Decocking the Sigma

[delta1679]

While recently chatting with a friend of mine, he mentioned that he decocks his firearms after unloading and preparing to put them in the safe, whether it be lowering the hammer or pulling the trigger on pistols similar to the Sigma. In the case of the Sigma, he said it reduces the strain on the firing pin spring. I vaguely recall seeing something about that on this forum, but can't find it now. Any feedback on if these should be done? Thanks!

 

[Will Carry]

I guess you could do that if you want to. I personally think the firing pin could be cocked and stored for a hundred years and not be damaged. But in theory the guy is correct and it will certainly not hurt the weapon to do that.

 

[OKFC05]

Does he also loosen the valve springs on his car engine if he is not going to drive for a month or so?

He needs to find something important to obsess about, IMHO.

 

[leejack]

I don't think this makes one bit of difference with a sigma.

After you unload it dry firing it won't hurt any.

 

[writerinmo]

It is the compression and release that causes metal fatigue. Leaving the spring either way doesn't affect it's performance or longevity.

 

[Jim H]

The Sigma is designed to be left with the striker spring tensioned and does not need to be 'decocked' until you want to take it apart.

If your friend 'decocks' it safely each and every time it won't hurt the springs, but it probably won't help them either...

 

[remat457]

It is the compression and release that causes metal fatigue. Leaving the spring either way doesn't affect it's performance or longevity.

I agree with this.

 

[40cal]

If I understand my SW40 trigger setup corectly.
Racking one in the chamber just sets the trigger bar onto the striker and searblock, there is no presure on the striker spring until YOU pull the trigger rearward thus drawing the striker back until it snaps free and strikes the primer. So the spring is at rest normally on a DAO trigger.

However a Glock is setup very different than a "clone" Sigma.

I keep mine with one in the pipe 24/7 EDC.

 

[arg271]

If I understand my SW40 trigger setup corectly.
Racking one in the chamber just sets the trigger bar onto the striker and searblock, there is no presure on the striker spring until YOU pull the trigger rearward thus drawing the striker back until it snaps free and strikes the primer. So the spring is at rest normally on a DAO trigger.

However a Glock is setup very different than a "clone" Sigma.

I keep mine with one in the pipe 24/7 EDC.

40 Cal:

You are absolutely correct. The Sigma is a true DAO.
Firing pin is at rest after reset.
It's one of the safety features that makes me comfortable carrying it with one in the pipe.

argon

 

[delta1679]

Thanks for the info! I figured S&W would have put it in the manual if it needed to be done. But I still had some doubt and decided to throw it out to the experts to be absolutely sure. Your responses definitely didn't disappoint.

 

[bitstream]

40 Cal:

You are absolutely correct. The Sigma is a true DAO.
Firing pin is at rest after reset.
It's one of the safety features that makes me comfortable carrying it with one in the pipe.

argon

I keep my Sigma loaded with one in the pipe and a full mag 24/7. I looked into all the spring mythology and decided it's just urban legend. I also figure that if I ever need it, I'll probably need it RIGHT NOW. I doubt that I want to have to take the time to rack a slide, insert a mag, flick off a safety, etc. The DAO and Sigma's storied trigger pull make it a lot safer to do this. The Sigma isn't likely to fire unless you want it to.

 

[HspncElvis]

I keep my Sigma loaded with one in the pipe and a full mag 24/7. I looked into all the spring mythology and decided it's just urban legend. I also figure that if I ever need it, I'll probably need it RIGHT NOW. I doubt that I want to have to take the time to rack a slide, insert a mag, flick off a safety, etc. The DAO and Sigma's storied trigger pull make it a lot safer to do this. The Sigma isn't likely to fire unless you want it to.

Couldn't agree with you more!

 

[CajunBass]

Thanks for the info! I figured S&W would have put it in the manual if it needed to be done. But I still had some doubt and decided to throw it out to the experts to be absolutely sure. Your responses definitely didn't disappoint.

Who are you going to trust? The people who designed it, built it, literally wrote the book on it, and will have to pay to fix it if they're wrong...or "Some guy I talked to."

When in doubt, read the manual.