Sig 229 - Slow Feeding

[RDA 226sig]

I have a factory certified Sig 229 that I purchased used about a year ago and until now it has been very reliable. (I clean every time I shoot and until now it has cycled without any problems) However, now when the slide is locked back and a fresh clip is inserted it doesn't always slam home the new round and ocasionally it will stop short of home on a round while firing. Usually the later happens near the end of a clip.

Best I can tell it doesn't matter which magazine is in the gun. Does anyone know if the "Sig Factory Certification" process includes new springs being installed or is it just an inspection? Maybe it needs a new spring kit?

(I have put maybe 1500 or so rounds through it since I bought it but the barrel was real happy when I got it so I am sure it has been shot plenty in it's life.)

 

[dogtrainer]

Sig 229 Feed Problems

I have a 229S that after about 6000 rounds would leave a round shovel nosed jammed into the feed ramp. It turned out to be a worn recoil spring. I think the slide was moving back (and forward) too fast. The slide's action actually broke the slide release lever before I discovered that the spring was not resisting (enough) the recoil of the slide; the spring had become weak.

Check to see if the proper spring (factory) spring is in place. The spring may be worn. Magazine springs will take alot more use before they wear out; this I was told by a Sig gunsmith.

I reloaded for most of the 6000 rounds I put through my Sig. If you are reloading, there is a chance that the bullet seating depth may be off. Seat the bullets just below where the bullet's ogive begins to form. Bullets seated out too much will often jam the action.

 

[nicholst55]

I always install a new recoil spring in any used semi-auto gun I buy as a matter of course. That way I know where I'm starting at, and recoil springs are cheap.

I'd suggest a new recoil spring and a thorough cleaning of your pistol and magazines. Strip the mags down and clean out the mag tube, then reassemble. Clean the extractor and extractor tunnel or recess.

If that doesn't do it, it may be time to visit a good gunsmith.

 

[RDA 226sig]

Thanks DT. The slide spring is what I am blaming it on. At first I thought it might be my reloads but it does the same with factory ammo and the feed is a little slow on the ramp with snap caps also. (Starts to feed the snap cap and then almost stops feeding as the nose of the bullet hits the top of the chamber)

 

[TOGGLELOCK]

Sounds like it could be something simple, like say, a Magazine Spring. TOGGLELOCK

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Yep, another vote for the recoil spring.

 

[RDA 226sig]

Scratch the recoil spring and the mag spring. I will try some different ammo and see if that helps.

 

[RDA 226sig]

Changed recoil spring and replaced magazine springs but still had some problems. (Ammunition was a combination of handloads and Winchester SXZ training Ammo.) Switched to Remington factory loads and the gun cycled like clockwork so I am blaming the Ammo. Both the SXZ factory loads and the reloads were on the short side of the COL. I will stay with longer loads in the future.

 

[RDA 226sig]

In the FWIW category...the problem turned out to be buildup around the firing pin. Basically the firing pin was not retracting into the slide after firing and the rim of the next cartridge was dragging against the pin as it attempted to go into battery. Paid the sig certified gunsmith for a disassemble and clean and now she flings brass like new.