s&w sigma User Guide

Read the instructions and

warnings in this manual

CAREFULLY BEFORE using

this firearm.

2100 Roosevelt Avenue • Springfield, MA 01104

1-800-331-0852 • Fax: [phone]

www.smith-wesson.com

Owner’s Manual

Sigma Pistols

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS

AND W ARNINGS CAREFULLY. BE

SURE Y OU UNDERSTAND THESE

INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS

BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM.

This SAFETY, INSTRUCTION

and PARTS MANUAL should
always accompany this firearm
and be transferred with it upon

change of ownership or presented

to another person. A copy of the

SAFETY, INSTRUCTION, & PARTS

MANUAL is available FREE upon

request from:

SMITH & WESSON

CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER

2100 ROOSEVELT AVENUE

SPRINGFIELD, MA 01104

TEL.: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

2

INDEX

SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

BASIC FIREARMS SAFETY RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6

SAFE STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . . . .7-8

NOMENCLATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

PREPARATION FOR FIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10

AMMUNITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-12

MODEL NUMBER IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

INSPECTING YOUR PISTOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

LOADING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16

FIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

CLEARING MISFIRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

PRODUCT WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

UNLOADING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

FIELD STRIPPING DISASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-21

FIELD STRIPPING REASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-22

MAGAZINE DISASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23

MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23

LUBRICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

SERVICE, SHIPPING & PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25-26

WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

EXTENDED SERVICE POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

COMPONENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

WARNINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

3

SAFETY

4

SAFETY IS YOUR

NUMBER ONE

RESPONSIBILITY!!!!

W

ARNING: YOU MUST FOLLOW
ALL OF THESE SAFETY RULES TO
ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF YOUR
FIREARM

• Safe gun handling is YOUR personal

responsibility at all times. Firear ms are dangerous

and can cause serious injury and death if they are
misused or used inappropriately. Safety must be the
prime consideration of anyone who owns or handles
firearms.

•You are responsible for the firearm at all times.

In owning a firearm, you must undertake full-time
responsibility for your firearm’s safety and security.
You must protect yourself and all others against
injury or death from misuse of the firearm.

• Saf

e storage is your responsibility.

In particular,
you must secure firearms safely from children and
unauthorized users. A lock has been provided for
your use with this firearm. A lock is not a substitute
for safe and secure storage as defined in the “Safe
Storage and Transportation” section of this manual.

• Accidents are the result of violating the rules of
safe gun handling and common sense.

• For your safety and the safety of others, never
rel

y on mechanical features alone.

Only your
safe gun-handling habits will ensure the safe use of
your firearm. This is your responsibility.

•Ne

ver keep ammunition in the same location as

the handgun. Store in a separate and secure

place.

• READ

and UNDERSTAND these instructions

before using y

our firearm.

BASIC FIREARM

SAFETY RULES

5

At home, in the field, at the range, or anywhere, the first
concern of every firearm owner should be safety. Apply the fol­lowing safety rules in every situation, with any kind of firearm.

• BEFORE HANDLING ANY FIREARM,
UNDERSTAND ITS OPERA

TION.

Not all firearms
are the same. Familiarize yourself with the
mechanical features of any firearm you intend to
use. If you feel uncertain about any operational aspects
of your handgun, please contact Smith & Wesson
at 1-800-331-0852 before proceeding with its operation.

•AL

WAYS SAFELY STORE AND SECURE YOUR

FIREARM. Safe and secure storage of your firearm

is one of the most important responsibilities of
firearms ownership. It is a full-time responsibility.
You must always secure your firearm and
ammunition separately so that they are not
accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.
(See Safe Storage Instructions.)

•AL

WAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT WERE

LO

ADED AND WOULD FIRE IF

THE TRIGGER

IS PULLED.Do not take anyone’s word that the

firearm is unloaded – always check for yourself.
Never pass your firearm to another person until the
cylinder or action is open and you visually check that it
is unloaded. Keep your firearm unloaded and safely stored
when not in use.

•AL

WAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A

SAFE DIRECTION. Never point a firearm at anyone

or anything you do not intend to shoot whether or not
it is loaded.This is particularly important when
loading, unloading, or field stripping the gun. ALWAYS
control the direction of the firearm.

• NEVER

PLACE YOUR FINGER INSIDE THE

TRIGGER GU

ARD UNLESS YOU INTEND TO FIRE.

Your firearm cannot fire unless the tr igger is pulled.
Ensure that other objects do not actuate the trigger.

•AL

WAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT

IS BEYOND IT. Always be sure of where the bullet

will strike and shoot only where there is a safe
backstop free of obstructions, water or other
surfaces which can cause ricochets. Do not fire into
the sky.

WARNING!

THE F AILURE T O FOLLOW THESE BASIC
FIREARM SAFETY RULES MAY RESULT IN AN
UNINTENDED DISCHARGE WHICH COULD CAUSE
SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

BASIC FIREARM SAFETY RULES CONT’D.

6

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT SAFETY RULES

• Never carry or store a firearm with the hammer or striker in

the cocked position.

• Do not allow a firearm to be used by individuals who have

not read these basic firearms safety rules and do not under­stand its safe operation and the rules of safe gun-handling.

• Be sure all accessor ies, such as holsters and grips,

are compatible with the firearm and that the
accessories do not interfere with safe operation.

• Use the correct ammunition for your particular

firearm as indicated by the marking on the barrel.
Never use non-standard, reloaded, or “handloaded”
ammunition which has not been subjected to internal
ballistic pressure testing.

• Discharging firear ms in poor ly ventilated areas,

cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result
in exposure to lead and other substances known to
cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other
serious physical injury. Review the warnings and
labels for all ammunition and cleaning products
carefully. Have adequate ventilation at all times.
Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

• Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.

Do not use your firearm if you are on any medication
which impairs, even slightly, your mental or physical
ability.

• Wear eye and hearing protection appropriate for

firearm use every time you discharge your firearm.
Make sure others in the vicinity of where you will be
shooting do so as well.

• Do not allow any alteration or replacement of parts in

your Smith & Wesson firearm unless performed by a
qualified gunsmith using genuine Smith & Wesson
parts. If you do otherwise, improper functioning of
your firearm may occur and serious injury may result.

• Never cross obstacles such as fences or streams

with a loaded firearm.

• Firear m safety training is available. Contact your dealer for

availability.

• Appropr iate use for your firearm means using your firearm

for legal purposes. For example - target shooting and
lawful resistance of deadly criminal force.

• These are basic firear ms safety rules. There are other

common sense safety rules that should be followed at all
times under the circumstances then presented.

SAFE USE OF A FIREARM IS YOUR PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL
OF THESE BASIC SAFETY RULES MAY RESULT IN
SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

7

SAFE STORAGE &

TRANSPORTATION

WARNING:

SAFE AND SECURE STORAGE OF
YOUR FIREARM IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY.
YOUR F AILURE T O FOLLOW THESE RULES
MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

• You must always secure your firearm and ammunition

separately so that they are not accessible to children
or other unauthorized persons.

• Safe and secure storage and transportation of your

firearm are your responsibility. It is a full-time
responsibility.

•ALWAYS STORE YOUR FIREARM UNLO

ADED.

Your firearm and ammunition should be stored separately in
places and in a manner inaccessible to children and
unauthorized persons.

•SMITH & WESSON HAS PRO

VIDED A LOCK FOR

USE WITH YOUR FIREARM. There are also a variety of

other locks and safe storage containers available in the
marketplace which may be appropriate for your particular
needs. Consult your local gunshop, hardware store, or
local police department for guidance on the variety of other
safe storage devices or practices which may be appropr iate
for your particular needs. By purchasing this firearm you
have taken on the responsibility of safely securing the
firearm at all times and preventing its unauthorized use. It
is your personal responsibility to select and use whatever
devices or practices that will enable you to safely secure
your firearm at all times.

DO NOT USE A LOCK ON A LOADED HANDGUN!

Onl

y you can determine what devices or practices are

appropriate f

or the safe storage of your firearm and

your ammunition.

• NEVER ASSUME THAT A “HIDING” PLACE IS A

SECURE STORAGE METHOD. Others may be aware of

your storage location or come upon it by chance. It is your
personal responsibility to use common sense when storing
and securing your firearm and ammunition and to always
make sure that it is not accessible to children or other
unauthorized persons.

• FOLLO

W THE LAW!! You must be familiar with all local,

state, and federal laws regarding the safe storage and
transportation of your firearm. Failure to know and follow
the law may result in unauthorized access or use of your
firearm by another. Obey all laws relating to the storage
and transportation of firearms.

• NEVER

TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.

When transporting your firearm, be sure it is unloaded
and that the cylinder or action is open.

SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION CONT’D.

8

• Your local police depar tment or gunshop will fur nish you

with available information on storing and/or transporting a
firearm legally.

•Y

OUR FIREARM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Protect your firearm from theft or misuse by untrained or
unqualified individuals.

MAINTENANCE BEFORE ST

ORAGE

When storing, do not encase your firearm in anything that will attract or
hold moisture, for example, leather or heavy cloth. Also, do not store
guns with a plug inserted in the barrel for this can be a contributing
factor to moisture accumulation. If your firear m is to be stored for an
extended period, the bore, chambers and internal working mechanism
should be oiled with acid-free lubricating oil or preservative, and the
external working mechanisms, frame, cylinder and barrel should be
coated with an anti-rust oil. Before using your firearm again, be sure to
clean it. Every time you clean your firearm, check it for signs of wear.
If wear is noted, do not use the firearm. Return it to Smith & Wesson
for service or have it checked by a qualified gunsmith.

MAINTENANCE BEFORE USE

Before using your firearm, it should be cleaned. (See Cleaning
Instructions at page 24.) Your firearm has been treated with either a
preservative or oil to protect it against corrosion. Before using it, all
excess oil should be wiped from the bore, chambers (charge holes),
and exposed areas using a clean swab or patch. A light coat of high
quality gun oil should be applied to the outside surfaces and mecha­nism. Care should be taken not to oil the mechanism to the degree
that dust and lint may be trapped by the oil.

SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION CONT’D.

Smith & Wesson handguns are reliable and safe to use when
the basic firearm safety rules are followed. There are a
number of internal safety mechanisms within the
lockwork of the handgun which ensure that the firearm will
not discharge unless the trigger of the handgun is pulled.
That is one reason why it is important to never modify or
alter your firearm. Before you use your handgun, you
should be fully familiar with its operation.

Here is a list of basic firearms terminology.

AMMUNITION - CENTERFIRE

- Ammunition which
contains the primer in the center of the base of the case. Among
the most common centerfire handgun cartridges are the .32,
.38 Special, .380, 9mm, .357 Magnum®, .40 S&W®, .45 ACP
and the .44 Magnum®.

AMMUNITION - RIMFIRE

- Ammunition which contains the
primer material in the rim. Among the most common r imfire
handgun cartridges are the .22 Long, .22 Shor t, .22 LR, .22CB,
.22BB, and .22 Magnum.

CALIBER

- The diameter of a bullet, designated in
hundredths or thousandths of an inch (.357) or in
millimeters (9mm).

DECOCK

- The process by which the hammer or striker is

safely lowered.

NOMENCLATURE

9

NOMENCLATURE CONT’D.

DOUBLE ACTION -A firing action where the hammer or striker

is drawn back, released, and the gun fired by a single pull of the
trigger.

DOUBLE ACTION ONLY

-A firearm designed so that it can only

be fired in double action.

PIST

OL -A handgun that contains the cartridges in a magazine.

REVOLVER -A handgun that contains the car tridges in a

cylinder that revolves at the rear of the barrel.

SINGLE A

CTION -A firing action where the hammer or striker is

released from the cocked position by pulling the trigger.
The operation of your handgun will be explained in greater detail

in the pages that follow, as well as a greater description of key
component parts.

PREPARATION FOR

FIRING

AL

WAYS WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHICH IS

SPECIFIED FOR FIREARM USE.

• Failure to wear adequate and proper ear protection on

even one occasion can potentially permanently damage
your hearing. Make sure others who are nearby are
wearing ear protection as well.

• Always wear safety glasses, whether indoors or out.

Safety glasses protect your eyes from the firing flash and
particles associated with the discharge of ammunition.

• DO NO

T SHOOT A

T HARD SURFACES, WATER OR UP

INTO THE SKY. Always select a place to shoot that has a

safe backstop, is free from obstructions and water surfaces
which cause ricochets.

• Alw

ays be aware of other people so that persons cannot

accidentally walk into the line of fire.

• Position the shooter and all others so that they are not

within an area where they may be struck by particle-spitting
from a revolver or by ejected cases from other types of
firearms.

• Keep fingers and other parts of your body away from the

muzzle and away from the gap between the revolver barrel
and cylinder, and away from the pistol slide and ejection
port.

• Be aler t and always follow the safety instruction of the

range officer.

PREPARATION FOR FIRING CONT’D.

10

• Be sure that all cylinders and actions of firearms are

open, that chambers are clear of cartridges,
magazines are removed, and that firearms are
pointing in a safe direction before anyone is allowed
in front of the firing position.

• Be aler t at all times. Never shoot if you are tired,

cold or impaired in any way.

• Treat your firearm as if it were loaded at all times.

AMMUNITION

PREPARATION FOR FIRING CONT’D.

A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

• A firearm and ammunition are a system and must work

together. Their performance is closely related. There are
different types of ammunition for different types of firearms.
Your firearm has been designed for ammunition of a specific
type and a specific caliber. It is impor tant to select the
proper ammunition for your firearm.

!! W

ARNING !!

• Never use ammunition not specifically designated for

use in your firearm. Failure to use the correct type or
caliber of ammunition may cause the firearm to jam, fail
to fire or even generate excessive pressure which can
damage or even rupture your firearm, causing personal
injury or property damage.

• You are responsible for selecting ammunition that meets

industry standards and is appropriate in type and caliber for
this firearm.

• Locate the caliber designation printed on the handgun.

This information indicates the ammunition caliber that
should be used in this firearm. (See figure #1)

B.

HANDLOADED OR RELOADED AMMUNITION

!! WARNING !!

• Never use non-standard, reloaded or “handloaded”

ammunition which has not been subjected to internal
ballistic pressure testing. Reloaded or handloaded

ammunition, may have many manufacturing and quality
variables (such as the type and amount of gun powder).

• Any ammunition that is improperly manufactured,

even in the slightest degree,
may fail to fire or may
generate excessive
internal pressures which
can damage or even
rupture the firearm,
causing personal injury to
the shooter or those in the
immediate vicinity.

FIGURE 1