First fondle of the SD

[VictorLouis]

I was in a shop yesterday, and to my surprise, they had a .40 in the case next to about 3 Sigmas. So, the comparo was easy. Laid one atop the other, they were for all intents and purposes exactly the same size.

Grip shape was likely closer to the Sigma than the M&P, but just different enough that you could tell it was different. Same pointing ability as the Sigma.

Mags looked for all the world like the same thing! They both interchanged between pistols, and both locked the other pistol open. Only the molding reinforcements on the baseplates were different from one another. Yes, the SD's were also nickled.

Front night-sight is a nice touch. W/O around the capsule, and really sets it apart from the painted two-dot rears. Dovetailed, of course. Rear has that 'step' cut into it for the slick technique of using your belt or the edge of a counter to rack your slide.

Slide seems beefier from Sigma, though I don't necessarily think it's any heavier. Definitely more to grasp on the SD, with wider, larger grooves.
The muzzle end is more chamfered than on the Sigma. So, should be easier into the holster.

Trigger guard and trigger are straight-up M&P. The Sigma trigger was the horrendous 10lb+(?) unit that is much decried. The SD felt like that of an M&P Pro, though I've only dry-fired those twice. Nice.

 

[angel71rs]

What was the asking price of the SD, and the Sigmas for comparison?

 

[GKC]

Mags looked for all the world like the same thing! They both interchanged between pistols, and both locked the other pistol open. Only the molding reinforcements on the baseplates were different from one another. Yes, the SD's were also nickled.

Hmmm...I called S&W the other day on a different matter, and while I was talking to the CSR I asked if the SD could use the same mags as the Sigma. The CSR replied in a slightly vexed tone that the SD was an entirely different gun with different internals and it was not a Sigma!

I felt like saying "Well Excuse ME!" but instead just said thank you. I guess they get that question a lot! Of course, that doesn't mean he knew the correct answer....I guess field experience will tell.

 

[dwhite53]

I wonder how the sear assemblies compare between the Sigma and SD? Is it possible they are interchangeable?

All the Best,
D. White

 

[Rick-F]

I'd think that was very unlikely.

 

[VictorLouis]

Sigmas at $366, and the SD at $428, or $438. Their M&Ps were in the low-5's, one shelf up.

There's no way that trigger could share much with the Sigma. As I said, it was clearly M&P in pattern and feel.

 

[conn ak]

Shot the XD (M) 40 two weeks ago. Nice gun. Very nice gun. It's over 500 clams though.

 

[conn ak]

Shot the XD (M) 40 two weeks ago. Nice gun. Very nice gun. It's over 500 clams though.

Cut my own post off. Does anyone know of any reviews of the SD? S&W will probably come down on it's price eventually. Maybe under $400..........?

 

[MyLastRook]

It's not the Sigma trigger. Other than them both being striker fired pistols, theres really no resemblance at all to the Sigma trigger.

I cannot for the life of me understand this childish need of so many on this board to lump the SD in with the Sigma, so they can bash it for sharing the Sigma's woes or bad mouth it for not being in the same Crossman air pistol price range as the Sigma.

 

[Sleddog30]

It's not the Sigma trigger. Other than them both being striker fired pistols, theres really no resemblance at all to the Sigma trigger.

I cannot for the life of me understand this childish need of so many on this board to lump the SD in with the Sigma, so they can bash it for sharing the Sigma's woes or bad mouth it for not being in the same Crossman air pistol price range as the Sigma.

Relax... Most of us have not seen a SD. I haven't. But the pictures show a sigma like trigger. Just like the MP does. That's only an external view. And that's what looks the same. Are the internals different? I don't know. I have not seen a parts breakdown. Nor have I had a MP or an SD in my hands...

 

[conn ak]

It's not the Sigma trigger. Other than them both being striker fired pistols, theres really no resemblance at all to the Sigma trigger.

I cannot for the life of me understand this childish need of so many on this board to lump the SD in with the Sigma, so they can bash it for sharing the Sigma's woes or bad mouth it for not being in the same Crossman air pistol price range as the Sigma.

Let's hope it gets "lumped" with the Sigma, an awesome pistol for the price. I'm hoping it's lumped in with the M&P, only more affordable.

 

[1066]

Got a kick out of S&W web site for the SD, they finally got it right! They called the 10 round version "Low Capacity" and the 16 round (9MM) and 14 round (40S&W) guns "Std Capacity".

If only the media would get it right now.

 

[Tom Servo]

I've had the chance to disassemble both. Internally, they are almost exactly the same. The trigger appears to be the same mechanism as the Sigma. Millings in the slide are very similar.

Slides, barrels and magazines appear to interchange, but I have not shot either that way and do not recommend doing so.

What it appears to be is a Sigma with some improvements. Trigger pull is much lighter, sights are steel rather than plastic, the extractor seems beefier, and you've got a Picatinny rail as opposed to the proprietary one on the Sigma.

 

[delta1679]

I got the chance to check out the SD40 up close and personal today. VictorLouis did a great job with the general description. Seems like a nice addition to the S&W line-up. The sticker was marked at $419 (Bad Axe, Michigan).

 

[leejack]

Thanks for posting the pic, delta!

Looks nice although I'm not crazy about the serrations (just a pet peeve of mine).

I figured it would go for about $100 more than the sigma.

I'd love to try one out. I wonder which member of our esteemed club will be the first to get one???

Lee

 

[Out West]

Servo, interesting post regarding the similarity between the triggers. If the basic mechanisms are the same, there may be a chance to improve the Sigma trigger using parts from the SD.

Out
West

 

[bigbob68]

Thanks for the pic. I love to see pics when making comparisons.

 

[Tom Servo]

If the basic mechanisms are the same, there may be a chance to improve the Sigma trigger using parts from the SD.

That's what I'm curious about. As far as I can tell, they're very similar. Here are some comparison pictures I took:

SW40VE on the right, SD40 on the left:

SD40 internals:

Sigma internals:

Slides of both pistols:

Magazines look identical, for the most part:

Baseplates are different, but appear to be interchangeable:

Slides can be exchanged between the two. This is the Sigma slide on the SD40 frame:

Again, I caution that I have not shot the gun in this manner, nor can I recommend doing so until I know more. Still, this pistol seems like an "improved" Sigma for the most part. I measured the trigger at 8.5lbs, and it seems a bit smoother and more consistent than the Sigma.

(I have, however, fired a well broken-in Sigma, and the triggers do improve with time.)

Given the night sight, the ~$60 difference in the two is negligible. I'm not sure if the SD series can fit Sigma holsters, as the rails add a bit of bulk, and the slide has a more squared-off shape.

For a $420 gun, this seems like a winner.

 

[Krull]

Looks like the same gun with some improvements,if you wanna help sell the things Tom try the SD with Sigma mags,I suspect if it works then the things will fly off the shelf.

I may get one of these or a Sigma at some point,I dunno yet.

 

[KyWstJoe]

Nice pics, thanks.