Smith & Wesson Sigma, 1st Gen

[40Arpent]

I'm searching for the full skinny on the 1st Gen Sigma (re: all the negativity). I bought a Sigma .40 many years ago, not long after they first came out. I maybe put 200 rds of various stuff through it, with no problems whatsoever, in a couple trips to the range and then it just sat on the shelf until a couple years ago. At that time, my neighbor had just gotten his CHL and was asking me for advice on a suitable "truck handgun". Other than a couple of "curio" revolvers that he'd inherited, he had no other handguns. So, short story long, I gave him the Sigma.

Prior to all that, I'd heard a little "flack" flying around the internet about problems with those 1st Gen Sigmas, but it mostly seemed to be coming from the Glock-anti-any-other-plastic-pistol crowd, so I chalked it up to being mostly B.S. Now, today, I see that some of that flack is still being dispersed.

So, my questions: Are there real, inherent problems with that particular pistol that can be definitively outlined and proved? And I guess depending on the answer to that question, should I address this with my buddy in the interest of safety?

Thanks,

Pete

 

[DrBart2]

My Dad has the 1st gen Sigma. He still likes it a lot. He has not had much trouble with it. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it would smoke stack about once every 50 rounds. I don't consider it as reliable the glocks, XDs, or sigs that I own or have owned. Again, my Dad is comfortable and happy with his. I would recommend that you have your friend put about 500 to 1000 rounds through the gun to see how reliable it is and to get him comfortable with it. If it has a lot of failures you both may want to come up with a different gun.

 

[mac79912]

I had the .40 and I had to change the recoil spring every 1500 rounds or it would start malfunctioning.It is a $10 spring so I cannot complain.

 

[Army 1911]

I have no experience with the sigma. That said in 40 years of shootin centerfire, most malfunctions that I see on the internet can often be related to poor habits of cleaning and maybe bad magazines.

I shoot 1911's which some say are tempramental. I have never had a malfunction that was not related to bad ammo, bad magazine or a dirty gun. Yes, I clean um after each trip to the range, but 1000 rounds will get the beast dirty.

My guess is that the bad press is just the internet syndrome where people post the negative at about 10 to one over the good.

 

[40Arpent]

Thanks fellas. Man, I thought for sure I was going to get a bunch of replies about slides cracking, barrels exploding, missing digits, etc., etc. LOL

 

[SIG_Fiend]

The only realistic complaint I have ever heard about them, that didn't sound like the typical baseless internet fear mongering, is that the stock triggers suck. Apparently from what I've read elsewhere, it looks like there are already plenty of methods to improve on the trigger, at least to the point where it is about as good as a stock Glock (~5-6# pull instead of stock ~12#). Other than the trigger I can't say that I've really ever heard or seen any actual issues with these guns, though I don't really have any personal experience with them myself.

Army 1911, you hit the nail on the head! Seems like the internet really multiplies the claims of problems with pretty much anything, cars, guns, electronics, etc etc. Sometimes it seems that maybe only 10 to maybe as much as 50% of those claims can even be taken remotely serious. Oh well, everyone is an expert on the internet.

 

[Army 1911]

T Oh well, everyone is an expert on the internet.

I am not an expert but I play one on the internet.

I once knew a demolitions expert. He accidently blew up.

 

[TxPhantom]

Sw9ve

I never miss a opportunity to say something nice about the Sigma series pistol. I have never owned a 1st generation Sigma but my SW9VE has never had ANY kind of malfunction with over 3000 rounds through it. It is a great, inexpensive, accurate, self defense weapon for home or car because of it's dependability. I used to take it to the range a lot but since I got my MP's (a MP 40 & a MP 9c) and my 9mm CZ 75B it mostly stays home. The trigger is a lot like a D.A. revolver which makes it a little less likely you will have a N.D. and shoot yourself or someone else.
Not a bad pistol once you get used to the trigger.

 

[txinvestigator]

I have experience with the first generation and the new ones. New ones seem to be fine. Much better trigger.

I taught class for a local security company that has government contracts that has above and beyond the state training requirements. They sent out six 1st gen. Sigmas in 9mm. Triggers felt like gravel was in them, and after a couple of hours we were down to 1 working one. They would FTE and FTF so often a course of fire could not be completed. We managed to finish with the 1 remaining gun and loaned out personal weapons.

Not scientific by any means, but enough for me.

 

[picketeer]

I'm searching for the full skinny on the 1st Gen Sigma (re: all the negativity). I bought a Sigma .40 many years ago, not long after they first came out. I maybe put 200 rds of various stuff through it, with no problems whatsoever, in a couple trips to the range and then it just sat on the shelf until a couple years ago. At that time, my neighbor had just gotten his CHL and was asking me for advice on a suitable "truck handgun". Other than a couple of "curio" revolvers that he'd inherited, he had no other handguns. So, short story long, I gave him the Sigma.

Prior to all that, I'd heard a little "flack" flying around the internet about problems with those 1st Gen Sigmas, but it mostly seemed to be coming from the Glock-anti-any-other-plastic-pistol crowd, so I chalked it up to being mostly B.S. Now, today, I see that some of that flack is still being dispersed.

So, my questions: Are there real, inherent problems with that particular pistol that can be definitively outlined and proved? And I guess depending on the answer to that question, should I address this with my buddy in the interest of safety?

Thanks,

Pete

Got any pics?