Problems with a Sig P232

[MadMercS55]

I attached 3 pics, my photo skills are totally lacking but hopefully they capture the differences in slide serrations and front sights. The new front sight is held in place by a small roll pin and when removed, the sight slides right out. I'd like a front night sight but the factory doesn't offer such yet. The older P232 is completely German made and proofed, slide and frame serial numbered. The newest one has serial number on the frame only, and German indicators on the frame only. From reading I understand my newest one is supposedly a transition model leading up to the possibility of an all-american production P232. Supposedly they want to relocate the mag catch as well in future production. Not sure if that version will ever surface though with the advent of their newest 1911-ish .380 incarnation.

 

[metallic]

The jam isn't a stovepipe jam but rather a hangup on the feed ramp. Failure for the round to completely make it into the chamber.

Maybe an extractor problem?

 

[TT]

MadMercS55: My weapon is also marked similar.

I suspected as much from your previous post. I’ll bet the person who answered my e-mail didn’t have the full story. I've noticed that P232 picture on the website doesn't show the new front sight either. The new black sight is easier to see compared to the old silver integral sight (for me).

 

[usp9]

MadMercS55,
Thanks, the pics were great.

 

[iscareliberalsandlikeit]

Update

Sent it back to SIG. Got it back a few weeks later. Polished feed ramp and replaced slide lock lever? I don't recall it having a slide lock but OK...I'll update when I get it out to the range.

 

[nyresq]

My agency rcently authorized the 232 for off duty carry. We have had trouble with almost every one the guys have purchased untill they get 400-600 rounds through them. When they are brand new the slides are very rough and the machine marks are very pronounced on the slide rails and we think this is causing the slide to slow down along with a not so polished feed ramp and hood.

We (the field office firearms instructors/armorers) have come to the point that when the guys purchse them, we are telling them to put 500 rounds through them before they come to qualify with them We are also telling them to shoot them very wet for the first 100 rounds, then thoroughly clean and lube as normal for the next 400.
Since we started telling them this we haven had one failure to feed or any other type of malfunction on the range with the 232.

Put a few hundred rounds through it before you condemm it to hell... most likely you will be surprised how much better it shoots and cycles when you hit that 500 round mark.

 

[iscareliberalsandlikeit]

SIG Came back

.....<<< six weeks later >>> The factory replaced the slide lock lever and (big shocker!) polished the feed ramp. They claimed to have fired 50 Prvi FMJ's through it with no malfunctions. I've yet to take it to the range but I'll soon see and be posting my results.

 

[Lonestar49]

Quick tests..

...

Having owned one for a year (then sold it) as I found out they get dirty, real quick, and just like you, using FMJ 95gr ammo, I would get jams, be them stove pipe or FTFChamber,

1. IF the gun was not well lubricated and clean. It would start to jam each mag, each load, after the 230 round fired mark, and complete cleaning was needed, and no jams until the same aprox round count (due to the dirty blow back action)

2. Feed ramp must be checked and cleaned before firing and one can use Flitz Gun Polish on the feed ramp, it will help a lot with proper, full, chambering, once you start getting up and near the 200 - 230 round mark.

3. KEY: make sure that you have the long "return spring" on Correctly..

Ref: << small end/larger end >>

3a. smaller diameter end goes on first, leaving larger diameter end to flush up against the end of the slide.

4. Same deal with dirty mags (round count) as the first 1/3 of the interior walls and follower get "real dirty with spent powder and need cleaning.

I found that using a product called EEZOX, both cleaned the mags interior walls and spring, and gave them a bonded coating, making metal to metal contact slippery, helped "considerably" and got my gun to go the distance of 230 - 250 max rounds before it got just too dirty and a feed jam would start to occur..

Directions on cans and use very little as this stuff goes a long ways.. used right.. Less IS more, believe me.

Get all this in order, and as mentioned, the 232 is not forgiving of a weak grip or limpwristing, especially as they get more dirty with use..

Round count is your friend, keep an ongoing count so you'll know when its getting near, as you don't want to be at 200 rounds and then "really need the gun for a HD/SD situation..

I trusted my gun after I got it all together, but sold it for a SA EMP SAO 1911 9mm, 9+1, and have never looked back.. fyi

Luck,


Ls

Ps.. Because they like to run wet, rails and guides, all the time, the oil gets mixed with the spent gun powder and when it "cools down", it turns into a sticky goo, which is part of the price of owning/operating a blow-back-action gun and why you must clean it thoroughly, at the "round count" you will make note of, by keeping a count in-between total cleanings.

 

[Slip Shooter]

Side note: Bullet setback

I have a Sig 232 also, and am plagued by the problem of not hanging up on the feed ramp but, hitting it mid-center and pushing the bullet deeper into the case on each round chambered. It always feeds the round properly into the chamber with any ammunition I have tried. The thing is utterly reliable but, the bullet set back is an issue I have to live with. I have had visible high pressure signs on fired brass. Setback seems to have been considerable. I have measured the over all length of the magazine fed rounds and bullet set back is between 5 to20 thousandths of an inch on the first chambering. I now never feed a round from the magazine into the chamber except when actually firing the weapon. My +1 round is always hand chambered.

The only solution to bullet set back is to use Premium Factory Ammunition with a cannelure at the base of the bullet. Example: 90 gr. Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok HPs.

I feel Bullet setback is a major issue with all factory issued Sig 232s.

Measure those rounds that are hanging up on the feed ramp and I am sure you will see bullet setback . Setback will be progressive as you continue to rechamber the same round from the magazine.