Update: Sig 226 problems, failure to fire?

[Plisk]

You may not realize this but a Sig P226 has a main spring and another spring that pulls the hammer away from the firing pin. That spring cushions the blow of the hammer and that is why your Beretta fires this ammo and the Sig does not. Your mainspring is fine. The ammo is to blame.

That spring does not cushion the hammer striking the firing pin, that spring is intended to pull the hammer away from the firing pin where it can sets offset from the firing pin to keep the hammer from striking the firing pin if dropped or if the hammer is externally impacted. Ive found many West German pistols (more so in P220s) that lack this spring.

[REDdawn6]

Like I said in my previous post, I'm sure that the junk ammo is a big part of the problem, but it's a Sig so I want my "to hell and back reliability" back. It hasn't had a problem with anything else I've shot thru it (WWB, federal, UMC, Herters, reloads and even Tula fired ok that night). I'm am seriously considering sending it to Sig for a refresh and to have my sights installed, but I'm worried about their return policy for California non roster firearms. Do you know if folks are still having issues with that, I don't want to receive a LCI slide back, ya know what I mean?

You on it legally, they will have no issue returning your Firearm. Just contact Sig, send it for a tune up and be done with it.

[PowMeow]

From everything I've read in my pursuit of purchasing a Sig P226 this is what I've learned:
If this would have been a USA built 226 the first 30 comments would have been "should have bought a German sig since they are like wild untamed unicorns that never do wrong." Now that this is a West German OP people get straight to the issue and try and help.
Glad the issues seems identified. Report back once you test it with the new springs.

hmmm

[ifilef]

You may not realize this but a Sig P226 has a main spring and another spring that pulls the hammer away from the firing pin. That spring cushions the blow of the hammer and that is why your Beretta fires this ammo and the Sig does not...

....

It that what is known as a 'rebounding hammer'?

[Sig Marine]

You on it legally, they will have no issue returning your Firearm. Just contact Sig, send it for a tune up and be done with it.

The above is what I've been told as well. If you are sending in an "off-roster" gun for service or warranty work, they can send the gun back to you. IF HOWEVER Sig determines that the gun (frame) needs to be REPLACED, then it can only be replaced with a model that's on the approved roster and must be sent to your FFL.

Semper Fi...Sig Marine

[ifilef]

This sounds like an easy fix that OP can remedy with some springs or bring to a gunny.

What year manufactured?

Would Sig even do work on it without charge? OP should send back to Sig only as last resort for this easy fix.

[riderr]

The above is what I've been told as well. If you are sending in an "off-roster" gun for service or warranty work, they can send the gun back to you. IF HOWEVER Sig determines that the gun (frame) needs to be REPLACED, then it can only be replaced with a model that's on the approved roster and must be sent to your FFL.

Semper Fi...Sig Marine

If you convince them to send your slide back, it might be not such a horrible situation. ***mag disconnect*** can be easily removed

[ifilef]

Even if its not the problem it still needs to be replaced. if you have never done any maintenance to the pistol, send it into Sig for the SSP. its 99 bucks or 144 with new night sights. They will replace everything that is worn down. it's well worth it.

I don't think OP wants to incur the expense at this time. And doesn't he also have to pay shipping to them? That could be close to $100, alone, right?

[tbc]

You guys are all wrong. It was the Froglube. J/K.

Another vote that more likely it was the combination of hard primer, weak mainspring, and junks in the firing pin chamber.


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[hardcore4sure]

This sounds like an easy fix that OP can remedy with some springs or bring to a gunny.

What year manufactured?

Would Sig even do work on it without charge? OP should send back to Sig only as last resort for this easy fix.

I don't know the year of manufacture, I looked at the markings and couldn't find anything that would indicate production date.
I doubt Sig will fix it for free, which is why I can't afford to send it back+ shipping and insurance, but I will call them cuz it can't hurt to ask. I'm alway weary of sending my guns anywhere if I don't have to, lots of sticky fingers out there and even with the insurance it wouldn't be easy to replace.
I agree that everyone (myself included) is inclined to recommend the "West German Sigs", although my reasoning is just that I just like the way they look better because of the machined taper on the top of the slide. However it's kinda comical that I'm having trouble with mine, but I know it's an easy fix.

And yes I'm sure frog lube is the real cause of my issue.

[hardcore4sure]

If you convince them to send your slide back, it might be not such a horrible situation. LCI can be easily removed

No thanks, I don't want to have to convince anyone of anything or remove an LCI, either way it will be ugly.

[QXSOUP]

Look under the muzzle in front of the dust cover. There should be a 2 letter date code there. it will start with a J or K.

Sig will not fix it for you for free because you are not the original owner. They have a lifetime warrantee but it extends to the original purchaser only.

Save up your money and send it to Sig. Use their VIP shipping- its 55 bucks round trip. They email you a fedex label. Throw it on the box and drop it off at the fedex place or have the driver pick it up. Fedex knows that its a firearm so there is no need to declare it when you drop it off. I just give mine to the fedex guy that comes to my work. There should be NOTHING on the outside of the box that mentions anything about it being a firearm. Turn around time will be about 10 days or so, maybe sooner.

And stop using froglube. That stuff is more of a pain then a benefit.

[riderr]

No thanks, I don't want to have to convince anyone of anything or remove an LCI, either way it will be ugly.

Sorry, I meant mag disconnect. Fixed on the original post

[Voo]

if you can't afford to send it back to Sig, get a new mainspring.. Im willing to bet replacing the mainspring will solve this issue..

while completely unrelated, order a new recoil spring while you're at it.. if your mainspring is worn, odds are it's been shot a lot.. if that's the case, you'll need a new recoil spring..

these two options are inexpensive and will likely solve your light primer strike issue..

FYI, West German Sigs are not machined. The slides are manufactured by folding the steel.. The US Sigs are the ones that are cut from a solid block of metal..

[hardcore4sure]

if you can't afford to send it back to Sig, get a new mainspring.. Im willing to bet replacing the mainspring will solve this issue..

while completely unrelated, order a new recoil spring while you're at it.. if your mainspring is worn, odds are it's been shot a lot.. if that's the case, you'll need a new recoil spring..

these two options are inexpensive and will likely solve your light primer strike issue..

FYI, West German Sigs are not machined. The slides are manufactured by folding the steel.. The US Sigs are the ones that are cut from a solid block of metal..

I will be replacing the recoil spring as well.
I know they are folded stamped steel, I was referring to the flat taper that's machined from the front of the ejection port toward the front sight on the top of the slide. It just looks cool and aids in point shooting.