Problem: My Sig 226 isn't locking back

[Doug.38PR]

I was shooting my Sig 226 a few weeks ago and it started jamming and not locking back when the magazine was empty (dryfiring on an empty chamber)

I figured maybe the magazine springs were weak as I keep them loaded all the time.

I cleaned the gun, sprayed lubricant along the slide....took it out and shot it...it was just fine.

I've since put about 50 more rounds through it maybe 100 and just today at the range, it started failing to lock back after the magazine was empty. If it would lock back or if I would lock it back after it failing to lock it back, I would just drop a single round down into the tube, let the slide pop forward, fire....and the gun would still fail to lock back. No jamming, it would just fail to lock back.
Now, I don't see that there is any problem when I manually pull the slide back. The latch clicks up to hold the slide just fine. The magazine springs seem fairly strong (one magazine spring seems stronger than the other).

My thoughts: 1) the magazine springs are weak from being loaded all the time
or 2) the slide is grunky and dry (from only 100 rounds being fired?) that it isn't going back quite far enough to be locked back yet just far enough for the empty cartridge to eject clear of the gun.

Now let's hear from the real experts

[Lykoi]

easiest solution is to eliminate one problem at a time...

lube the gun, gently, not too much...
make sure the catch it functioning properly without a mag...
then try cleaning your mags and check the spring tension...
I doubt the springs are worn out, i've had my 226 for about 5years now, and there's been probably 1month that whole time that the mag hasn't been loaded, and it still functions perfectly... I'd put more money on fouling in the mag or the catch preventing lock.

if it is the mag springs/followers, contact sig... they've got rebuild kits for a decent price.

[KaProw]

Some folks have a problem with their thumb riding the slide stop when firing a Sig. be conscious of the possibility and adjust grip if necessary.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Didn't you ask if +p+ was safe?

Hmmm...maybe not

[Xander]

Didn't you ask if +p+ was safe?

Hmmm...maybe not

+P+ would make it *more* likely to lock back, not less.

Here are some possibilities to check, from the fellow who created the Sig Armorer DVD: http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/ ... /749101723

[jbirds1210]

I had the exact same problem with my P226......I was running it too dry. I have had the same thing happen with my 239. It was one of the factors that made me decide I was a Glock man

Jason

[Doug.38PR]

Yes I did ask about +P+. But I have yet to fire any in my Sig.....in fact I am still waiting for them to be delivered.

I've seen Glocks have problems of their own. slide spring put in backwards causes it to jam ever shot, runs dry and it jams etc. It's the nature of the semi-automatic which is why I prefer Six-for-Sure revolvers. (and yes I know, it's not the gun it's human error...but it's just that many more things to keep up with and therefore that many more things that can go wrong)

Not that I don't like automatics. I have learned to love to shoot my Sig 226 9mm. (except for the irritation of having to chase brass). I love the character, stopping power and look of my 1911 A1 Springfield Armory. I will even carry these guns sometimes for familiarity (keeping them lubricated and hoping they don't jam).

[fizteach]

I agree with the thumb hitting the slide release comment. Try changing your grip before getting into too much gunsmithing. Have you put new grips on your 226? The least little bump of the slide release can cause the slide to travel forward, especially if you have changed out your grip panels.

Semper fi,

[Doug.38PR]

I don't think it was my thumb against the slide release latch. whether point shooting, one hand dueling stance or the weaver stance, my thumb is nowhere near the latch. In fact it is usually curled downward.


EDIT: Now I am observing a new problem. I lock the gun slide back, flip down the slide removal switch, release the lock and ease it forward....the slide won't slide off the gun without some force or wiggling.....(further checking) Once I get it off and put it back on sliding it around...it is hanging on something around just after where the slide looks like it's in firing position.

It has to do with the magazine. If hte magazine is in the gun, the slide somehow hangs on it when you try to take the slide off...when you remove the magazine, the slide breezes right off the gun with no problem as it should

[HooG19]

I don't think it was my thumb against the slide release latch. whether point shooting, one hand dueling stance or the weaver stance, my thumb is nowhere near the latch. In fact it is usually curled downward.


EDIT: Now I am observing a new problem. I lock the gun slide back, flip down the slide removal switch, release the lock and ease it forward....the slide won't slide off the gun without some force or wiggling.....(further checking) Once I get it off and put it back on sliding it around...it is hanging on something around just after where the slide looks like it's in firing position.

It has to do with the magazine. If hte magazine is in the gun, the slide somehow hangs on it when you try to take the slide off...when you remove the magazine, the slide breezes right off the gun with no problem as it should

You should always remove the magazine from the weapon before you try to field strip it. Otherwise you will run into these "problems" regardless if it is a Glock, Sig, S&W, etc. Besides, isn't it part of your safety routine to make sure the gun is not loaded before disassembly? I am not familiar with Sigs so I cannot comment on locking the slide back before removal. Have you reviewed the owner's manual to be sure it is being operated correctly RE slide lock on empty mag?

[Lykoi]

I don't think it was my thumb against the slide release latch. whether point shooting, one hand dueling stance or the weaver stance, my thumb is nowhere near the latch. In fact it is usually curled downward.


EDIT: Now I am observing a new problem. I lock the gun slide back, flip down the slide removal switch, release the lock and ease it forward....the slide won't slide off the gun without some force or wiggling.....(further checking) Once I get it off and put it back on sliding it around...it is hanging on something around just after where the slide looks like it's in firing position.

It has to do with the magazine. If hte magazine is in the gun, the slide somehow hangs on it when you try to take the slide off...when you remove the magazine, the slide breezes right off the gun with no problem as it should

first as already stated ALWAYS remove the mag before field stripping...
second, sounds like a bad follower/bent mag lip...

is the problem the same with both mags?

can you get a "new" one?

[Doug.38PR]

Yes it does it on both magazines.

yes I think acadamy sells new ones (I think).


I just took the slide off, sprayed the gun, wiped it inside and out with a washcloth, sprayed it again along the slide. loaded the magazine, put it in, racked one on the chamber (and sprinkled lubricant with suite in it all over the place). At some point maybe tomorrow I'll take it out and put some rounds through it and see how it goes.

[Lykoi]

it's pretty odd to have 2 mags go bad at the same time with the same issue... not unheard of though

though if you field strip the weapon with the mags in you could cause the same damage.

if you try lubing it, and nothing changes, try the new mag, then let us know...