match. My Trophy is 2017 production and the NM 1981. I also have a Sig Legion 229 (same family as the M11-A1). The Trophy msrp is $1699, and the NM is $1299 as you stated, the Legion is somewhere between.
All three are superb shooters, but they are completely different critters. Personally I think a 9mm 1911 and the external extractor on the 1911 are signs of the decline of western civilization, So I am sure you are only talking about 45 ACP
. In all seriousness having both, as well as having had a Smith pc1911 (yah I know the external extractor), I think someone expecting the 9mm experience might not be happy with a 45. The 45 Gold Cups to me are brute force (accurate as heck, but brute force none the less), in comparison to the 9mm 229 that is finesse exemplified. The 229 is also DA/SA with a decocker, so it’s a little more civilized as a carry gun. The Gold Cups are more competition oriented and you have to be a masochist to CC one. And of course size wise the GCs are full size GI 5” barrels, the 229 family is more consistent with the 4 ¼” Commander.
Are the Colts excellent guns? Yes, unquestionably. Are they similar to the Sig 229? Nope.
Hank
Sig's decocker only works well for righties.
As a lefty, it's very cumbersome.
Shame, because I love Sigs.
Similar threads
