[newsflash]

My father is wanting a 1911 type pistol. I have explained to him what that means (1911 type), but he just means he wants a bigger gun than his Keltec P32. He and I are convinced he wants 9mm for low recoil, he can't stand the recoil of the Keltec P3AT .380. He has had surgery on both wrists and has arthritis.

He's looked over the guns at a new/large gunstore and has leaned toward the SW9VE 4" or the SA XD9 4". I have no experience with either and he wants my input. He is planning on buying the SW9VE with black frame and 15+ rd. magazine when they come in. I am not enamored with the Smith or the Springfield from what I have read on the internet.

Frankly, I'm trying to steer him toward a Sig 226 or 229 with DAK trigger, but I have no experience with it either. I have heard about and like the idea of 6.5 lb. trigger every shot and the Sig's excellent reputation.

My dad likes the price on the S&W, but he can afford anything in the guncase.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Here is a report on the XD 9. Since it was written, I've been told that removing/replacing extractors can be more than a little difficult in some guns.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/SpringfieldXD9.htm

Best.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there,

I bought the Smith and Wesson 9 mm Sigma when it first came out and was very impressed with overall ergonomics of it. Back then, it was cast in the middle of a patent infringement suit by Glock, USA and quite truefully if you removed the top end of a Glock and the Sigma and compared them--to the untrained eye they looked absolutely the same!

I currently am plagued by mild arthritis in my wrists, elbows and hands. My current thought of line is to replace the recoil spring in my Glock to reduce the felt/percieved recoil with a heavier spring. I know that Wolf Springs offer heavier recoil springs and reduced trigger springs for the Sigma. Also, if your Dad has severe arthritis a heavy trigger pull will plague him as much as the recoil.

At a suggested retail value of $369.00, I would suggest the Sigma to anyone without reservation. Smith and Wesson's lifetime repair/replacement policy is second to none in the shooting industry and their products work.

Chris

 

[newsflash]

carolinaman,

I take that the Sigma and the Glock both function the same way: striker semi-cocked until the trigger is pulled through, no second-strike capability (no big deal to me), and that the two would field strip the same way? I did notice the Sigma and the Glock have the same tabs on the frame that on the Glock are pulled down to release the slide off the frame.

Also, after the magazine is removed and the chamber emptied, do you have to pull the trigger all the way through before you can fieldstrip it like the Glock (I think I'm remembering the Glock fieldstrip correctly)?

What weight is the factory-set trigger pull on the Sigma?

Thanks for the input.

 

[Guest]

I don't have any experience with the 4" XD 9mm but I do have a 3" XD 9mm. The trigger is closer to a single action feel then a double action feel in my opinion. Recoil is mild. I havn't tried any serious accuracy tests but I know that I can hit a steel barrel at the far end of our range (100yds???) about half the time when I'm having a good day.

I will say the the basic finish, bruinel or something like that, is weak. I've only had mine a few months and I've already got some hoslter wear from the kydex holster. The shop did warn me about it.

There's other's here that have the 4". Hopefully they'll chime in.

Steelheart

 

[Chris Stephens]

NewsFlash,

In answer to your questions, I hope, the SW 9VE does Function the same way that a Glock does and even disassembles the same way with the take down tabs on the sides of the frame.
The standard factory recoil spring is 16 lbs. and Wolf makes four heavier springs starting at 19 lbs and up. The factory trigger spring is rated at 4.75 lbs and reduced power springs are available from Wolf Springs.
For more information on the Sigma, you can go to customerservice.smith and wesson and view the Sigma owners manual online in PDF format.
I hope this helps,

Chris

 

[newsflash]

carolinaman,

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Guest]

NewsFlash
Although I am a newbie to this board I have owned an XD9 for almost two years. I have put at least 5000 rounds through it and have had zero-zilch-nada malfunctions - ever. It is accurate and reliable. I am not an expert on weapons by any means but I love my XD9. I have had no problems with the finish although I don't use it as a carry gun most of the time since I bought my S&W642 Airweight. It is a fun gun to shoot and I don't think your father would be disappointed with it. Just my .02.

 

[strider72]

You might have your dad look at a Witness instead of the Sigma...the DA trigger is a little bitch to pull. Maybe even a CZ RAMI?