Sigma issue- Slide not locking <Revisited>

[FourEyez]

I have searched on the topic and found threads on it. They split between:

1) Hand position = Change grip/dont hit slide lock button

2) Ammo = try different ammo

3) Mag issue = ???

For those of you who have found changing ammo and Hand postions did not fully resolve the issue did you send in the gun and mags to S&W or did you manually do something to the mag/follower (details? Photos?).

Thanks guys,
SW9VE -9mm / remington 115

4

 

[Walthernut]

Give S&W customer service a call. I'v never had this problem.

 

[Atlanta_SW40]

This is a new one to me as well. I'm on the fence daily about my sigma....After dealing with the various issues I've had, the hassle of sending it in, and limited availability of accessories, I wish I had spent the extra $$ and gotten something else....

 

[Bompa]

When you say slide not locking just what do you mean ??
The slide not locking when empty or the slide not going closing completely ??
If slide not locking open when empty the ammo just might be underpowered a bit or the mag spring is in backwards..There for
not keeping enough pressure on the front of the follower..
If slide is not closing completely it is possible that your ammo is too long or the bullet is engaging the rifling before the cartridge is fully seated in chamber..
It might not be any of these things but that is what I would look for..
Good luck and let us know what develops...

 

[Atlanta_SW40]

i think this sounds like another happy sigma owner is going to soon be better acquainted with S&W customer service

 

[Rick-F]

i think this sounds like another happy sigma owner is going to soon be better acquainted with S&W customer service

Wow. You really are bitter. Sorry your experience was so bad.

 

[spricks]

FourEyes....could you explain your problem with a little more detail as to what's happening?

Atlanta....limited accessories? Have an example to share?

spricks

 

[Sleddog30]

This is a new one to me as well. I'm on the fence daily about my sigma....After dealing with the various issues I've had, the hassle of sending it in, and limited availability of accessories, I wish I had spent the extra $$ and gotten something else....

i think this sounds like another happy sigma owner is going to soon be better acquainted with S&W customer service

Just to ask... How many times and in how many different threads are you going to post the same comments? Do us all a favor. Sell your sigma. I know I'm getting tired of hearing you whine.

Now back to the subject at hand..

 

[Atlanta_SW40]

Just to ask... How many times and in how many different threads are you going to post the same comments? Do us all a favor. Sell your sigma. I know I'm getting tired of hearing you whine.

Now back to the subject at hand..

Already in the classifieds...just trying to help educate a few others looking to put their lives in the hands of a reliable fire arm....

 

[FourEyez]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions so let me do a little more detail:

When I fire the last round of the mag the slide does not lock in the open position to tell me there are no more rounds left.

This happens from time to time using different ammo and BOTH of my Mags (I have marked each to Identify).

I had some issues with grip early on that I corrected and so I'm pretty sure its not the result of my thumb touching the slide or slide lock button OR the mag release button.

Again, its intermitant. I will send back to S&W and see what they have to say.

I can put in just 5 rounds and it may or may not happen...I can also put in 15 rounds and it may or may not happen.

I still cant get that damn 16th round in there though..too much work

this issue (from what I've read) isn't that rare. I will report my findings and it may 100% be user error but I've worked hard to remove that. One thing that I would like to see is a close up pic of the recoil spring inplace to make sure I have that fitted correctly.

Thanks again all,

4
FWIW: I haven't lost faith in my Sigma. Maybe my mags, but he11, I don't do my best work on Fridays or Mondays so maybe I got a gun that was made the Friday after Thanksgiving?

 

[kona0197]

Already in the classifieds...just trying to help educate a few others looking to put their lives in the hands of a reliable fire arm....

I find the Sigma to be very reliable. You could buy something far worse than a Sigma. Sounds like you just had some bad luck. Even the high end pistols have issues sometimes. It doesn't matter what you buy.

 

[FourEyez]

okay kids, I just got my 9MM back from S&W. Need to take it to the range but the included repair slip says the following:

Repaired: Adjust slide stop to gage
Repaired: Repl. sear housing blk asy
Inspected/tested and passed.

I will update again once I get back from the range.

Can anyone tell me what the "sear housing blk asy" is?

4

 

[kona0197]

The "sear housing blk asy" is the whole block assembly that comes out if you remove the rear pin after field stripping.

 

[KyWstJoe]

If they replaced your sear block housing the trigger should be better. The slide on both mine failed to lock back a few times during break in. One of them also automatically let the slide fly and chamber a round when I shoved a mag in. Did it a few times during break in. I wish they worked that way. Hang in there pal, they are great pistols.

 

[cshoff]

Already in the classifieds...just trying to help educate a few others looking to put their lives in the hands of a reliable fire arm....

Well, yeah, since we all know that nobody has ever had a problem with any other type or brand of firearm you can buy.

The bottom line is that the Sigma, like any other gun, is a mechanical device, and it is subject to failures, breakages, malfunctions, and problems just like any other gun. That doesn't make every Sigma or it's design defective. I've got two SW40GVE's; one with over 6000 rounds through it with only two failures to feed, and one with just over 2000 rounds through it with only one failure to eject with some handloaded ammo, neither of them have ever had a breakage of any kind. Now, if we apply your logic to my guns, we could say that the Sigma is nearly 100% reliable.

Reality is that the vast majority of Sigma's are out there doing exactly what they were intended to do; providing reliable no-frills service to their owners for a reasonable price and with little fanfare.

 

[FourEyez]

So I went to the range with it and WOW does it feel different. Put 100 Rounds through it and the only issue Was a FTE when I tried to shoot left handed for the first time which I'm sure was caused due to "limp wrist".

The trigger feels much better and I'm VERY happy with the customer service.

 

[blastfact]

So I went to the range with it and WOW does it feel different. Put 100 Rounds through it and the only issue Was a FTE when I tried to shoot left handed for the first time which I'm sure was caused due to "limp wrist".

The trigger feels much better and I'm VERY happy with the customer service.

Great!!! I fire mine strong and weak hand. Not to mention close into chest and falling back.

Concerning my pistol it prefers 124 and 147gr bullets. Be them retail or hand loads. It's like it was made for them. 115gr ammo is raspy feeling if not down right cheap feeling and darn near pointless to shoot. My Sigma and PF-9 fav. retail ammo is the win/nato 124gr fmj stuff. I hope to get my XTP reloads up to there spec soon.

 

[FourEyez]

I decide to try something new and picked up a box of 92gr Hollow point Magtech (schp) to see if it would perfer those. I'm still trying to feel out what the best ammo to shot with is for this gun.

I will look to pick up some higher gr stuff above the 115 next.

 

[OKFC05]

For once blastfact and I agree. The 124gr seems to be the better choice for Sigmas, and most other 9mms I've shot.
Might have something to do with it being the bullet weight the 9mm cartridge was designed for over 100 years ago....