Sigma 9VE slide doesn't Lock Back

[daparrothead]

I bought the 9ve about 3 weeks ago and just got the chance to go shoot it today. I was completely amazed with the groups I shot with it. But, shouldn't the slide lock open when the magazine is empty? I shot 5 magazines with 15 rounds of WWB each and it did not lock open after the last round on any of them.

 

[nn]

Yes, it should lock back. When my son's did that it was a spring problem in the mag.

 

[daparrothead]

Mine does it with both of the factory mags that came with the gun new.

 

[billdeserthills]

Get in touch with S&W, they should send you a return tag for your defective gun

 

[Raphmattic]

I had that problem with the Sigma i shot at the range. Definitely get intouch with Smith.

 

[OKFC05]

There is something you can check before sending it in, if you want.

First, put in an empty magazine and pull the slide back by hand. Did the slide lock back? If yes, it is possible that the problem can be eliminated by disassembling and cleaning the magazines (I use CRC silicone, and wipe dry), and carefully cleaning and lubing the gun per factory manual (not excessively).

Then test the gun with a full-power quality ammo (WWB tends to be a little wimpy). Just put in a couple of rounds at a time for the test.
If it then works, after shooting it a few more times it will probably shoot the WWB OK.
A combination of not clean, brand new, and wimpy ammo can cause short-stroking the slide and failure to lock.

 

[daparrothead]

I did try a magazine of 124grn Remmington nato and it did the same thing. I am going to take it apart & clean it and check the mags over real good before I send it in. I was just thinking it was something to do with the gun it self since it did it with both the new mags that came with it.

 

[MDLNB]

I have had the same problem with both mags. I took them apart, stretched the spring a bit, and put a slight coat of lube in the mag well. Both work fine now. I believe that the problem occurs when the plastic follower doesn't return all the way.

 

[Knightrider03m]

Seems like that happens on most new Sigmas. Just keep shooting it and that problem would go away.

 

[daparrothead]

How do you take the mag apart? Bottom plate pops off somehow?

 

[nycems22]

holding the pin in the middle of the plate while sliding it off. do it with it facing your body so the spring doesnt fly away.

 

[daparrothead]

Well I'm beginning to wonder if the issue with the Sigma is that the main spring is still so new and tight that the slide isn't recoiling back enuff to make it lock open. Just took it out to clean it and put a empty mag in and it locked the slide open, tried the second mag and it locked open fine. Think I'm going to try running a couple hundred more rounds thru it and see what happens.

 

[Walthernut]

Don't stretch the mag spring. Can do more harm in the long run and weaken the spring.

 

[daparrothead]

No plans on stretching any of the springs, what I was referring to is the main spring(recoil spring), I think it is still so tight from being new that it isn't letting the slide go back far enuff when firing. If I put one of the empty mags in it now and rack the slide back manually it will lock open every time with either mag.

 

[leejack]

If I put one of the empty mags in it now and rack the slide back manually it will lock open every time with either mag.

If the slide stays locked back with empty mags in it, just clean, lube and shoot. It should work itself out.

 

[MDLNB]

Like I said earlier, my problem was that both magazines developed the same problem. Both were fairly new. Neither had been dissembled and cleaned. My problem was a result of the magazine follower NOT rising to the top of the magazine completely. The slide would not lock back on an empty magazine. Once I took it apart and cleaned it, I have not had any further problems. Yes, I did stretch the spring a bit, not much. Most of what I did was clean and spray some lube in the mag well. I no longer have problems with the follower failing to slide to the top of the mag opening. Perhaps when they are new, they aren't worn enough on the sides to slide up with out resistance. Put some lube on the inside of the mag and the follower will have less friction.

I doubt you will find a problem with the recoil spring that would result in this failure.

 

[Jc85]

holding the pin in the middle of the plate while sliding it off. do it with it facing your body so the spring doesnt fly away.

+1 words to live by.
Altho, you don't wanna spoil the fun.

 

[Raphmattic]

Just a bit of a range report. Finally had the chance to shoot my new SW9VE. After 40 Rounds or so with FMJ 115 Grain it locked back after it was empty...everytime. Then I wanted to try some JHP 147 I think it is....I had the magazine full, but only shot 5 rounds, ejected the mag, and racked back the slide to empty the chamber. Then my wife and I wanted to share the last 10 rounds (FMJ) 5 a piece. I shot the last 5 and it didnt lock back. Opened a new box, put one in the mag, racked it, fired, and it didnt lock back. Im thinking it will work its way out after I clean it... havent purchased a cleaning kit. Are the Walmart ones good?

 

[gordon_00]

Not necessarily good, but decent.
I use a walmart kit, hoppes #9 solvent, and rem oil on my sigma and haven't had a single solitary problem since I bought it 600 rounds ago

You could try a +p ammo to accelerate the spring wearing in, but my suggestion is to lock it back and leave it there for five minutes or so. Shoot a few rounds, then repeat until you get the behavior you want

 

[billdeserthills]

I wouldn't wait, that is how people wind up outwaiting the warranty on their guns. I see it like this, I'd be wanting My gun to work correctly All the time. I Actually demand that guns I carry on my person work flawlessly All the time, otherwise I cannot and should not depend on that particular gun. Call S&W- they should be happy to send you a mailing label if you are the original buyer, they will return the gun to you after they repair it. Trust me, they Want your gun to work correctly, as they want you to buy some more in the future.