Sig P232 Strange problem

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d'zaster

d'zaster

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Aug 24, 2013
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Hey Guys,
I recently purchased a used Sig 232 S. It appears in excellent condition and clean but can't get through a mag without this strange problem: slide comes forward and chambers next round but the hammer drops before I reset the trigger. Light strikes the primer. Reliably does this once or twice with every mag load. I have tested w two factory loads and variety of hand loads.

I removed the firing pin and cleaned the channel although it was completely clean. What would cause the hammer to drop before resetting the trigger? Sig support rep said "you can send it back but we likely won't have the parts needed to repair it..." .

Checking the Sig forums, I noticed a couple posts about light strikes but nothing on the hammer dropping before trigger reset.

Sig would normally charge $50 and provide a shipping label but not this time because I am not the original owner and I live in CA. My local shop will gouge me $100 to ship it back to Sig.

So, I am looking for recommendations. I know...move out of CA but it's just not practical at the moment.
 
In my opinion is a sear problem. This is the exploded view of the pistol:
sig-P232.gif
Sear is part number 36.
Does the decocker work correctly?
Does the disconnector (part number 91) work correctly?
You can check the function of all these parts with the pistol unloaded. No need to fire it. Watch some tutorials how to check the disconnector function and the reset, even with the pistol field stripped, using only the frame to check everything, manually doing all the parts movements.
 
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My son carries a P232 as a back up gun and it had some trigger bar problems that came from Pachmayr grips rubbing against it. What kind of grips to you have?
 
One of the nice things about the P232 is you can take the grips off and see how everything is working. Try removing the recoil spring with the grips off and slowly cycling the pistol to see when the hammer follows.

For hammer following the slide I agree with checking that the disconnector part of the trigger bar looks good and the spring is installed correctly and has tension.

Also check the sear and sear spring look good and the sear notch of the hammer isn't damaged.

If you do need to replace parts you're going to be looking for used parts on the interwebz. The other option would be to have a competent gunsmith make replacement parts for you.

BSW
 
Thank you, Guys!!
My P232 SL came with Hogue grips (which it is wearing right now...) and also the original hard plastic grip panels.
The decocker seems to work fine but....when the hammer is cocked and pull the decocker down slowly the lever does not return all the way. If I swipe the decocker in a normal motion, it springs back all the way.
It seems the issue only happens when I fire the gun, but I will remove the grip panels and watch the innards (particularly the sear) and see if I can get it to fail.
While I was checking the inter web last night looking for a replacement sear I did see a spring kit available.

5-SHOTs, thanks so much for the expanded diagram!!!
 
I'd put the original hard plastic grips back in the pistol. It's a common issue for Hogue grips to interfere with the SIG's P series decocker return spring.

When you field strip the pistol, take particular care to not loose the little internal hold open spring n°84 in the exploded view.
 
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5-SHOTS said:
I'd put the original hard plastic grips back in the pistol. It's a common issue for Hogue grips to interfere with the SIG's P series decocker return spring.

When you field strip the pistol, take particular care to not loose the little internal hold open spring n°84 in the exploded view.
Click to expand...

Exactly! I looked at the photo of the gun and my son has Hogues on it. He is keeping the Hogues because he can shoot the gun so well, even though I had found an original plastic set for him at considerable expense.
Not overtightening the grip screws will help, too. For my son's gun some shimming helped.

SIG-P232.jpg

He carries that thing in an ankle holster and he has nor lost a single foot chase, not lost the gun so far:).
 
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In the P226/228/228, Hogue rubber grips can also slow down the trigger return spring. Not sure on the P232 but I'd still put the original hard plastic grips back on it.
 
I removed the Hogue grips and found it really clean inside. I gave it a shot of one shot and put on the plastic grips. The curved spring (64) that attaches to the decocker lever was not connected, which explained why the lever was not springing back. I grabbed the other mag and go to the range tomorrow.
 
It is very easy to misplace that tiny hold open spring. My Hogue grips never gave me a problem after I loosened the set screws a little. I loved my P232 but sold it. I always had a scab on the web of my hand between my thumb and forefinger. It had hammer bite like a rabid Chihuahua. But a marvelous little gun. Hope you get it fixed.
 
Hey Guys,
So I did not make it to the range until today and I am really glad to report that the issue was simply the disconnected decocker spring. In this situation, the gun was randomly decocking. Problem fixed!
I'll try the Hogue grips again but for the time being, will run the stock plastic.

Thank you for your replies and sage advice!!
 
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