M11-A1 FTE issues

[CNobbe]

Hey folks, rented one of these at the local range tonight. (Actually bought one the other day).

Expected perfection, but at least this model the range has fell short.

Accuracy was spot on, felt great in the hands, but every 20 rounds or so (of Federal 115gr) I'd get an FTE. Empty case stuck in chamber, round feeding from magazine jammed up against it.

Common issue with these, or perhaps just an extractor with a bit of tuning needed.

I don't regret purchasing an M11 at all, it shoots great!

 

[BILLG]

Does the one you bought work?You can't go on what a rental does.And no it is not common.

 

[HammsBeer]

Being that it's a rental gun, and probably has had little if any maintenance done, I'd suspect worn extractor, weak extractor spring, or crud built up in the extractor.

 

[CNobbe]

Live in wi, have 48 hr wait to pick up handguns here so no, I have not tried mine yet. I noticed sig redesigned the extractor once again, and my early sig 1911 with it's external extractor took a few trips back to NH for tuning so was just curious if any others had this issue. Apparently a few folks on sigtalk have noticed this with their M11s, but we shall see how mine does next weekend.

 

[JDR]

Never had any problems with my P228, the predecessor to the M11-A1. I wish I still had it. I'd like to find another P228, or get an M11-A1

 

[TRX]

Oh. Since I've owned an M11-A1 since 1983, I thought I might have some feedback. Sig blundered in re-using another gun's designation.

 

[JDR]

Based on the crazy used P228 prices I've seen, a person might be better off with one of the new M11-A1 guns that Sig is now selling to civilian customers. The new guns have machined forging slides, vs. the older P228 slides made from folded carbon steel sheetmetal with pinned-in breachblocks.

 

[Rob G]

Based on the crazy used P228 prices I've seen, a person might be better off with one of the new M11-A1 guns that Sig is now selling to civilian customers. The new guns have machined forging slides, vs. the older P228 slides made from folded carbon steel sheetmetal with pinned-in breachblocks.

That's actually why the older 228s are so popular. The milled stainless slides used on the M11 are not necessary for a lower pressure round like the 9mm but they do add weight to the gun. It's not a ton of weight but it sits up high and it changes the balance of the pistol a bit. The M11 is still a great gun but my older German made 228 balances better in the hand.

 

[BILLG]

Why would you want a pistol with a weaker slide and a pinned in breech block that should be repinned every 5000 rounds.And the weight difference is very very mlnlmal.The balance issue is in your head blindfolded you couldn't tell the difference between the 2?

 

[Rob G]

Why would you want a pistol with a weaker slide

Why would I care if something's "stronger" when it doesn't need to be?

The balance issue is in your head blindfolded you couldn't tell the difference between the 2?

I've never tried it blindfolded but I have had the opportunity to shoot both a milled slide and folded slide model back to back. I can definitely feel the difference. Is it huge? Meh, not huge. Does it exist? Yes.

I'm also not the only person who's noticed this. I've heard it said by so many other people who have shot both that apparently it's not just in my head.

As to the OP's original question, so we don't get too far off track: The range gun you were shooting probably had some problems with it related to heavy use and minimal maintenance. I would not expect an M11 A1 to act that way given proper care.

 

[JHansenAK47]

A lot of the threads of M11-A1s with issues seem to center on the extractor. Clean it, grease it, shoot it and then make up your mind. A lot of people aren't having any issues.

The balance issue is in your head blindfolded you couldn't tell the difference between the 2?

They do have a different balance. The P228/M11 folded steel slide isn't as top heavy as the P229/M11-A1 milled slide.


As a further note the M11-A1s milled full height serration slide has a different profile than the milled P229 half serration style that is supposedly lighter and balances better. It seemed like it did when I looked at them, but extended use is a better meter than my limited handling. People have supposedly weighed their slides to verify that. (not asserting this as fact just interesting hearsay)

 

[HammsBeer]

Nothing wrong with a folded steel slide with pinned breachblock and welded nosecap. It's durable and balances well. I suspect they went to cnc milled slides due to simpler or more cost effective manufacturing, seeing as how everybody nowadays does cnc milled slides.

 

[G.barnes]

The 229 changed to the milled slide because the stamped slide was not as durable for .40 cal rds. 228's are 9mm. 229 come either way so instead of having two different building processes all 229's are milled slides.

 

[JHansenAK47]

The 229 changed to the milled slide because the stamped slide was not as durable for .40 cal rds. 228's are 9mm. 229 come either way so instead of having two different building processes all 229's are milled slides.

The CNC milled slide is supposed to be cheaper to make. The stamped slide could have been utilized with a heavier spring but they simply tooled up their US plant for milled slides when they opened up manufacturing state side.