Hey guys I'm having issues with my sig 226 not locking open on an empty mag I've fully striped it and cleaned everything but it continues to happen I'm not sure if it's a magazine issue or if the problem is in the gun any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks.
Sig 226 failing to lock open on empty mag
- Thread starter Cam863
- Start date
What caliber is it? I have a 226 in 22 and it does not lock open when the mag is empty....however there is a work around. If it is a larger center fire model then I think it should lock open but I am not 100% sure as my 9mm is a PPQ and it does lock open when the mag is empty.
- Location
- West Quebec
There can be mechanical and lube reasons but most often it is your right hand thumb resting ever so slightly on the slide lock.
Doing so prevents the slide from locking back. You can diagnose the problem by repeatedly putting one round in your magazines and shooting one handed, with your left hand. (Using the left hand keeps all fingers away from the slide lock).
If the slide always locks back when using your left hand, then it is your normal right hand grip causing the problem. In that case, you'll need to change your thumb position; try the left side of your left hand knuckle.
Doing so prevents the slide from locking back. You can diagnose the problem by repeatedly putting one round in your magazines and shooting one handed, with your left hand. (Using the left hand keeps all fingers away from the slide lock).
If the slide always locks back when using your left hand, then it is your normal right hand grip causing the problem. In that case, you'll need to change your thumb position; try the left side of your left hand knuckle.
Why doesn't your PPQ lock open after the last round? Is it an M2? The last sentence of section 4.3 of the owners manual states it should lock open after the last round is fired.
You've misread what I said...."and it does lock open when the mag is empty".
What ammo are you using and how energetically are the empties ejected? I had a Beretta 92fs that did this and the issue was that the recoil spring was a touch too stiff for the ammo I was shooting. I never did bother with fixing it but the method would have been to install a slightly less strong recoil spring. The plan was to put in a new stock spring in case the one in the gun was simply on the hard side of the tolerance value. If that didn't cure the issue then the next step was the next softer spring in the range available from Wolff springs in the US.
Along with a slide travel that is just barely long enough to move to where the lock can catch the slide the other telltale sign of too strong a recoil spring is weak case ejection. You want to see the empties chucked out a good 2 feet or more to the side before they fall below the height of the pistol. If the empties are only ejecting to around a foot or less then this is a sign of a recoil spring which is too stiff for the power of the ammo you're using.
Or the others are right and your thumb is riding on the slide lock. Try shooting some "one round" mags where you deliberately ensure that your thumb is not riding the slide lock.
Along with a slide travel that is just barely long enough to move to where the lock can catch the slide the other telltale sign of too strong a recoil spring is weak case ejection. You want to see the empties chucked out a good 2 feet or more to the side before they fall below the height of the pistol. If the empties are only ejecting to around a foot or less then this is a sign of a recoil spring which is too stiff for the power of the ammo you're using.
Or the others are right and your thumb is riding on the slide lock. Try shooting some "one round" mags where you deliberately ensure that your thumb is not riding the slide lock.
I'm a Sig Armorer for my Department. In diagnosing your issue consider the following:
1. Recoil spring and guide - a weak spring (out of spec) or one with a broken coil will cause this malfunction. Check the guide for deformation.
2. Improper lubrication - too much or none at all may cause this condition. Clean and use a light oil on the rails, recoil spring and guide (Mil-Comm 2500).
3. Magazine Spring - check spring to ensure it's within spec. Ammo stored in magazines over long periods of time WILL compress the spring. I have a hard time convincing officers of this fact until I show them their spring and compare it side by side to a new spring.
4. Ammo - lower quality ammo may cause this condition to occur, as the slide may not retract fully. Always use quality ammo.
I once received a demo P226 DAK E2 from MD Charlton. I and other officers had this same problem. I made a call to Sig directly. Apparently some P226's will not accept a high capacity magazine, being designed to malfunction in this way. They engineered the slide catch lever to bypass the magazine follower, thereby causing the slide not to lock back upon firing the last round. I swapped the part out and the gun cycled fine after that. A sign you have the wrong slide catch lever is to look at it from back to from with the slide removed. If you see a small notch in the "dog" the engages the magazine follower, and this dog is carving a groove into the side of the magazine follower, you have one of these modified P226's. Hope this helps.
1. Recoil spring and guide - a weak spring (out of spec) or one with a broken coil will cause this malfunction. Check the guide for deformation.
2. Improper lubrication - too much or none at all may cause this condition. Clean and use a light oil on the rails, recoil spring and guide (Mil-Comm 2500).
3. Magazine Spring - check spring to ensure it's within spec. Ammo stored in magazines over long periods of time WILL compress the spring. I have a hard time convincing officers of this fact until I show them their spring and compare it side by side to a new spring.
4. Ammo - lower quality ammo may cause this condition to occur, as the slide may not retract fully. Always use quality ammo.
I once received a demo P226 DAK E2 from MD Charlton. I and other officers had this same problem. I made a call to Sig directly. Apparently some P226's will not accept a high capacity magazine, being designed to malfunction in this way. They engineered the slide catch lever to bypass the magazine follower, thereby causing the slide not to lock back upon firing the last round. I swapped the part out and the gun cycled fine after that. A sign you have the wrong slide catch lever is to look at it from back to from with the slide removed. If you see a small notch in the "dog" the engages the magazine follower, and this dog is carving a groove into the side of the magazine follower, you have one of these modified P226's. Hope this helps.
What is the work around for a 22 LR on a 226?
