I shot my new SW40VE today and was really impressed for the price that I paid for it! I put 60 rounds through it without a single problem.Other than me getting used to the new pistol trigger pull I love it! The DAO trigger will take some getting used to but any shot that I took today would have been in the main body mass and I will get better the more that I shoot it.For $250 after rebate I am very pleased with this pistol.While I don't plan to shoot in competition with it for self defense it should do just fine.

Congrats on your new pistol! I agree with you 100%- I think the SW40VE is a great pistol!

__________________
NRA Life Member

The SW40VE is probably the best gun deal out there. I can't think of any company that makes a 40 S&W anywhere near the price of the Sigma.

For the price it just can't be beat ! I was worried about having feed and ejection problems but it worked perfectly ! I plan to put 100-200 rounds through it to break it in some and then i will try some hollow points to see how they feed.I bought the pistol in November and never shot it until yesterday which is highly unusual for me.Every time that I planned to shoot the pistol something happened with work or family to keep me from firing it.Usually I'm shooting a new gun within hours if not minutes of purchase but I just don't have as much time to do that as I would like anymore.

Your choice for an inexpensive shooter was a good one.

I would only ask that you try not to have the expectation that you are going to have problems with your weapon. I never cease to be amazed at the number of posts across many forums where people propagate the myth that Sigmas have "issues". When you look at the root of the opinion in these cases, it never seems to be 1st hand knowledge, but rather someone passing along something they heard.

I'm sure that you will be as please with your 6,000th rounds as you are with your 60th. The only real and deserved complaint about the Sigma is the overly hard trigger pull. This is thanks in large part to the Glock lawsuit from years ago. Part of the settlement with Glock was to ensure that the Sigma did not have a trigger that came anywhere near the feel Glock's trigger. (You can call S&W if your trigger bothers you and have them fix it for free.)

The Sigma is a great example of getting more than what you paid for.

The main complaints that I have seen in different forums is after people modify the trigger to make it lighter.I have seen a lot of posts with people saying to shoot it and it will wear in just fine.Mine is not that bad and I will just shoot it and see how it goes.I have to say that so far I am very pleased with my new pistol and it was a bargain!

I've never heard any complaints about the VE Sigma series aside from the trigger. The trigger bites, I can say that as the owner of both the 9VE (sold) and 40VE, but you'll still hit the piece of notebook paper down range. Overall, the stout trigger is hardly a valid complaint when considering the never failing value of a new pistol at these prices. Pity the F series Sigma trigger assembly didn't survive, because my old 9F Sigma I bought used for $150 groups nicely and rapid fires on the paper all day. Bottom line with the Sigma series, it's a good gun and a great gun for the money. If you're expecting to put the entire magazine in a 1 inch group at 50', look elsewhere. If you want a gun that never fails and is good enough to have fun with and possibly defend you and yours, the Sigma is a great choice. Again, shredding the target at 40 feet is more than good enough and at this the Sigma has no problem. The Sigma, to me, is like the American AK, mass produced, easily repaired (if necessary-I haven't had any problems) and affordable.

I bought S&W because I already own a Model 28 Highway Patrolman 357 magnum. If the SW40VE holds up anywhere near as good as that pistol I will be set for life.From the comments that I'm getting here I beleive that I won't have any problems with it lasting that long ! Thanks for all the posts and info.

I spoke with two different people at S&W last week and they told me that they absolutely will not lighten the trigger pull on a Sigma, period.

Now personally, I get along with the trigger just fine, coming from a background of shooting a lot of double-action revolvers through the years, but my wife has a little harder time with her Sigma, so I checked to see if there was anything they could do. In a nutshell, they told me that they will not lighten the trigger at all, as they consider the hefty pull to be part of the guns inherent safety features.

I love the two Sigma's I have. I have nearly 5000 rounds through one of them, and close to 2000 rounds through another. The one with 5000 has not had one single malfunction of any kind whatsoever, and the one with 2000 has had 2 FTE's with some handloaded ammo. Other than that, they have been flawless. I would gladly buy another.

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

I know this is what they say, but several forum members have stated that they sent their Sigmas to S&W with complaints of gritty, unsatisfactory trigger, and it came back with a trigger weight between 5 and 6 lbs. I don't know about you, but my out-of-the-box trigger is not that light.

I mentioned that to the tech I spoke with on Friday and he said absolutely not. He said if the trigger felt "gritty", they could smooth it out, but he said the only way to reduce trigger pull weight would be by changing or modifying the springs involved with the trigger group and/or striker. He said no such modification exists.

I'd guess the factory new trigger weight on a Sigma is around 10 pounds. I'd guess on mine that I have around 5000 rounds through, it's around 8 pounds +/-. I know 5 or 6 pounds would be nice, but S&W claims they can't/won't even get you close to that, and I hate to send one of my guns back for nothing.

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

The last one is in Texas LSG Manufacturing.
Contact Frank Smith phone: 325 885-2700. Tell him the problem you're having...he will give you instructions and shipping number to get the gun to him. For mine it was a 2 day turnaround!!

Call Frank Smith and he will get you fixed up for Free. My turnaround was 7 days Frank had been sick.

My Sigma 40VE trigger is breaking at 5.5 pounds and the travel is much shorter.

__________________
Protected by Sigma 40VE

Deltaboy,

Does Frank alter/remove springs in the gun? With all the quick-fixes going around I just want to be sure.

Detaboy - I believe you sent me an email earlier today. I tried to reply, but I keep getting a failure notice when I try to send it to you.

Anyway, I believe you have provided me with most of the information I was trying to get from you. I would also be curious to the answer of cAlvis question he asked above. Thank you!

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

BTW - Did you weigh the trigger pull on a scale? Thanks again!

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

I love my 40VE I bought mine locally on close out because it was the 40 GVE. I walked out of the store with a .40 cal at $289 with discount. I sent the gun into Smith to have the trigger smoothed out. It does not feel any lighter but very smooth. Also I now have close to 1500 rounds through it with on FTF (Hand load). Other wise this gun works flawlessly. I could not be happier with this purchase. My wife also has the 9ve which she loves.

I have a SW40VE as well. It is a great gun light to carry and it has been a pleasure to shoot. Took it on a Javalina hunt as back up very easy to tote around through the brush, have fun with it.

__________________
San Diego, CA

I was contemplating getting a Taurus 24/7 in 9mm for the 17+1 capacity but after shooting the SW40VE I may go for another Sigma but in 9mm! Just a little less capacity but a better price esp if S&W has the rebate offer again.

I sent my 9VE to S&W in Springfield with 7 light strikes and 2 stovepipes in the first 400 rounds. I also complained the trigger was "mushy" and "grainy" feeling. They said on the shop report they "adjusted trigger". I don't know what they did but it's great. Still long and hard but smooth and no more "when is it going to go bang" feeling. I have found for me "pull"not "sqeeezzze" the trigger gives me much better accuracy. A little MilTec grease around the sear and it's great. With over 1000 rounds it's been flawless since S&W polished the ramp and opened up the throat. It eats anything I feed it. It's my daily carry gun and I completely trust it. I also am a fan of the long and hard trigger for safety.

I'm with Deltaboy !!!
My striker had broken on me at a point and I too sent it in to Frank Smith @ LSG manufacturing. He is a great guy and a great gun smith. I believe he shaved a little off the striker which contacts the sear and this shortened the amount of pull and actually made the trigger pull feel lighter even though all the original springs were still there. If you want some good work done to your S&W, I highly recommend Mr. Frank Smith !!!

This week I plan to buy my Sigma 40. I'm buying it at Cabelas for #357.00. Though I've seen some of you have purchased yours at a better price. So I ask, in your opinions, is $357.00 a good price? It's the best I've been able to find in the Omaha and Lincoln, NE area.

I would call it an "average" price. Certainly not spectacular, but not too bad either.

I thought I heard that S&W was coming back out with the $50 mail in rebate on Sigma's?

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

If that's the case I would love to take advantage of that offer.

I considered the Taurus Millenium Pro SS because Cabelas has them on sale for $359.00, but I like the look and feel of the Sigma Besides eveything I've read on the two, the Sigma just seems like the better of the two guns.

When I go to Cabelas this week, I'll about the mail in rebate.

he Sigma series is reliable at a good price. As with any better quality weapon there are always a few issues . Many can be attributed to outside influences such as ammo, damaged mags, dirt, etc. Very few are true 100% failures. Besides S&W seems to be very good at customer service.

__________________
TDR911 Sigma Laser Systems

I also shot my new sw40ve today and WOW was I amazed. Put about 80 rounds through it no problem.

I really like my choice. I am very happy with this purchase.

I believe the Sigma is the best auto buy on the market today.

__________________
Protected by Sigma 40VE

I have to agree with DB , the SW40VE or the Sigma in any caliber is the best buy that I have seen lately. A lot of people hate the trigger pull but I have no problems with mine and so far it is 100% reliable !

cabelas is expensive on everything,, go to academy,, i got my 40ve on sale there for 299, their regular price is 339 which is still cheaper than cabelas

the price is what sold me at 1st, and after 600 rounds it working perfectly. thinking about getting and sw9ve next

Too late. I bought it today from Cabelas.

Bottom line...you got the gun. Now, have fun.

Now that I have the gun, I'm looking for a holster for it. What do you recommend I get? I'm looking for a concealed carry belt holster. It should be open topped (not thumb break), high riding and canted, and preferably with snap belt loops. I'd consider either a plain scabbard or pancake. Can someone recommend a particular make and model?

I carry my M&P full size in a Galco FLETCH and even though I'm thin I can conceal it under an untucked polo shirt.

I carry my Sigma every day in a KHOLSTER. It is the most comfortable IWB I have ever used, hands down. I can easily wear it from the time I get up, until I retire it on the night stand in the evening. If you decide you want one, and you use this code when you order: 335093, you will get 10% off of your purchase.

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

Thanks MattB and cshoff

The Galco Summer comfort Carry for the 40 cal S&W M&P also works.

__________________
Protected by Sigma 40VE

See you all have moved on to holster from starting with the gun itself, just wanted to say I got one about a month ago and love it, for concealed, especially when hiking I found a fanny pak/butt bag on ebay UTG is the brand name, not sure what it stands for but love it, no one knows you have it, the little velcro holster that came with it is for a smaller gun, but, just secure the sigma with the velcro straps and off ya go. the pockets are big enough for 2 extra mags also. It only cost about 16 bucks.

I just purchased a Sigma Series SW40VE. I took it to the range yesterday and found that when the sights are aligned on bull, the rounds are striking approximately 10” to 14” low at a distance of merely 10 yards. Baffled that such inaccuracy and blatant defect is not the quality folks have come to know and expect from Smith & Wesson, I asked my NRA Cert. Instructor to take the 40VE out for a spin. His findings were the same and siad "something must be done about that!"

With sights aligned on bull at a distance of approximately 10 yards, the rounds completely miss the paper when using a slow fire target. Rounds are consistently striking 10”-14” below point of aim when both I and the LE Instructor fire the pistol. We even switched up ammo to see if that made any difference. We used stable mount/grip and eliminarted trigger pull as a possible culprit.

In order for one to come anywhere close to grouping rounds near bull, one must raise the front sight complete above the sight window. Doing so makes lateral aim nearly impossible. It is not feasible that one can be expect to aim a firearm with the front sight elevated above the sight window. This defect is not acceptable. A firearm that cannot be aimed is not very useful.

While I am generally pleased with the overall material and the action of the 40VE as indicative of Smith & Wesson quality, the glaring defect with the sights simply cannot stand. Though some complain about the SW40VE trigger, I found it no more heavy than a typical double action. It just requires a steady squeeze.

Has anyone else experienced a similar problem with the sights on this model? Is this a problem that Smith & Wesson has discovered on other SW40VE models and has a recall been issued? Does anyone have experience with Smith & Wesson regarding repair, replacement or refund?

FYI: The NRA LE Instructor and I also fired 2 Glocks, a Beretta, and a double-action Bersa on the same outing. We both kept good groups around bull at 3-7-10-15 yards - except with the SW40VE.

Yes, I have experienced the same problem and I can, with near absolute certainty, tell you that it's your fault (and I mean this in the least snotty way possible!)

I had exactly the same problem with my 9mm. Here's what I discovered: As you've experienced, the Sigma has a pretty heavy pull - by design. It is easy as all get-out to, just before the trigger breaks, dip the barrel just a bit. Trust me, it's true - I didn't believe it until I went to the range and put the pistol in a bench rest and fired off a few rounds. Each shot went straight and true. Then I very slowly (and I mean veeerrrrryyyy slowly) pulled the trigger with the pad of my finger, almost at the end of my finger, and had no dip.

I tried quickly picking the gun up from the bench and doing a double tap. 10" low. I essentially had to teach myself how to shoot the gun correctly. I found that a square grip (I'm not sure how to describe it...shoulders square to the target, both arms equally extended, off hand thumb slightly ahead of strong hand thumb) provided the most stable platform. A weaver-type grip was the worst for me.

Try that out - do just what I did. I think that you'll be surprised.

Thanks for the reply and it wasn't snotty at all! In fact that was my very first conclusion.

I knew the SW40VE had a pretty heavy trigger when I bought it and thought for sure I was just screwin' it up. I also have revolvers and DA/SA pistols and am accustomed to a heavy pull. I tried everything in my technique to not pull, but failed to get off any accurate shots.

That's when I called in my local NRA LE Firearms Instructor to test the SW40VE. I told him about the heavy trigger and that I thought it was my fault, but just couldn't seem to correct it with all the concentration in the world. Time and again I tried proper technique and trigger squeeze and didn't have any luck.

When it happened with the NRA LE Instructor, he also tried to eleminate any pull when shooting. My NRA LE Instructor even switched up ammo to see if that made any difference. That’s when he decided to use a stable mount and eliminated trigger pull as the most likely culprit. At that point, I was advised to seek service.

The SW40VE was sent yesterday to a S&W gunsmith for further diagnosis. If my NRA LE Instructor couldn't get it to hit close to bull with a stable mount target test, it made sense to at least get it looked at.

PS: The stance you were trying to name is most often called the "combat" stance. When I did my latest qualification, the weaver stance was prohibitied and only the combat stance was permitted for the qualification for my DCJS Firearm endorsement. While I am fairly comfortable with either, I still prefer the weaver. It was the stance I learned as I was growing up. Tac training now tends to focusing more on the combat stance as it allows for faster lateral movement and transitioning to firing on the move if a bad guy starts firing back. Conversely, the weaver offers less of your own body as target mass for the bad guy to shoot at.

Competitive shooters typically prefer the weaver stance for accuracy whereas LE/Mil/Sec shooters just want to take a taget out and get to cover as quickly as possible if the stuff hits the fan. I have also heard the combat stance called the "triangle stance" because your arms and shoulders form a triangle as do your legs to the ground.

That shooting position is known as the Isosceles because of it's resemblance to an Isosceles triangle.

With the Isosceles the feet are placed about shoulder width apart, feet and shoulders are square to the target, knees slightly bent with your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet. The pistol is grasped in a normal two-handed grip, and held with both arms extended fully forward. Elbows should be straight, but not locked, head erect and shoulders not hunched.

It's a pretty common position, however, most people find that the Weaver provides them with better recoil management which results in quicker follow up shots, especially with magnum calibers.

Of course, then there is the Chapman position, which is kind of a combination of the Isosceles and the Weaver.

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

How do these compare to the SW9VE? Is there a noticeable difference between the two other the the price of rounds? I like my SC9VE that I bought yesterday so much I might just buy the SW40VE.

I've only dry fired it so far but I don't feel any issues at all with the trigger. I've read allot of negative things about it though. And there is supposed to be a fix by removing or changing a spring. Leaving mine just like it is.

Shouldn't be any difference as far as the feel
of the pistol.
Just the .40S&W can be a bit "snappier" than
the 9mm as far as the round. It's not bad mind
you, bit I imagine it could slightly slow down
repeat shots vs say a milder 9mm round unless
you are used to it.
I'm no great pistol shooter, so it probably
effects me to some extent..
To me, shooting a .40 kind of feels like a 9mm
with some pretty hot ammo for a lack of a better
description.
I bought the .40 cuz it's purely for defense,
animals most likely if anything, and I think
the .40 gives more smashumup per round vs the
9mm. The blunt nose makes it a good hole
puncher. So I'm quite willing to trade the
extra ammo cost and "pop" for what I think is a
more effective round on the varmints I might
run into.

I'm just wanting to have two so when I take my sons (20 & 26) shooting we won't be with only one gun. There's a pretty nice indoor range we want go to for bonding sessions. What better way the blasting targets. Reviews say it great ammo for the range.

Hey, great excuse to buy two more guns. So we each have one. The wife will fall for that one. He,he,he,he,............

May just get another 9mm since Walmart has the brass ammo for under $9 per 50 here in Columbia.

That shooting position is known as the Isosceles because of it's resemblance to an Isosceles triangle.


Great job! I ducked "isosceles" and went with "triangle" because I couldn't remember how to spell "isosceles" ! They are the same stance, however - and CShoff described it perfectly!

In my experience, military & fed security folks use the term "combat" more frequently while LE folks often use "isosceles" instead. Still the same stance expertly described by CShoff.

Well, what I provided really should have been a "textbook" description. I took it right out of my lesson plan that I use for my CCW classes. We use essentially the same explanation in our NRA courses as well.

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

Like this?

(left) In the original isosceles stance, the shooter stands erect with his arms held straight out. It makes for accurate shooting, but does not compensate for the severe recoil, which makes multiple shots very difficult.
(right) The combat isosceles stance makes use of the athletic stance, but in Wilson’s view, it does not deal with recoil as well as the Weaver stance.


Sheriff Jim Wilson recommends what he calls the “modern Weaver stance.” It is balanced, focused, dynamic, and able to deal with recoil in order to deliver quick and accurate repeat shots.


I prefer the Weaver stance.

For most situations, I prefer the Weaver as well. That said, shooting weak side from behind a barricade, for example, requires a modified position in order to keep as much of your body behind the cover as possible. When you get into the more advanced defensive shooting techniques, you have to be able to adapt and modify your preferred positions while still maintaining balance, stability, support, natural point of aim, and as much comfort as possible. You also may need to cant your pistol one way or the other when you fire in order to use the cover effectively.

__________________
NRA Pistol,PPITH,PPOTH&TASER

Whew! I knew I could depend on you guys to come up with a name for it!

Pasifikawv, let us know what you find out about your SW40VE.

I don't know about Pasifikawv but I have had a new SW40VE for about a month now and I have taken it to the range twice. The first time I put about 130 rounds through it with 30 of those being my SD round, a Federal hollow point 185gr and the other 100 Winchester 165gr with no fail's to do anything I found the gun so much fun to shoot! Very smooth, light, and accurate except for me getting used to the trigger a bit. I was still able to hit center mass and head with all 10 rounds at 7,10, and 15 yds though.
The second time I took her out was this last Saturday morning and I must say it was almost like night and day. I was decently accurate with the gun on the first go around but this last time I was dead on. I shot one handed this time also and found that the gun is super easy to shoot one handed. I was able to hit one of those tiny little black with florescent underneath targets from ten yds, 3 bulls eyes, 4 within the 8-9 range and the other 3 were just outside that. I could easily shoot a round per second (which is as fast as we are allowed to shoot at my range) with one hand and keep the gun on the target. So final assessment after 2 range trips with about 250 rounds of 3 different types of ammo and no FTanything's or malfunctions. I am extremely impressed and happy with my purchase of my SW40VE and look forward to 1000's of rounds of fun and would say that I easily trust this gun with me and my family's life. It goes bang every time you pull the trigger and is accurate and .40 caliber packs a pretty good punch.