Bad Ammo?

fragtagninja · June 4, 2013, 03:08 AM

My sig recently had its first hiccup. After 450 rounds down range I had it fail to hit slide lock after emptying the mag. This happened on the last round I had brought. It fired and ejected the casing as well as cocked the hammer, but did not hit slide lock. No problems previous. Light powder charge maybe? The gun may have been over oiled a bit too. Contributing factor?

Not sure. I checked all of the casings I could find for light primer strikes, but everything checked out as far as I can tell.

Suggestions on what could be a likely culprit?

shaunpain · June 4, 2013, 04:34 AM

Were you using the same magazine you always use? How is the spring in the mag feeling? The mag spring will have to overcome the tension in the slide lever for a positive lock open. I've heard of someone adjusting the tension screw in there on a newer Sig to "tune it in". Before you get into any of that, though, I would rule out a magazine issue as I think that's what your problem is. Try and hold open the slide while insert the empty magazine and see if the follower will engage the slide stop. Since you've almost broken the gun in completely, it's most likely a bad round or a dirty magazine. Possibly a weakening spring. Also, because of the ergos of a Sig, depending on how you're holding the gun you could've accidently thumbed the slide stop. Also, if you were fatigued a bit (you said it was the end of a range day) you may have had a weaker grip on the gun, causing it to short stroke. What I'm trying to say is, your gun is probably fine. Good luck!

chuckles · June 4, 2013, 07:22 AM

My friend had a last round feeding issue issue last time out with a normally reliable M&P compact 9. It happened only with some HSM reloads he had bought at Sportsmans Warehouse. When he switched to normal factory American Eagle ammo the last round feed issue went away totally. What ammo were you using?

geetarman · June 4, 2013, 07:25 AM

I am betting you thumbed the slide stop. It happens to me on every Sig I have if I am not careful. It does not take much to make it happen.

Check your grip.

WESHOOT2 · June 4, 2013, 07:26 AM

Dirty gun?

Insufficient or improper lubrication?

Shooter-induced?
This one, here, my best guess: Lack of follow-through on that "last Shot"....

BillyJack3 · June 4, 2013, 07:49 AM

Which Sig? As asked above, dirty maybe? That happens to mine when it starts to dirty up. I consider it an indicator that it's time to break it down.

fragtagninja · June 4, 2013, 10:57 AM

Okay it was clean as a whistle. I only put 49 rounds through it that day prior to the issue. All of my mags have been flawless to this point. I was pretty tired that day so a limp wrist could have happened on that last shot. It is a P229R and I have put 200 plus rounds through it without so much as a sputter in one session. If anything it was over lubed. The grease was leaking out everywhere it could. It was Winchester Ranger FMJ in .40 S&W. I know for sure I was not hitting the slide release when it happened.

Walt Sherrill · June 4, 2013, 11:18 AM

A lack of lube, dirt, powder residue, etc., ought NOT cause a problem, but anything is possible, I suppose, if there's way too much dirt or way too little lube. Not common causes of that problem, however. You MIGHT have limp-wristed it, but I doubt it, as that will most often cause a jam, not a slide NOT locking back.

As others have suggested, it sounds as though something was keeping the mag follower from pressing upward with full force against the slide stop, like a thumb on the slide release, etc. That could be a weak mag spring, or your thumb accidentally nudging the slide stop.

The next time out, shoot that mag (if you can identify it) or each of your mags with just 2-3 rounds in them. If it's a weak spring, that should identify the problem pretty quickly. If they run fine, figure you just nudged the slide stop.

You MIGHT be able to notice a weak spring by comparing how easily the springs in each mag can be compressed. Replacement springs from Wolff are relatively cheap, but I wouldn't replace them until I was sure I needed them -- it might be wasted money.

.

TunnelRat · June 4, 2013, 11:57 AM

1 round in 450? Hardly a reason to get worried IMO. Keep on eye on it and that magazine (numbering your mags helps, I use masking tape and markers). If it keeps doing it worry. If it doesn't, don't

.

Dragline45 · June 4, 2013, 01:09 PM

Your magazine may be dirty or got something in their to bind it up enough where it did not allow the follower to push up enough for the slide to lock back. I consider cleaning mags equally as important as cleaning and lubing your guns.

Quote:

I know for sure I was not hitting the slide release when it happened.

I wouldn't rule that out completely. Many of people have come on this forum with the exact same problem only to realize on their next outing they were indeed slightly hitting the slide release. It doesn't take much at all.

fragtagninja · June 4, 2013, 03:49 PM

The grip I use puts my thumb below the release when I shoot. If I were to bump it I would be pushing it up not down.

TunnelRat · June 4, 2013, 04:07 PM

Quote:

The grip I use puts my thumb below the release when I shoot. If I were to bump it I would be pushing it up not down.

The only answer then is that your gun is incredibly faulty. Don't trust your life to it. Send it to a forum member for disposal.

fragtagninja · June 5, 2013, 07:57 AM

Aha! I knew it a fatal flaw. lol

geetarman · June 5, 2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Send it to a forum member for disposal.

I assume you have someone in mind??????

arch308 · June 6, 2013, 11:14 AM

No gun is perfect. If it happens again frequently I would worry but one hiccup in 450 rnds is nothing to worry about IMO.

fragtagninja · June 6, 2013, 10:35 PM

Put another 100 rounds through it today. No problems. I even accidentally got sand in it. Must have been a light powder charge.

colbad · June 6, 2013, 10:49 PM

More likely your grip shifted over the mag release. This is a typical problem with a high grip as your hand tires, shifts a little at the end of a full mag. I carried a Sig for over 20 years on a daily basis and the only time this situation occurs is when I got a little high on the handle.

June 4, 2013, 03:08 AM	#1
fragtagninja Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 194	Bad Ammo? My sig recently had its first hiccup. After 450 rounds down range I had it fail to hit slide lock after emptying the mag. This happened on the last round I had brought. It fired and ejected the casing as well as cocked the hammer, but did not hit slide lock. No problems previous. Light powder charge maybe? The gun may have been over oiled a bit too. Contributing factor? Not sure. I checked all of the casings I could find for light primer strikes, but everything checked out as far as I can tell. Suggestions on what could be a likely culprit?

June 4, 2013, 11:57 AM	#9
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,423	1 round in 450? Hardly a reason to get worried IMO. Keep on eye on it and that magazine (numbering your mags helps, I use masking tape and markers). If it keeps doing it worry. If it doesn't, don't . __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

June 4, 2013, 04:34 AM	#2
shaunpain Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 854	Were you using the same magazine you always use? How is the spring in the mag feeling? The mag spring will have to overcome the tension in the slide lever for a positive lock open. I've heard of someone adjusting the tension screw in there on a newer Sig to "tune it in". Before you get into any of that, though, I would rule out a magazine issue as I think that's what your problem is. Try and hold open the slide while insert the empty magazine and see if the follower will engage the slide stop. Since you've almost broken the gun in completely, it's most likely a bad round or a dirty magazine. Possibly a weakening spring. Also, because of the ergos of a Sig, depending on how you're holding the gun you could've accidently thumbed the slide stop. Also, if you were fatigued a bit (you said it was the end of a range day) you may have had a weaker grip on the gun, causing it to short stroke. What I'm trying to say is, your gun is probably fine. Good luck!

June 4, 2013, 07:22 AM	#3
chuckles Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: Great American Western Desert Posts: 228	My friend had a last round feeding issue issue last time out with a normally reliable M&P compact 9. It happened only with some HSM reloads he had bought at Sportsmans Warehouse. When he switched to normal factory American Eagle ammo the last round feed issue went away totally. What ammo were you using?

June 4, 2013, 07:25 AM	#4
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	I am betting you thumbed the slide stop. It happens to me on every Sig I have if I am not careful. It does not take much to make it happen. Check your grip.

June 4, 2013, 07:26 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Dirty gun? Insufficient or improper lubrication? Shooter-induced? This one, here, my best guess: Lack of follow-through on that "last Shot"....

June 4, 2013, 07:49 AM	#6
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	Which Sig? As asked above, dirty maybe? That happens to mine when it starts to dirty up. I consider it an indicator that it's time to break it down.

June 4, 2013, 10:57 AM	#7
fragtagninja Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 194	Okay it was clean as a whistle. I only put 49 rounds through it that day prior to the issue. All of my mags have been flawless to this point. I was pretty tired that day so a limp wrist could have happened on that last shot. It is a P229R and I have put 200 plus rounds through it without so much as a sputter in one session. If anything it was over lubed. The grease was leaking out everywhere it could. It was Winchester Ranger FMJ in .40 S&W. I know for sure I was not hitting the slide release when it happened.

June 4, 2013, 11:18 AM	#8
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	A lack of lube, dirt, powder residue, etc., ought NOT cause a problem, but anything is possible, I suppose, if there's way too much dirt or way too little lube. Not common causes of that problem, however. You MIGHT have limp-wristed it, but I doubt it, as that will most often cause a jam, not a slide NOT locking back. As others have suggested, it sounds as though something was keeping the mag follower from pressing upward with full force against the slide stop, like a thumb on the slide release, etc. That could be a weak mag spring, or your thumb accidentally nudging the slide stop. The next time out, shoot that mag (if you can identify it) or each of your mags with just 2-3 rounds in them. If it's a weak spring, that should identify the problem pretty quickly. If they run fine, figure you just nudged the slide stop. You MIGHT be able to notice a weak spring by comparing how easily the springs in each mag can be compressed. Replacement springs from Wolff are relatively cheap, but I wouldn't replace them until I was sure I needed them -- it might be wasted money. .

June 4, 2013, 03:49 PM	#11
fragtagninja Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 194	The grip I use puts my thumb below the release when I shoot. If I were to bump it I would be pushing it up not down.

June 5, 2013, 07:57 AM	#13
fragtagninja Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 194	Aha! I knew it a fatal flaw. lol

June 6, 2013, 11:14 AM	#15
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	No gun is perfect. If it happens again frequently I would worry but one hiccup in 450 rnds is nothing to worry about IMO.

June 6, 2013, 10:35 PM	#16
fragtagninja Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 194	Put another 100 rounds through it today. No problems. I even accidentally got sand in it. Must have been a light powder charge.

June 6, 2013, 10:49 PM	#17
colbad Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2012 Posts: 506	More likely your grip shifted over the mag release. This is a typical problem with a high grip as your hand tires, shifts a little at the end of a full mag. I carried a Sig for over 20 years on a daily basis and the only time this situation occurs is when I got a little high on the handle.