S&W Sigma in 9 or 40

[wild cat mccane]

Hey guys. I would like some help and opinion.

Just to make sure, this is not a caliber debate.
I haven't held one, and can not rent one.
This is just for an apartment gun. No interest in a fancy gun.

I have many DA/SA guns but I want a consistently heavy DA gun for my girlfriends apartment. No Glock for example. I know training and familiarity is key, but I want to take out the variable of different trigger actions. She loves here P22 and I would give her our P99, but once again, I want a heavy pull every time.

She likes shooting our Taurus Mil Pro 140, but that 40 is not the same as a Sigma 40.

Does anyone with experience of both a Sigma in 9 and 40? Are they the same frame? She has small hands, so a large handle will not do. From what I have read it isn't too wide...but would like some opinions.

Price of ammo is not a concern. I am asking about different of the Sigma in 9 vs 40.

Sorry to be redundant, but every where I read it turns into caliber wars. Not what I am asking.

Thank you. I appreciate your time and personal experiences in helping me decide.

 

[NG VI]

No difference except in caliber, they both have the same frame, they have good grips, not overly large or anything.

Just curious, why wouldn't the P99 work? How heavy a pull do you really need for a gun there anyway?

Or the PT140? If she likes shooting it, and it's a service caliber, why wouldn't that work?

 

[wild cat mccane]

For her, in a night time groggy self defense situation, I do not like an easy SA pull, ever. PT 140 has a safety. Her favorite p22 has a safety. I don't want her to bump it. Just want a utility gun like a glock, without the light DA trigger that is similar to a SA.

I know that the first pull in DA should count as somewhat of safety in a DA/SA gun, but I just want a heavy pull each time. Would do a DA revolver, but come purchase time I would end up with a DA/SA because I would want that

I know some don't agree because training will dictate a deliberate pull regardless of DA or DA/SA or SA/DA, but I don't think she thinks about guns like a lot of people on here do you know?

I don't want there to be any confusion. Pull the trigger. let it reset. Pull again.

I like DA/SA the best, but for her (who doesn't think about guns at all) I find value in a physically heavy pull each time. No, I am not making an excuse for not teaching her proper handling of a firearm. I do not want a 3 AM wake up disturbance to cause a lapse in common sense of not touching the trigger.

Her apartment is a small studio while she is getting her PhD. Accuracy isn't really the concern.

 

[NG VI]

OK, a consistent pull is a good thing, but isn't the Taurus you've got a DAO?

Is the P99 a DAO version or is it one of the DA/SA versions, I don't know the names for them?

 

[wild cat mccane]

The Mil Pro 140 is a SA only. If it fails to fire, it goes to DA. I can not wait for the 24/7 G2 that has a decocker. Most Taurus autos are SA/DA. I am glad they are putting out more decocker models. But I digress.

My P99 is the AS, DA/SA with decocker.

Her P22 is DA/SA with safety decocker.

So you believe a Sigma is alright with a small hand? I know that is completely subjective and impossible to answer correctly... Manageable with either 9 or 40?

 

[Onward Allusion]

I have both and don't have a preference. The 9mm will probably last longer as both calibers use the same frame. If your GF can handle the 40's recoil, I would suggest the 40. Since it is for HD, you will not likely need 16+1 anyway.

I would recommend investing in a rail adapter and a laser/light combo since it is a HD firearm but that's just me.

wild cat mccane
S&W Sigma in 9 or 40

 

[mljdeckard]

With needs for a heavy pull, is there a reason you wouldn't want to look at a good 4" revolver?

 

[wild cat mccane]

Capacity. Also, if I get a revolver, I would not be able to just purchase a DA. A DA/SA revolver is on my list.

A cheap sigma, that is reliable, would fit this import role of protection, but has no other role for my collection.

 

[NG VI]

I think the Sigma has a really well designed, small grip for a double stack auto. I think small hands will do as well with that as with anything else. I've got no real input on 9v.40, other than that I like the 9mm a lot for a defense pistol and the Sigma is pretty light, so the difference will probably be more noticeable than in a heavier platform.

 

[NG VI]

But a DA/SA revolver still functions as a DAO unless you actively make it an SA shot per shot.
And there are DAO revolvers too

 

[wild cat mccane]

I am still interested in a Sigma.

I didn't know DA/SA revolvers operated like that. I have only had a DAO snub...I thought they went to SA after the first shot and had to be decocked to go back to DA...

Well that is interesting to know. Maybe opens up my searches for 2 new guns.

 

[shockwave]

A woman with small hands might not even be able to rack the Sigma slide. I tried one out in the shop and after a couple pulls ruled it out of consideration. A Glock slide is about as firm as I want to go - so revolvers are meeting my needs much better for HD. Grab - point - shoot.

 

[wild cat mccane]

I know not widely true, but some revolvers have a problem for small hands. The stretch of the index finger to trigger can be long.

I know that is not universally true, but I have found it in a few of the non snub revolvers.

Thank you for that input though. Exactly the physical information I need to know to make a pre purchase map before going in.

 

[Onward Allusion]

What does your GF want?

As for capacity, a 6 shooter will be more than enough for most HD situations. If you get something with a 4" barrel, a laser/light combo can still be mounted.

wild cat mccane
I know not widely true, but some revolvers have a problem for small hands. The stretch of the index finger to trigger can be long.

I know that is not universally true, but I have found it in a few of the non snub revolvers.

Thank you for that input though. Exactly the physical information I need to know to make a pre purchase map before going in.

 

[wild cat mccane]

GF likes her P22. Which is in its box, not loaded, under a bunch of crap I actually have no problem with her using the P22 as defense. But it does have a safety that could confuse the point, as said. Great range gun though, maybe too much for the non enthusiast in defense.

So I will approach it with 'looky what I have' 'oh and it came with a $50 dollar rebate!' perfect.

Sadly our hands are very similar. I too find the P22 more comfortable than the P99.

But my curse of small hands (I am 5 ft 7 in) means any gun that fits my hands fits hers too.

I know all my dimension questions will be answered when I pick one up in my hand, but preconceived notions do help if its even worth pursuing.