I would seriously step away from the Sigma. Of the ones we sold, 50% had serious problems. Serious meaning the gun had to be sent back to S&W. For a $100 dollars more you could get into the Ruger SR-40. Much better gun For $200 more you could get into a Springfield XD or Glock. Much, much better gun. First I would look at your main use. Would you like to carry it for animal protection, people? both? I prefer the 40 over the 9. A buck a box more expensive and WAY more knockdown power. However, if your leaning towards animal protection at all I would say go the revolver route. Revolver will trump a semi-auto any day of the week for animals. But you have to match your caliber to animal. My preference would be in a .357 mag. Shoot .38 +P's for people and hot loaded .357's for animals. Still compact but way more knockdown than a .40, way faster than a .45, and only equaled by a 10mm. Ruger SP101 3". Stronger than a S&W and cheaper. Around $500 http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html
I will be buying a 1911 .45 after the first of the year. Just cause I don't like carrying my .44 everywhere
Backcountry gave a lot of useful info. But, I would suggest going to a range that rents handguns and fire a few you're interested in. I know a lot of people here and elsewhere swear by the XD/m. But, I can't stand them. The trigger is horrid and the height of the slide causes it too much rearward action for my liking. My primary carry piece is a Sig P220. Alternate, and future IDPA/steel shoot is a Kimber Raptor II 5".
Trouble is finding the ammo. Not very readily available. If it was, it would be my carry piece Xforce, care if I borrow your Raptor? Lol. Next to the Eclipse that is the sexiest gun Kimber prodcues You bring up a valid point, however. If possible, rent the guns at a range. We do not have the luxury out here. You NEED to put hands on any gun before you buy, several times. If your not very comfortable shooting it you certainly will not be when someone or something is attacking you.
Ammo availability is one of my pet peeves. I prefer to stick with readily available ammo: .45ACP, .308Win, .380, .357, 9mm, etc. this applies to everything: long guns and handguns. You start getting into the odd rounds and IMO it becomes a novelty item. If I ever make it out that way, I'll bring it along. I picked it up for a steal from a friend in need of cash. He was hurting and I bought it sight unseen for his asking price.
where in the Lehigh Valley are you from ? i lived in the Bangor / Penargyl / WindGap area for 36 years .
Right below Schnecksville, in Orefield. I hunt near the Trexler Game Preserve and on the SGL 205 up there. How come you moved?
Its a small world , I moved out here 5 years ago , i needed a change in my life things werent going good , i moved out here got married , got a good paying job i manage a shop for a trucking company , the job is great its the marrage part thats not going well , if things dont start to work out i'll be moving back home .......what the heck is 5 years of my life wasted ......lol
I own this gun in .40. It's one of Smith and Wesson's lower end hand guns but every time you pull the trigger it will go bang. The only thing that I don't like about it is that it is double action only. For it's size it's extremely light and seems to shoot straight. I doubt you'll be disappointed if you purchase it.
