Sig 229 feed issue

TWilliams · March 26, 2020, 10:28 PM

So I picked up a used in great condition Sig 229 .40 today from an individual. He said he had no issues with it, just getting out of .40. It was clean, box,docs and 6 mags (3 Sig and 3 aftermarket). I loaded up 2 mags of WWB and it ran great. I ran thru 200 rounds. Came in and cleaned it and loaded up a mag of Fed Prem JHP and cycled the slide and the first round jammed against the feed ramp. Dropped the mag and tried it about 5 more times with same result. I disassembled it, everything looked good and put it back together. Tried it again with the same mag. Same result. Loaded up some more WWB and it was fine. So I tried 2 different mags (1 Sig and 1 aftermarket) with Feds and it was fine. I manually cycled the entire mag twice with no jams. Loaded up the first mag again and it jammed again. Is it safe to assume the mag is faulty? I'll take it out tomorrow and try firing with the other mags with Fed ammo and see what it does but it just makes me a little uneasy since I have no history of the gun.

Ignition Override · March 26, 2020, 11:53 PM

I'm confused.

Is the problem mag an OEM or aftermarket? Please clarify.

TWilliams · March 27, 2020, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignition Override

I'm confused.

Is the problem mag an OEM or aftermarket? Please clarify.

Sorry, it is one of the Sig mags. I’ve tried 3 mags, 2 Sig and 1 aftermarket so far.

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Bob L. Swagger · March 27, 2020, 03:43 AM

Get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a Glock.

Just kidding. I just bought a P229 (in 9mm) so I'll be watching this thread. I've never had a problem with any "P" series Sig, regardless of mags or ammo.

starnbar · March 27, 2020, 08:01 AM

Do not try to modify the magazine I had a mag for my sig that would not feed hp it fed every thing else fine just a finicky mag use that one for hard ball

TWilliams · March 27, 2020, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starnbar

Do not try to modify the magazine I had a mag for my sig that would not feed hp it fed every thing else fine just a finicky mag use that one for hard ball

Didn’t even consider that. I’m trying some more to verify but I’ll just not use that msg. I’ve got 5 others.
Thanks for the replies so far

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hammie · March 27, 2020, 10:47 AM

Some here will likely say "no" to this suggestion, but if the problem persists, I would polish the feed ramp. Just go slowly and use a polishing compound which is not too aggressive.

Onward Allusion · March 27, 2020, 11:15 AM

I've had mags like that in the past. Just paint the base and reserve 'em for the range. Who knows, maybe when it get really insane you can unload it for 3X the cost.

ammo.crafter · March 27, 2020, 02:11 PM

Call Sig and tell them you want to send them the bad mag and request they send you another in its place.

TunnelRat · March 27, 2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ammo.crafter

Call Sig and tell them you want to send them the bad mag and request they send you another in its place.

Is SIG in the habit of replacing used magazines?

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Seven High · March 27, 2020, 10:53 PM

Check the defective Sig mag for having the spring put in backwards. Check the slide rails for lubrication.

riffraff · March 30, 2020, 01:14 AM

The only way I have been able to make my 229 .40 jam is with crappy aftermarket mags.

I am an OCD gun cleaner but most importantly it shouldn't be stupidly dirty and needs lube on the rails.

Sig customer support is top notch so if you end up having a hard time figuring this out just contact them and take it from there... but I would first conduct a very scientific evaluation of how its working with each mag and simple known ammo, ie brass case FMJ Remington or Speer are my go to (ie not hollow point defense ammo, aluminum or steel case, only simple decent quality FMJ for testing until you are good working).

TWilliams · April 5, 2020, 02:51 PM

So I’ve shot about 300 rounds thru it and out of 5 mags 3 of them caused the issue, and not consistently. The other 2 mags did seldom do the same thing. Yesterday when it did jam I could hit the end of the slide and it would chamber and fire fine then jam again on the next round. This is with Sig mags and aftermarket.

I thought about sending it to Sig for the service, and add nite sights.

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L-2 · April 5, 2020, 07:09 PM

So far, from reading this thread, using the specific Federal JHP ammo is the problem in this specific .40 P229 as all fmj ammo, so far, worked fine.

(Not listed in my signature is I've got three SIGs, all in 9mm, too; P229R/P226R/P225.)

TWilliams · April 5, 2020, 07:13 PM

It’s happened with both JHP and target ammo. No hand loaded stuff either. I thought I had narrowed it down to a couple specific mags but then yesterday it jammed with a mag I thought was ok.

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TunnelRat · April 5, 2020, 07:13 PM

Which specific Federal JHP are you using? So both cartridge name (HydoShok, HST, etc) and bullet weight.

Edit: it’s happening with FMJ too? It looks like it’s having issues going into battery and I think you wrote you can tap it into battery when it happens. Maybe a worn recoil spring, or maybe the mag springs are worn out. Springs are pretty cheap. Might be worth trying that first, then send it in. Your call.

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L-2 · April 5, 2020, 08:11 PM

I agree with Post_16. I'd buy a couple of new recoil springs (one for a spare); and a couple (or a few) new mags (SIG or Mecgar brand; more mags can always be used). I suspect the feed issues will go away upon receipt and installation of those two new items.

Might as well order some new ammo, too, but ammo is a bit expensive right now, if you want to hold off on purchasing any at the moment.

bamaranger · April 6, 2020, 04:38 PM

I would not dork with the feed ramp, period. Depending on the age of your P229, it could be an older gun, and mags, mag springs would be highly suspect and the first thing I would change or replace. Almost all SIGS I have been associated with, either PO or agency guns, have been highly reliable with factory mags and ammo. One sluggish P226 displayed the following......

I have encountered SIG P-series pistols with the recoil spring installed incorrectly. Yes there is a right and wrong way. This fact does not seem to be common knowledge. The recoil spring has a slightly different internal diameters at the mouth at either end. TIGHT is RIGHT, meaning, when the spring is fitted to the recoil spring guide rod, the tight end fits over the end of the rod FIRST. If both ends are sloppy, the rod/spring may have been fitted wrong over a period of time, and I would certainly replace the recoil spring. Replacing the spring every 5000 rds (I think) is factory recommended anyhow.

Good luck, that SIG should run like a sewing machine.

Rinspeed · April 6, 2020, 07:54 PM

I've seen a few range pistols that had 15-20K rounds through them that looked like they only had 1K. Start with new springs and go from there, I seriously doubt anything is wrong with the gun.

dpadams6 · April 8, 2020, 01:53 PM

Is your magazine an American or Italian made?

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Rinspeed · April 8, 2020, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaranger

I would not dork with the feed ramp, period.

I agree, only a fool would suggest touching the feed ramp.

5-SHOTS · April 9, 2020, 03:15 PM

Check also the extractor expecially if it has the short extractor pushed by a spring loaded plug. It's not the first time I heard of a .40S&W P229 having feeding problems.

March 26, 2020, 10:28 PM	#1
TWilliams Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Posts: 101	Sig 229 feed issue So I picked up a used in great condition Sig 229 .40 today from an individual. He said he had no issues with it, just getting out of .40. It was clean, box,docs and 6 mags (3 Sig and 3 aftermarket). I loaded up 2 mags of WWB and it ran great. I ran thru 200 rounds. Came in and cleaned it and loaded up a mag of Fed Prem JHP and cycled the slide and the first round jammed against the feed ramp. Dropped the mag and tried it about 5 more times with same result. I disassembled it, everything looked good and put it back together. Tried it again with the same mag. Same result. Loaded up some more WWB and it was fine. So I tried 2 different mags (1 Sig and 1 aftermarket) with Feds and it was fine. I manually cycled the entire mag twice with no jams. Loaded up the first mag again and it jammed again. Is it safe to assume the mag is faulty? I'll take it out tomorrow and try firing with the other mags with Fed ammo and see what it does but it just makes me a little uneasy since I have no history of the gun.

March 27, 2020, 11:15 AM	#8
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	I've had mags like that in the past. Just paint the base and reserve 'em for the range. Who knows, maybe when it get really insane you can unload it for 3X the cost. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

March 27, 2020, 02:11 PM	#9
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 2,032	sig mag Call Sig and tell them you want to send them the bad mag and request they send you another in its place. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

April 5, 2020, 07:09 PM	#14
L-2 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 547	So far, from reading this thread, using the specific Federal JHP ammo is the problem in this specific .40 P229 as all fmj ammo, so far, worked fine. (Not listed in my signature is I've got three SIGs, all in 9mm, too; P229R/P226R/P225.) __________________ (former) Glock Armorer 1911 Armorer LEO (retired)

April 5, 2020, 07:13 PM	#16
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,426	Sig 229 feed issue Which specific Federal JHP are you using? So both cartridge name (HydoShok, HST, etc) and bullet weight. Edit: it’s happening with FMJ too? It looks like it’s having issues going into battery and I think you wrote you can tap it into battery when it happens. Maybe a worn recoil spring, or maybe the mag springs are worn out. Springs are pretty cheap. Might be worth trying that first, then send it in. Your call. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by TunnelRat; April 5, 2020 at 08:22 PM.

March 26, 2020, 11:53 PM	#2
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,899	I'm confused. Is the problem mag an OEM or aftermarket? Please clarify.

March 27, 2020, 03:43 AM	#4
Bob L. Swagger Junior Member Join Date: September 5, 2004 Posts: 14	Get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a Glock. Just kidding. I just bought a P229 (in 9mm) so I'll be watching this thread. I've never had a problem with any "P" series Sig, regardless of mags or ammo.

March 27, 2020, 08:01 AM	#5
starnbar Junior Member Join Date: February 20, 2020 Posts: 7	Do not try to modify the magazine I had a mag for my sig that would not feed hp it fed every thing else fine just a finicky mag use that one for hard ball

March 27, 2020, 10:47 AM	#7
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 979	Some here will likely say "no" to this suggestion, but if the problem persists, I would polish the feed ramp. Just go slowly and use a polishing compound which is not too aggressive.

March 27, 2020, 10:53 PM	#11
Seven High Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Posts: 663	Check the defective Sig mag for having the spring put in backwards. Check the slide rails for lubrication.

March 30, 2020, 01:14 AM	#12
riffraff Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2016 Posts: 629	The only way I have been able to make my 229 .40 jam is with crappy aftermarket mags. I am an OCD gun cleaner but most importantly it shouldn't be stupidly dirty and needs lube on the rails. Sig customer support is top notch so if you end up having a hard time figuring this out just contact them and take it from there... but I would first conduct a very scientific evaluation of how its working with each mag and simple known ammo, ie brass case FMJ Remington or Speer are my go to (ie not hollow point defense ammo, aluminum or steel case, only simple decent quality FMJ for testing until you are good working).

April 5, 2020, 02:51 PM	#13
TWilliams Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2005 Posts: 101	So I’ve shot about 300 rounds thru it and out of 5 mags 3 of them caused the issue, and not consistently. The other 2 mags did seldom do the same thing. Yesterday when it did jam I could hit the end of the slide and it would chamber and fire fine then jam again on the next round. This is with Sig mags and aftermarket. I thought about sending it to Sig for the service, and add nite sights. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

April 5, 2020, 08:11 PM	#17
L-2 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 547	I agree with Post_16. I'd buy a couple of new recoil springs (one for a spare); and a couple (or a few) new mags (SIG or Mecgar brand; more mags can always be used). I suspect the feed issues will go away upon receipt and installation of those two new items. Might as well order some new ammo, too, but ammo is a bit expensive right now, if you want to hold off on purchasing any at the moment. __________________ (former) Glock Armorer 1911 Armorer LEO (retired)

April 6, 2020, 04:38 PM	#18
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,800	P229 I would not dork with the feed ramp, period. Depending on the age of your P229, it could be an older gun, and mags, mag springs would be highly suspect and the first thing I would change or replace. Almost all SIGS I have been associated with, either PO or agency guns, have been highly reliable with factory mags and ammo. One sluggish P226 displayed the following...... I have encountered SIG P-series pistols with the recoil spring installed incorrectly. Yes there is a right and wrong way. This fact does not seem to be common knowledge. The recoil spring has a slightly different internal diameters at the mouth at either end. TIGHT is RIGHT, meaning, when the spring is fitted to the recoil spring guide rod, the tight end fits over the end of the rod FIRST. If both ends are sloppy, the rod/spring may have been fitted wrong over a period of time, and I would certainly replace the recoil spring. Replacing the spring every 5000 rds (I think) is factory recommended anyhow. Good luck, that SIG should run like a sewing machine.

April 6, 2020, 07:54 PM	#19
Rinspeed Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Posts: 1,506	I've seen a few range pistols that had 15-20K rounds through them that looked like they only had 1K. Start with new springs and go from there, I seriously doubt anything is wrong with the gun.

April 8, 2020, 01:53 PM	#20
dpadams6 Member Join Date: August 20, 2012 Posts: 67	Is your magazine an American or Italian made? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

April 9, 2020, 03:15 PM	#22
5-SHOTS Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2013 Location: Italy Posts: 139	Check also the extractor expecially if it has the short extractor pushed by a spring loaded plug. It's not the first time I heard of a .40S&W P229 having feeding problems.