What the heck is wrong with my P225?

[1KPerDay]

Had a buddy, fellow IDPA Expert shooter and very accurate typically, shoot the P225 today. Just one group but about 4" at 10 yards offhand, some vertical stringing. I shot one right after, 4" at 10 yards offhand, some vertical stringing.

Got home, shot an 8 shot group with my P226 at 18 yards offhand, nice center mass group.

Shot the same distance, same ammo with the P225 and got a pattern all over a 12" plate.

I'm about ready to send this to Grayguns or someone. It's pissing me off.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Sounds like you're a candidate for a new barrel/locking block

 

[1KPerDay]

bottom group P226, top group P225. I'm trying a new locking block first.

 

[revchuck]

Just a thought...when I got my ex-German police P6 the slide was cosmetically ugly, and I wanted to use it for a carry gun anyway, so I sent it to SIG USA for refinishing, night sights and refurbishing. When I got it back, the pins that held the various parts of the slide in place had been replaced, and the original pins were enclosed and were noticeably bent. Might it be possible that the breech block location is out of spec due to the pins that hold it in place being bent, with the result that the cartridge location when fired varies? My P6 isn't a match gun, but the bullets go wherever the front sight is when fired.

 

[1KPerDay]

Udpate... new locking block installed. Maybe a tad better. Still missing some 9" plates which bothers me. Will shoot and evaluate again from a rest when I can.

 

[zb338]

I think you should quit guessing and send it to a good gunsmith
or back to the factory. Let them fix it and enjoy shooting instead
of worrying.
Zeke

 

[gotboostvr]

I think you should quit guessing and send it to a good gunsmith
or back to the factory. Let them fix it and enjoy shooting instead
of worrying.
Zeke

If it was a gun I needed, or had hit a dead end on I'd take it to a gunsmith.

Sometimes though I appreciate the challenge and experience of a project. Sometimes they're simple, sometimes they're an adventure, occasionally a nightmare. I usual come away with some new to me knowledge or insight.

There's definitely a point where I get a qualified professional though.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, I would rather figure it out myself if possible. I like mechanical puzzles. This one is a corker though. I'll send it to the factory or gray guns if I run out of ideas. I don't have much confidence in the modern SIG customer service after my P938 debacle though.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Just a thought...when I got my ex-German police P6 the slide was cosmetically ugly, and I wanted to use it for a carry gun anyway, so I sent it to SIG USA for refinishing, night sights and refurbishing. When I got it back, the pins that held the various parts of the slide in place had been replaced, and the original pins were enclosed and were noticeably bent. Might it be possible that the breech block location is out of spec due to the pins that hold it in place being bent, with the result that the cartridge location when fired varies? My P6 isn't a match gun, but the bullets go wherever the front sight is when fired.

Yep I'd check for a loose breech block....or maybe a cracked weld where the nosepiece is attached to the stamped portion of the slide- check it carefully on the inside. This would result in inconsistent barrel engagement with the "bushing."

 

[murf]

loose front sight?

murf

 

[rskent]

Yeah, I would rather figure it out myself if possible. I like mechanical puzzles.

Me too. I’m going through some problems with a Glock now (shhhh). I know I could send it in and get it fixed, but where’s the fun in that. And what would I learn from it.

Guns are pretty simple machines. I’m sure you will figure it out.

 

[MCMXI]

1KPerDay, a few years ago I bought a threaded barrel for my P239 so have a spare factory barrel. I'd send it to you for testing if it would help. A quick search indicates that it's the same barrel as the P225-A1 so I don't think it'd work with the original P225 but perhaps someone here knows different. I hope you can resolve the issue and let us know what the "fix" was. This is an interesting thread for sure.

 

[MCMXI]

1KPerDay, it's been a while since I shot my P225s so I decided to shoot both this morning before heading off to work as a sanity check. I shot both at 18 yards using Remington Golden Saber 124gr BJHP and Remington UMC 115gr FMJ. I shot the 124gr ammo first aiming at the center of mass of the targets shown below. I then shot the 115gr ammo aiming at the head. The head measures 3.5"x3.5" which should give some idea as to scale. Like I said, it's been a while since I've shot these pistols and I threw a few shots away, but for the most part 4" groups at 18 yards seems reasonable and with practice maybe those groups would be quite a bit smaller. Both pistols shoot a little low for me and I remember my wife having the same issue when I bought the first P225 "for her" back in '95. It's just a simple sight change to fix. I'd forgotten how soft shooting these pistols are. The fact that I've been shooting a lot of big bore revolver stuff recently might warp my perspective a little but they sure felt soft.

I did check the fit of the two P239 barrels that I have in the P225 and it's a no go I'm afraid. Anyway, these are great little pistols so hopefully you can figure yours out soon.

 

[1KPerDay]

Really appreciate you taking the time, and your kind offer of the barrel. That may be the mechanical limit of this particular gun, or it may be something I'm doing. I just got back from the range and noted that (with the new locking block in) when I shoot factory FMJ/herter's or my .358" smallball reloads, I hit 16 out of 16 9" plates offhand at 18 yards. I was even able to speed up a bit. When I shot my 124 xtreme plated reloads I started missing, and was putting hits all over a 12" plate again.

Maybe this thing just hates my plated ammo... which is strange because the 228 and 226 love it and will print golf-ball sized groups at the same distance with it.

More eval is needed. Mine also hits a bit low, or as the SIG legend is, "combat hold". It's a little lower than I would like and I also would prefer a FO front and plain black rear, which gives my primitive caveman brain less things to concentrate on.

I'll keep this thread updated if I discover any further improvements or developments.

Thanks again for all the kind help and patience.