s&w sigma

Hello. I do not own a Sigma. I do instruct CHL classes in Texas and have had several come through these qualifications. I estimate about 5 or 6. I remember them only because each of them had problems. One had extremely light primer strikes and the rest jammed (failed to feed). Having said all that, the last private instruction I contracted to do was with a fellow having an "enhanced Sigma." It, too, jammed. The range manager is a gunsmith. He polished the feed ramp and removed a machining "lip" left on the bottom and it works flawlessly now. The only other Sigmas I seen or fired were the little .380s and they worked fine although I'm told they have a limited life.
Best.
 
My department is transitioning AWAY from the Sigma. Too many problems to list. Failures to feed, ejection problems, magazine problems, catastrophic mechanical failures (My brand-new Sigma Enhanced failed after 63 rounds in training. Trigger bar...) I wouldn't take one if it was GIVEN to me. We're currently going to Glocks in .40cal.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I was thinking about getting the enhanced Sigma. A couple of months ago a gun rag give the Sigma glowing reviews, so its nice to hear unbiased real opinions on this board.
 
I must be a lucky stiff. My 9mm Sigma has never been a problem. I have over 3000 rounds thru the gun without a jam!! When I first got the pistol I put 500 rounds of UMC 115 FMJ through the gun over 2 weeks without cleaning the gun. The only care given was oil on the slide points. I then tested the pistol with 200 round in one morning of shooting. I used ammo from 10 different boxes with bullet weights from 95 to 147gr,round nose lead to the large Golden Sabre HP. It will shoot the 95 gr RNL and 147 gr HP out of the same mag without trouble. Not a single problem. All shots were in a 6" group at 25'. The 147gr loads work best for me,staying at about 6" at 25 yards. The trigger did start out heavy but cleaned up during the range trips. I can only say good things about my Sigma,it's the one I keep with me most often.
 
I own 2 Sigma V models as well, a 40 and 357Sig. Neither have given me any trouble and I much prefer the grip and magazines to the Glock's. I have 2 15 round magazines, and they function flawlessly. I did an accuracy test at the range one day, using a Sig 229 in 357, Glock 32, Glock 19, Sig 239 357, Sigma 40 and Sigma 357. The 229 came in first, with the Sigma 357 very short on it's heels. The finish on the Sigmas is very durable, the phosphate finish on my G20 and G26 is almost completely worn off, and the G20 has had very little use. Not saying the Sigma is BETTER than the Glock, but on a lot of points I prefer the Sigma. I also have a Sigma 380, and it's been very reliable and reasonably accurate.

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I don't have time for busy people
 
SW40VE would not reliably feed 180 grain Golden Saber's. Sent E-mail to Smith & Wesson. Was instructed to send firearm back, & they would take a look at it. When I get it back, I will let you know the outcome...
 
I have 2000+ rounds down range on my sigma 40v with no problems. The trigger smoothed up after 500 rnds. Feeds flawlessly.

The problem is probably the mag spring most ftf sre caused by mag springs.

Tkae your spring out and stretch it slightly
about 1/2" and then try the problem ammo.

Also make sure the gun is clean.

I dont know anyone who owns one who has had a problem, One man at my range has a sigma 40 with 15,000 round + through it. DE dept of probation and parole. no problems with any hollowpoint ammo.
 
Ha d a Sigma 40 V for a month. After having 50-50 rate of jamming and misfeeding, the dealer took it back and I bought a Glock 26.

don't waste your time or your money!

SW makes great third generation SA loaders like the 3913 and the 4906 and great revolvers but they stole from Glock on the Sigma and Chief's Special isn't special and is not selling.

I haven't seen anyone is Seattle at over 5 ranges shooting a Sigma in 9 months.

The extra $200 for a Glock or a Kahr is worth it!

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The Seattle SharpShooter
 
Don't believe what the gun mags say entirely.
Remember, they are supported by paid advertising by gun manufacturers.

Talk to gunsmiths, gun dealers, and most importantly, go to the Net for biased but honest opinions from the gun owners.

Tally up all of the positive and negative responses and then make your decision. Also consider customer service, availability of parts and accessories, user groups on the Net, easy of cleaning, repair.

Go to the range and shoot them. Ask people about their guns.

Lots to consider just do the math and your decision will be easy.

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The Seattle SharpShooter
 
I have a sigma 9ve and have had no problems with it at all I have shot about 500 rounds through it without a hitch and have used both round and hollow points. I have used both the standard ten round clips and I have a pre ban 17 rd clip and no problems. Maybe its me?
 
Sigmas? Carried one for a long time. Heard all the flap and found that most of it is produced by someone who has some kind of a stake in trying to make the Sigma look bad. No accusations here, just experience:

I'm the CFI for a small police department. We carry S&W Sigma model F in .40 S&W. We have had eight pistols in service for the past four years and each has an average (guessing) of 2500+ rounds through it. Mine has had 7000+ rounds through it. We have yet to experience any non-amunition related malfunction.

The ammunition related malfunctions were all due to poor reload quality (the reloads we had at the time were 180 gr rn lead bullets in cases that had beeen fired 4 or 5 times, but had never been properly trimmed or resized full length (the die was set improperly)):

1 separated case head failed ejection, the case head came off and ejected leaving the body of the case in the chamber with nothing for the extractor to grab. (my pistol)

A dozen or so FTFs in two other pistols. Found that this was due to chamber size variations. We switched from reloaded practice ammo to factory made commercial ammo and the problem vanished. (these guns would have been fine if the reloads they used had cases that were full length resized)

1 Sigma also had a double charged reload run through it. The gun bucked hard and locked back. The officer shook his hand, :eek: examined the pistol for obstructions, dropped the slide, and continued the drill. :cool:

I hesitated to share this at first, because there always seems to be someone out there who wants to bash the Sigma, but I love 'em. When we trade in these guns, I'll try to buy mine and I'll recommend we replace them with Enhanced model Sigmas. :D :D
 
I own one of each in 40 and 9mm. Both have just passed the 5,000 round mark without a hitch. They will eat anything that I put down their throats. Never an ammunition related failure, either feeding or firing. I have both 10 round mags and factory hi caps, with no problems fresh out of the box, either. Try a little tetra gun oil on the trigger bar and slide during break in, makes for miracles! Wouldn't have anything else.

Tom


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A "Miss" is the ultimate overpenetration!
 
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