Sigma 9mm or .40 caliber?

[snowdog]

You guys and gals got me all pumped up about buying a Sigma now. My question to you is the .40 caliber reasonable to handle in that light frame or should stick with a 9mm. A local gun shop has a 9mm to rent, but no .40 cal to rent. I have a number of handguns with my .44 Dan Wesson being the largest. I won't include my T/C in 7mm IR, cause that a totally different animal. My carry gun is a S&W 642, which I can handle that alright with +Ps. But I'm getting older and my hands aren't what they used to be. Any input would be nice. Also, do you know any gun shops in SE Michigan that have reasonable costs on the Sigma? Tried Cabelas, but they seemed a little high.

Thanks,

Snowdoggie

 

[BigRich315]

The .40 caliber is very reasonable in the Sigma, which really surprised me. 9mm is also a very capable caliber though, so I suggest trying out that rental. If that seems good to you, go for it. If you think it's pretty light and you could handle more, then the .40 may be a good choice also. Don't forget about ammo price and availability in your area either. Trust me, you'll be wanting to shot it ALOT!

(Oh, and dont forget, one day you might end up with both anyway. I already want a 9mm to go with my .40)

 

[Backon4]

9mm if you're gonna use it as a range gun, .40 if you're going to use it as a carry or HD. Personal defense ammo is very similar priced between the 2 so why not get the .40? Walmart has 100 round big boxes of winchester for $31 so price isn't that bad.

 

[handgunner356]

To me there isn't that much practical differance between 9 and 40 to recommend one over the other. Ammo price and availabilty would be my main concern.

 

[mlk18]

While the 9mm v. 40 debate will surely rage on until S&W finally develops the Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range. Then the 40 (watt) will reign supreme. But until then I am a proponent of the 9mm. In my experience as a FI people can consistently shoot the 9mm faster and with better accuracy. And I don't believe the .40sw really has that much over the 9mm in terminal ballistics. When I want capacity I take a 9mm, when I want power I take a .45acp. But to each his own, I know a lot of people who love the .40.

 

[Boriqua]

I just sold off my sigma 40 and bought a 9. I shoot it super accurate it holds a bazillion rounds bought 50 federal for $9.50.

I just didnt have fun owning the 40. The gun after about 40-50 rds was eating into the web of my hand. I am a very experienced shooter and even holding it in a death grip it would start to slide up and I would have to readjust my grip ... not good in an SD gun and follow up shoots were slow.

Bought the 9 (I have a 9 already here which is the wifes gun) and I was hitting center mass standing from little better than 25 yds. One handed shoots at 7 and two handed at ten and fifteeen were 2in groups.

Follow ups were simple and 2 to the chest and one to the head happened without thought.

100 rds and I could have kept going and didnt have to nurse the piece of torn flesh I would get in the web of my hand like I did with the 40. YMMV

 

[snowdog]

Thanks for the input, I guess I'll rent that 9mm, see how I handle that and that it from there!

Thanks again,

Snowdoggie

 

[dondavis3]

I bought the .40 VE

I really like the gun, but don't like the .40 cal.

I like the recoil of my .45's and my 9 mm's much better than the snappy recoil of the .40.

Just my .02\\

 

[conn ak]

Having owned a 9F and a new 9VE, I currently own a 40VE. I decided to buy a 40VE because I had nothing in 40 S&W. To me, there is little difference between the 9VE and the 40VE. I sold the 9VE only because I own two 9mms and thought I needed a 40. I love both guns. The 9VE has the advantage of a higher magazine capacity, but the guns are essentially the same, that is, good, affordable pistols. The 40 has more of a felt recoil, but not like a .357 or .45 Matter of choice for sure, but either way you win.

 

[Srigs]

The 40VE is my choice. Never had a bobble with it.

 

[Tslepebull]

That is a delema. I purchased a SW9VE not knowing much about it. It was $300 with 4 16-round magazines. I liked it...a lot. It was cheap to shoot and functioned perfectly. But I wanted more, so, I bought a SW40VE to go with it. Now I have the 9mm to plink with and the 40S&W for when the SHTF. You can't go wrong with either. Just don't wait too long; now that there is a seperate SIGMA section in this site the cat is out of the bag!

 

[spricks]

Yep, this is a great gun whether you prefer the smaller 9mm or the bigger 40 cal S&W. Yep bigger is better for me. If you want this weapon for self defense, then...

spricks

 

[snowdog]

Thanks for your input everone, one more question. How many magazines come with the Sigma?

 

[hybridsquirrel]

Thanks for your input everone, one more question. How many magazines come with the Sigma?

i got 2 in the box, 2 from the rebate. total of 4 mags with my sw9ve

 

[mlk18]

Two in the box, bought one from my dealer for $20 (kept the rebate $).

 

[dondavis3]

Yep Two in my box - bought 2 more later.

 

[ShoeShooter]

I've had my 9 for a couple of months, 3 trips to range, 350 rounds (various cheap 115 FMJ) Very happy so far. Last Sunday had the opportunity to put a magazine through a friend's 40. Snappier for sure, but not a deal breaker. It did seem, though, that it danced around a bit in my hand. Most, possibly all, of this would probably go away after 100 rounds or so more experience with it. To me, the problem seemed to be the "slickness" of the hard plastic grip. I think I would try a rubber slip-on grip at first until I became more comfortable with it. My 9 felt great from day one.
Either choice will be good, you really can't go wrong.

 

[leejack]

I chose the 9mm because of ammo prices. It is flat out cheaper to shoot.

If you want the .40, by all means go for it!

Lee

 

[insaneoctane]

I decided on one of each. IMO the .40 had better balistics than the .45 for standard ammo (with +P hot ammo the .45 can match or beat the .40). I've loved my 40 sigma for over 1000 rounds. In the process of learning to fire my weapon I discovered I enjoyed shooting more than I expected I also discovered shooting can be expensive! I also think my .40 is a bit snappy for 100+ range exploits. AP I bought a 9mm a couple weeks ago expecting to reduce the recoil a little, reduce my ammo costs by 30%, and continue to gain practice with a sigma. The 40 is my HD weapon and the 9mm is my range gun. Unfortunately, I haven't made it to the range with my new 9mm yet. Ill report back!

 

[writerinmo]

I bought the SW40VE, added the Hogue slip on grips and it feels real good, takes care of the occasional twisting if you are firing +P rounds. I stick with the standard loads though, the old wrists arent what they used to be and after a few hundred rounds down range, I fired some Magtech Guardians through it and decided that I didn't need a round that hot, lol... I plan on picking up one in 9mm for the wife (I told her) soon.