'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

06 August 2013

I Broke My Gun (Updated)

So tonight was my second USPSA Steel Shoot. It was going...better than last time when on the next to last shot on the third stage (of 4) this happened.






That's my Sig Sauer P226 in .40. I was shooting UMC 180 grain hardball. This happened on about the 50th round of the shoot. I had stripped, cleaned and oiled it before the shoot (lube was Breakfree). I could tell it happened on the recoil as opposed to going back into battery because an expended shell was still captured in the extractor. A closer look.





I tapped on the slide with a soft hammer and after two fairly light blows got it to go back into battery. I noticed that even after I got the slide to go forward the slide would still occasionally stick again though it was when it was fully closed. I decided to strip it down but nothing immediately jumped out at me.





I'm too tired to really get into it tonight but it seems likely I'm going to have to tear the whole thing down to the frame. I'm really hoping it's a part that's not the frame or slide. I've been shooting Sig 226s for more than 15 years and I've never even heard of this failure before.My Sigs have always been dead reliable. At the moment I'm stumped.

I'm open to ideas or suggestions. Anyone ever had this happen to them? Any Sig armorers out there that can give me the benefit of their expertise? This is my retirement gun so it has deep meaning for me. One thing for sure, after this it's going to be a safe queen.

I had my G35 with me so was able to finish the match. I even managed to finish 8th out of 13 so at least I'm improving. Now if I could only fix my gun!

Six

Update:
Thanks to you all for the support. I'm in the market for a new race gun even as I type this and Lu is all for it. Ah, a good woman is such a joy and Lu is the best! I called Sig today and arranged to ship the gun back to them for inspection and repair. They say the repair is under warranty so all I have to pay for is the shipping costs which shouldn't exceed a hundred dollars.If all goes well it's a three week turnaround. When all is said and done I'll do a comprehensive post on the process. As for a new gun. I looked at a S&W M&P Pro9. Cost is reasonable and most folks report pretty good results. I want to take a gander at a Glock 34 and an HK before I make any decisions. This is strictly a race gun so if anyone has an opinion please weigh in!
Thanks everyone.
Six

15 comments:

Keads said...

Sorry to hear this Six. Wish I could help but I know very little about Sig's.

Rawle Nyanzi said...

Sounds like a tragedy. I hope you have more than just that one gun.

Six said...

Thanks Kelly. I think I'm going over to the Sig forums and see what the large forehead crowd can tell me. If anyone knows it's them.

I was at least the center of attention for something other than my crappy shooting Rawle :)

I do have a couple of backups but wouldn't you say that in the interest of keeping my morale up and making up for the loss of a beloved firearm something new is called for here? That seems reasonable, right? I mean, Lu will totally buy that.

Rawle Nyanzi said...

Didn't mean any offense; I just had no idea you loved that particular gun. I'd be sad too if the gun I relied on suddenly broke. I'm guessing it succumbed to age.

Six said...

Not at all Rawle. I was trying to get in a joke. You know, trying to get my wife to buy me a new gun. Hey, I need you guys to back me up on this :) Six needs a new gun!!

Old NFO said...

Ouch! Glad you had a backup, and i'd drop it with the smith!

Brig said...

It is important to maintain moral. Lu will support her man in this mission I'm sure.

God, Gals, Guns, Grub said...

Six... I've never owned a Sig, but I've shot both 229's and 226's on several occasions... and they've always been a great gun with a terrific reputation... bottom line in my limited opinion... just a fluke...

Dann in Ohio

Rawle Nyanzi said...

@ Six

In that case, make it seem useful. You need new hardware to protect your home, and the way the Obama Administration is going, you always need to get a gun before one of their ban attempts succeeds.

instinct said...

Aw crud, that really stinks. :(

Rawle Nyanzi said...

Glad to know your saga ended well.

Old NFO said...

If you do the S&W, make damn sure to replace the trigger with the Apex system...

Aaron said...

Good luck, and I'm sure that SIG will do a good job on the repair.

Perhaps you might want to consider the S&W Pro40 - after all, you're already shooting 40. You can then use it as a production and limited class gun so it is competitive in more categories than the Pro9, which would have to score as minor in limited class.

Sarge said...

Hey Six, I know I'm a little tardy with this advise but I think you should just go ahead a buy a new gun I mean you'll never be able to trust that old broken gun so just buy yer self a new one. I just would hate to see you running around with a broken gun, just buy a new one that way you won't be toting a broken gun. The gun will never shoot like it did before it was broken so just buy a new one. It's ok with me and if you wanna tell Lou (Frankie) that I said it was ok then go ahead. Yeah just like I always say just buy a new one.

Keads said...

Yes, what NFO said about the Apex trigger system on the M&P's. I am comfortable being an armorer, not a gunsmith. I have the Apex stuff and it is sweetness and light.

Much like you I had an epiphany. At Blackwater during a tac pistol class my beloved Colt 1911 threw up of all things a slide stop lever. Get something to run that does not have an emotional connection. You will be happier!