Well I was going to get another Sigma 9mm but they were out of everything but an SD40. I was dead set on buying something so I walked out with a new SD40. There are a lot of small differences between the two.
External differences
Trigger guard
On the SD it is larger and squared off vs the Sigma's smaller and rounded.
Mag release
SD is just a little smaller
Grips
SD a little thicker but overall smaller than the Sigma also the pronounced ridge on the Sigma where the mag release is smaller on the SD. SD also lacks the mag well plug.
Rail
SD is standard Sigma need an adapter
Frame
Appears a little thinner than the Sigma which is why the dust cover looks bent. The SD has a nice index point on the frame for your thumb and trigger finger.
Sights
Sigma plastic junk SD metal much better
Internal
Trigger
They look exactly the same with the expection of the sear block. With the Sigma the sear is pressed against the plastic sear block which gives you that gritty feeling, you also have three springs the so called pigtail spring and the two coil springs. The SD just has a piece of metal that acts as a lever to activate the striker, does not ride against the sear block so much smoother. I have not fully taken the sear block apart but there appears to be only the one pigtail spring in the SD.
The trigger pull feels far better on the SD as it doesnt ride against the plastic sear block.
The striker spring on my SD40 feels much lighter than the striker on my Sigma 9mm.
Over all
The SD seems to have far more play in the slide to frame fit, if you shake the gun you can feel the frame shake on the frame. The Sigma feels much tighter. You also have the mag rattle in the SD. Is the SD worth the extra $100 yes and no for me the only thing I really care about are the sights and standard rail. The trigger is cleaner yes but I also had no problem with the Sigma trigger. I like the way the Sigma feels in the hand better than they SD. Don't really care for the slide serrations on the front of slide as they tend to snag but nothing a good melt job won't fix. I have only put 100 rounds through the SD it shot well no problems as my Sigma is a 9mm and the SD is a 40 cal I cant really compare the two. Trigger reset feels the same as well as take up. The SD is a little snappy seeing as it is a 40cal.
They are both fine guns for sure but if you dislike a firm trigger id go with the SD it is not so light that I wouldn't want to carry it chamber loaded just a little lighter than the Sigma. Both guns are priced perfect for what each one offers.
side note anyone with an SD notice a fair amount of lateral play in the striker as well as a good deal of play in the slide to frame fit? On my Sigma the striker has almost zero play but with the SD it will wiggle back and forth in the channel when I grab it. Just wanting to know if this was normal, as it seems to move more than id expect.
External differences
Trigger guard
On the SD it is larger and squared off vs the Sigma's smaller and rounded.
Mag release
SD is just a little smaller
Grips
SD a little thicker but overall smaller than the Sigma also the pronounced ridge on the Sigma where the mag release is smaller on the SD. SD also lacks the mag well plug.
Rail
SD is standard Sigma need an adapter
Frame
Appears a little thinner than the Sigma which is why the dust cover looks bent. The SD has a nice index point on the frame for your thumb and trigger finger.
Sights
Sigma plastic junk SD metal much better
Internal
Trigger
They look exactly the same with the expection of the sear block. With the Sigma the sear is pressed against the plastic sear block which gives you that gritty feeling, you also have three springs the so called pigtail spring and the two coil springs. The SD just has a piece of metal that acts as a lever to activate the striker, does not ride against the sear block so much smoother. I have not fully taken the sear block apart but there appears to be only the one pigtail spring in the SD.
The trigger pull feels far better on the SD as it doesnt ride against the plastic sear block.
The striker spring on my SD40 feels much lighter than the striker on my Sigma 9mm.
Over all
The SD seems to have far more play in the slide to frame fit, if you shake the gun you can feel the frame shake on the frame. The Sigma feels much tighter. You also have the mag rattle in the SD. Is the SD worth the extra $100 yes and no for me the only thing I really care about are the sights and standard rail. The trigger is cleaner yes but I also had no problem with the Sigma trigger. I like the way the Sigma feels in the hand better than they SD. Don't really care for the slide serrations on the front of slide as they tend to snag but nothing a good melt job won't fix. I have only put 100 rounds through the SD it shot well no problems as my Sigma is a 9mm and the SD is a 40 cal I cant really compare the two. Trigger reset feels the same as well as take up. The SD is a little snappy seeing as it is a 40cal.
They are both fine guns for sure but if you dislike a firm trigger id go with the SD it is not so light that I wouldn't want to carry it chamber loaded just a little lighter than the Sigma. Both guns are priced perfect for what each one offers.
side note anyone with an SD notice a fair amount of lateral play in the striker as well as a good deal of play in the slide to frame fit? On my Sigma the striker has almost zero play but with the SD it will wiggle back and forth in the channel when I grab it. Just wanting to know if this was normal, as it seems to move more than id expect.
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