FTE on S&W Sigma...

[SanSacto]

Yesterday I took my Smith & Wesson Sigma .40S&W to the range for the first time in over a year. I lubed it at the necessary spots before I went to the range. However, several times the casing failed to eject. It would fire, but the slide locked back (not all the way though) with the casing still inside. I had to drop the mag, lock the slide back all the way, and shake the casing out.

Any input on why this happened? I know the Sigma has a bad reputation, but it has always functioned perfectly in the past. Maybe I didn't clean & lubricate it adequately before taking it out for the first time in over a year? I am stripping it down right now and going to give it a detailed cleaning job. Thanks for the help!

[Solidux]

Did you try swapping out the rounds? Try a box of factory and see if you get the same issue. Try swapping out mags also, springs do go bad sometimes.

[SanSacto]

I was only shooting American Eagle 180 gr. FMJ ammo. And it happened on all four of my magazines. After about 30-50 rounds it started, then just kept getting worse.

[Ksmash01]

You may have broken your extractor.

Do you allow the slide to to go forward with a round in the chamber?

That's how I broke mine. I did it while I was at the range, heard a strange "Ping" and heard a piece fall to the ground through the empty magwell.

[Briancnelson]

Sounds like an extractor problem to me too. If it is, it should be pretty obvious though by examining it.

If that isn't it, it's probably the ammo. I had a few FTE's with American Eagle in other guns, I don't think it's especially good ammunition. It shot fine in my Sigma, before I sold it however.

[SanSacto]

Stupid question from a guy with over 2,000 posts here.....

Where exactly is the extractor in my SW40VE? I have searched the manual and Google already.

[ojisan]

It's the black part on the slide to the rear of the ejection port.

[SanSacto]

Thanks. The extractor is still intact and looks to be in normal shape. Is there anything specific I should be looking for? I just want to get to the bottom of this before I take it to the range again.

[Solidux]

Spring tension

[Ksmash01]

If the extract holds the rim of the cartridge.

Remove the slide smh barrel and use a spent round or snap cap(or live round though not advised or preferred). Place it under the extract hook and see if it falls out when you tip the slide forward.

[ojisan]

The front inner side of the extractor should have a lip or ledge sticking inwards from it.
Check to see if part of it is cracked off, chipped or damaged so that it cannot pull the fired case out of the barrel when the slide moves to the rear.