Brand new P226, less than 100 rounds, this happens, any thoughts?

[Sabian722]

Hi Calgunners,

Took my brand new Sig p226 .40, out to the range for the second time (picked it up less than a week ago), after about 30 rounds, the hammer won't drop, trigger won't reset, decocker goes up and down, but nothing happens. This, on top of the mags falling out after each round when the slide returns to battery. I already sent back one of the mags last week, but looks like I'm gonna have to send back the entire gun. This was purchased BNIB. My guess is that Sig will take care of me, as there is no reason that this should happen (not after a combined 80 rounds), and that I have used nothing but new Federal ammo.

I don't know what the problem is, but I've put up some photos, hopefully you guys can help me determine the problem. I hear Sig has excellent quality control so my guess is it was just a faulty piece inside. Going to call CS tomorrow morning and see what they say.

I've circled in red where I think the problem is.

[DvlFig]

Uh-oh, that sucks man. I'm sure Sig will hook you up!

[Capybara]

Sorry to hear that, hopefully they will take care of you. I hear a lot of good about Sigs but my personal experience has been two different Sigs at two different handgun classes and in both cases, the guns physically broke while we were shooting them. Granted they were both rental guns that I am sure abused and probably not maintained very well.

But I am not in a hurry to buy a Sig.

Good luck, let us know how they treat you.

[Sabian722]

I'll post updates after I give them a call. Thanks for the support.

Any ideas what the problem is or what could have caused it?

[P5Ret]

Hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks like the trigger bar broke, or slipped way out of place. Should be an easy fix and they will take care of it. Sig customer service is good, just not fast.

[Sabian722]

Originally Posted by P5Ret

Hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks like the trigger bar broke, or slipped way out of place. Should be an easy fix and they will take care of it. Sig customer service is good, just not fast.

That is very unfortunate. Sounds like a quality control issue then, I have heard of problems with the extractor, but this is new to me, especially only after 80 rounds. I hope 'not fast' means a couple of weeks... not sure if I can stand not having this baby back for a few months...

Is there any way that would influence the magazine slipping out after return to battery? Or is that an issue with the mag release/magazine?

Thanks again.

[Raider888]

Wow! What is going on with Sig?
I have some Sigs from the early 90s', never had any trouble.
Is it just the P226?

[Raider888]

Wow! What is going on with Sig?
I have some Sigs from the early 90s', never had any trouble.
Is it just the P226?

[Oceanbob]

Note to self.

[GunHo]

Sorry to hear. I'm sure you'll get a replacement

[badduggy]

I know that my 228 does the dead trigger thing at times when I short stroke the trigger between shots without feeling for a proper reset.

[P5Ret]

I tore my P226 down to get a better look. It appears to be the back of the trigger bar that is engaged by the decocker.

It is hard to tell about the mag without a close inspection, but it is possible I suppose. Mags could be just a bit out of spec, Sig no longer makes their own mags. Turn around time has been a couple weeks, for items I have sent in. Although none have been warranty repair so it may be faster especially if you push them for a rush service.
My bet is that the part itself was faulty, bad heat treatment or something similar. Looks and checks fine, but failed under stress. It happens to everyone once and a while.

[Sabian722]

P5Ret,

thanks for the help and input. bummer that it's a faulty piece and that it had to happen to me, but hey, it happens.

Will update with whatever Sig CS tells me. I can live with 2-3 weeks, will also ask Sig to pay the shipping fees... hopefully they'll pay too, maybe an emailed UPS label?

[CWM4A1]

From the picture, it's the end of trigger bar. Because this piece is stamped, seems like the stamping cause too much stress and part of it cracked. I have experience two of these myself but the trigger bar usually does not jump that far forward, and trigger bar don't crack until way past 10K rounds.

Depending on where you are, all it needs is a new trigger bar (and perhaps a new trigger bar spring, if it's mangled). It should be a pretty easy fix. We have parts in store to fix this issue but since it's relatively new, I would call SIG to sent a call tag so you don't have pay the shipping charge.

[Sabian722]

That confirms it then, its the trigger bar!

Thanks again!

[ExtremeX]

That’s very unfortunate; I don’t like problems with new guns, kind of sours the relationship for me haha… also a good reminder to test the snot out of a pistol before dedicating it to anything important like carry or HD.

[Sabian722]

Originally Posted by ExtremeX

That’s very unfortunate; I don’t like problems with new guns, kind of sours the relationship for me haha… also a good reminder to test the snot out of a pistol before dedicating it to anything important like carry or HD.

Agreed. On the flip side though, I realize that this could have been anyone, so won't really hold it against SIG unless they refuse to fix the problem for free. Of course, one hopes that something like this never happens to their brand new SIG.

heretodaygonetomorrow, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so unless i do something to break warranty(ie. use reloads, alter the gun in some way not done by SIG) they should fix any problems that arise, such as this. we will see though.

mani226, the grips were on tight, I only did a field strip to clean it when I picked it up, didn't do a detail strip of it, so I can't really comment on the condition of the springs and parts before I took it for a test run.


Is it possible that the messed up trigger bar had something to do with the mag slipping out after the slide returns to battery? I've heard that the mag pushes the trigger bar up when it is inserted... any thoughts on this?

[Ronin2]

I have NEVER had a problem or malfunction with any of my German made SIG's, some of which I have owned for 20 yrs and put tens of thousands of rounds thru.

[Heretodaygonetomorrow]

Good Luck.

From personal experience, I can tell you that SIG does not stand behind their products. I have heard of several P226 pistols that suffered cracked frames (including one my Uncle owns that cracked with less than 200 rounds through it), AND SIG refused to replace them or repair them for free. They did offer to sell my Uncle a Reconditioned/Used P226 for $600, or dispose of his defective one for free without compensation of any sort. SIGs do not come with any Factory Warranty, as opposed to most Gun Manufacturers who include a Lifetime Warranty against factory defects.

My family purchased many SIG pistols (Uncles, cousins, brothers) before this happened, and has not purchased a single one since.

[Nor*Cal]

Originally Posted by Heretodaygonetomorrow

SIGs do not come with any Factory Warranty, as opposed to most Gun Manufacturers who include a Lifetime Warranty against factory defects.

Nonsense. All factory new SIG's come with a limited lifetime warranty.

I'm sure there is more to the story of why SIG would not replace your uncles frame.


OP, let us know how it goes with SIG.

[CWM4A1]

Hmm, that's different from my experience as I had a P228 that crack around 5K round mark, SIG offer to replace me with either P226 9mm, P229 .40 or .357SIG as P228 is no longer imported. Wonder how old was your gun and how long ago did that happen? SIG used to offer 1yr mfg. warranty and switch to lifetime now.

[pc_load_letter]

Be sure you call around 4am pacific time. Otherwise your wait time with Sig will be well over an hour.

When I had work done on my 226, they gave me a shipping label.

Good luck

[JeremyS]

Originally Posted by Sabian722

I've circled in red where I think the problem is.

Me too:














I kid, I kid (mostly) ...at least partially...

[SouperMan]

Originally Posted by JeremyS

Me too:


I kid, I kid (mostly) ...at least partially...

LOL

OP, keep us posted! Hope it comes back in tip-top shape!

[Sabian722]

Gonna call them first thing in the AM.

This upcoming experience with SIG customer service will either make or break my relationship with them... will post all updates here!

[huckberry668]

they sure don't make them like they used to...

[Plisk]

If Sig proves unhelpful, post up your location so we can direct you to a factory certified Armorer if necessary.

[Sabian722]

I'm located in Huntington Beach, so depending on how it goes tomorrow, might have to take calgunners up on finding a local armorer.

[robx007]

I believe the CPO Sigs only have a 1 yr warranty - that might explain the compliant above...

[barca101]

I had a similar problem w/ my 229R w/ the long extractor. It was my fault. When I removed my E2 grips to clean and oil the internals when I mangled my trigger bar spring. I experienced the same problems you experienced. I couldn't believe that a $3.00 part was causing all that problems.

[DvlFig]

Any updates?

[Sabian722]

looks like I missed the non-busy window at SIG cs, I was on hold for a few minutes than they told me I had reached their voice mail box... will call again tomorrow, even earlier I guess... updates still to come!

[Sabian722]

Update:

Just got off the phone with SIG cs. A few things to note.

1. Called at 6am Pacific Time, no wait time to get to a rep. Worth the early wake-up.
2. They said ship it in, gun in case only, gunsmiths will look at it. Will take approximately 2-3 weeks.
3. They will email me a FedEx prepaid shipping label (No more UPS it seems like)
4. CS guy was gracious, looks like they will take care of the problem, at no cost to me (except emotional stress at having to mail my SIG away), as it is covered under their stated warranty.

Granted, I should never have had to call their cs, but given that I had to, they were pretty good about everything. As of now, looks like SIG's customer service is still up to par.

Will update again when it gets back to me. Hopefully they include a few hi-cap repair kits and a box of .40

[CWM4A1]

Good to hear that SIG CS is taking care of things. Please make sure to take the package to the FedEx Hub instead of your neighborhood FedEx-Kinkos store, as they don't ship guns from those locations.

Good luck on the std cap repair kit... last time they did give me a couple more 10rd mags though.

[Sabian722]

Originally Posted by CWM4A1

Good luck on the std cap repair kit... last time they did give me a couple more 10rd mags though.

Would be totally cool with some of those too, load the extras with some quality hd ammo!

[fishguts]

Just a thought... While it is at SIG, make sure you have them do an "action Enhancement" since you are getting a free ride. It will make your baby shoot oh so smooth. = More rounds on target!!

[Sabian722]

Originally Posted by fishguts

Just a thought... While it is at SIG, make sure you have them do an "action Enhancement" since you are getting a free ride. It will make your baby shoot oh so smooth. = More rounds on target!!

ooh... not a bad idea, might call up cs early tomorrow morning again to see if I can add that to the current RMA, would love to get those groups a little tighter!

[fishguts]

Originally Posted by Sabian722

ooh... not a bad idea, might call up cs early tomorrow morning again to see if I can add that to the current RMA, would love to get those groups a little tighter!

I did it when i sent my 229 enhance elite in. it already had a short rest trigger, but i wanted to smooth up the first round DA pull. Its like butter now, and SA is simply perfection. Some will say a grey guns job is better but for what I do I'm pleased with the factory job.

[Sabian722]

Originally Posted by fishguts

I did it when i sent my 229 enhance elite in. it already had a short rest trigger, but i wanted to smooth up the first round DA pull. Its like butter now, and SA is simply perfection. Some will say a grey guns job is better but for what I do I'm pleased with the factory job.

How do you like the short reset trigger? I've been thinking about getting that done too...

[fishguts]

Originally Posted by Sabian722

How do you like the short reset trigger? I've been thinking about getting that done too...

It is very nice for fast follow up shots and I enjoy it. With that being said I have SIG's without a SRT and I don't feel it is a "gotta have" Item. I feel SIG has a good trigger out of the box and with a little work is an outstanding trigger. I guess it really depends on your intended use of your 226. If you have issues with the standard reset trigger by all means have it changed since its already in the shop. Some people will also tell you that they don"t like the SRT. If your unsure about how you might like the feel Stop in a gun store that has a few sigs and try one out. Ask the sales person first if you can dry fire the weapon, after the hammer falls hold the trigger back and don't release it. Rack the slide to mimic the shot. Slowly release the trigger until you hear and feel a click. It is now ready to fire again. This is the distance for reset. (I didn't know if you knew this or not). If you local shop doesn't have one to try I can tell you its about an 1/8 inch rest on my SRT. Another option is to hit up some cal gunners in your area and see if they will let you try theirs.

Cheers.