Smith and Wesson Value Edition vs. other Smith and Wesson Semi-Autos

[deafdogdief]

Is there a quality or safety issue associated with the S&W Value Edition compared to the multiple other semi-autos that S&W produces? Not looking for conjecture or preference. Maybe an armorer or gunsmith can answer this one. I don't want to recommend this as a carry gun until I look around and research it a little. Thanks.

[nightrunner]

got a link? never heard of them

[Warbird]

I am not exactly what you are talking about. S&W makes a classic all metal line of semi-autos, the polymer Sigma series and the M&P series. The most popular and to me the best all around, is the M&P. The Sigma is the least expensive of their autos and the classics are essentially the same as they have been for many years.

I would certainly not say any of them are inherently unsafe or less safe than any other. There are pros and cons to every line, but S&W has a long history of making decent firearms.

[eapking]

If this is a question between M&P and Sigma series, then my answer is M&P.

[deafdogdief]

The type I am talking about is the Sigma and the designation on the model number ending in VE on the other models. Sportman's Warehouse usually has them for $300.00 with a $50.00 rebate.

[glockster157]

If you are talking about the poorly finished guns like the 457 vs 4513, the 908 vs 3914, the 910/915 vs 5904 then the answer is not really. I do believe the value series may have had plastic guide rods but I really don't remember. But they are well built guns and they shoot about as well as the high end guns.

[deafdogdief]

This is a good representation of what I speak.

S&W SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $339.00

Are they reliable and able to withstand a lot of rounds or are they lower priced trash that would not be able to be depended on in a life or death situation?

[TripleDigitRide]

The only real complaints I've heard about the Sigma Series is in the trigger. Long and gritty feeling. I wouldn't consider these safety issues. As far as the quality aspect, I guess you get what you pay for. But for $250 after rebate, you can't hardly go wrong.

There are simple do-it-yourself trigger jobs all over the Internet for the Sigma, but I can't speak for how much of an improvment you should expect.

If I were in need of a firearm for protection and on a budget, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a S&W Sigma. Again, you can't hardly go wrong for the price.

[DaveTN]

Are they reliable and able to withstand a lot of rounds

Yes

are they lower priced trash

Yes

that would not be able to be depended on in a life or death situation?

They are dependable

don't want to recommend this as a carry gun until I look around and research it a little.

You really need to actually shoot a Sigma before you can comment on it.

Edited March 2, 2010 by DaveTN

[deafdogdief]

I shot one several years ago before Glock sued them. I just didn't know a lot about them and don't want to recommend this lesser priced gun to someone on a budget. I don't remember having a problem with the gun shooting it, but it turned me off because it was a complete rip off of a Glock.

[Warbird]

Are they inherently unsafe, no. That said, any gun can be dangerous to shooter as well as others around the shooter if they cannot shoot the gun. I strongly recommend people try a weapon from a friend or a rental or some way before buying. Not every gun matches every person.

[DaveTN]

I shot one several years ago before Glock sued them. I just didn't know a lot about them and don't want to recommend this lesser priced gun to someone on a budget. I don't remember having a problem with the gun shooting it, but it turned me off because it was a complete rip off of a Glock.

I’m all about Smith & Wesson. They are the #1 gun maker in the world in my opinion and have protected me and mine for over thirty years.

Having said that I wouldn’t recommend a Sigma to someone on a budget. They just need to save a couple of hundred more and get an M&P if they want a Tupperware gun.

But if it makes anyone feel better I would take a Sigma over a Glock any day. You damn sure won’t have an ND with a Sigma.

[Shima]

Let's not turn this into another "Sigma vs Glock in my opinion" thread because that's not what the OP asked about. Lets stick with facts determining the quality and safety of the Sigma. Thanks.

[Guest m&pc9]

They are good guns at an excellent price. The trigger is hard to get use to, but it is made that way as a safety.

There are fixes for the trigger on the internet.

[glockster157]

So it was Sigmas he was asking about. I have had 3 Sigmas and all 3 were 100% reliable out of the box. The first one I tried the internet fixes and if you leave the striker spring alone they stayed reliable. However, when I tried to shoot the one with the springs removed(not the pigtail but the large trigger spring) the trigger return was too slow so I had to put it back. Polishing helped but voids that lifetime warranty. I tried lighter striker springs and got misfires. My suggestion, if you need a quality gun that is 100% reliable and has a lifetime warranty, cost less than 300 new get a Sigma but leave it alone and learn to shoot it as-is with the stiff trigger.

[Guest PapaB]

I own the SW9VE and highly recommend it to someone on a budget. While the M&P is a better choice for those with the funds, the Sigma is a very reliable gun. I spent months researching my purchase, trying a dozen models. The trigger pull is strong so I'd reccomend trying to shoot one first. My wife has no problems shooting it but she's taller than average (5' 10") and her hands are just a little larger than most womens.