S & W sigma SW380
I have one of these and I am hearing a mixed bag of comments about it. From not powerful enough to bad material the gun is made from. I have also heard that if Smith and Wesson is contacted about one of these guns you can send it back to them for a credit on a new weapon. What is the scoop on this firearm?
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No disrespect, but the sigma line of pistols are not very well made. I would not trust one to save my life. By the way, welcome to the forums, there is a wealth of information here and alot of very knowledgeable people that will answer your questions! 0 -
In my opinion, these Sigma guns are a low end gun, made of cheap material and that they are in the same class as the pot metal semi autos that are worth less than $50. I believe that they will wear out extremely fast as compared to a well made semi auto such as a Colt, a high end S&W, Ruger or Glock. It is my opinion that it would be foolish to rely on one of these S&W Sigmas in a life threatening emergency even if it were new.
I cannot speak to whether S&W will take the gun back for credit or any other arrangement, but if I had to bet, I would bet "no". They got their money for these guns and they are not about to give it back. I would be surprised if I am wrong and if I am, then I have to say that I believe that S&W is stepping up and doing the right thing.
As far as the .380acp cartridge, also known as the .380 automatic colt pistol, .380 Kurz and the 9x17mm, in my opinion this cartridge is a good self protection round. Obviously, bigger is better, such as the .45acp cartridge. However, the .380 is no slouch, either. This cartrige is fully able to protect you if necessary. You simply must know how use your weapon in order to do your part effectively.
My advice is that you sell the Sigma and purchase a good pistol instead. If you want to stick with .380acp, there are some earlier Colt pistols, such as the .380 Government and the Colt Mustang. Also the Walther PPKS is out there, but it lacks some features that many people like. There is even the very inexpensive Russian Makarov, in .380, if you can find one (most are chambered in the 9x18mm Russian Makrov cartridge, NOT the .380acp). Also, there are available now a number of new very small .380's to choose from.
Once you part with the Sigma, you can (obviously) choose any of a number of guns. My advice, for a number of reasons, is to stick within the 9mm family of cartricges (.380, 9mm Luger). If you move up from there, then I suggest a full size (5" barrel) .45acp M1911 or close variant, but none of the in-between cartridges. If you go with a revolver, I suggest .357Magnum, which will also fire .38S&W Special cartridges.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Wolf.
In my opinion, these Sigma guns are a low end gun, made of cheap material and that they are in the same class as the pot metal semi autos that are worth less than $50.
Edit, I take most of my earlier rant back.
To be clear here, there is a significant difference between the larger caliber Sigmas and the .380 version.
The 9mm, 40 and 357 Sigmas have nylon frames, hardened steel slides and parts, and a melonite (carbonitrided) finish, functionally identical to the corresponding parts on a Glock. Remember, the Sigma pistol was designed to be a copy of the Glock, to the point where Glock actually sued Smith for Patent infringement and WON.
These are all relatively inexpensive to manufacture (including the Glock, which in my opinion is overpriced), but they're not "cheap" in the sense of disposable, and I don't think its appropriate to compare these to "junk" guns like the Lorcin, Jennings, Bryco, etc.
No a Sigma isn't a Glock, but with some work on the notoriously bad Sigma trigger, you can have something pretty good for a lot less money.
On the other hand, apparently the .380 Sigmas do have zinc-alloy (ie "pot metal") slides and aren't that durable, with a limited service life of several thousand rounds only.
That's a big deal only if you actually intend to fire that many rounds through the gun. Most people, bluntly speaking, never will, with this gun being of the "carry a lot and shoot a little" variety.
I don't know if Smith will take one of these guns back for credit towards a different model. . .that sounds a little odd to me. I'm sure they will fix up the gun if it breaks or has some other major problem. Smith *IS* still making and selling the larger caliber Sigma guns.
I agree with Wolf above that a Makarov pistol in 9x18 Makarov caliber (which is roughly the same as .380 in terms of power) is a better built and stronger gun.
Is .380 enough?
Its an intrinsically weak round, but its better than any .22, .25, or .32 auto from a gun that is roughly the same overall size as the lesser calibers.
The main point of it is that you can fire a .380 from a really small gun, a gun that you can get away with carrying at times when you can't (or don't want to) conceal a larger more powerful gun.
The question really is what do you want to do with it?
-If you want to shoot it for fun at the range, get rid of it for something more durable and easier to shoot.
-If you want it as a "nightstand" gun, get rid of it for something more powerful.
-If you want it primarily as a small light concealed carry gun, now you may be onto something. Test it with a box of ammo, and if it runs 100%, you're good to go. If you ever manage to run 40 more boxes of ammo through it, you might consider replacing it.0 -
Well, I have one right by my bedside table,,,,I have shot EVERYTHING threw it and not ONE misfire, jam or anything. My wife can handle it well and thats why it is where it is. Not a conceal gun, but mine is 100% reliable.. 0
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