SW9V trigger mods?

[ColbyBruce]

I was given a SW9V with three ten round magazines. It looks like the one below. My questions are 1) is this a Sigma? 2) are the newer higher capacity SD magazines interchangeable? 3) is there a affordable and effective spring kit available for this model?

A LEO friend said he thought his department armorer could fix it, so I let him take it to work.

Thank you.

 

[staylor]

I was given a SW9V with three ten round magazines. It looks like the one below. My questions are 1) is this a Sigma? 2) are the newer higher capacity SD magazines interchangeable? 3) is there a affordable and effective spring kit available for this model?

A LEO friend said he thought his department armorer could fix it, so I let him take it to work.

Thank you.

1) Yes, an early model.
2) Yes, they are.
CDNN SPORTS - SMITH WESSON SIGMA SD 9MM 16RD STS MAGAZINE
CDNN SPORTS - SMITH WESSON SIGMA SD9 SD9VE 9MM 17RD STS MAG
3) I had good results on my SW9VE with Smith Wesson Sigma SW40E
SW9VE SW Hard Trigger Pull Mod I got their complete trigger job - 40 bucks. Pull went from 12+ pounds to 8.5.

 

[colt_saa]

Yes that is a SIGMA

Yes the standard capacity full size magazines will work. You do not need to use the restricted capacity magazines. The 16 round magazine will be flush fit just like the 10 round magazines. There is a 17 or 18 round (can not recall) magazine that has a little extension like the one in my picture below.

Nothing really good in spring kits. This was designed to be a inexpensive combat gun, not a target gun.

The Armorer should be able to make it somewhat better for you

I keep a few around but mostly in 357SIG or 40S&W

 

[Bullet Bob]

Here's an old thread on my gun, it's exactly like yours:

1994 SW9V fired after being loaded for 12 years

After years of thought (I'm kinda slow), I've decided to leave the trigger alone. It has improved with use, and I don't want a light trigger on a car gun. If I shoot somebody with this thing, I meant to do it.

 

[Echo40]

1.) Yes, it's a Gen 2 Sigma.

All of the SW# Models are part of the SIGMA Family, as are the current SD#VE pistols by extension. Some folks will argue over this, but only because the SIGMA has a bit of a stigma against it because the Gen 1 models had issues. Said issues have long since been addressed by subsequent revisions, but the stigma remains, so certain folks like to pretend that the SD Series isn't related to the SIGMA Series. However, Smith & Wesson Customer Service Reps have let it slip that at one point SD stood for "SIGMA DELTA" or SIGMA Gen 4, but decided it was better to market the SD as an acronym for "Self Defense" instead due to the persistent negative reputation of the SIGMA Series.

Basically, it works like this...

SW#/Micro = Gen 1
SW#Enhanced/Value = Gen 2
SW#Green/ValueEnhanced = Gen 3
SD#/VE = Gen 4

2.) Yes, all SIGMA Magazines are interchangeable.

Gen 1 SIGMA Magazines will require some minor modifications or replacement of the thicker polymer baseplate to fit into the magwell of newer SIGMA Models, however.

3.) Yes, aftermarket spring kits are offered by a variety of manufacturers.

However, they're not all interchangeable, so make sure that you get one which is marked compatible with your specific model. I believe that Gen 2 and Gen 3 SIGMAs all use the same springs, but the Gen 4 SD models have a different trigger arrangement.
That being said, I recommend leaving the trigger stock unless it's broken, because unfortunately the SIGMA trigger is what it is, and attempts to lighten the trigger often come at the cost of reliability. If all you shoot are lighter loads then it might be fine, but stick full power 180gr Self-Defense/Duty ammo in there with trigger mods and the sear may fail to reset.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I appreciate all the info. It now has an Apex spring kit in it. I will pick it up tomorrow and run a box or two of ammo through it, weather permitting. Luckily, factory mags are reasonably priced.

 

[S&W Rover]

The Apex spring kit can work quite well. In some cases, it doesn't, based on the shape of the particular frame, but you will know it very quickly. I've posted before that it is worth a try, to install one, if the original trigger is too difficult to use. I installed one and it didn't work for me, but I was glad to give it a try.

When I first saw this thread, I was afraid it was going to go into how to trim or cut back springs -- a very dubious way to lessen the trigger pull on these pistols, and probably not a good idea.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I ran a box of cartridges through it. I had only dry fired it prior to the spring replacement. In it’s original state my gun had about a 12 1/2 # trigger pull. After the spring swap it averaged 10 #. The armorer said he felt the pivot point on the trigger caused lots of shooters to misjudge the feel.

It turned out to feel about like my Sig P250sc 9mm trigger. I am sure if I worked with it a while longer it would feel fine. It does not appear to be the proverbial “tack driver” handgun; rather a reasonably accurate, reliable handgun.

I found high cap magazines for $15.00 each. With five mags and the spring kit I would only have $100.00 in it.

 

[S&W Rover]

Excellent outcome! SDs are good value for the money, and having the S&W guarantee behind them makes them an even better bargain.

It is no secret the Sigmas were copied heavily from early Glocks, and S&W lost a court case over having copied someone else's design. The irony is that today there are many Glock-like pistols, distinguished by the striker-mechanism, the take-down lever and the grip angle... and the general shape.

I am not a Glock person (I recognize they are good products, but don't like the grip angle) but I noticed that Palmetto State Armory is bringing out a "Glock clone" based on their own slide and injected frame, apparently with Glock innards. One of the benefits is that this new pistol, called the PS-9 Dagger, can be customized with most of the aftermarket parts designed for Glocks. And the other benefit is the price, $299 for the base model - right there at the price-point for the SDs. See [SHOT 2020] Palmetto State Armory PS9 Dagger PistolThe Firearm Blog

 

[Boogs]

See [SHOT 2020] Palmetto State Armory PS9 Dagger PistolThe Firearm Blog

Not to hijack, this "market disruption" is a phenomenal thing for the firearm community.

PSA really works to push firearms into the hands of Americans, quite a niche

 

[S&W Rover]

Well, I kinda drifted the thread a little bit, so I hope the other members of the forum are tolerant. Here's the connection, though: I was thinking about the trigger mod as one of the few things you can do with a SD to change it, which we accept because the SD's are pretty good as they are and fairly inexpensive; but PSA has opened up the aperture on mods by marketing a Glock-clone in the same market segment as the SD.

 

[Boogs]

It was inevitable with all the 80% Glock clone pistol lowers floating around

 

[HymanZ71]

SW9V

I got an SW9V and I wanna find aftermarket parts like trigger a mod and other stuff but all I can find is the SW9VE model when I try to search for it. Anyone know where I can find them? Is the SW9VE the same as the SW9V? I would appreciate the help.