Help with P226

[Crazydave]

Gun: new Sig p226 Extreme 9mm (CA version)
Ammo: Winchester W Train & Defend FMJ 147gr 9mm
Shooter: New to shooting (taken a NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Course)


out of 429 rounds shot through this gun, I have now had 10 failures to fire.
All 10 times, I was able to "re-pull" the trigger or reload the round, and it shot fine.

The times that I ejected the round, it didn't look like there was even a light strike. (Next time, I will collect some full strike casings, and then some "FTFire" casings)

I didn't pay attention to which magazine I used. (I will have to mark it for next time).

But in the mean time I have some questions about how my gun looks after shooting... and some questions on what to look for when diagnosing FTF's


1.) Does this wear look normal?
2.) Is is normal to see "flakes of gold" I'm hoping this is coming from the bullet jacketing and not somewhere else

3.) When I have a failure to fire should I

• should I Wait 30 seconds then eject the round and inspect for light-strikes?
• should I trash the round or re-load into magazine?
• Wait 30 seconds before "re-firing" the same round without ejecting?

I also need to buy a case of different ammo to rule out the ammo variable.

At this point I'm not sure if it's me, the gun, or the ammo, and I want to eliminate what I can and if I can re-produce.

So far it only seems to have happened somewhere mid-magazine

Any suggestions would be helpful, and if things look "Not Right" in the photos please let me know.

Thanks

-dave

[Citadelgrad87]

I think that's just brass rubbed off during firing.

Is the pistol new? Maybe check the firing pin channel, clean and lightly lube it, iirc. Check the manual for whether this gets lubed.

Might be a firing pin that needs to smooth out from use, or the channel.

Second strike capability is nice, I'd probably just pull the trigger again, as long as the prior shot went normally and the pistol was in battery. No offense, but do you understand what a squib is and what into battery means?

. If there were very light or no marks, it's likely not the ammo. My 226will Fire anything.

[Venomouss]

I'm interested to hear the responses I feel like this happened to my cz sp01. I thought it might have been ammo related and that's pretty much what happened to me. The light primer strikes that is.

[_TomT_]

Is this "new" or "BNIB/LNIB," or new new like straight from a store. I am asking this because a lot of people like to put lighter hammer springs to lighten their trigger.

[MosinVirus]

The wear I see is not wear but drag marks where the slide rides over the copper bullet jacket. It will come off when cleaning.

The shavings may be from the case if the extractor has a sharp edge, or from other sharp edges, I think. Some other crap may be unburnt powder or crap that gets into reloads.

I never had ftf in my 226 but it also didn't have a lci, though I don't think it would be that.

Do you think you may have de cocked the pistol on a few rounds?

[iamscott]

Assuming that your pistol is stock, I would guess it's the ammo. Try different brands and see if that improves your results. As mentioned by others, the "flakes of gold" are just wear from brass casings and will clean off.

[P5Ret]

I don't see any abnormal wear, or anything I wouldn't expect to see on a recently fired Sig, or any other gun for that matter. You failure to fire, is probably not magazine related, since once the round is chambered the mag is out of the equation.

I would thoroughly clean it, and shoot it again before taking any corrective measures. Just to ensure that the stupid Ca only part is functioning correctly and not hanging up the slide in anyway. Even though that should prevent any engagement of the trigger system if it isn't fully in battery. Also to ensure that there is no left over packing grease inside the gun, that could be inhibiting function.

[AreWeFree]

I agree with the other posters.

1. Not wear, totally normal.

2. It's powder fouling, some ammo is worse than others. I shoot a lot of Winchester and it's normal, no harm just foul.

3. That's your call, I can't tell you what to do. I can't remember having a live centerfire cartridge fail to fire, but if I hear click instead of bang I'd rack the slide immediately to clear any failure.

The breech face in your picture looks clean, but I have to ask, have you inadvertently had any oil or grease on the breech face? This area should be brushed/wiped clean and never use oil as it will attract fouling in the firing pin channel which can lead to light primer strikes.

Take your slide off and barrel out. On the slide, push up the firing pin block with your finger, and push the firing pin from the rear to see if it protrudes from the breech face and ensure it looks clean with no fouling.

Lastly, to help eliminate variables with ammo, how is your ammo stored and where was it bought? Next time be sure to check for primer strike and any abnormalities to isolate ammo vs. gun problem.

[Crazydave]

Is this "new" or "BNIB/LNIB," or new new like straight from a store. I am asking this because a lot of people like to put lighter hammer springs to lighten their trigger.

Brand new in box from LGS even had the sig sauer wrapper around the grip.

That being said.. this is the FACTORY installed Short Reset Trigger. (the "exteme" model came with this)

[Crazydave]

The wear I see is not wear but drag marks where the slide rides over the copper bullet jacket. It will come off when cleaning.

The shavings may be from the case if the extractor has a sharp edge, or from other sharp edges, I think. Some other crap may be unburnt powder or crap that gets into reloads.

I never had ftf in my 226 but it also didn't have a lci, though I don't think it would be that.

Do you think you may have de cocked the pistol on a few rounds?

Not too likely to have de-cocked, As i felt the click each time.


I suppose I could retest by de-cocking and seeing if trigger still clicks without firing

[tacticalcity]

I would bet the light primer strikes are ammo related. Won't know until you try something different. Sometimes a gun just doesn't like certain ammo. If it is not the ammo then it might just need a really good cleaning (watch a Youtube video on completely taking down and reassembling your model gun).

The failure to feeds could be ammo related as well. Again, sometimes a gun just doesn't like some ammo...can be totally random. The ammo works for everybody's 226, but yours hates it. Seen that alot. Also, and most likely, could be limp wristing on your part. Gotta lock your wrists, not your elbows, your wrists. The more tired and fatigued you get, the more likely this is to occur. And the longer you shoot in the hot sun...the quicker it happens.

If the gun is brand new, just like you, could also just need some breaking in. A really good cleaning will help even if it is new. Something could have gotten in the channel. Sometimes manufacturers use really goopy stuff to protect the metal while they are working on it, and it gets in places where it shouldn't. After that, just buy a different brand type of ammo from a reliable brand and keep on shooting. With all those bases covered...hopefully it will solve itself.

[Crazydave]

I agree with the other posters.

1. Not wear, totally normal.

Good to hear

2. It's powder fouling, some ammo is worse than others. I shoot a lot of Winchester and it's normal, no harm just foul.

Good to hear... my automobile mechanic in me fears metal flakes

3. That's your call, I can't tell you what to do. I can't remember having a live centerfire cartridge fail to fire, but if I hear click instead of bang I'd rack the slide immediately to clear any failure.


The breech face in your picture looks clean, but I have to ask, have you inadvertently had any oil or grease on the breech face? This area should be brushed/wiped clean and never use oil as it will attract fouling in the firing pin channel which can lead to light primer strikes.

That is definitely a possibility. I have cleaned this gun each time after each range trip. There were NO failure-to-fires at the 1st range trip. The gun was VERY dry at that trip. The failure to fires started with the 2nd or 3rd trip.

Take your slide off and barrel out. On the slide, push up the firing pin block with your finger, and push the firing pin from the rear to see if it protrudes from the breech face and ensure it looks clean with no fouling.

I'll have to see a video... of what you are describing.. not sure I'm following this.

For whats it's worth, I had suspected fouling or problems with the firing pin.. and pushed the firing pin forward and wiped it off... but I'm guessing your are telling me to do something more here.

Lastly, to help eliminate variables with ammo, how is your ammo stored and where was it bought? Next time be sure to check for primer strike and any abnormalities to isolate ammo vs. gun problem.

Ammo was bought online from brownells.com and was shipped direct to me.
It has always been stored inside in a cool, dark, dry place since it arrived at my door. (I would imagine shipping would be similar to any other store or to home.)

I supposed I could buy a few boxes of some other ammo.

I *thought* Winchester would have been good premium ammo... perhaps I will buy a few boxes of Federal and see how that goes.
what are other "reputable" brands?

[Crazydave]

Also to ensure that there is no left over packing grease inside the gun, that could be inhibiting function.

I suppose this would require having me disassemble the firing pin block correct?

The gun seemed unusually dry when I bought it. There was no visible (or tactile) grease or oil at all on the gun. So maybe it was fine when I got it, but when I cleaned it for the 1st time after the 1st range trip... maybe some grease/oil/cleaner got down in the firing pin block.

What is the recommended procedure for cleaning out the firing pin block?

[nbirnbaum2]

the gold stuff is brass rubbing no big deal. my sigs shoot anything

Ok please do this.

1Thoroughly clean and lube the gun with grease. Pay extra attention to the rails. blow some canned air through firing pin channel in case of debris DO NOT take apart beyond standard field strip unless you know what you are doing. Dont mess up your warranty
2 try some different ammo... federal/speer/whatever

3. if that all fails have them send an rma and prepaid box DO NOT take to your ffl... they will take longer. Tim prefers email fyi

Tim Nevins
Customer Service
timothy.nevins@sigsauer.com
D: +1 (603) 610-3850
F: +1 (603) 610-3005

[sleepur606]

If it's new, it probably has the newer E2 (I think) trigger/hammer and grips. I don't have experience with those, but don't think they would be drastically different from the earlier version 226s.

That being said, I have a 226, regular old 9mm. I installed both the Short Reset Trigger (SRT) and the Short Reach Trigger along with lighter weight action springs and aftermarket sights.

When I originally bought the gun with the factory 10 round mags, I remember having a few feeding issues, but these were very early on and I haven't seen anything since my first or second outing.

I would say to properly lube everything, something like Slide Glide on the rails and a good oil on all the rotating components and friction surfaces.

Next time you have a failure to fire, make sure the hammer is falling when you pull the trigger and you're not just pulling back on a dead trigger; though with the double action that Sigs have, I can't imagine this would happen. If the hammer does fall when you pull the trigger, try either recocking the hammer by hand or pulling through the double action; pulling through the double action is going to be safer as you lessen the chance of a negligent discharge. It may be you're getting light strikes and a second strike will do the trick.

Either way, keep your gun well lubed and any early issues may just be teething. But definitely try lots of ammo to see if the problem is repeatable across ammo brands. Like CG said, the 226 should eat anything. I've run reloads, Magtech, PMC, Winchester White Box, Remington bulk pack, and about everything else under the sun, no issues other than very early on and they cleared up in about 300 rounds.