[mm6mm6]

I would like my wife to try shooting in an "Off-Duty Combat" league with me. It requires a barrel length of 4 1/4" or less. My wife shoots single action revolvers with me in Cowboy Action Shooting, but she would be new to semi-auto pistols.

The course of fire is:

First target;
From the holster (covered by a jacket), 2 rounds in 4 seconds, repeated three times at 5 yards.
From the holster, 2 rounds center mass, 1 round to the head, repeated twice at 5 yards in 7 seconds.
From the holster, 6 rounds, reload, fire 6 more at 7 yards in 20 seconds.
Second target;
From the holster, 2 rounds in 4 seconds, repeated three times at 7 yards.
From the holster, 2 rounds center mass, 1 round to the head, repeated twice at 7 yards in 7 seconds.
From the holster, 6 rounds, reload, fire 6 more at 10 yards in 20 seconds.

The distance is relatively close so I think she would like the "Off-Duty Combat" better than the "Combat" course (which includes 25 yard shooting offhand and barricade).
I think that since the speed that the gun needs to be drawn and fired in is pretty fast, she would be better served by a consistent trigger pull that is relatively short (not a DA with a transition).
I think that a safety like on a 1911 would just get in her way. I like the idea of a trigger like the Sigma or the M&P where she could just draw and shoot and then put the gun back in the holster without engaging a safety or working a decocking lever.

So should I buy her a Sigma or an M&P? They both have barrel lengths of 4" and 4 1/4" respectively. I would only want the most basic sights. I would need to get her a total of four magazines.

It looks like the Sigma is a pretty basic gun that would foot the bill. She would need a Fobus style holster (no thumbsnap or anything needed or desired) and I know my Glock holster would work for the M&P.

So what do you think? I've never fired either pistol. M&P or Sigma for her? Thanks in advance for your advice!

-Steve

 

[LeMat]

I think the trigger on the M&P is going to be much more kind to her.

I like the Sigma's, but that trigger............ well, it just ain't that great.

 

[Boats]

M&P's are about 500 bucks and they have a 2 extra mag promotion going on. The M&P has a good trigger and interchangeable grips, more likely to fit a lady's hand. The M&P Compact is reliable and a useful size 3 1/2 inch barrel, not large but large enough to perform like a full size pistol. I normally shoot a 5 inch M&P in IDPA but will often shoot the M&P C instead, no real difference in performance. Could be the 5 inch is better on the barricade at 20 yards due sight radius but that's the only difference, and marginal at best.

Advantage to the Sigma is they cost less.

Boats

 

[.357 mag]

the sigma is a great gun. I got mine for 299. w/ 4 16 round mags. The M&P does have a better trigger. I thought the M&P when for more like 600 bucks but I don't know for sure. The Sigma will serve anyone well but if you can afford the M&P I would go with it.

 

[f150guy]

as said above, the sigma is a great gun. Fits my hand perfectly. Grip angle is great. It is also a very inexpensive brand new gun, and a great value. the trigger pull will smooth itself out, but there are not a whole lo of ways of getting around the 13 pound trigger pull without sacrificing reliability.

The m&p has a much better trigger pull, and IIRC correctly, maintains the 1911 grip angle like that of the sigma. That is great for weaver stance shooting, whereas the glock's grip angle is more suitable for isosceles stance. The m&p fit my hand very well also, although I have never fired a round through it.

I will be purchasing an M7P (.45) when funds allow it, but the Sigma, IMO, was a great starter autoloader.

 

[msm1954]

I just picked up the M&P last weekend at Academy for $541 after tax. The Sigmas were significantly less but don't remember by how much, had read so much about the trigger that I wasn't interested. M&P feels great but haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.

 

[mm6mm6]

It sure sounds like the M&P 9mm is the way to go. My mind is made up. Now I just need to figure out what to sell so I can buy one. The league doesn't start up again until September, so I've got plenty of time. Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[murphyslaw]

I have both a Sigma 9mm and an M&P40. I like the M&Ps trigger better but the Sigma's is not that bad, just alittle heavy. That being said if I was buying another pistol today it would be the M&P. I throw my Sigma under my car seat and don't worry about it. I used to sell a gun to buy a gun until I started looking back and thinking man I wish I'd never sold that one. Now I'm accumulating and it feels great to look in my safe and not be missing anything.

 

[Boats]

Got a flyer in the mail , S&W Days comming up at our local shop, Factory rep there etc. M&P's with the 2 mag rebate deal $499. I bought my M&P 9 L same shop last year, $ 525. Look around for a large stocking dealer.

I always sell to buy, Keep a dozen handguns no more.

Boats