Sig 226 Stainless Elite FTE issues

[Evil Quint]

First off, when it works, my new 6 week old Sig 226 Stainless elite is the best 9mm I ever shot. The SRT trigger is really nice and it fit in my hand like a glove with little recoil. Unfortunately after the first 100 or so rounds I fell victim to constant FTE issues. I have found many forum entries online with 226 owners having similar problems. For the most part it seems rare compared to how many non-issues this gun has throughout its history. It does seem to be more common in the newer 226 guns but that is not fact just what it seems like from hours of research.

The issue I am having is FTE once and more commonly twice each magazine. Yes, I can't get through 10 rounds without 2 failures. I called Sig and within about 10 minutes they said its likely the ejector and sent me a return label. They were extremely helpful and quick so no complaints there, yet.

Here is what I tried:
I tried about 6 different types of common ammo (winchester, federal, CCI, American Eagle, etc.) with some different loads. It made no difference in the problem.

I tried all that different ammo in both the 2 factory Mags and the 3 MecGar mags I bought for it. It made no difference.

I varied the Lube with several different brands. I also tried it with both wet and dry styles of application. It made no difference. Personally I like FrogLube so I plan on sticking with that for the long run but I wanted to be sure.

Oh, and before you say it, I am not limp wristed. I varied my grip style and I even had others try it at the range to make sure its not grip.

Anyway I just got the return label from Sig and they say it will be about 2 weeks turnaround. I will use this thread to document my story and update it as things progress. I hope the issue is repaired and I can post positive results.

[harleygsb]

I have heard of issues with the stock magazines. I have read that sometimes the Mec Gars work better.

I have a new P226 and have had no issues with about 500 rounds with both stock and Mec Gar magazines. I hope Sig is able to resolve the issue for you. They are really nice guns.

[B16]

Check out this thread for possible solutions to your problem.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=582533

[compulsivegunbuyer]

Factory calls for TW25B grease on the rails.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I have a few partners who carry and swear by their P226's.

HOWEVER,

All of them threw away the factory mags and use ONLY the MecGar mags. I have also found MecGars to be superior to factory magazines in my 92FS (18 round flush fit!) and their 1911 mags are excellent too.

[Kazaam]

Damnit I'm getting ready to pay a ton for this very handgun and this thread is making me really nervous.

[ckyrulez]

First off, when it works, my new 6 week old Sig 226 Stainless elite is the best 9mm I ever shot. The SRT trigger is really nice and it fit in my hand like a glove with little recoil. Unfortunately after the first 100 or so rounds I fell victim to constant FTE issues. I have found many forum entries online with 226 owners having similar problems. For the most part it seems rare compared to how many non-issues this gun has throughout its history. It does seem to be more common in the newer 226 guns but that is not fact just what it seems like from hours of research.

The issue I am having is FTE once and more commonly twice each magazine. Yes, I can't get through 10 rounds without 2 failures. I called Sig and within about 10 minutes they said its likely the ejector and sent me a return label. They were extremely helpful and quick so no complaints there, yet.

Here is what I tried:
I tried about 6 different types of common ammo (winchester, federal, CCI, American Eagle, etc.) with some different loads. It made no difference in the problem.

I tried all that different ammo in both the 2 factory Mags and the 3 MecGar mags I bought for it. It made no difference.

I varied the Lube with several different brands. I also tried it with both wet and dry styles of application. It made no difference. Personally I like FrogLube so I plan on sticking with that for the long run but I wanted to be sure.

Oh, and before you say it, I am not limp wristed. I varied my grip style and I even had others try it at the range to make sure its not grip.

Anyway I just got the return label from Sig and they say it will be about 2 weeks turnaround. I will use this thread to document my story and update it as things progress. I hope the issue is repaired and I can post positive results.

I bought a 226 stainless a few months ago and I have the exact same problem. First time I took it out to the range I had only 3 or 4 FTEs out of about 100 rounds and just thought I needed to break it in more. Next time I took it out, I would get a FTE every 1 or 2 rounds. I read through some forums and found other people had the same issue. Before deciding to call Sig customer service I ordered some Mec-Gar mags to see if that would make a difference. Haven't had a chance to test out the new mags yet. Sounds like it's more of an extractor issue and I should just call Sig instead.

[lordres]

I picked up my Stainless Elite in January this year. Once I took it home, I realized there were 2 big issues. The takedown lever was angled upwards for some reason. It was rubbing on the slide. Second, after I ran a boresnake through the barrel, I realized there were 2 deep gouges in the bore. I called Sig, they took it back, returned it a week later problems fixed. Functioned fine after that. Although I ran into an issue with WWB ammo once... I think it was the ammo though, 3 duds in the box, along with FTE every mag. The only bulk ammo I buy now is CCI Blazer. Other than that, all reloads.

[Kazaam]

Do you guys think you'd choose something else with all these issues? I really, really want this gun because it looks amazing, but all these issues are freaking me out.

[Yerman]

Do you guys think you'd choose something else with all these issues? I really, really want this gun because it looks amazing, but all these issues are freaking me out.

Buy it. This is not common. If you have a problem, I am sure sig will make it right. Chance of you experiencing something like this is small.

OP, best of luck in your resolution. When it gets back, send it to Bruce grey for a trigger job.

[No1Smitty]

Where is your pics op ? I think the stanisless elites are beauties. Could it have anything to do with the sse conversions. It being off roster ?

[Kazaam]

Buy it. This is not common. If you have a problem, I am sure sig will make it right. Chance of you experiencing something like this is small.

OP, best of luck in your resolution. When it gets back, send it to Bruce grey for a trigger job.

I think i will anyways, because they look incredibly awesome, but 3 people posting bad experiences about the same highish end gun is disheartening.

[Sturnovik]

Buy it. This is not common. If you have a problem, I am sure sig will make it right. Chance of you experiencing something like this is small.

OP, best of luck in your resolution. When it gets back, send it to Bruce grey for a trigger job.

Yea he'll be just fine. This hardly ever happens. I've shot plenty of new ones. The Stainless versions have stumbled a bit with tolerances and/or extractors but they ironed them out.

I dont care for Bruce Gray kits but that's because I like SIG's factory Trigger, but if I went trigger job route, I'd go through Gray's or SIG's with confidence. I just prefer factory.

OP give them a call and they will sort it out.

[M_lizar]

I had the exact same problem with my p226. Sent it back to sig and had the slide replaced. Got it back and still having the same issue. It's really disappointing because it shoots so well. Sending it back Monday.

[dougd1015]

I am hearing this kind of stuff all the time these days because it seems like quality control is slipping as productions rises.