Failure to feed

[Michigunner]

My Sig P239 9mm has only fired 32 rounds of Federal 124 gr Hydra-Shok.

I decided to carry it to break in my new holster, and use as a backup for the R9S.     It was mostly just to get used to having the P239 loaded.  It was not a "serious" carry.

Well, guess what?  I couldn't get the first round to load.  After about 5 tries, I switched to Golden Saber and finally got it in OK.

Next week, I'll put 200 rounds through it to reach a level of confidence.  I should not have assumed that Sigs never fail.

It looks like all pistols are subject to problems.  Darn!

[R9SCarry]

Bill - indeed almost any semi can have its probs.

I am interested tho to know the nature of that feed trouble.  

[size=13]I couldn't get the first round to load.[/size]

Can you describe what went on?  Would round come out of mag?  Was it failing to chamber, or go into battery?  Just trying to visualize out of interest' sake.

[MountainMan]

Went to a gun store today to play with some Sigs and 1911s.

The R9s does have me spoiled - they seems so large - even the Sig 239 and Kimber Ultra Carrys.  I thought the Sig 239 would be smaller than 229 but doesn't seem the case.

[Michigunner]

Chris,

It barely came up from the magazine, and seemed to be rather level.  It was not anywhere near starting up the feed ramp.

Dave,

I'm lucky.  The P239 still seems small.  Of course, the HK USP .45 seems very large.  

[R9SCarry]

Hmmm - so Bill - when the feed process stopped what was the situation?  Slide ''jammed'' back and not able to go further forward?

If not as far as feed ramp for the round, then what happened if slide ''assisted'' fwd by hand pressure?  Or - any effect from ''sling-shotting"?

Strange indeed and sounding like a mag' issue in some ways.  Intriguing in fact so far!

[Michigunner]

Chris,

The slide would not move forward.  I turned the pistol upside down, and pulled the slide back, and eventually the round fell out.

I thought it was the round, or else the magazine.  I have been cursed with Hydra-Shoks and in the past have had a specific round that that would not feed in any 9mm.

I'm going to concentrate on Golden Saber, Gold Dot, or Ranger LEO.

My Sig P239 barrel did receive the hard chrome treatment from Tripp Research.  I noticed that Teddy Jacobson recommended against doing the barrel, but too late for me.

I'll shoot 150 each of Golden Saber and Gold Dot next week.  If everything is flawless, it will go into service as a backup for my R9S.  

Bill

[Michigunner]

I'm so glad you recommended belt holsters to me.  I've been using my 55Bn with great success.

At 3 o'clock it sits right under the arm and I feel very secure about concealment.

It is immensely more comfortable than IWB.

I feel a little dorky having a shirt out, but that is very common these days.  Guess everybody is carrying.  

[MountainMan]

Bill - how about a picture of that Sig and holster?

[Michigunner]

Here it is.  I'm so sorry that the sun is going down, and the flash came on.  The hard chrome looks washed out, but it really is a nice satin.

[MountainMan]

Looks nice Bill - thanks!

Yesterday I looked at a SIG P239 SAS at a gun shop - the anti snag model.  Had wooden grips - don't know if I liked them as much as yours.

Is your frame alloy - I realize it is chromed.  

[Michigunner]

Dave,

The frame is aluminum alloy.  Some metal finishers will not try to put hard chrome on aluminum.

Tripp Research put a polymer coating on the frame, and it is called Cobra Coat, I think.

The slide is hard chrome.

My big question about the snag-proof P239 you spoke about:  I don't know where the decocker is.

I probably should have left my pistol black, and it would be more stealhy in the black holster.

[MountainMan]

The article I have on the P239 SAS says there is no decocker - since I am a novice on SIGS I don't know if this is good or not.

[Michigunner]

I guess it does not have a single action mode.

I've been wanting to get an HK USP .45 compact.  And almost ordered the other day.

Then, I realized that HK has a new model called HK45, which some people believe might become the next Army pistol.

My full size HK .45 can be carried "cocked and locked", but right now I don't have the courage to do it.

[MountainMan]

Bill - you're right it is double action - some type of DAK system I believe they call it.  The first shot is a long pull double action and the rest are shorter pull double actions.  Time to log off - have a good night.

[R9SCarry]

Bill - great to see the pics thx.  Tidy gun that.

Thx too for the further description - well sure sounds like a very significant prob and hope indeed that other ammo will be better, plus more break-in time.