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A Brief History Of The Smith & Wesson Sigma
Barrel: 4", 4 1/2"
Sights: Fixed rear sight, ramp front sight
Action: Double action only
OAL: 7.25"
Caliber: 9×19mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .380 ACP
Variants: SW40F, SW9F, SW40C, SW9C, SW40V, SW9V, SW40E, SW9E, SW40VE, SW40Ti, SW357V, SW9VE, SW9P, SW9G, SW380M, SW9M
Created in 1994 the Sigma was Smith & Wesson's first venture into using synthetic materials in pistol construction, using high-strength polymer material for the frame. It was also one of the first pistols purpose-designed to handle the .40 S&W. The Sigma pistols were striker fired, recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-auto pistols and featured a polymer frame with a stainless steel slide. The pistol was designed to compete with the Glock 17. It had the same grip angle as the Colt 1911A1, and was priced slightly above the Glock 17.The Sigma series pistols were 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.
In 1994 S&W rolled out the original Sigmas, the SW40F and SW9F chambered in .40 S&W and 9mm Luger respectively. But something else was happening in the firearms industry in 1994, the Assault Weapons Ban. This ten-year ban was passed by the U.S. Congress on September 13, 1994, and signed into law by President Bill Clinton the same day. The ban only applied to weapons manufactured after the date of the ban's enactment, and it expired on September 13, 2004, per its sunset provision.
In 1998 Smith made some changes to their Sigmas and introduced the 2nd Generation Sigma. This incarnation of the Sigma were models limited to 10 rounds due to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. Smith & Wesson significantly dropped the price and changed the polymer frame color to light grey with matching slide. The model designation of these pistols were SW40V and SW9V, with V being equated with Value. Later, V models were introduced with black polymer frame and stainless steel slides. They got rid of the rectangular striker, made some ergonomic changes and offered it at a much lower price.
In 1999 Smith & Wesson introduced the VE series. These models were billed as 'value enhanced' and featured an improved grip, improved trigger, and enlarged ejection port. This model returned to the black coloration of the polymer frame mated with a stainless steel or black melonite slide. These new versions featured a grip with add checkering and an integral accessory rail. At this time Smith & Wesson retired the 4.5 inch barrel and switched all Sigmas to the 4.0 inch barrel. Sigmas from this era onward are considered '2nd generation' Sigmas. 1999 also saw the prototype SW40Ti built, the unique feature was a Titanium slide. The SW40Ti was never put into production.
Sometime post 1999 Smith & Wesson introduced the SW40P and SW9P. These models were identical to the SW40VE an SW9VE but added porting to the barrel and slide, the purpose of which was to vent gases upwards to fight the muzzle flip associated with recoil.
In 2004 Smith & Wesson introduced the SW40GVE and SW9GVE. These models had a green polymer frame.
In 2011 Smith & Wesson reworked the Sigma design, dropped the Sigma name, and introduced a pistol as the SD series. This pistol has a redesigned trigger action and also has a front "night" sight. Magazines are interchangeable between the Sigma and SD series, although the baseplates are slightly different. This pistol was priced and marketed to sit between the traditional Sigma VE series and the Smith & Wesson M&P design.
Notes: This information is a cumulation of many sources.
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