Help with Sig 226: Slide won't stay back.

[woodfiend]

Hey,
I have a Sig P226 that we bought factory refurbished. It is in great condition but there is one problem that is bothering me. When I fire it, the slide won't stay back on the last round. But, when my dad fires it, it does. I shoot with the tactical two thumbs on the left side of the frame method. He does the same except he puts his left index finger on front of the trigger guard. My question: Is this because of how I hold the gun, or is a problem with ammo, or mag springs? Thanks

 

[pax]

My question: Is this because of how I hold the gun, or is a problem with ammo, or mag springs?

Easy way to eliminate the last part of your question is to shoot with a different magazine. If it suddenly starts locking back for you, it was the magazine. If not, look elsewhere.

pax

 

[Thernlund]

Based on your description of the difference between how you and your father shoot, my guess is that you are limp-wristing the pistol.

Try shooting it with a death-grip on it (fight the recoil with everything you have, disregarding accuracy) and see what happens.

Also, it may be a combination of what I described and a weak mag spring.


-T.

 

[woodfiend]

You see the thing is, I am crushing on the grip, and I am shooting in the most tactically correct form. I think maybe it's just the spring.

 

[gudel]

What's a tactically correct form? Pictures?

 

[Josh Aston]

Sounds like you're possibly riding the slide stop and your dad isn't. Limp wrist can occur with or without a death grip. It really has nothing to do with how strong your grip is, it's all in the wrist. If your wrists aren't locked then you could be limp wristing it. But unless you're having other failures besides the slide not locking back then it isn't likely that you're limp wristing it.

First thing I'd try is changing your grip when you shoot it. If that fixes it then you were riding the slide stop.

And it's definitely not the spring if it works for one shooter but not another.

 

[AK103K]

Its probably you. If your used to a 1911 and hold it accordingly, your thumb is hitting the slide stop and dropping the slide on the last round. Its a common thing until you get used to it.

When I first started shooting thumbs forward with my SIG's it was an issue until I placed my strong hand thumb farther over on my weak hand thumb. Since I have, problem solved.

Before you go doing anything with the mags, try shooting it left handed and see what happens. I'll bet the slide stays back.

 

[fastbolt]

I had a guy bring me a Sig which he said was consistently failing to lock the slide back on an empty magazine for both the owner and himself.

I fired it and experienced no problem. The other fellow did.

We were both right-handed, which places our thumbs on the left side of the pistol.

My thumbs were positioned lower than his and didn't ride up under recoil and prevent the slide stop lever from rising when tensioned by the follower. (It doesn't take much.)

When the fellow expressed some disbelief that his thumb(s) were responsible, I asked him to shoot the pistol left-handed (which removed his thumbs to the right side of the pistol, away from the slide stop lever). The slide consistently locked back as it should when the magazine ran dry.

In this particular instances I suspect the cause of the 'problem' was the shooter's grip technique.

 

[woodfiend]

Well this is obviously not me, but this is the stance and form. Cuz I have used it on Glocks and Springfield XDs and have never had this problem.

 

[Josh Aston]

And those guys would have exactly the same problem you're having if they were shooting Sigs. Shoot it left handed or move your thumb out of the way because I'd be willing to guarantee that you're riding the slide stop.

 

[AK103K]

And those guys would have exactly the same problem you're having if they were shooting Sigs.

Yup. And even when you "think" your not doing it, you still do, unless you adapt your grip.

You can still shoot thumbs forward with the SIG's, you just need to modify your grip slightly, and all will be well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

here's a picture of the proper grip on a Sig. note that the right thumb is riding atop to base of the left thumb...it's actually the same grip as the 2nd shooter, from the right, in your picture



this is the correct stance...courtesy of IPSC Grandmaster Bruce Gray

 

[bradc]

9mmepiphy, nice looking X5. Did Bruce do any work on it?

I had the exact problem with my Sig not locking back. Moved my thumb, problem solved.

 

[9mmepiphany]

thanks it isn't mine. it has the Grayguns Lightening package...look at the dust cover, hammer and rear sight...as well as complete action tune for competition

it swings alot nicer and you know that any miss is your fault

 

[1911user]

The slide stop location is one of the main reasons I sold my 226. It was too easy to accidentally hold the slide stop down.

 

[JDGray]

Riding the slid stop, just like I did at firstI like them super thin controles on Glocks and Sigs, but the Sigs give me fits. Nice for a flat holster, however.

 

[woodfiend]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. I do think now that it is me. Thanks.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I rode the slide stop at first, too. It's pretty common, though, so don't feel bad. It's simply a training issue.

 

[usp_fan]

These guys have nailed it for you. When I saw the thread title, I said "riding the stop". I do it about 1/2 the time with my 220. It depends what I've been shooting just before.

 

[SubSolar]

It's definitely because of riding the slide release, I do this also because of my high hand hold. This is a common issue with Sigs and someone asks this question every week at sigforum.com. I need to correct it though, if I want to start doing IDPA or something. Problem is, I can only get the slide to lock back if my right thumb is like hanging out in the air.

 

[crebralfix]

Doesn't really matter. It's really just for administrative use.

If you train yourself to take certain actions when you get "CLICK" instead of the expected "BANG", then it won't matter. The reason is that the goal is to get the gun into the FIGHT. Therefore, you need to get a round into the chamber ASAP. This is done by reloading the gun. Don't waste time "diagnosing" the problem...clear the gun and get a new magazine into it.

Again, the slide release is for administrative use. Administrative use includes certain competitions that require an open slide. In such instances, you'll have the time to manipulate it--there won't be bullets coming your way.

 

[Rexster]

I shoot my SIGs with the shooting-hand thumb tucked down, the same as I do with DA sixguns. I do shoot 1911 pistols with both thumbs pointed at the target. Don't do what is "tactically correct" if it is non-functional.

 

[porterdog]

This issue is 'stickied' (sticky'd? stickyed? whatever....) at the SigForum:

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/150601935/m/749101723

 

[9mmepiphany]

I shoot my SIGs with the shooting-hand thumb tucked down

while alot of our students do come to classes with this grip, be aware that you are compromising you're grip pressure efficiency

 

[AK103K]

I've shot thumbs up, thumbs down, thumbs forward, and never really noticed a whole lot of difference, if any between them from an accuracy standpoint. Then again, I'm not a tournament level target shooter worried about splitting a point here or there. Good solid hits where I was looking when the gun went off makes me happy. The groups dont have to be ragged holes, and I really dont think that that is necessarily a good thing, unless your trying to do so on a target range where it is important. For a little while now, I've been shooting with a thumbs forward grip to see if its all its hyped up to be, and so far, nothing glaring has occurred.

The biggest difference I've seen between the up and down is when the second hand is removed. With the down, your grip is the same (with or without the second hand) and stronger than if its up and breaking the grip. You also have a better grip on the gun from a retention standpoint.

In the real world, there are no alibis or do overs and the results arent counted in points. I would think if you shoot reasonably well with a thumbs down grip, the benifit of the gun working properly outweighs the slight difference you might gain otherwise.