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Kingruv · 05-15-2009, 08:14 PM

Halanna,

Like most newer model cars, most newer generation pistols are designed with and for a few ideas in mind.
1. It should be less expensive to make
2. It should be less difficult for the non-machinist to assemble with the right specialized tools.
3. For "liability purposes" , more difficult for the owner/operator to work on, repair, change/alter.
4. Utilize combinations of polymers, alloys, steel and molding to preclude fitting and aid in items 1 through 3.

The Sigma is S&W's answer to Glockmania. Going through one shows What we've learned about most other US manufacturers;
They reverse engineer competitors current products then look at what they learned and make it 'a`la Frank Sinatra' (I did it My way)

Ok, theres my libertarian diatribe against bureaucratic mangling, mingling, messing, mucking
and general screwing around with the people who make things work, build, plant, grow, harvest, preserve, protect and bear the burden.

So Halanna, now to your question.

The Sigma is like the Glock in that it is a striker fired mechanism.
This means the spring that functions to give the "firing pin" / striker power to hit the cartridge primer,
is the one that is indirectly operated/acted on by the trigger link bar. For this reason there are limits
as to how much the spring pressure can be reduced and still have enough energy to ignite the primer.
Because there are differences in primer cup thickness and rigidity a spring too light can fail to fire.
In a competition pistol that is just a lowered score. In a duty pistol that can mean death.

There are a few things that can be done to help the link chain from trigger pull to striker fall.

Wolff Springs probably has a spring kit for the Sigma. It won't be as light as more traditonal pistol types but will be measureably different.
You can get a schematic for the gun and possibly replace the spring yourself with the right tools.

The second and more (likely to help) is to have a gunsmith/pistolsmith hone the parts train to make them function together more smoothly.
Like most mass produced items, there are a lot of stamped parts and they are functional as designed but could be improved on as to fit and function.

A lot of this involves correctly polishing bearing surfaces to remove only enough metal to mak them smoothly mesh and meet.

Here are the caveats, pitfalls and possible snares, generally:

1. There is a limit and margin as to how much metal can be removed.

a. Modern heat treating is such that parts can be made smaller. The problem is this makes it more critical since less metal can be removed.
Heat treating in many things is like the old saying about beauty, it's only skin deep. Once the outer area is removed wear can set in quickly.

b. If a surface is flat and needs to be polished, it must remain flat. Don't let it get rounded or skewed.

c. Pistolsmiths often use setup jigs to install the parts on in the same configuration as they work in the gun.
If you don't have one it can be difficult to make one. The only other option is to work a little then reassemble and test.

d. Compared to a car this is somewhat like working on a cars brakes. If you know what you're doing you understand your limitations and the systems limits.
You realize you must respect those limits or the results can be catastrophic.

If you don't have confidence or basic skills you can do this look for a smith to handle this all with better satisfaction.

Not least or last is adding a high quality lubricant such as Militec-1, Kleenbore TW25 or Tetra.
(some don't understand Militec-1 and you can tell that by what they say. After 25 years and hundreds of gallons used in many pieces of equipment
from ultra high speed mechanical devices and small arms to heavy equipment, generators, compressors and vehicles, we have found nothing to compare.)

A superthin, high efficiency lube will go a long way to assist. Try some to start and find out how much is changed.

One last note about the whole picture.

It can't hurt and will help to exercise your grip strength to improve your trigger finger and control.
The short acting muscles in your fingers, hands, wrists, forearms and into your biceps/triceps will help more than your ability to use your gun.
This is something I've advised to all of our people to improve performance, reduce injury and help all around.

05-15-2009, 08:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kingruv Upright Location: NoVa	Halanna, Like most newer model cars, most newer generation pistols are designed with and for a few ideas in mind. 1. It should be less expensive to make 2. It should be less difficult for the non-machinist to assemble with the right specialized tools. 3. For "liability purposes" , more difficult for the owner/operator to work on, repair, change/alter. 4. Utilize combinations of polymers, alloys, steel and molding to preclude fitting and aid in items 1 through 3. The Sigma is S&W's answer to Glockmania. Going through one shows What we've learned about most other US manufacturers; They reverse engineer competitors current products then look at what they learned and make it 'a`la Frank Sinatra' (I did it My way) Ok, theres my libertarian diatribe against bureaucratic mangling, mingling, messing, mucking and general screwing around with the people who make things work, build, plant, grow, harvest, preserve, protect and bear the burden. So Halanna, now to your question. The Sigma is like the Glock in that it is a striker fired mechanism. This means the spring that functions to give the "firing pin" / striker power to hit the cartridge primer, is the one that is indirectly operated/acted on by the trigger link bar. For this reason there are limits as to how much the spring pressure can be reduced and still have enough energy to ignite the primer. Because there are differences in primer cup thickness and rigidity a spring too light can fail to fire. In a competition pistol that is just a lowered score. In a duty pistol that can mean death. There are a few things that can be done to help the link chain from trigger pull to striker fall. Wolff Springs probably has a spring kit for the Sigma. It won't be as light as more traditonal pistol types but will be measureably different. You can get a schematic for the gun and possibly replace the spring yourself with the right tools. The second and more (likely to help) is to have a gunsmith/pistolsmith hone the parts train to make them function together more smoothly. Like most mass produced items, there are a lot of stamped parts and they are functional as designed but could be improved on as to fit and function. A lot of this involves correctly polishing bearing surfaces to remove only enough metal to mak them smoothly mesh and meet. Here are the caveats, pitfalls and possible snares, generally: 1. There is a limit and margin as to how much metal can be removed. a. Modern heat treating is such that parts can be made smaller. The problem is this makes it more critical since less metal can be removed. Heat treating in many things is like the old saying about beauty, it's only skin deep. Once the outer area is removed wear can set in quickly. b. If a surface is flat and needs to be polished, it must remain flat. Don't let it get rounded or skewed. c. Pistolsmiths often use setup jigs to install the parts on in the same configuration as they work in the gun. If you don't have one it can be difficult to make one. The only other option is to work a little then reassemble and test. d. Compared to a car this is somewhat like working on a cars brakes. If you know what you're doing you understand your limitations and the systems limits. You realize you must respect those limits or the results can be catastrophic. If you don't have confidence or basic skills you can do this look for a smith to handle this all with better satisfaction. Not least or last is adding a high quality lubricant such as Militec-1, Kleenbore TW25 or Tetra. (some don't understand Militec-1 and you can tell that by what they say. After 25 years and hundreds of gallons used in many pieces of equipment from ultra high speed mechanical devices and small arms to heavy equipment, generators, compressors and vehicles, we have found nothing to compare.) A superthin, high efficiency lube will go a long way to assist. Try some to start and find out how much is changed. One last note about the whole picture. It can't hurt and will help to exercise your grip strength to improve your trigger finger and control. The short acting muscles in your fingers, hands, wrists, forearms and into your biceps/triceps will help more than your ability to use your gun. This is something I've advised to all of our people to improve performance, reduce injury and help all around.