SIG 226 won't lock open

[KAR120C]

Early on I had one case of the slide not locking open after the last round. Since then I've put a few hundred rounds through the gun without it happening again.

Just recently it has started happening about 50% of the time, on two different magazines. I'm shooting 115 gr UMC 9mm. Magazines are all Sig factory original. The slide always locks open when I pull the slide back manually, so it seems to be a dynamic problem rather than just that the magazine spring isn't engaging the slide lock mechanism.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[45R]

One problem that is classic to the slide not locking open is the shooter riding the slide stop. If this continues to happen check your grip or make sure the area around the slide stop is nice and clean.

 

[KAR120C]

Hmmm...

I don't think I'm doing that, but... it's certainly a good idea to rule that out. I'm going to check my grip and see if that is a possibility.

Thank you.

 

[Sport45]

On a 226 the slide stop is pretty far back and difficult to "ride". Try taking the magazines apart and cleaning them. If that doesn't help, and you are sure it's not due to limp-wristing, new magazine springs may be in order.

 

[fedlaw]

On SIG's, the follower needs to come all of the way to the top of the magazine in order engage the slide lock. You might try cleaning the magazines, especially near the top, inside of the "ears". This cured a similar problem on my P226.
Steve

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Ok, somebody has to say it...

This wouldn't have happened if you had bought a Glock.

 

[KAR120C]

OK, I checked, and I don't see how I could possibly be riding the slide release lever, so that theory is out.

One of the magazines is brand new. I disassembled it, cleaned the grease off with solvent, lubricated it with teflon spray, reassembled. So a dirty magazine seems unlikely too. They other magazine recieved similar treatment, though it has since had many more rounds through it Also, remember, it will lock open every single time I pull the slide back manually. I should try getting down into the lever area and cleaning it with a toothbrush.

I might have bought a Glock, but their grip angle is so extreme that my natural point of aim is the ceiling. Rather a detriment to a gun meant for defense

If I can't ultimately resolve this myself, is this kind of thing likely to receive any useful response from the factory, or would they just blow me off?

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I might have bought a Glock, but their grip angle is so extreme that my natural point of aim is the ceiling. Rather a detriment to a gun meant for defense

Your hand is probably deformed. Glocks are perfect. Maybe a good surgeon can correct your deformity.

 

[HighVelocity]

I wonder if a weak recoil spring could cause this by letting the slde go too far back or not moving fast enough. I don't suppose you have a friend with a 226 that would let you borrow the recoil spring?

 

[Black Majik]

Its the new magazines. I experienced the same thing when I first bought the gun, and I'm experiencing it now when I'm using my new magazines. Give it time to break in through use, it'll go away.

Its not the ammo nor the gun, its the stiff magazine spring.

 

[f4t9r]

Your hand is probably deformed. Glocks are perfect. Maybe a good surgeon can correct your deformity.

Is it not amazing how people who fall in love with one gun think they all are perfect.
THAT MY FRIEND IS FICTION , you are living in fantasy land. Maybe a good surgeon can correct your glock problem

 

[Curare]

I think the batteries are low on your irony detector.

 

[psyopspec]

Ok, somebody has to say it...

This wouldn't have happened if you had bought a Glock.

While this statement is as useless as mine will be (thank goodness this is just the internet), I had a 229 with the same problem, among others. The problem didn't correct itself after 500 rounds, and I sold it. If you manage to correct yours, let us know how you did it as I hope to try another SIG one day.

 

[psyopspec]

I hate my ISP.

 

[Navy87Guy]

On a 226 the slide stop is pretty far back and difficult to "ride".

Huh? I do it all the time. It you use the "thumbs forward" grip, then the strong hand thumb comes down right on top of the slide stop. While KAR120C has ruled it out as his issue, it's a common problem and easy to do. In fact, I find it happens much more with my Sig than it does with my other pistols.

Jim

 

[Three Man]

You need to remove the locking block from the frame and relieve a little tension off of the slide catch by bending the spring slightly.
A little goes a long way and you need to make sure that your spring still pushes your slide catch lever down to the frame.

To remove the locking block:
Remove the slide.
Let the hammer go forward (you can ride it with your hand so that the hammer doesn't smack the frame)
Turn the slide latch 360 degrees while pulling out of the frame.
Pull up on the locking block to remove it from the frame.
Clean any gunk build up out.

The slide catch lever spring is on the left hand side of the block.
The end of the spring facing the rear of the pistol is the end that you want to bend up slightly.

When replacing the locking block back into the frame make sure that the slide catch is against the frame and line up the flats (on the screw looking pin that goes through the trigger) with the grooves of the locking block. (Flat sides forward)

This solves most slide not locking back problems with Sigs especially new ones.

 

[JNewell]

It's a long shot, but have you tried other ammo? I had this problem once with a case of PMC 9x19. Never happened before or since.

 

[Destructo6]

On a 226 the slide stop is pretty far back and difficult to "ride".

I do it every time. It happens with both SIGs (P226 and SIGPRO 2340) and even my Beretta 96g.

 

[1KPerDay]

Your hand is probably deformed. Glocks are perfect. Maybe a good surgeon can correct your deformity.

LOLOLOL!