Sigma's "bad rep"

Some years back I got a Glock 17 "just because". I had a fair amount of experience with them as an instructor, etc., and decided to give one a good shakedown and see what it could do for me. I had used a good DA revolver for most of my LEO career and expected no real problems with it.

Well, it might have been me, but after a year of fighting the trigger on that thing I sold it. The "green twig" stock trigger drove me nuts as I couldn't call my shots or get the thing to group for beans.

About a year ago I picked up a 9mm Sigma because I liked the feel of it, liked the S&W emblem and warranty, ...and it was cheap. I tried the trigger before buying and it was a non-issue. The pull was OK, setoff OK, and it weighed in on my Lyman gauge at 11 pounds, 8 ounces. First time out it shot dead center. I can plink pop cans out at 35 yards pretty well with it, and I have a couple of very small groups on paper. It's one of the more pleasant surprises I've had in a while.

In December, after doing some homework, I bought a Kahr CW45. Kahrs are noted for their excellent trigger pulls and this one is good. I would rank it up with many S&W revolvers and it is SMOOTH all the way. The grip and trigger reach are ideal for small hands which certainly helps. This little howitzer has only a 3 1/4" barrel, and does it ever shoot. It thinks it's a Gold Cup. I just weighed the pull on it and it averaged out at 6 pounds, 2 ounces.

The point is that the quality of the pull is what matters. The Kahr feels even lighter than it is and is the best of class IMHO. The Sigma requires some effort to make things happen but I can call and place my shots just as well.

One thing I've learned--life is just too short to put up with lousy triggers on any gun.

Sigmas were meant to be just what they are, and they're good to go as is.
 
Hey, JRich, in fact gun shop owner had a Glock on his hip when we were there so that probably lets us know where his sympathies lie. My ex-Cop buddy who was with me is a big Glock fan be he told me that he was impressed with the Sigma that we saw at the other gun shop so at least he is open-minded about it.

BAT....I am also an old-school revolver kind of guy from my cop days (1975-1979) and used the exclusively as duty weapons as we carried Model 66s as our service weapon and Air Weights for a backup. I have read that the Sigma trigger is somewhat like a DA revolver so if that is the case I am sure I will adapt to a Sigma without too much difficulty. I also see that you were in the Air Force. My son is currently in the Air Force stationed in Ohio at Wright-Pat. Somewhere nearby is where he found the deal on the Sigmas at a gun show. Not sure how good of a deal it was but he said it was less than the local gun shops had it for. The .40 cal we saw here in Michigan was $299 which seems like a good price but I want a 9mm instead of a .40 for my first gun in many years.
 
slong $279-$299 is the going price now a days.

Maybe S&W should raise the price of the Sigma to the $500 range. Then that would automatically make the Sigma a top shelf firearm. Maybe just maybe the gun shops would have a whole glass case just for Sigmas. Hey if it costs more it must be better......Right?
 
Here's a question from a new shooter... what is considered a half way decent grouping at 25'?
Well, I'm happy if all my shots put holes in a sheet of letter-size paper, at any distance and at any speed. To me, this is acceptable for self defense shooting.

For target shooting and "bragging rights" this may seem terribly inaccurate, but just hold that sheet of paper you just shot full of ragged holes over your chest or any other part of your body...

Of course, I do sometimes try to put the holes in a smaller group in the middle of the paper... :D
 
If I am remembering correctly, I think my son said some dealer at the gun show last month had the Sigmas for $260 plus tax. Seems like a pretty decent deal to me. A buddy of mine has two M&P .40 caliber models (one compact and one full-size) and I really like those a lot but even one M&P is not in my price range at this time. I might be able to convince myself to go with an SD9 if I can find a bit of a deal on one of those but for now I am giving the Sigma serious consideration.
 
I went gun shopping this past weekend with my son. We are both interested in the Sigma and I asked the owner of the first store we visited if he had any we could look at and his reply was that he doesn't carry the Sigma because "it is junk". I gently attempted to get some more details about that from him but he didn't have any specifics to say about them other than his 'junk' comment. He had Glocks, Springfield XD, etc but actually NO Smith and Wesson autoloader models so I suspect he was saying they were junk because he didn't have any to sell. Went to 2 other gun shops and one was sold out of them and the other only had one .40 cal and no 9MM in stock. My son lives in Ohio and found a decent deal on the 9MM Sigmas at a gun show a few months before he was ready to purchase so he is hoping to find that same deal again at the end of this month. I might have him pick one up for me 'as a gift' and bring it home. :)

I recently acquired a new 9mm Sigma in a trade. Took it to the range and fed it four different types of ammo for 200 rnds, left it dirty (to just push it a little) and a couple of days later another 200 rnds (again four different types of ammo). The pistol was flawless and accurate. The only thing some might not like is the trigger, which I got used to and didn't mind. I believe this one is a keeper for HD. For a reliable pistol at a decent price I would recommend this pistol in a heartbeat.
 
Now...if the Sigma only came in a black slide like it did with the Allied Forces model. I do like that black better than the stainless but that is just cosmetics. The stainless did not bother me when I was sighting down the slide at the gun store.
 
The shop where I got my sigma had an all black model. I was waiting for my license so I couldn't put it aside and when I went back 4 days later it was gone. I did get a NIB sigma but the two toned model. I agree that I like the all black one better.
 
Anyone had any problems putting Def. rounds though it ? 9mm.Just asking I have only shot target rounds thru mine .
 
No problems at all. The good thing about the sigma, it will eat just about anything that you feed it.
 
Geez, you guys just talked me out of buying a G19 or a G17 :eek: I own the sw40ve, and love it. Was looking for a good 9mm, rugged and reliable. I can pick up new for $269.00 + tax in CT. THANKS FOR SAVING ME SOME $$$$ :D
 
Geez, you guys just talked me out of buying a G19 or a G17 :eek: I own the sw40ve, and love it. Was looking for a good 9mm, rugged and reliable. I can pick up new for $269.00 + tax in CT. THANKS FOR SAVING ME SOME $$$$ :D



Glad we could help, but if you already have a 40ve why would you consider wasting your hard earned money on a glock?:rolleyes: Of course it's your money.

I'm just saying though, there's just better ways to waste money. Like candy, little Debby cakes, hookers, or booze I'm just saying.:D
 
i-agree.jpg
 
SW40VE AND 9VE

I own both of these pistols and they are both ultra reliable. The triggers smooth out after a few hundred dry fires and about 500 actual rounds put through each. I bought both excellent used for the price of what one used Glock would cost. I've shot Sigs,HK's,glocks,rugers,colts and even Steyrs. The sigmas are built great. Fit the hand superb,and are very accurate. I just quialified w/ my dept's issue sidearm,an M&P 40cal. First time with that weapon,First time on the range,a 90% score. The sigma has done nothing but help improve my shooting. Any of the above mentioned guns are excellent,but the sigma,hands down,is an absolute best buy!!! I carry either one for CCW and I can trust my life to them. I've been shooting pistols since 1980 for defense,IPSC,GSSF (for you glockers),and recreational on my farm. I know what I'm talking about!
 
I own both of these pistols and they are both ultra reliable. The triggers smooth out after a few hundred dry fires and about 500 actual rounds put through each. I bought both excellent used for the price of what one used Glock would cost. I've shot Sigs,HK's,glocks,rugers,colts and even Steyrs. The sigmas are built great. Fit the hand superb,and are very accurate. I just quialified w/ my dept's issue sidearm,an M&P 40cal. First time with that weapon,First time on the range,a 90% score. The sigma has done nothing but help improve my shooting. Any of the above mentioned guns are excellent,but the sigma,hands down,is an absolute best buy!!! I carry either one for CCW and I can trust my life to them. I've been shooting pistols since 1980 for defense,IPSC,GSSF (for you glockers),and recreational on my farm. I know what I'm talking about!

Excellent!!
Now If I can just get my hands on one of these!!
ALIIEDFORCES.jpg
 
Excellent!!
Now If I can just get my hands on one of these!!
ALIIEDFORCES.jpg

That's what I got a few years back. Still love it. Fits my hand, shoots every time and where I point it, cheap. What's not to like?
 
Well, reading about the Sigma here in the forum caused me to put one on layaway. Will have a report on one each SW9VE within 60 days or so...
 
That's what I got a few years back. Still love it. Fits my hand, shoots every time and where I point it, cheap. What's not to like?

Don't see them around here, even on private sales. Those that have them are keeping them:( My quest continues...:rolleyes:
 
I purchased a 9VE on a whim, and I gotta tell ya I like the little fella. Waaaayyyyyy more than the garbage M&P 45 I'm issued.....shhhhh....I'm getting crucified for not drinking the Kool Aid on the M&P side LOL.....

The Sigma has a great grip and points perfectly. Maybe they should have just used the Sigma as a starting point instead of.......anyway, love my little Sigma!
 
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