Newbie here with a SW-99 .40 problem

[demented]

Thanks for allowing me to join! My problem is with a SW-99 .40 caliber that S&W can't seem to fix. My magazines have an orange plastic follower that seems to be oversize. This prevents the slide lock tab on the follower sitting high enough in the mag tube to engage the slide stop/lock when emptying the magazine. So far all Smith has done is send more of the same ill fitting orange followers that will not work, this since the pistol and all magazines were sent back to them for repair. I understand there are Blue colored followers for Walther .40 magazines that MIGHT fit my tubes a bit better, if I can find and purchase some. Since my S&W magazines were made by Mec-Gar, I am surprised to have issues with them, both my SIG and Browning HiPower magazines made by them have been 100% good. Thanks for any help with this!

 

[Jim K]

Are you sure that is the problem? Take off the slide and then watch the action of the mag follower and the slide stop tab. I have the same orange followers and have had no problems (except I can't hit anything with that gun due to the trigger pull, but that doesn't affect the slide locking back).

I measured mine and the part of the follower that engages the slide stop is just about .194" above the metal of the mag body at that point. If yours is the same or more, the problem is likely not the magazines.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

+1
Since you say it does it with any number of new & apparently correct S&W supplied followers & mags, I would have to suspect either a defective slide stop pin, or something else in the frame hanging it up.

rcmodel

 

[demented]

Thanks for the replies! I 've examined and measured this "thing" everywhere and every way I can think of. When inserting an empty magazine in the frame with the slide removed, its easy to see that the follower tab just doesn't quite reach the slide stop tab. I can see no other problem except all the magazines I have are defective. I compared this to a friends Walther P series to be sure I'm not overlooking something, also. Please forgive if I seem a bit "testy", not meaning too, I'm just disgusted with this pistol.

 

[Jim K]

Let's deal with one thing at a time. First, do your mags have the same mag body to follower top distance as mine? (See above) If they do, then the problem has to be in the slide stop itself. (That Sigma slide stop is not like the 1911 stop and please ignore advice based on the 1911.)

The small tab on the slide stop that engages the follower should be bent down at an angle. Was your gun bought new, or is it possible that someone messed with the slide stop, maybe trying to "straighten" that tab or even breaking it off. That could happen if someone tried to force another make of magazine into the gun.

Also check the magazine catch to be sure the magazine stays up all the way. I understand your frustration, but the problem should have a simple solution. Your alternative is to trade off the gun, but I hope you would tell the buyer that the defect is present.

P.S. I am puzzled by your reference to a "follower tab." The followers on mine have no "tab"; the left front top of the follower simply engages the slide stop and pushes it upward.

Jim

 

[demented]

Jim, each magazine measures different. They are not consistent as to how far the follower rides up. My followers have a squarish tab molded into the front left of the follower, its approx. 1/8" square. The small tab on my mag catch is straight, perhaps it needs to be adjusted so as to have the downward bend you describe. Are we off base on the pistol model? Mines not a SIGMA, its a S&W Walther P-99 copy......I wish I had my Sigma back, it was trouble free, sold it to "upgrade" with the 99! Big mistake!

 

[gb6491]

Just a guess; it might be possible that you have second generation magazines with first generation followers: http://lundestudio.com/WaltherP99FAQ/III/9.html Anyway, there is a link on that page about the different color followers.
Regards,
Greg