Tale of 2 Sigs...

[vujade]

Hello.

I picked up (2) used but LNIB Sig p220s. I purchased 2nd hand but went through the guns the best I could.

From what I recall both guns looked OK. Especially the railed Sig's frame. I was telling my friend how the frame was all black. I did some deep cleaning after the range trip today (40 rounds each shooting just regular plinking Federals red boxes and Remington green boxes). I was getting 3 inch groups at 25 yards (forearms on a sandbag only) and the sun was really beating - I suspect them to be more accurate if it were truly benched.

Look what I found:

Rust on the non Railed p220's bore: Not so much pitting. It's shiny when you shine a light but if you shine the light at an angle, you see the bore is NOT perfect:




Wear on frame rail on Railed p220: This was all black before the range trip. The gun looked almost unfired/very very new. I was surprised with these wear marks when I got home! I don't feel any burrs on the slide. But the frame rails have exposed metal.




The Non rail was built around 1999-2000 (based on the serial number).
The Railed was built on March 2005 (per the box label)

Who has used Sig's warranty before? Would it cover such old guns? Let me know if these issues (like the wear on the frame) is normal or not? (I have well used p228 and p226 that does not show wear like that (they have that 'orange glow' but bare metal).

 

[vujade]

I thought maybe the bore was just dirty so I cleaned it some more... then i took a jewelers loop and yep... it's got some pitting. I was told it was a safe queen. I guess it sat in the humid safe with no oil.

I also carefully inspected the other railed sig (the one with the messed up rails). I was also told it was a safe queen - and it was... until I fired it 40 times and it's just now, after checking the slide carefully - there are 2 burrs...one on each side - that's what ate the otherwise perfect gun.

I'll call them on Monday but I'm curious - anyone here with experience with Sig Warranty? Will they help with a guns this 'old'?

 

[4v50 Gary]

My Sig P220 dates back to at least 1987. It's beat as it was my carry gun for years. Yours look baby fresh compared to mine. If you're going to use a gun, it's going to age. As for safe queens rusting, that can happen without use. Humidity, acids from your hands, dirt that attracts and retains moisture all conspire against you.

If you're not planning to use them, buy RIG and apply it.

 

[vujade]

on the railed sig - I really don't want to have to send it to Sig. I need something to take the range!

I carefully inspected the slide and removed 3 burrs that may have contributed to the premature wear on the frame. I then cleaned and put a light coat of regular paint on the slide. That'll tell me the next time I shoot it if there is something else scraping it. If no longer - I'll call it done and just let it wear naturally.

I don't have an aversion to 'using up a gun and letting it show wear', but I do want it to age naturally.

I'll still call Sig tomorrow for the other gun with the bad bore.

 

[jackblack86]

unfortunately sig only covers to the original owner if they send in the warranty card when purchased. atleast that has been my experience hope you do better

 

[cactus02]

some safes are a poor place to leave a gun in without protection. A fire safe with gypsum fireproofing can leach moisture out of the gypsum. I always keep them in an oily rag.

 

[tomrkba]

Heavily lube those rails with grease every time you shoot it. The lube should go on the top, side, bottom and groove. You do not want that wear to advance any farther than it already has.

Read this by flork (a gunsmith):
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/908103701/p/1

 

[evan price]

In my experience Sigs like to be run wet. I second the advice for the grease shown above. I prefer a silicone grease, or lately I've been using a high pressure wormscrew lubricant I get samples through work in little syringe tubes. Once you get the gun back together, work the slide a few times and then wipe off any excess grease. The bore pitting won't be a problem at pistol range accuracy. Just keep the bore oiled when stored.