Sig 290RS .380 won't cycle

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Buck13

Buck13

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My wife has a Sig 290 .380 that is fairly new: only between 100 and 200 rounds through it. I shot it yesterday with two types of hardball ammo and it was terrible: failed to go into battery virtually every round with Herter's and 1 in 3 with Magtech. It was fairly clean and dry at the start. I put some lube on it and it didn't do any better wet.

It hadn't been fired in over a year. I don't remember this being such a problem before, but maybe different brands of ammo were used then. The only thing I can guess in a quick examination is that the mag lips are a bit burry, maybe. I'll probably try to polish them a little, but I'm tempted to forget the whole thing and get an LCP II to replace it. The only thing I like about the Sig is the long DAO trigger pull for reducing the risk of an AD, but at this point it's worse than no gun at all!
 
I can't help. But perhaps you should detail strip and clean it, then try some different ammo. If that doesn't work, maybe consider if it's worth the cost of a gunsmith's time. Even if you ultimately don't keep it, you could make some money back selling it if a smith could get it functioning.
 
If I were you, I'd keep it and try to get it running, either by yourself of with a gunsmith's help. That's a discontinued pistol, and getting scarce. You'll always be able to find an LCP. Give the SIG a chance!

I agree with WrongHanded -- detail strip, clean, lube. Do the mags too.
 
When you do the field strip and reassembly make sure that the recoil spring/guide rod is placed correctly.

Also the P series Sigs tend to work best wet so make sure the slide is well lubed. I don't often use either Herter's or Magtech ammo so I cannot comment on those.

Finally, take a good look at the cylinder and make sure you do a complete detail clean and that there are no burrs.
 
Buck13 said:
I shot it yesterday with two types of hardball ammo and it was terrible: failed to go into battery virtually every round with Herter's and 1 in 3 with Magtech.
Click to expand...
What does "hardball" mean in this case? The only Magtech I have has a hard-cast lead, semi-wadcutter bullet (in .45 ACP). I would not be surprised if P290 would not like it. SIG probably ever tested it with conventional FMJ. Also, if that lead leaves deposits in the chamber, they can cause a failure to go into battery. I'd try to load a spent case carefully (as if I were doing a pinch test), see if it goes in all the way.
 
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First thing would be to plunk test the ammo in the chamber (out of the gun, of course.) Failure to return to battery could be ammo and chamber not agreeing on SAAMI spec.

If it plunks, you have to determine what kind of failure you're getting; is the round aligned with the chamber but not closing? Look at recoil spring.
Is the ammo at a wonky angle trying to enter chamber? Look at mags.

Larry
 
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zaitcev said:
What does "hardball" mean in this case?
Click to expand...
In my experience, "hardball" when discussing ACP cartridges always means FMJ round-nose bullets. I'd allow it for FMJ flatpoints, as are found in WWB .380 (which I like very much in my Bersa), but I wouldn't use it that way myself for fear of being misunderstood.

I'd be rather surprised if you can find a published source using "hardball" to mean any sort of exposed lead. I think you're confusing it with "hardcast."
 
Buck13 said:
In my experience, "hardball" when discussing ACP cartridges always means FMJ round-nose bullets.
Click to expand...
I see, thanks. In this case, a lead ring a the chamber throat is unlikely, but I still think a plunk test is necessary, per DT's post above.
 
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