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Dave01 wrote:

BrianSW99 wrote:Also, if you insert the full magazine with the slide already locked back it should be much easier to get fully inserted.

Brian

This.

I had the same problem with my P226 when I first got it. The mags load fine with the action open. The force required to load a full mag with the action closed is more than most would think.

I started to load my mags 1 round short when I was doing IDPA. I was primarily doing reloads with a closed action, and was having issues not fully seating the mag before continuing (resulting in a misfeed). Reducing the round count by 1 solved this issue completely. As the gun and mags broke in, this issue went away (or maybe I just adjusted to the issue with practice...not sure).

Dave

Thanks, Dave. That's good to know.

driver8, the Mec-Gar mags I bought have SigArms stamped on them, and Sig confirmed that they are factory mags.

MoJo wrote:Ok, here's what I tell people. A pistol is designed to contain an explosion there is nothing a normal human can do to hurt it. Drive the magazine into the gun so that it is fully seated.

Are you sure you aren't riding the slide stop lever? If you are the slide won't lock back.

Yes, I am sure of that. I think the problem was that the original mag that came with the gun went in real easy, but the new mags seemed to be seated when they weren't. After I noticed the click, when it locks into place, I realized I probably hadn't made sure of that click before beginning another round.

rpb, if you live in the Dallas area, maybe we can meet at the range, and I'll test your gun(s) while you test mine.

I found the answer, I think. I found this post, http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/ ... /749101723, at the Sig Forum site:

Checks: with the slide off the pistol, lift the slide catch lever; it should be under spring tension and should smartly return to it's rest position when released. (If it doesn't, the slide catch lever spring is broken or missing). Insert an empty magazine and ensure that the follower of the mag lifts the slide catch lever up. With an assembled pistol with slide forward, insert an empty magazine and rack the slide to the rear; the slide should remain locked back.

I checked all three mags. All three push the slide catch lever up properly, but, you can insert the new mags into the pistol without "locking" them in place. They seem to be in place and they won't fall out, but they're not locked in place.

If I push the mag up into the receiver it seems to be in place. The slide catch lever is moved up, but not far enough to lock the slide. If I push the mag with a little more force, there is a clicking sound when the magazine hits the catch stop and the slide catch lever pops up far enough to lock the slide back. So I most likely did not insert the mag all the way into the frame enough to lock it. Next time I go to the range I'll make sure that every mag is properly locked in place.

That may also explain the jamming issue I had with that mag.

So if I move the feeders around, the problem should follow the presumably faulty feeder. I'll have to try that and see what happens.

driver8 wrote:I have a 226 and it has never jammed. Nothing is more reliable than a Sig. The slide not staying back is almost for sure the mag's fault. I would just get some factory Sig mags and not take the chance with the off brands.

These are factory mags. I verified that with Sig (by phone) after discovering the difference in spring length. Sig used to make their own magazines but farmed them out to Mec-Gar a few years ago.

I assume you are right that the slide not staying back is the mag's fault, but can you explain the mechanics of it? Perhaps I have a defective mag and need to return it.

I'm looking for advice from the experienced gun owners. I bought a Sig P226 recently (see http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=34992) and two extra mags. The new mags (factory Mec-Gar 15 round mags) have two more coils in the springs than the old mag (original with the gun), and it was extremely difficult to hand load them with 15 rounds. I cleaned and lubed the gun yesterday. Today I took it to the Garland Shooting Range to try it out. I shot 45 round, 15 from each mag. The gun worked fine except for two things that bothered me. It jammed twice with one of the new mags. (One was much harder than the other to load all fifteen rounds - I think that's the one that had the problem.) I had to drop the mag, clear the breach and then put the round back in the mag and start over. I decided to shoot another 20 rounds through that mag, 10 at a time, to see if would jam with less ammo. It did not. But it did something else that I didn't like. When I fired the last round, the slide did not stay back but returned to the shooting position. It did that both times after firing the 10th round. Each time I pulled the trigger again, not realizing that the mag was empty because the slide was forward.

When I got home I field stripped the gun and removed the grips. I noticed a lot of carbon or dirt in the mechanism of the frame, on both sides; around the decocking lever, the slide catch lever and spring, the trigger mechanism and the ejector. I soaked the frame in Berryman's Engine Degreaser and let it sit for a while. Then I cleaned it thoroughly with Berryman's B12 Cleaner. (Yes, I know these aren't gun cleaners, but I've used them for years and they do an excellent job of cleaning dirt, grease and grime from mechanical parts.) B12 not only cleans but dries without leaving any residue. The looked very clean when I finished.

Once the frame was clean I lubed it with Remington Rem Oil, which both lubes and protects against corrosion.

Should I take the gun out and fire it some more? Or do I need to take it to a gunsmith for repair? If I need to take it to a gunsmith, any recommendations for someone in the north Dallas area?