Sig/Sauer P 226R issues....

Brutus

Brutus

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A co-worker has a nearly new Sig 9mm he is having problems with.
He believes the slide lever catch spring has become loose/broken.

When he shoots between 8, 9 or 10 rounds, the slide will not lock open, and it has an empty chamber, and all rounds are expended. He has the original factory magzines.
It does not happen with up to 7 shots. The slide locks back like it should with an empty magazine.
He has teared down the magazines, everything looks right.

Anyone else run into this same problem?

Cheers!
 
This is only a guess, but I am wondering if this is more of a thumb riding the release issue?

It's a pretty common issue people have with sigs, and I am wondering if maybe the round count is really just giving him enough time to shift his grip a little, and end up riding the release?

I couldn't speculate on any mechanical issues that would cause this. But my first step would be to consciously fire the gun without my thumbs anywhere near the release, just to see if it keeps happening.
 
Does the problem repeat itself with all of his magazines>?

If yes, try detail stripping and cleaning the gun. I had such a problem on my double stack P226 .40. Ran more reliably when whistle clean. Any fouling whatsoever and the gremlin returned. I eventually replaced the slide catch spring (located underneath the locking insert) on my pistol and the problem went away in permanent fashion with no magazine spring replacements required to correct.

Bottom line is that the spring lacked sufficient tension to engage the slide lock if it had to overcome any fouling.

If this is the case with your firearm, you may want to consider taking the same action. Cleaning costs nothing and parts are available from Questar(a board sponsor) at minimal cost.

Sig maintenance specs out round counts for replacing this and other consumable parts. Might be time for yours. The Sig Armorer's P226 schedule suggests:
  • Barrel: If the pistol exhibits keyholing or unacceptable accuracy.
  • Decocking lever spring: 10,000
  • Extractor: 20,000
  • Extractor spring: 20,000
  • Firing pin: 20,000
  • Firing pin spring: 20,000
  • Magazine spring: When magazine fails to lock the slide open. *
  • Recoil spring: 5,000 †
  • Roll pins for breechblock retention (pins, HD): 5000‡
  • Safety lock spring: 20,000
    [*]Slide catch lever spring: 10,000
  • Takedown lever: 20,000
  • Trigger bar spring: 10,000

Your friend's gun may well be under the 10,000 round count, but you should not discount a bent spring from improper assembly.



Do the mags exhibit the same problem in another Sig>?

Mark your mags and note the ones that ARE frequent problem children. If the problem repeats itself in other guns, replace the magazine springs as noted by the asterisk in the mtce schedule above.


Good luck
 
I had same issue, it was not my fingers/thumb riding on the slide release - bad ammo and a dirty gun will do this as well so clean and lube your rails

BTW when I had that issue I had 5 different magazines all with the same failure to lock back the slide while shooting my last shot. however, if I put an empty mag in the gun and racked the slide all 5 magazines would lock back first try - just something to help you investigate if yours does that as well
 
Brutus said:
A co-worker has a nearly new Sig 9mm he is having problems with.
He believes the slide lever catch spring has become loose/broken.!
Click to expand...

The slide catch lever spring DISENGAGES the slide catch, so unless he managed to loosen/break it in such a way that actually made it stronger, that's not likely to be the problem. Besides, the problem doesn't occur after firing seven rounds, so it's obviously not overpowering the magazine springs.


Brutus said:
When he shoots between 8, 9 or 10 rounds, the slide will not lock open, and it has an empty chamber, and all rounds are expended. He has the original factory magzines.
It does not happen with up to 7 shots. The slide locks back like it should with an empty magazine.
He has teared down the magazines, everything looks right.
Click to expand...

Same with underpowered magazine springs or a broken follower. If the problem doesn't occur after firing less than 8 rounds, the follower's doing it's job and the springs are strong enough. This also eliminates a dirty gun preventing the slide catch from moving, because it IS working. It also eliminates filthy rails from slowing down the slide. Unless his pistol is cleaning itself for half-filled magazines...

So... That puts us at a damaged slide or damaged slide catch lever. Again, no to both, because the both are working fine with <7 rounds.

Maybe the slide isn't coming all the way back? Underpowered ammo? Nope, for the same reason. Limp-wristing? Ding! Distinct possibility, he might be getting fatigued enough by the end of a magazine to have relaxed his grip.

Or, as mentioned, the most likely reason of all, riding the slide catch.

I sincerely doubt that it's a mechanical problem, but if you want, have someone else shoot a full magazine just to rule that out...

So more than likely, it's either limp-wristing or riding the slide catch. Have him shoot a mag left handed, with a FIRM grip, and have him shoot half a full mag, take a break, then finish it off. If the first scenario fixes it, then cut off his thumbs, and if the second fixes it, tell him to to man up a bit.

Hope this solves it, let us know if it doesn't.

(Edit: now that I think about it, the second test would probably solve both problems, proving nothing, lol! If firing a mag leftie doesn't help, which eliminates riding the catch, have someone you know can shoot run through a mag, to see if he's loosening his grip toward the end of the mag.)
 
I recently played around with some loads with Titegroup for my 9mm putting them right at the minimum for the powder. They would do the same thing even to my Glock! Yes believe it or not. Slide wouldn't lock back. :D

The slide would lock back when you inserted an empty mag and pulled the slide back manually but would not lock back when shooting the last round in the mag. This was due to the underpowered ammo. Did your buddy recently change his ammo? Maybe he bought some reloads?
 
if you think its shooter error than try shooting it yourself, that can eliminate if he is doing it incorrectly (so long as you are doing it correctly)
 
Danimal247 said:
if you think its shooter error than try shooting it yourself, that can eliminate if he is doing it incorrectly (so long as you are doing it correctly)
Click to expand...
It's a little hard to tee up with him because we work opposite shifts.
Weekends are even harder because he's about to go away moose hunting and I am getting ready for my hunting season too.

Anyways, I mentioned the possible cause factors at today's shift change.
He's going to give it a go once more at the range.

Thanks again fellas, my Sig/Sauer voodoo is non-existant!
 
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