Which to buy

[bayouvol]

I know they are not the same, but is the same price so...... Keltec p11 or sigma 9ve pistol? It will be a home defense and carry sometimes pistol.

[xjsnake]

I have a SD9VE, with the Apex kit (under $30) it's a damn good pistol. It's the size of a glock 19 so It's not terrible to carry and is mine is dead nuts reliable with over 1000 rounds though it. I looked at a P11 and couldn't bring myself to carry a gun that small is that thick. I'd much rather have a PF9 personally.

[Patton]

I thought the Pf9 was awesome until I shot one and realized how brutal they were. The P11 that I owned was very reliable, took S&W magazines, and was a joy to shoot and carry. I probably should have kept it.

The Sigma has had issues with breaking firing pins. Years ago when I went through the police academy we had two guys with Sigmas, the instructor said before hand that we normally break about half of the Sigmas that come through here. At about 400 rounds one of them stopped firing, the other one shot about 1k rounds that week and never stopped.

[xjsnake]

The Sigma has had issues with breaking firing pins. Years ago when I went through the police academy we had two guys with Sigmas, the instructor said before hand that we normally break about half of the Sigmas that come through here. At about 400 rounds one of them stopped firing, the other one shot about 1k rounds that week and never stopped.

 

The SD9 line isn't a Sigma. Common misconception. It's got the grip frame of a sigma but the mechanics are very similar to an M&P.

[cgun86]

You will get more gun for the money with the Smith. Definitely drop in the APEX kit. It's worth every penny. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - [URL=http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1]now Free[/URL]

[Patton]

I know they are not the same, but is the same price so...... Keltec p11 or sigma 9ve pistol? It will be a home defense and carry sometimes pistol.

The SD9 line isn't a Sigma. Common misconception. It's got the grip frame of a sigma but the mechanics are very similar to an M&P.

Understandable, but he didn't ask about the SD.

[bayouvol]

I am asking about the old sigma series, not the sd line. Does smith fix the firing pin or is there another pin that will replace the original?

[Patton]

Smith will replace anything that breaks on the gun.

[xjsnake]

Understandable, but he didn't ask about the SD.

 

WOW I completely misread the OP. My bad.

[hipower]

Sigma. Definitely.

[musicman]

I had a Sigma 40. Once I had the trigger worked on, it was actually an OK gun.

However, did you see the M&P 9 somebody listed in the classifieds for $410? Three mags, holster, and Apex trigger already installed. If I had the money I totally woulda' jumped on it myself... love my M&Ps!!

Anywho, like others have said, Smith will fix anything that goes wrong. First, I recommend finding a used M&P... if you wouldn't go for that, then I'd pick the Sigma over the P11.

[Patton]

Truthfully, both have about the same reliability track record, both of which are pretty good. THP and few other smaller departments used the Sigmas for a little while with few complaints. The trigger in the Sigma and the P11 are night and day different, and not well liked by many. The P-11 you can find cheap magazines for and would conceal easier, it would be about the smallest gun I would want to use for home defense. The Sigma would be a better range gun and a better home defense gun, concealing one is easily done but it will never be a pocket gun.

Why those two? Neither one dominates within its own category of firearms. The SD series as previously mentioned is a better gun, possibly one of the best values when buy a factory new firearm. Edited April 19, 2014 by Patton

[A.J. Holst]

If those are the only 2 choices, based on "home defense and sometimes carry" assuming equivalent reliability, I'd go with the Smith.

 

For HD it doesn't need to be small and compact and with a good belt and holster, the Smith is as easy to carry as any other similarly sized handgun.

 

I personally prefer a full-size / duty size pistol for HD.

[hipower]

For what it's worth, I've had the P9, and brutal is the word for it. One of the worst felt recoil guns I've ever shot. I had a Sigma 9 for awhile and it was a pretty good gun. I never had any trigger issues with it personally, but I bought it  from a local gun shop owner who had tinkered around with it.

 

And although not asked, I do still have an SV40, bought it cheap and found it to be avery good all purpose gun. House, throw in the truck, whatever I wanted to do with it. Last one I saw was still under 400. 

[TrickyNicky]

Didn't like the P9 either. Just :down: at the range and I don't think a gun you enjoy shooting is too much to ask for? For just a carry often shoot little type gun it was great, but I like shooting. :D

I'd second the advice to grab an M&P if the extra funds are available. If you can get the Sigma cheap enough, go ahead and get that too. :Rock:

I think the Sigma would be a great home defense gun if one could be had at or around $250 or less. By all accounts reliable and if you did have to use it, at least you wouldn't be out a lot of cash while it's sitting in evidence. Plus it would be more fun to shoot than the keltec.

[Jonnin]

Kel tec offers solid service -- original buyer gets a full fix & replace package.   Experience with their service varies; they seem to have been overwhelmed in general as a company since introduction of the shotgun line. 

 

I would argue that kel tec does excel at what it offers: lightweight, small, inexpensive carry pistols.  The triggers are very stout, the recoil (due to the light weight) is harsh,  they often need the buyer to give them a once-over for manufacturing roughness (burrs and whatnot). The recoil profile also makes them subject to limp wrist jams (probably 75% of jam complaints come from improper grip).   Their handguns have been popular enough that multiple companies have "borrowed" their designs, including ruger's little copy pistol, taurus, and more.

 

I like the company.  The service is as good or better than most, and they do more innovation than most of the big guys.  But I have no use for their defense handguns...  I love my plr-16 and if 22 mag ammo existed would consider the pmr 30, but the DAO plastics are just not for ME.  I had the p-40 (p-11 in .40 cal) for a while, and I do not miss it one bit.

 

If I had $250 I would look for a half decent used gun over either of the 2 you listed.  There are tons of guns that have been "carried to death" -- very rough exteriors, and flawless, almost LNIB, inside.  Learning to recognize these can get you a gem for a song.