Sig P226 FTE Solution?

bclark1 · November 11, 2008, 10:36 PM

So I still love my P226 CPO, but it's not fit for nightstand service because of some reliability issues. Specifically, it's been failing to eject a few rounds per hundred the past two range visits. It's not a stovepipe or partial extraction - the case will remain in the chamber, the slide will cycle, and a fresh round will be pushed into the back of the empty for the jam-up. The weapon is regularly maintained and properly lubricated. It does not fail on any particular round throughout the magazine, it just seems to occur at random.

Any suggestions on what the culprit could be for random occasional empties left in chamber in a P226 9mm?

Nnobby45 · November 11, 2008, 10:52 PM

Improper extractor tension, or broken extractor if it isn't pulling it out of the chamber reliably. The new generation P226's have an external extractor which provides easy access so you can change it out with a little training. Early generation with internal extractors are more involved. Or send the gun back.

Note: Some old models with internal extractors don't get cleaned inside the extractor tunnel (no access),and carbon can build up inside between the extractor and the breach block insert so it can't flex. You can try soaking the whole slide (not the sights) in solvent over night and blow it out good with canned air.

Broken extractors I've seen usually break so that they won't extract at all. Since yours is random and it usually extracts, I'd suspect tension. Solution is probably a new extractor if it's a new generation.

Easy enough to determine:

With the slide off the gun and barrel removed, you can insert a round up under the extractor and see if it stays there when you shake the slide a little bit, and rotate it. It will likely be too loose. Also inspect the extractor to see if the hook is damaged.

November 11, 2008, 10:36 PM	#1
bclark1 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,531	Sig P226 FTE Solution? So I still love my P226 CPO, but it's not fit for nightstand service because of some reliability issues. Specifically, it's been failing to eject a few rounds per hundred the past two range visits. It's not a stovepipe or partial extraction - the case will remain in the chamber, the slide will cycle, and a fresh round will be pushed into the back of the empty for the jam-up. The weapon is regularly maintained and properly lubricated. It does not fail on any particular round throughout the magazine, it just seems to occur at random. Any suggestions on what the culprit could be for random occasional empties left in chamber in a P226 9mm?

November 11, 2008, 10:52 PM	#2
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Improper extractor tension, or broken extractor if it isn't pulling it out of the chamber reliably. The new generation P226's have an external extractor which provides easy access so you can change it out with a little training. Early generation with internal extractors are more involved. Or send the gun back. Note: Some old models with internal extractors don't get cleaned inside the extractor tunnel (no access),and carbon can build up inside between the extractor and the breach block insert so it can't flex. You can try soaking the whole slide (not the sights) in solvent over night and blow it out good with canned air. Broken extractors I've seen usually break so that they won't extract at all. Since yours is random and it usually extracts, I'd suspect tension. Solution is probably a new extractor if it's a new generation. Easy enough to determine: With the slide off the gun and barrel removed, you can insert a round up under the extractor and see if it stays there when you shake the slide a little bit, and rotate it. It will likely be too loose. Also inspect the extractor to see if the hook is damaged. Last edited by Nnobby45; November 11, 2008 at 11:00 PM.