Update: Sig 226 problems, failure to fire?

[hardcore4sure]

Went to the range last night and my SIG 226 (West German) just would not fire reliably with Brown Bear steel case ammo. It pretty much required a double strike to ignite on basically every round. I know it's an older model, but I can't figure what would cause this issue. My beretta 92FS (D spring/Elite hammer) fired the same ammo just fine, so did my Kahr CW9. I'm guessing that Brown Bear must use hard primers, but I wouldn't expect a SIG to have a problem like this. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks

[riderr]

It really depends on the condition of the spring. If your gun is from Germany, I assume it's quite old. Have you ever replaced the spring? How many rounds (incl. dry-fire) did it have?

[P5Ret]

Probably a combination of things, most significant is the very hard primers in Brown Bear, and possibly a worn hammer spring. Change that spring out and I'll bet it goes away. I'd stay away from the Brown Bear, or Russian ammo altogether, but that's just me.

[riderr]

I'd stay away from the Brown Bear, or Russian ammo altogether, but that's just me.

For the price paid (and money saved), I'd shoot it all day long. It's just not too many ranges left, that let you shoot steel

[9mmepiphany]

If it was made in Germany and never had the mainspring changed, it is likely due for replacement

[hardcore4sure]

It really depends on the condition of the spring. If your gun is from Germany, I assume it's quite old. Have you ever replaced the spring? How many rounds (incl. dry-fire) did it have?

Not sure on the total round count, i bought it from another member hear, but the wear seems mostly on the exterior finish. I've only put a couple hundred thru it, and the dry fire is done with a snap cap in it. I'm assuming your recommending changing the hammer mainspring and not the firing pin spring?

[hardcore4sure]

Probably a combination of things, most significant is the very hard primers in Brown Bear, and possibly a worn hammer spring. Change that spring out and I'll bet it goes away. I'd stay away from the Brown Bear, or Russian ammo altogether, but that's just me.

I usually don't shoot that stuff, but I went with a friend who was letting me shoot up all his 9mm for free.
I'll look into the mainspring, any recommendations? Hopefully it doesn't mess with my pull weight too much, cuz my double action pull is really nice, smooth and light! Almost as nice as my Beretta w/D spring.
Thanks guys

[QXSOUP]

The mainspring is fine, its the recoil spring that needs to be replaced. Sig does not put a life limit on the mainspring. The recoil spring is good for ~ 5K rounds.

[P5Ret]

I usually don't shoot that stuff, but I went with a friend who was letting me shoot up all his 9mm for free.
I'll look into the mainspring, any recommendations? Hopefully it doesn't mess with my pull weight too much, cuz my double action pull is really nice, smooth and light! Almost as nice as my Beretta w/D spring.
Thanks guys

Send it off to Sig, let them go through it and replace all worn parts. Check this thread for good deals on Sig service.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=930206

[hardcore4sure]

The mainspring is fine, its the recoil spring that needs to be replaced. Sig does not put a life limit on the mainspring. The recoil spring is good for ~ 5K rounds.

I don't see how the recoil spring would be able to cause the gun not to fire, it's not jamming, that's not the problem. It's not igniting the primer.

[36Ford]

This may be an obvious suggestion, but have you cleaned it? I mean clean it, completely take it apart, start with cleaning the firing pin. If it's a German it may be 20 years old.

[riderr]

I'm assuming your recommending changing the hammer mainspring and not the firing pin spring?

Yes

[riderr]

The mainspring is fine, its the recoil spring that needs to be replaced. Sig does not put a life limit on the mainspring. The recoil spring is good for ~ 5K rounds.

Recoil spring can hardly cause such a problem.

[riderr]

This may be an obvious suggestion, but have you cleaned it? I mean clean it, completely take it apart, start with cleaning the firing pin. If it's a German it may be 20 years old.

Excellent point.

[ifilef]

I usually don't shoot that stuff, but I went with a friend who was letting me shoot up all his 9mm for free.
I'll look into the mainspring, any recommendations? Hopefully it doesn't mess with my pull weight too much, cuz my double action pull is really nice, smooth and light! Almost as nice as my Beretta w/D spring.
Thanks guys

Yeah, try a Beretta with the Ed Brown 1911 Competition Hammer Spring. Its rated 19 lbs. but is a 1911 hammer spring.

It's definitely 'sweeter' and smoother than the D spring. I'm pulling in a M9A1 frame DA ~6.5 lbs. and SA is ~4 lbs. No failures with any of the 10 or so different ammo brands I've tried.

The D spring that I purchased is just 'collecting dust'.