Problems with new P229

Jimtl · October 28, 2012, 03:20 PM

A few weeks ago I purchased a new 9mm P229. It ran great for about 800 rounds using Federal ammo ... As soon as I started using a box of WWB ammo, I started having FTE issues. I took the gun home and cleaned and lubed well-- giving special attention to cleaning the extractor and went back to using Federal ammo. Now I am experiencing 1-2 FTE every 50 rounds or so (spent shell remains in the chamber). The shell shows marks from the extractor, but just stays in the chamber ... But is easily removed by tipping up the barrel. Anyway, it is at the shop where I bought it ... they said they'll have their gunsmith look at it, but will more than likely send it to Sig. So ... I'm a little bummed, I'm sure they'll make it right (or at least I hope so).

FWIW, I also have a p229 in 40 cal I bought used several years ago and have never had a problem in several thousand rounds.

Jim

10-96 · October 28, 2012, 04:26 PM

Interesting. That 9mm- does it have the internal or external extractor?

Jimtl · October 28, 2012, 05:11 PM

I'm not sure ... It's at the gun shop right now and I can't remember. It has a build date of Feb 28 2012.

MonsterB · October 28, 2012, 05:35 PM

I have a 229 9mm from 5/2012 and in around 1500 rounds its been perfection. Hopefully you get your issue solved quickly.

wbw · October 28, 2012, 05:54 PM

I've had the same problem with my 9mm 229. It looks like below. Anyway, I had a local gunsmith look at it and declare that the extractor was in spec and there were no flaws. It still didn't work. It was then sent to SIG who replaced the extractor. It worked well for about 100 rounds and then started doing it again. It did it with more than one brand of ammo and with different magazines.

Since discovering that the problem still remains, I have not shot it again. I'm kind of ****** about it. It's the most expensive handgun that I own and it's the only one that has had a problem, so far.

I have had mine for about four years and I bought it used but in excellent condition.

Jimtl · October 28, 2012, 06:59 PM

Well that's discouraging. I'll be sure to let you know what Sig finds out.

My p229 in 40 cal has been flawless ... It's one of the reasons I wanted the new gun.

wgsigs · October 28, 2012, 09:54 PM

All P229s have external extractors.

10-96 · October 28, 2012, 10:20 PM

OK, guess you're right there, I was thinking about the internals- with the short extractor and the long extractor that requires the use of the half punch tool.

Jimtl · November 1, 2012, 06:55 PM

Update...

Well ... The gunsmith at the shop called and said my gun was ready. Turns out he worked on it ... By the time I got to the shop the gunsmith wasn't around so I didn't get to talk to him. The ticket said the extractor was cleaned and adjusted. He put 50 rounds through it w/o issue. I guess I'm glad they didn't send it to Sig ... Although I am curious what they would have said. So, I put 150 rounds of Federal FMJ through it w/o issue. Seems to work well.

I'll continue to test the pistol before trusting it for a home defense weapon.

Mystro · November 1, 2012, 08:12 PM

I would call him to find out exactly what he did. You need detailed documentation just in case it isn't fixed 100%.

sigarms228 · November 1, 2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

I've had the same problem with my 9mm 229. It looks like below. Anyway, I had a local gunsmith look at it and declare that the extractor was in spec and there were no flaws. It still didn't work. It was then sent to SIG who replaced the extractor. It worked well for about 100 rounds and then started doing it again. It did it with more than one brand of ammo and with different magazines.

Since discovering that the problem still remains, I have not shot it again. I'm kind of ****** about it. It's the most expensive handgun that I own and it's the only one that has had a problem, so far.

I have had mine for about four years and I bought it used but in excellent condition.

You could try contacting Bruce Gray of Grayguns. If anyone can fix it he can and will do a terrific action/trigger job on it.

http://grayguns.com/

wbw · November 2, 2012, 07:36 AM

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind, although I'm quite happy with the current. It's one of my best.

Jimtl · November 18, 2012, 01:15 PM

Just an update ... Put another 300 rounds through it fmj and hp ... Works great.

wbw · November 18, 2012, 01:30 PM

Glad yours is working out. I've avoided taking my out lately.

chris in va · November 19, 2012, 11:58 AM

My friend had FTE issues with his using WWB. We found out later the ammo is underpowered and the recoil spring needed breaking in before we could use the milder stuff. AFAIK the gun runs fine now after a couple thousand downrange.

TunnelRat · November 19, 2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

My friend had FTE issues with his using WWB. We found out later the ammo is underpowered and the recoil spring needed breaking in before we could use the milder stuff. AFAIK the gun runs fine now after a couple thousand downrange.

I've got my own complaints about WWB, being underpowered isn't typically one of them. Dirty yes, inconsistent yes, but it typically has enough umph to get the job done.

I love these "breaking in" requirements. I had to "break in" a new HK P30 as well. IMHO, it's bs.

hulley · November 19, 2012, 01:18 PM

I hope it works out for you. I bought a P229 9mm recently and through 400 rds with no problems. Its my favorite gun by far.

October 28, 2012, 03:20 PM	#1
Jimtl Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Posts: 101	Problems with new P229 A few weeks ago I purchased a new 9mm P229. It ran great for about 800 rounds using Federal ammo ... As soon as I started using a box of WWB ammo, I started having FTE issues. I took the gun home and cleaned and lubed well-- giving special attention to cleaning the extractor and went back to using Federal ammo. Now I am experiencing 1-2 FTE every 50 rounds or so (spent shell remains in the chamber). The shell shows marks from the extractor, but just stays in the chamber ... But is easily removed by tipping up the barrel. Anyway, it is at the shop where I bought it ... they said they'll have their gunsmith look at it, but will more than likely send it to Sig. So ... I'm a little bummed, I'm sure they'll make it right (or at least I hope so). FWIW, I also have a p229 in 40 cal I bought used several years ago and have never had a problem in several thousand rounds. Jim

October 28, 2012, 04:26 PM	#2
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Interesting. That 9mm- does it have the internal or external extractor? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

October 28, 2012, 10:20 PM	#8
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	OK, guess you're right there, I was thinking about the internals- with the short extractor and the long extractor that requires the use of the half punch tool. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

November 19, 2012, 01:18 PM	#17
hulley Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Location: Hoschton, Ga. Posts: 726	I hope it works out for you. I bought a P229 9mm recently and through 400 rds with no problems. Its my favorite gun by far. __________________ Nov 2, 2011 sent form 4, SS Sparrow. Arrived May 29, 2012. Jan 30, 2012 sent form 1 for SBR. Arrived July 12, 2012 Jan 22, 2013 Sent form 4, 762-SDN-6. Arrived Sept 13, 2013

October 28, 2012, 05:11 PM	#3
Jimtl Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Posts: 101	I'm not sure ... It's at the gun shop right now and I can't remember. It has a build date of Feb 28 2012.

October 28, 2012, 05:35 PM	#4
MonsterB Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2010 Posts: 347	I have a 229 9mm from 5/2012 and in around 1500 rounds its been perfection. Hopefully you get your issue solved quickly.

October 28, 2012, 05:54 PM	#5
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	I've had the same problem with my 9mm 229. It looks like below. Anyway, I had a local gunsmith look at it and declare that the extractor was in spec and there were no flaws. It still didn't work. It was then sent to SIG who replaced the extractor. It worked well for about 100 rounds and then started doing it again. It did it with more than one brand of ammo and with different magazines. Since discovering that the problem still remains, I have not shot it again. I'm kind of ****** about it. It's the most expensive handgun that I own and it's the only one that has had a problem, so far. I have had mine for about four years and I bought it used but in excellent condition.

October 28, 2012, 06:59 PM	#6
Jimtl Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Posts: 101	Well that's discouraging. I'll be sure to let you know what Sig finds out. My p229 in 40 cal has been flawless ... It's one of the reasons I wanted the new gun.

October 28, 2012, 09:54 PM	#7
wgsigs Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 222	All P229s have external extractors.

November 1, 2012, 06:55 PM	#9
Jimtl Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Posts: 101	Update... Well ... The gunsmith at the shop called and said my gun was ready. Turns out he worked on it ... By the time I got to the shop the gunsmith wasn't around so I didn't get to talk to him. The ticket said the extractor was cleaned and adjusted. He put 50 rounds through it w/o issue. I guess I'm glad they didn't send it to Sig ... Although I am curious what they would have said. So, I put 150 rounds of Federal FMJ through it w/o issue. Seems to work well. I'll continue to test the pistol before trusting it for a home defense weapon.

November 1, 2012, 08:12 PM	#10
Mystro Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2004 Location: Central Pa. Posts: 1,528	I would call him to find out exactly what he did. You need detailed documentation just in case it isn't fixed 100%.

November 2, 2012, 07:36 AM	#12
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	Thanks. I'll keep that in mind, although I'm quite happy with the current. It's one of my best.

November 18, 2012, 01:15 PM	#13
Jimtl Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Posts: 101	Just an update ... Put another 300 rounds through it fmj and hp ... Works great.

November 18, 2012, 01:30 PM	#14
wbw Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2008 Location: York Pa. Posts: 738	Glad yours is working out. I've avoided taking my out lately.

November 19, 2012, 11:58 AM	#15
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	My friend had FTE issues with his using WWB. We found out later the ammo is underpowered and the recoil spring needed breaking in before we could use the milder stuff. AFAIK the gun runs fine now after a couple thousand downrange.