Sig P238 slide won't lock back on the last shot

[stewy85]

I have a Sig P238 HD, the slide locked back on the last shot for the first few mags. Now it does not lock back anymore & while collecting brass I noticed that a few of them were creased on both sides as if the slide jammed it into the top of the barrel. I did not have any FTF or FTE. When I got home I noticed that the slide has a small dent and burr on the bottom inside edge of the slide hold open notch. If I cycle it by hand with an empty mag it locks open.

I have only shot about a hundred rounds of MFS 2000 out of it. I was wondering if the slide spring could have weakened already, the ammo was too weak, or if there is a deeper problem.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[LightningMan]

I don't know if thats the problem, but I had a similar one. When I first bought mine I noticed that the slide lock (thumb release) was not fully engaging the slide notch cut for it. Sometimes just pushing the loaded magazine in would dislodge it, and a few times it did not stay open after the last shot. I realized that the Magazine follower is what pushes up on the slide lock to engage it, but it has to overcome the tension of the slide lock spring holding it down. When I had the gun apart, I tweeked that little spring for the slide lock to reduce the tension. I used a small thin bladed screwdriver and inserted between the cutout of the frame & the end of the spring, twisting the blade a bit at a time. I took about 2 times of taking the gun apart and reassembling it to get it just right. You don't want to over do it. It works just fine now. Don't know if this will help you but you never know. Good Luck, LM.

 

[TheProf]

Check your magazine. My sig mag works perfectly. But when i try to use the alternative Colt mag...if fails to lock open at the last round. Also it fails to eject the last round.

 

[HisSoldier]

Bad news about the Colt mag, as the Sig one is totally outrageously priced.

 

[searcher451]

+1 on checking the magazine, first and foremost. I would try using another factory mag that is designed specifically for your SIG/model before you decide to take other measures.

 

[ruger1228]

Here is link for Sig P238 magazines at a reasonable price. I bought 2 of these and they are made specifically for the 238. They both function perfectly with no problems experienced.
http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-P238-magazines/

 

[Shaggy]

I just got a P238HD a couple weeks ago. I have put 200 rounds of ball and 30 rounds of hollow point ammo through it.

The first few mags through I had failure to lock slide back on empty, then after that up to 168 rounds no problems, slide was locking on empty. Today I shot 50 round Rem UMC and it never locked the slide back. Also shot 18 rounds Hornady Critical Defense and it locked back once out of 3 mags full.

Don't know if it is the different ammo or what is going on. Other than the slide not locking back the gun has functioned fine, feeds and ejects fine.

The first batch of ammo I had was 100gr FMJ mfg by a local company called Action Ammunition. And I had 90gr Speer Gold Dot. shot 150 fmj and 13 gold dots no issues after first 3 magazines not locking on empty.

I think the ammo may be a little on the weak side, I have heard this about the UMC ammo. The slide will lock on the empty mag when cycled by hand.

I have some Blazer Brass on the way and some WWB on order so we'll see. I'm not overly concerned about the lock back issue as long as it feeds, extracts and ejects. There are several .380 pocket guns that don't lock the slide back on empty.