Getting a lot of misfeeds

[stev32k]

Today I shot 200 rounds of Federal .40 S&W, 180 gr, MFJ. There were about 2 or 3 misfeeds per 14 round mag. That seems excessive to me and I wonder if there is something I can do to reduce the frequency.

I'm not sure what is causing the problem, but I suspect the ammo just does not have enough of a powder charge to operate the slide. Could there be something else?

I don't want to shoot some 40 or 50 cent a shot ammo. I would like to continue using the Federal because I can buy it at $23.00/hundred.

I've looked around and see that the standard recoil spring in the Sigma is rated at 17 lb, but there is a 15 lb spring available from Wolff. Would that cure the problem?

 

[J Rich]

I just shot a box of those last weekend with no problem. You could have a couple problems like a rough feed ramp or limp wristing.

i don't think a reduced weight recoil spring is the answer. If you use one of those you may experience greater feel recoil. Which would create delayed target engagement. Also causes the slide to hit the stops with greater force. Which could cause the ears on the frame to break or the slide lock to engage.


So take a look at the feed ramp it could use a good polishing.

 

[stev32k]

I polished the heck out of the feed ramp before today. I used a dremel and medium paste then jewelers rouge and it has a mirror finish.

I wonder it the original recoil spring could be defective or have a higher than normal weight rating? No one else I've talked to has had anything like the misfeed rate I'm seeing.

Could the magazines have some impact? The springs in those are really stout.

P.S What is limp wristing?

 

[HalfStack]

Unless you try other ammo you haven't really pinpointed your problem. Be a sport and spend a few more dollars for a box.

 

[SteveFi]

limp wristing is holding the pistol a little loose so it moves just a little when you fire - this can cause your feed problems as both the slide & frame move effectively reducing the amount of recoil available to operate slide. so dont hold too loose or too tightly

 

[stev32k]

limp wristing is holding the pistol a little loose so it moves just a little when you fire - this can cause your feed problems as both the slide & frame move effectively reducing the amount of recoil available to operate slide. so dont hold too loose or too tightly

Hmm, maybe that is the problem. I use both hands, but do not keep a tight grip and the gun does buck up and back with every shot. I'll work on that next time.

 

[oldafsp]

Heres a little trick that works...

When you grasp the grip in your strong hand, seat the web of your hand firmly into the grip. Keep the weapon aligned with your forearm.

A firm grip with equal pressure and alignment is really what you want,then bring your support hand into position.

Try it...you might be surprised.

 

[stev32k]

I'll give that a try. It's been 32 years since I fired a gun so I'm a little rusty and not quite as steady as I once was. I'm just beginning to remember how much I like shooting and I think I need a lot of practice.

 

[J Rich]

It could be the ammo, but I didn't have a problem with the federals. I have used reloads, federals, gold dots, Ga arms 165 JHP's and 95% of the time is Georgia Arms 165 fmj. All with 0 malfunctions or jams. Have I been lucky? Maybe so, but Sigmas don't seem to be to picky on ammo.

 

[stev32k]

Just an update. I fired about 100 rounds of the Federal today and I'm still getting misfeeds at the rate of about 2 per magazine. I took special care to make sure my arm and wrist were stiff and didn't seem to make any difference.

I did notice there are drag marks on the barrel lug just in front of the "40 S&W" engraving. I attached a photo. The mark is a nice shiny spot about 1/4"W X 1/2" long.

Is this normal and could it be causing the misfeed problem?

 

[RedFalconBill]

Have you tried a different brand of ammunition? There is a thread here with someone having the same issues with the SD40VE and they resolved themselves (so far) by changing ammunition.

 

[HalfStack]

That drag mark is normal. You still haven't tried different ammo yet.

 

[krallstar]

Are these misfeeds the same number round in the mag. I have 1 mag that will not feed the 3rd round from empty. Seems to nosedive.

 

[stev32k]

Are these misfeeds the same number round in the mag. I have 1 mag that will not feed the 3rd round from empty. Seems to nosedive.

I haven't noticed if it's mag related or not. That's something I didn't think about. I did take both mags apart and clean them and the springs.

I'll try some different ammo tomorrow, but the gun should handle just about any brand or type. At least that is what I'm reading from others that have the sw40ve. If mine won't handle the same ammo as others are shooting something must be wrong besides the ammo; at least that's my theory, but I could be wrong.

 

[oldtexan]

Here are a few things you can try:

Check to see if it's the magazine by marking your mags and noting which one or ones are being used when you have the stoppages. If it only happens with one mag, then that mag is your problem. If it happens with several different OEM mags, then something else is probably the problem.

Check to see if your technique(grip and stance) is causing the problem by having a very experienced and highly competent handgun shooter, preferably an instructor, fire the weapon to see if he/she experiences the same thing as you did, and have him/her watch you fire the weapon. Just about every shooter can benefit from some quality coaching and feedback. Use the instructor's feedback to improve the quality of your practice sessions; this will help you improve faster.

Make sure the gun is clean and properly lubricated. Make sure the magazines (inside and out) are clean and dry. Dry/dirty guns are more likely to have stoppages than clean lubed guns. Make sure the mags are properly assembled and that the followers freely go up and down without catching on anything.

Try different ammo, as suggested by others, but if the gun is failing to function with Federal 180 gr FMJ ammo, then something other than ammo is probably the problem.

How many rds have been fired through the gun? If it's less than 200 or thereabouts, then maybe you just need to fire more rds through it. Semi-auto firearms typically function better/smoother after a break-in period of a few hundred rds. If the gun has had several thousand rds through it (or if you don't know the round count), then maybe it's time to change some springs starting with the recoil spring and magazine springs. If you do change any springs I recommend sticking with OEM springs.

If none of these things fix the problem, then most likely the gun needs to take a trip to S&W for them to fix it.

 

[setxn]

I'm just curious if you had the same problems before the dremel work?

 

[J Rich]

I'm just curious if you had the same problems before the dremel work?

Un-Freakin believable you can actually post a decent question in this section.


I too would like to know the answer though.

 

[smitret]

A little grease on that rub mark on the barrel hood can't hurt.

Make sure your thumbs aren't pushing up on slide lock causing drag.

Good Luck

 

[stev32k]

I'm just curious if you had the same problems before the dremel work?

Yes, in fact that's why I polished the feed slide. Several people suggested that a rough feed slide might be causing the problem.

 

[J Rich]

Here's a couple more things to do.

1. Clean mags. Use something like CLP Breakfree spray the inside of mags, cycle the spring several times, spray some brake cleaner to get all the junk out, then use a light amount of oil to keep the mag lubed.

2. Barrel inspection. Inspect the roof of the chamber for any imperfections, copper, lead, dents, or nicks.

3. Inspect recoil spring. Make sure spring isn't broke.

4. Change ammo. It doesn't have to be high dollar stuff just different from what you have now.