While shopping the used guns at my favorite store today, the salesman asked me how the used 40VE I bought a few weeks ago worked out. I told him I'm happy with it for $200, but it wanders like the 2 other Sigmas I've owned. No problem, it goes bang every time and will certainly take out any rabid chipmunk or coyote I might encounter while hiking the Indian trails here in Connecticut. A gentleman to my left, a police officer if a holstered Glock and handcuffs on his belt is any indication, stated that he considers the Sigma the Saturday night special of the 2000's I stated that I was under the impression that thugs and bangers carry Glocks nowadays. He stated that he sees plenty of Glocks, but legally purchased and resold (illegal) Sigmas are more and more the sidearm under the seat and are all too often confiscated during traffic stops. Poor people can afford one (like me, I guess) and readily sell them when short of money...therefore, an abundance of illegally carried Sigmas in the city. Any LEO out there confirm this, that is, the Sigma a major player in Crime City (Hartford, New Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport,etc.)
Interesting comment at the gun store about the Sigma today
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While shopping the used guns at my favorite store today, the salesman asked me how the used 40VE I bought a few weeks ago worked out. I told him I'm happy with it for $200, but it wanders like the 2 other Sigmas I've owned. No problem, it goes bang every time and will certainly take out any rabid chipmunk or coyote I might encounter while hiking the Indian trails here in Connecticut. A gentleman to my left, a police officer if a holstered Glock and handcuffs on his belt is any indication, stated that he considers the Sigma the Saturday night special of the 2000's I stated that I was under the impression that thugs and bangers carry Glocks nowadays. He stated that he sees plenty of Glocks, but legally purchased and resold (illegal) Sigmas are more and more the sidearm under the seat and are all too often confiscated during traffic stops. Poor people can afford one (like me, I guess) and readily sell them when short of money...therefore, an abundance of illegally carried Sigmas in the city. Any LEO out there confirm this, that is, the Sigma a major player in Crime City (Hartford, New Haven, New Britain, Bridgeport,etc.)
"Blame the gun" is a favorite theme of the Brady Bunch and other anti-gunners. Small guns are to blame because they are easily concealed, inexpensive guns are to blame because poor people can buy them, .50 cal are to blame because they are so powerful, and so on endlessly repeated propaganda.
BALONEY.
BALONEY.
Well, I'm not a cop nor do I play one on TV (nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express), but I do not view the Sigma as a Saturday Night Special. To me, a Saturday Night Special is a gun not only of low price, but of low quality and is usually in a small caliber. A gun basically made to be purchased, used once to kill, then discarded.
While some Sigmas have had reliability problems in the past, and the trigger pull is less than ideal, Sigmas are decent quality firearms. In fact, our armorer says the enhanced Sigmas (basically those made from 1999 on) are among the most durable pistols on which he has ever worked. We have two or three rental Sigmas at the range, and you can bet your last dollar that they get shot a lot (as in 500 to 1000 rounds per month), especially the 9mm, and they just keep on going like the energizer bunny. I was told (but did not witness) by a guy from the factory that they pulled one of the Afghanistan-bound Sigmas a couple years ago from a shipment for a random "torture-test" with the intention of shooting it until it broke. They quit after 30,000 rounds (yes, that's THIRTY THOUSAND). Other than the front sight melting (it's plastic), it worked fine. Also, keep in mind that when the Sigma came out it cost more than it does now over ten years later.
I can see the appeal of the Sigma to the cretins of our society because it's inexpensive. But (to me), inexpensive does not mean Saturday Night Special in and of itself.
Now the short-lived Sigma .380 was only designed with a 2,000 to 3,000 round life span. That one was aimed at the carry-a-lot-shoot-a-little CCW market, but, I concede, could be considered a SNS.
While some Sigmas have had reliability problems in the past, and the trigger pull is less than ideal, Sigmas are decent quality firearms. In fact, our armorer says the enhanced Sigmas (basically those made from 1999 on) are among the most durable pistols on which he has ever worked. We have two or three rental Sigmas at the range, and you can bet your last dollar that they get shot a lot (as in 500 to 1000 rounds per month), especially the 9mm, and they just keep on going like the energizer bunny. I was told (but did not witness) by a guy from the factory that they pulled one of the Afghanistan-bound Sigmas a couple years ago from a shipment for a random "torture-test" with the intention of shooting it until it broke. They quit after 30,000 rounds (yes, that's THIRTY THOUSAND). Other than the front sight melting (it's plastic), it worked fine. Also, keep in mind that when the Sigma came out it cost more than it does now over ten years later.
I can see the appeal of the Sigma to the cretins of our society because it's inexpensive. But (to me), inexpensive does not mean Saturday Night Special in and of itself.
Now the short-lived Sigma .380 was only designed with a 2,000 to 3,000 round life span. That one was aimed at the carry-a-lot-shoot-a-little CCW market, but, I concede, could be considered a SNS.
SharpshooterOPD
Member
I haven't noticed that here in Ohio. If I HAD to pick the modern day "Saturday night Special" it would be any of the High Point line. Not that I'm blaming the guns, mind you. They just seem to be popular with the street corner pharmacists.
HRF
HRF
Matt Murphy
Member
Being a former deputy sheriff of 14 years I feel I can safely say that, that "gentleman" is an idiot. Since you didn't mention anything about a uniform, I'm gonna guess he was in civilian clothes and advertising his prowess as an LEO by wearing his badge, gun and cuffs on his belt for all to admire. Guys like that are either new to the job or trying to impress others because of low self-esteem. I never saw a Sigma in a criminals hands. They usually had imported pieces of crap or rarely a nice stolen piece. I would've told him if I wanted his opinion I would call 911. LEOs that wear their gear for all to see off-duty are not using their heads.
Since the Lorcin, Raven .25 era, has there been a "true" Saturday night special? I've been under the impression that with all the money in the drug trade, dirt bags generally carry top shelf handguns. Our Sigma is certainly among the lowest priced 9mm/.40 on the market in quantity, but fair enough in quality. The Newington gun store always has off-duty locals and state police. I don't think the guy was being an ass hat, maybe just making conversation.
Erich
Member
Gee, in all the dozens and dozens of gun cases I see and review, I've yet to see a Sigma pop up.
Just had one with a Python though . . .
Just had one with a Python though . . .
Matt Burgard, of the Hartford Courant, wrote a front page piece in November of 2005 about a "community gun" (Glock) used in 11 different shootings, in Hartford, two fatal, by many different thugs on many different nights in Hartford. There is no shortage of illegal guns on our city streets, I wouldn't think a punk would need a cheap handgun.
Cruiser RN
Member
This LEO is under the impression that Drug Dealers and other criminals are on a "BUDGET" when getting a gun to apply thier trade.Most of the street punks,gang bangers,and "unlicenced pharmacists"are carrying Glock 9mms and the more advanced ones are carrying 38 special wheelguns and snubbies to not leave thier brass behind.Once again if the gun is affordable to the masses it must be bad...This way the poor can train ,get licensed,and carry one too....Only in America.....God Bless.....Mike
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An ignoramus comment by an undoubtedly shaved head, pajama clad, modern day ninja with such boorish behavior as trying to impress the gun store crowd with his knowledge and prowess by carrying his pistol on his belt beside his belt mounted badge in a sort of "Police Story" look is just not to be taken seriously. This guy probably stomps cats in the course of duty with his stompin' Jack boots.
SIGWolf
Member
The FFL locally here sells the **** out of the SIGMAs. I couldn't begin to guess how many he has sold and always has a bunch on hand. S&W also has a rebate so that even with the low price you either get two extra mags or $50 off.
I can certainly see how what the LEO said could be true given the price. However, the Saturday Night Special designation in terms of low quality is not deserved. Perhaps in terms of inexpensive and ubiquitous yes, but low quality, no.
The owner of the FFL will tell you that he just doesn't get these guns back for any reason. No problems, happy customers.
I can certainly see how what the LEO said could be true given the price. However, the Saturday Night Special designation in terms of low quality is not deserved. Perhaps in terms of inexpensive and ubiquitous yes, but low quality, no.
The owner of the FFL will tell you that he just doesn't get these guns back for any reason. No problems, happy customers.
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CTPete
Member
Two things you must understand:
1- Most gun store employees are full of ****
2- The Hartford Courant is the worst piece of **** on the planet!
1- Most gun store employees are full of ****
2- The Hartford Courant is the worst piece of **** on the planet!
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The Sigma is certainly not a Saturday Night Special. It is reliable, long-lasting, and made by one of biggest name brands in the firearms industry.
I like mine a lot.
However, I have noticed that many gun enthusiasts denigrate less expensive guns perhaps to reinforce the wisdom of their own more expensive choices. They don't want to acept that a $350 pistol can do the same basic thing as their $1500 super-duper commando pistol.
All my Sigma has to do is hit an evil doer 5 to 25 feet away from me who has just broken into my apartment. I'm totally sure it can do that mission just fine.
Now, if Uncle Sam wants me to jump from an airplane over Finland, ski to Murmansk, silently neutralize a half-dozen Spetsnaz commandos, break into an office building, steal some documents, and then scuba dive through a pod of killer whales to a waiting sub, I might spend a little more money on a pistol. . .
I like mine a lot.
However, I have noticed that many gun enthusiasts denigrate less expensive guns perhaps to reinforce the wisdom of their own more expensive choices. They don't want to acept that a $350 pistol can do the same basic thing as their $1500 super-duper commando pistol.
All my Sigma has to do is hit an evil doer 5 to 25 feet away from me who has just broken into my apartment. I'm totally sure it can do that mission just fine.
Now, if Uncle Sam wants me to jump from an airplane over Finland, ski to Murmansk, silently neutralize a half-dozen Spetsnaz commandos, break into an office building, steal some documents, and then scuba dive through a pod of killer whales to a waiting sub, I might spend a little more money on a pistol. . .
1- It wasn't an employee who made the comment, it was an apparent LEO 2- The Courant blows, yes, but the particular crime spree and resulting murders were with the same Glock, not an inexpensive handgun. The gentleman made the comment that the Sigma is turning up in the wrong hands, in his experience. Again, I am under the impression that today's punk carries what he wants regardless of price. As the owner of 3 Sigmas (2 now), if I were going to attempt capping your butt from across the street, a Sigma wouldn't be my first choice for accuracy.
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Camprunner
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I have to agree ..... If S&W would increase the price of the Sigma to something like $550.00 or even $850.00 the crime rate in this country would drop to near zero levels.
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