How much play between the slide and the frame?

[alexisjohnson]

Hey guys,

Had a quick question to ask about. On glocks there is usually quite a bit of play between the slide and the frame. How much play is normal between these two parts on guns like the sig or cz. Should there be any type of up/down or side swiggle on guns like these?

I'm looking to possibly buy a used sig or cz and i've taken a look at one sig but it had a bit of up/down motion. Is this normal or not?

[eternoplacer]

Barrel lock up is more important than rail clearance, if the barrel does not move in the slide accuracy will be better.

[Skeez]

Was it a Sig sp2022?

[alexisjohnson]

nope...the one i saw was a sig p226

[jimmythebrain]

The sights are fixed to the slide.
Provided the barrel locks up to the slide the same way every time then accuracy will be fine.

Keep in mind that Glocks, Sig P226 (non-match or X-five models), SA X-D's, etc. are combat accurate guns that will shoot a 2 inch group at 15 yards all day long.
Unless you can shoot better than this, then the gun will not hold you back.

You should inspect the rails on the Sig though. Sig P226's have an aluminum frame (frame rails) and steel slides. There can be excessive wear if it is high round count gun.

If the slide to frame fit is too tight you get a picky, unreliable gun (unless you want to drop thousands of dollars on high end 1911). So a little looseness in a P226 may be a good thing.

My Sigs are much looser than my middle price point 1911's.

[grim1U]

Barrel lock up is more important than rail clearance, if the barrel does not move in the slide accuracy will be better.

This^^^^

[DDM4556]

I don't own a Sig, so can't comment on them. But I do own Glocks and CZs. None have an "up/down motion" to the slide as you describe. You can shake the guns around but they stay pretty tight. I don't hear any wiggle or movement going on.

My FNX 45T on the other hand, has noticeable play between the slide and frame which is auditory. According to FN, this is intentional as the gun is "more AK than AR" to quote one of their smiths.

If I picked up a used Sig and found noticeable play and/or an up/down motion, I would not buy it. Either look at a cheaper gun that's every bit as good (CZ, Beretta, Glock) or pay more for a better used one.

If this gun is just a range toy or DIY project, then maybe don't worry about it. But if this gun will have anything to do HD or SHTF, then pass.

[alexisjohnson]

How many rounds is too much typically on a sig? At what point are they known to wear out on average? And how much wear/play would you consider to be too much?

[9mmepiphany]

I'd seriously consider retiring one around the 65k count...assuming you've maintained the frame rails with grease rather than oil

[_TomT_]

According to Sig the newer guns are intentionally designed to have some play between the frame and slide. This was to assist in reliability and durability, from what I understand from the SigForums. It's also noted that barrel lock up is more important than slide/frame fit. I've also owned Glocks, CZ and HK, they all have both vertical and horizontal play. The only guns that I don't have any of that play are my 1911s.

[mjmagee67]

What matters is how accurate the gun is. Slide play, lock-up, tea leaves, and what ever are immaterial as long as the gun is a shooter. 99% of the time the gun is a better shooter than the shooter.

[Dumas1012]

Here's vid just for you. Doesn't mean anything but just differences in wiggles.