Sending my sigma off for warranty work round two

[jwollam]

I bought my Sigma back in September, Thanks to California's laws I picked it up just after labor day.
About a week after I got it I took it to the range. To say this gun is frustrating is an understatement. The trigger is horrible, and heavy. I shot two different types of ammo, some reloads from underwood ammunition, and Winchester Ranger, both 40 cal 180 gr (the reloads were JHP, where as the rangers were 180 gr ball). During my first range trip out of 100 rounds I had 24 rounds that failed to fire.
After the range I took it straight back to the shop I purchased it from, the owner of the shop and myself looked over the gun, field stripped it, and came to the conclusion the firing pin had somehow mushroomed at the tip, and bent...
Gun went off to Smith and Wesson, came back a few weeks ago.

Went to go shoot today. Same problem, 100 rounds through it (mix of reloads, and new winchester ranger) And again, 20 rounds failed to fire, the last fail to fire locked up tight in the gun. So I field stripped the gun, took it to the ranger officer, and asked for his assistance in removing the round (live round in the chamber, and it's locked up tight).
The RO takes the gun back onto the range (behind a wall from me) and somehow manages to remove the round.
He hands me the gun, and it is now completely locked with the action open, I cannot get it to close, went back to the shop where I bought it, once again we go over the gun, and neither of us can get it to close up.
So back off to warranty again!

To say this gun has been a frustration is an understatement... It will not site in for anything! I will adjust the site, and there is no rhyme or reason to where the rounds go. I can be high and right one time, low and left the 2nd time.
Normally I would blame myself and say I'm a horrible shot, not the guns fault... However with my friends XD-40 I can make a 1-1/2" group at 15 yards. I can make a 2" group with my Wife's 9mm Kahr CW9 at the same distance.

I would love to send this sigma through a shredder, but I'm sure there is some CA law against that too...

When it gets back from warranty is there anything I can do to make this gun usable? Or just toss it in the safe and get pissed off everytime I see the thing?

 

[marlin.357]

I understand your frustration, S&W usually does much better than this!

The Sigma trigger, like any double action trigger, takes some work to master, but if/when you master it you will be a better shooter.

First, STOP adjusting the sight until you are shooting a consistent group, this may take several hundred rounds.

Search this site for training tips to a better achieving a better trigger pull.

Do not remove or alter any springs.

Do a lot of dry fire practice working on a smooth steady trigger pull.

If you are willing to do this you will be a better shooter, if not, sell the gun, and move on....

 

[Dragon88]

When it gets back from warranty is there anything I can do to make this gun usable?

Get rid of it and buy a Glock.

 

[adnahoundsman]

Just a thought.
After shooting my Sigma. My cousin liked it so much. He ran out and bought one. And was having the same problems as you.

When he brought the gun over for me to look at. I noticed that he had been seating the guide rod on the wrong place at the bottom of the barrel. After seating the guide rod on the correct notch. He had no more problems.
That's not to automatically say that is your problem. But I find it hard to believe that S&W didn't test fire. Before sending it back to you.

There are two flat spots that the guide rod could rest on. But only one is correct.

Hope this helps.

 

[KyWstJoe]

If it comes back and still jams or locks up I would ask for a new gun. As far as accuracy, make sure you tell them it's all over the target. They will probably say (politly) it's you but they atleast will check for mechanical problems. Good luck!

 

[pricandelinquent]

just curious but i thought the sigmas had FIXED sights not adjustable correct me if im wrong im new to this gun also

 

[adnahoundsman]

just curious but i thought the sigmas had FIXED sights not adjustable correct me if im wrong im new to this gun also

The rear sight is adjustable for windage only.

 

[pricandelinquent]

The rear sight is adjustable for windage only.

oh ok cool thanks for the info

 

[Backon4]

Agree. Unless you are hitting all 14 left or right then do not adjust the sight. If your group is bigger than 6 inches, don't adjust the sight. 2" groups are very difficult as it is. At 15 yards I shoot about 6" groups and will occasionally push or pull one in a mag. Remember these are self defense and home defense weapons. Practice like you would use it, draw and fire on silhouettes, turn and fire, point and shoot, and shoot from barricades. If you can hit center mass on a silhouette 4 outa 5 shots the weapon has done it's job.

Also adjusting the sights over and over again is going to loosen them up. Then you are in real trouble as they will begin to walk.

 

[writerinmo]

Sure wish I could afford to shoot nothing but hollowpoints as target rounds.

Get some FMJ and quit buying someone else's reloads, especially in a new pistol that isn't even broken in yet.

As to the accuracy, are you firing these other pistols dual action only? If not, then you can't compare your accuracy with them to the Sigma as it's apples and oranges. You get the DAO of the Sigma only because of it's long trigger pull that is designed to work in place of mechanical safeties like SA/DA semi-auto's have.

Reloads are not what I would be shooting if I was trying to set the sights...

And like adnahoundsman says, seating the recoil rod in the wrong spot can sure increase your vocabulary fast.

 

[jwollam]

Thanks for all the responses I appreciate it.
I'm fairly certain this single action trigger isn't for me. When the Sigma comes back I think I'll move on to something else. I just can't get the hang of this thing, and with the ongoing warranty problems, I would rather not trust my life or my families life to this gun should I actually need to defend myself with it.
I must have received a lemon, or defect. I'll write smith and wesson and see what I can do to get them to either accurately repair the gun, or replace.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[marlin.357]

Actually it's a double action trigger (cocks and fires with one pull). Technically it's a Double Action Only (DAO) since it doesn't have the option of single action.

 

[HspncElvis]

I agree it takes time and practice to master the Sigma. My first time ever shooting my Sigma 9 was at a police range. (outdoor) Only distance they have is 25yds. First time out wasn't so good. Made some adjustments. Second time was MUCH better. Was putting all rounds on target. Sometimes low, sometimes right or left, but was on target. Makes the indoor range seem easy from 5, 10, and 15yds. My advice would be keep at it. Practice and put more rounds through it. Do not get frustrated.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[kenster]

Get rid of it and buy a Glock.

Then you can get rid of the Glock and buy a Springfield XD-M.
Just Saying...


Learn to master what you have... When you master the Sigma, you will be a better shooter.
Dry fire the hell out of it. Practice holding gun on target, you tend to pull off target with heavy trigger.
Master the gun, don't let it master you. When you get pissed-off walk away from it. Clear your head and try again.

 

[jwollam]

Then you can get rid of the Glock and buy a Springfield XD-M.
Just Saying...


Learn to master what you have... When you master the Sigma, you will be a better shooter.
Dry fire the hell out of it. Practice holding gun on target, you tend to pull off target with heavy trigger.
Master the gun, don't let it master you. When you get pissed-off walk away from it. Clear your head and try again.

I can't say I care much for Glocks (I don't like the way they feel in my hand)
I would love to get an XD-M but as far as I can tell they aren't legal in california. an XD-40 is what I would prefer to get. I have an XD-9, my wife has a Kahr 9mm. I wanted to step up and get a 40, however this Sigma has been nothing but a nightmare. I have over 1,000 rounds sitting in my closet for the 40, So I should probably find something reliable I can shoot them out of LOL.

 

[jppezz23]

Try the S&W sd 40 a much better gun than the sigma.I had the sigma 40ve shot it well but like the sd40 much better

 

[jwollam]

Actually it's a double action trigger (cocks and fires with one pull). Technically it's a Double Action Only (DAO) since it doesn't have the option of single action.

My apologies, I stand corrected.
Thank you for the clarification.

 

[jwollam]

Try the S&W sd 40 a much better gun than the sigma.I had the sigma 40ve shot it well but like the sd40 much better

I'll stop by the gun store and see if they have one available to try out.
So far my experience with Smith & Wesson has been less than stellar.

 

[jwollam]

Just a thought.
After shooting my Sigma. My cousin liked it so much. He ran out and bought one. And was having the same problems as you.

When he brought the gun over for me to look at. I noticed that he had been seating the guide rod on the wrong place at the bottom of the barrel. After seating the guide rod on the correct notch. He had no more problems.
That's not to automatically say that is your problem. But I find it hard to believe that S&W didn't test fire. Before sending it back to you.

There are two flat spots that the guide rod could rest on. But only one is correct.

Hope this helps.

I will double check when I get the gun back that's it's seated on the correct notch.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[airman]

Shooting woes

I had many problems too, and sent it back for a redo. They replaced the trigger assembly and the retractor and polished the feed ramp. About a month. It's good now.

The trigger pull is hard. Although I've fired my BB pistol 9000 times the trigger pull is still hard and affects accuracy.