when shooting my sigma?

[bubba626]

I have been having jamming problems with my sigma series 9mm(non-m&p),I am sending in today for warrenty work but thought I would check here about some shooting questions.

When at the range and running through shells I was told to oil the ramp about every 30th bullet to keep it from gumming up and causing jamming Issues, is this true? is there a procedure I should follow while shooting my guns at the range to keep them from having issues? I have the sigma and a 642 revolver.
thanks

 

[Walthernut]

I don't know where you got the information about oiling the ramp on the Sigma after 30rds. It is not necessary. Follow the manufacturers recommended lube points and you shouldn't have any problems, the same holds true on your revolver.

 

[bubba626]

do you?

do you need to oil it WHILE you are shooting? or just after you clean? I have been trying to shoot atleast twice a month.

 

[leejack]

You do not need to oil while shooting.

I reccomend cleaning and lube when your done shooting. The gun will be ready for the next session. Follow the guidelines in the manual, it does not take much oil to lube the gun properly.

To much oil/grease can cause problems in any gun. Also, make sure the barrel is clean and dry before shooting.

That "every 30th round thing" is nonsense.

lee

 

[spricks]

I agree with Lee...that's not right.

You didn't mention what ammo you are shooting. It could be as simple as some differnt ammo and a proper cleaning and lube.

spricks

 

[bubba626]

ammo

ammo has been variety of brands, round nose FMJ, bought the gun on 1-2-2010, we have shoot 325 rounds total through it and it has jammed during feeding and extraction 12 times during those shootings. i just shipped it off to S&W 1 hour ago for warrenty work for what looks to be a problem.

 

[TDR911]

You should also swap out magazines to see if it is a mag problem as well.

Sometime I see a small scratch in the surface on the ramp and that catches on different bullets.
Sounds like S&W will have a look at it.

 

[spricks]

Their sevice dept is the best. Please keep us posted as to how long it takes to get er back and how she shoots after S&W takes a second look at it.

I know it p's a guy off when the gun doesn't perform like it's suppose to. Even $1200 guns have to be returned sometimes.
Good Luck!

spricks

 

[bubba626]

THANKS

I will keep all updated for time and shooting after return. besides the jamming i love the gun and how it feels and was a great price. hopefully from what I have read on here so far that all will be well on its return.

 

[Joker84]

One thing I learned about the sigma is they are not a fan of heavy oiling. They will jam like no other when lubed too much. All it takes is a tiny drop on the lube points.

 

[Yattan]

Sigmas have the same lube requirements as Glocks. That is to say that they almost run bone dry. Do NOT put any oil on the feed ramp or let any get into the mag well, this can cause the gun to jam. Remove the slide and put a tiny drop of lube or itty bitty smear of gun butter on the four contact points, located on both sides of the frame at both the front and rear, thats all you need.

One thing I've done to all my Sigmas that seems to help is this. Take it to a gunsmith and have the feed ramp polished, you can do this yourself easily with a dremel if you're confident in doing some minor gunsmithing. After that, order a spring kit from Wolff and replace the craptory springs that are in that gun. Also, the type of jam will tell you a lot about what is going on. Sigmas aren't known for limp wristing jams so any jam is almost always an indication of something amiss. If its a ride-over feed error then its almost certainly a weak magazine spring, which is not uncommon for the Sigma magazines. If its stovepiping, it could be the slide is getting interference, mag geometry issues, or an out of whack feed ramp (very uncommon, but possible).

You've already sent it off, so I won't bore you with customer service warnings. But in the future, just take it to a good gunsmith and save yourself a ton of time and headache. Sigmas are super easy to work on, just like Glocks.

Let us know how it shakes down!

 

[Walthernut]

Yattan is right about lubrication.
As far as spring replacement, taking it to a gunsmith, magazine springs being a common problem and S&W Customer Service we have different opinions.
I think you did the right thing by sending it back to S&W. My dealings with their customer service have been excellent.
Let us know how you make out.

 

[bubba626]

good info

that was probably one of the problems then, I am SURE i was over oiling, listening to the above post. I will make those changes when it comes back. speaking of that, do they(service)give you info as to what the problem was they found doing warrenty work?

 

[Walthernut]

Yes. They will give you a letter stating what repairs were made.

 

[BFBoy]

I've never oiled the ramp on my Sigma, and it has yet to malfunction in ~2000 rounds.
I do keep it clean and a drop of oil on the metal parts of the slide rails.
Good luck.

 

[bubba626]

update

fast return on my sigma, shipped to smith on 2-09 and picked up from fed ex on 2-19. they sent paper stating that they replaced the extractor. I took to range saturday and ran 100 rds through it with no jams, time will tell and my cleaning/lube may have been part of problem. still like the gun, hopefully can make adjustments to my cleaning to keep any future problems from occuring.

 

[FourEyez]

Thank you for the update!

 

[spricks]

bubba, glad to hear that you received good customer service. S&W lifetime warranty is worth alot of consideration when buying a new gun.
Especially when it's a good warranty.

spricks

 

[kona0197]

What were you doing wrong with your clean and lube routine?

 

[bubba626]

cleaning

possibly over oiling, not sure as i have not owned a pistol before. On that note the cleaner I use has oil in it so while cleaning it puts light oil on ramp,etc. do I just wipe that off or will it even be a problem?
I add drop of oil at the 4 points of the slide only.