Sig P6 - slide doesn't always lock back

[Rittmeister]

So, as title states. I've got a Sig P6 that I've had for several years, on which the slide doesn't always lock back after firing the last shot in the magazine.

The date code (I'm assuming it's a date) is 05/95, meaning it's almost old enough to vote I've got no way of knowing what work may have been done to it. It's fairly tight and shoots accurately and is otherwise reliable - in fact I can't remember a jam since I got it.

Anyway, all the mags I use are Sig factory mags with Brian Davis base plates.

Can I tweak the slide stop somehow, or does it need to be replaced? Any help appreciated!

 

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

It does this with each of the factory mags?

 

[Kruzr]

Most of the time when a Sig doesn't lock back it's because the shooter has a thumb over the slide stop. Watch where your hands are when you shoot.

 

[Ar180shooter]

Most of the time when a Sig doesn't lock back it's because the shooter has a thumb over the slide stop. Watch where your hands are when you shoot.

Yep. I had a customer come in complaining that his new P226 was broken because the slide wouldn't lock back, lo and behold, he was holding the slide stop down with his thumb.

 

[Rittmeister]

1. Seems to do it at random - I can't say for certain that it does it with all five mags but I can say that it does it more now than when I first got it.

2. Hmmm, I'll have to look carefully at my grip. I thought I was avoiding the slide stop but I suppose it's possible I'm holding it down some of the time. I will say I'm about 95% sure that's not the problem though.

 

[rcmodel]

Mark your mags so you can tell them apart.

See if you can narrow it down to one or two mags at least.

If it is not your grip, it is most likely to be a worn follower or weak mag spring not pushing the slide stop up.

Take the slide off and insert empty mags in the grip so you can check if followers all push the slide stop up.

Brian Davis base plates

I don't know what that is.
But if it has anything to do with adding to mag capacity, take them off and throw them away. Unless you use longer springs they are not long enough to add extra capacity base plates.

rc

 

[Rittmeister]

The Davis plates are not for added capacity. They're just aluminum plates that replace the factory baseplates, but instead of sticking out past the frontstrap they're cut so they're flush. It makes for a more comfortable grip for folks with big hands like mine - my fingers aren't compressed between the trigger guard and the "tongue" of the baseplate sticking out.

I'll try pulling the slide off and making sure all the mags push the slide stop up, and report back.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The are two common causes for this which can easily be tested for at the same time.

The two most common problems are shooter grip and underpowered ammo. Domestic bulk ammo is notorious for being loaded light, which is more of an issue with surplus guns like the P6.

The easy test is to buy a box of premium jhp ammo and shoot itl through the gun. If the problem still exist, test your thumb placement by shooting your pistol using your weak hand.

I'm familiar with those base pads, or at least very similar ones...be aware that they make it much harder to strip the magazine out of the gun when a Type 3 jam occurs

 

[Rittmeister]

So, with "underpowered ammo" would a lower-weight recoil spring help? I don't even know what strength the factory spring is.

I shoot mostly regular 115gr FMJ. WWB, Federal, Remington, and Blazer. None seem to work better or worse than the others.

 

[Kruzr]

I shoot mostly regular 115gr FMJ. WWB, Federal, Remington, and Blazer. None seem to work better or worse than the others.

None of that would be underpowered to cause this issue. Next time you go shooting stay aware of your strong hand thumb placement and see if it still happens.

 

[tbone1964]

If a change in grip doesnt fix it... just get some wolf springs in the mags they may not be pushing the follower up high enough to lock the slide back, mag could be dirty.. may need to remove the base and clean it with some CLP and wipe dry..

 

[9mmepiphany]

You can check the mag spring pretty easy by inserting an empty mag in the gun and racking the slide. If it doesn't lock the slide back on an empty, you'll need a new spring

 

[rcmodel]

A marginial mag spring my lock the slide every time when hand cycled.

And fail to do so under recoil when inertia and the gun rising is trying to hold the slide stop and follower down.

rc

 

[9mmepiphany]

Very true, I just use it as an initial check...my money is on thumb placement

 

[REJones]

I had this issue with a SIG P226 crop up after a class once. I had cleaned the magazines, but reassembled them with the magazine spring upside down. In that configuration the follower was not pushed up high enough to reliably engage in the slide stop.

I'm not sure if this is possible with the P6, but if so it might explain why some SIGs are so inconsistent with this problem.

On the P226 the top of the mag spring is slightly narrower. This may be the same on your P6.