| Smith & Wesson SIGMA | |
|---|---|
S&W SIGMA |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Smith & Wesson |
| Designed | 1993-1994 |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | 4565+5+6545+5656+4+ |
| Variants | SW40F, SW9F, SW40C, SW9C, SW40V, SW9V, SW40E, SW9E, SW40VE, SW9VE, SW9P, SW9G, SW380M, SW9M |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 740 g (SW40F, SW9F) 690 g (SW40C, SW40V, SW40VE, SW40E) 700 g (SW9C, SW9V, SW9VE, SW9E, SW9G, SW9P) |
| Length | 197 mm (SW40F, SW9F) 184 mm (SW40C, SW40V, SW40VE, SW40E, SW9C, SW9V, SW9VE, SW9E, SW9G, SW9P) |
| Barrel length | 114 mm (SW40F, SW9F) 102 mm (SW40C, SW40V, SW40VE, SW40E, SW9C, SW9V, SW9VE, SW9E, SW9G, SW9P) |
| Width | 33 mm |
| Height | 142 mm (SW40F, SW9F) |
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| Cartridge | .40 S&W (SW40F, SW40C, SW40V, SW40VE, SW40E) 9x19mm Parabellum (SW9F, SW9C, SW9V, SW9VE, SW9E, SW9G, SW9P) .380 ACP (SW380M) |
| Action | Short recoil |
| Feed system | 16-round box magazine (SW9C, SW9V, SW9VE, SW9E, SW9G, SW9P) 17-round box magazine (SW9F) 15-round box magazine (SW40F, SW40C, SW40V, SW40VE, SW40E) |
| Sights | Fixed 3-dot notch sights |
The Sigma is Smith & Wesson's venture into using synthetic materials in gun construction, using high-strength polymer material for the frame.
Created in 1994, it also incorporates a self-cocking or double-action only firing mechanism, so that the pistol can be fired without delay or preparation. The basic model is chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge, but it is also available in 9 x 19mm Parabellum and a sub-compact model in .380 ACP was also manufactured. A limited amount of these guns were also chambered for the .357 SIG cartridge.
The Sigma series pistols are so similar to the competing Glock pistols that Glock sued Smith & Wesson for patent infringement. The case was settled out of court in 1997, with S&W agreeing to make alterations to the Sigma design and pay an undisclosed amount to Glock.[1]
In 1999 S&W improved the Sigma series with the main changes being shortening of the barrel and the slide by 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). Other improvements included a more ergonomic and comfortable grip and a slightly enlarged ejection port, due to the proprietary accessory rails located at the front (an inexpensive adapter can be attached to turn it into a standard picatinny mount).[2]