Was not a good day for .45 ACP. 

 

First, the 1911 was being finnicky. It has actually been finnicky since my dad inherited it. It is a 1978 IIRC Colt Series '70, that has been fired a lot but taken care of. Has issues going into battery, as rounds were getting hung up going into the chamber on occasion. Gun has a new extractor and Wolff spring. There are big dents on the brass at the neck from the extractor but it always ejects well. It has the original finger collet with an Ed Brown barrel. Suggestions?

 

 

 

Secondly, my dads new Sig 220 Stainless Elite Carry had a mild kaboom. Shooting WWB FMJ in both guns. Seems to be undamaged except for the grips. This was the first time the gun was fired, made it maybe 100 rounds. Will be calling Sig tomorrow. 

 

 

 

Wow.. glad no one got hurt. Kaboom with factory ammo...yikes!

Keep that ammo separate and I would not shoot it. It may need to be looked at.

Yes, keep that ammo separate as Sig might want to see it.

 

On the 1911 issue, is the round making it UNDER the extractor? I don't have enough information from those pictures, but my first guess is that the rim of the case is being pushed BY the extractor instead of rising up under the extractor and against the breach face. If that is the case the bullet will be "ahead" of where it needs to be and can get hung up.

 

Usually that requires a bit of extractor tuning. Was the new extractor correctly fitted or was just thrown into the gun.

 

The other major possibility is that the ammo is seriously out of spec and not fitting into the chambers correctly and then the sig fired out of battery. From the picture I don't see any bulging of slide or barrel and by the direction of the blast into the guts of the gun I am GUESSING that that round was fired out of battery. I didn't know Sigs could do that, but there are always margins where crap happens. 

If it is the same ammo that went kaboom.....well that might be your answer.

 

Reloads? Remanufactured?

Winchester White Box...

 

That sig looks very dirty for "maybe 100 rounds" ...at any rate how old is WWB? There were some issues with WWB a while back, its possible it can be out of spec. Google searches bring a lot of issues with 9mm...could be having quality issues going on with your .45...I'd contact Winchester as well.

I personally think the Sig fired out of battery. I'm no expert on exploding guns, but every explosion I have seen online tends to have catastrophic metal failure. An OOB firing would leave hot gas outside the chamber, and splitting wood on the grain isn't that hard to do.

 

Also, unlike JMBs finest, I can drop the hammer with the slide still needing 1/8" on travel.

 

Also, as a disclaimer, I do have several threads up asking questions about reloading. I have yet to throw any powder and I will say this was factory ammo.

 

As for the 1911,my dad installed the extractor. He isn't a schmuck but isn't a 1911-smith at the same time. It probably needs tuning.

Update: it is going back to Sig, but they're making my dad pay for shipping! WTF sig?

+1 on the extractor in your 1911. Extractors aren't drop-in parts on these guns. Are you sure the dents are from the extractor? IIRC dents are often from hitting the slide on the way out, which is another symptom of a mis-tuned extractor

 

1911s are also very picky about magazines, if you can borrow someone else's mags (preferrably a different manufacturer) see if they work better

Was not a good day for .45 ACP. 

 

First, the 1911 was being finnicky. It has actually been finnicky since my dad inherited it. It is a 1978 IIRC Colt Series '70, that has been fired a lot but taken care of. Has issues going into battery, as rounds were getting hung up going into the chamber on occasion. Gun has a new extractor and Wolff spring. There are big dents on the brass at the neck from the extractor but it always ejects well. It has the original finger collet with an Ed Brown barrel. Suggestions?

 

 

 

Secondly, my dads new Sig 220 Stainless Elite Carry had a mild kaboom. Shooting WWB FMJ in both guns. Seems to be undamaged except for the grips. This was the first time the gun was fired, made it maybe 100 rounds. Will be calling Sig tomorrow. 

 

 

Wow that is crazy!!!! I hope no one was hurt.

Sig-Sauer has pretty disappointing customer service. 

 

The rep told my dad "it sounds like a ammo issue" and that they would do a safety check on the gun at his expense. I'm sorry, but your gun fired out of battery. If it was under a year old they would cover it, this gun was bought in July of 2013 and fired for the first time 14 months later. 

 

I sent them an email because I think that is rather poor customer service. Hell, Taurus does a better job. Unfortunately, I can't get a direct email address. Anyone have a better one?

302W - 

 

You need to check your thread on the Sig Forum. You are missing a golden opportunity by not doing so. Bruce Gray is reaching out to you to mentor your approach to resolving this problem, whether it be with Sig or Winchester (I'm guessing the latter). There is no finer person than Bruce to help you resolve your problem. I suggest you contact him ASAP at the number posted in the Sig thread.

 

Good luck.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

I agree with PB. Bruce Gray is an awesome guy and has helped me in the past.

My Colt had the same problem when I bought it around '78 too. The ramp needed to be polished up and worked fine since. Sounds like the same prob. Generally 70's from that era were very reliable.

 

PS: Mine eats stuff in any mags and I got many. Never a prob so don't see how they are finicky...

Absolutely, call him Bruce.

Sig-Sauer has pretty disappointing customer service. 

 

The rep told my dad "it sounds like a ammo issue" and that they would do a safety check on the gun at his expense. I'm sorry, but your gun fired out of battery. If it was under a year old they would cover it, this gun was bought in July of 2013 and fired for the first time 14 months later. 

 

 

I've learned my lesson with new items and not using them within the warranty period. I've had machinery accessories I bought new but due to time and lack of effort weren't used (or checked for fit) until after their warranty (usually 1 year) expired. I'd call the manufacturer only to get the "it's out of the warranty window so you need to pay for shipping and any work required" response. Lesson learned. Now when I buy something I make the effort to at least check the item(s) for proper fit or that it actually works as intended within the warranty window. I feel your pain but I don't think SIG is out of line. I would contact this Bruce guy these guys here are referencing and see what happens. Good luck.

Jesus, this blew up. No pun intended. 

 

Like I said at the Sig Forum, this isn't my gun so I am making my dad take care of it. Plus, I really managed to kick up a hornets nest over there when I was just looking for a source at Sig-Sauer to contact. 

 

I knew I liked rifles more for some reason 

No blow-up, just have your dad contact Bruce Gray. Easy-peasy.

No blow-up, just have your dad contact Bruce Gray. Easy-peasy.

Not here, I just meant that it reached five pages quickly over there. A lot more responses overall than I expected.

302

I read your post when it first went up. Was away at the time. Lets see if I can help

first you say the 220 was bought new. New as in first owner or new as in A red box, that would tell me its A CPO.

If its A CPO then it comes with A 1 year warranty. If new in A Black plastic box lifetime to original purchaser.

1 thing you need to consider when calling Sig. Most of the people that answer the phones there like anywhere else drink the KoolAid and dont over much assistance.  At times you need to cut the call hangup and just calll back you will get someone else.

You say its going back to Sig have you sent it yet?

If not call Sig on monday   ask for Kyle   request A shipping label and send it in that way.  Thats if it A new gun and not reconditioned(CPO red box.)

 

You will get nowhere with Sig CS if the calls starts off with, My Dads damn new gun blew up.  Not being harse just A fact.

With this situation I have known Sig to even take care of CPOs that were older.

I can only think of truly 1 way that kaboom happened pistol related.  IMO Dirty gun which caused A stuck lock block plunger along with riding the slide forward causing a Kaboom prior to being fully chambered, Likelyhood of that Very Slim.

Another Ammo wise, Dented cartridge on round being chambered. Or light charge on round fired before the FTC. This one I feel is most likely, Especially with WWB.

 

Last thought limp wristed the gun on round that fired causing the next round not to chamber fully. Very unlikely considering the steps that have to happen for A sig to lite of a round.

Sig will work with you give them A chance

 

Last thought if you looking for good info on SIgs visit Sig  forum often. Some really good smiths on there.

Bruce Gray is A great Sig and HK smith, Yes he hangs on the Sig Forum.

He is A very busy man, so dont be surprised if it takes some trying to get him. I would work with Sig first though.

 

All my Sigs have components in them from Bruce except my SP2022, And he is working on even more components for our Classic Sigs.

Hope with all I offered that you get in touch with Sig CS and get some word.

Ok, I just went over to Sig Forum and read the full 5 pages on your post.

Basically my post up top is the same thing as the posts over there. The Guys werent blowing up they were offering help. Just like above when I said I'm not being harsh.

They offer thoughts when questions are asked. Some of us do sound harsh at times. Thats what comes from being from one of the older generation I guess, Thats what I blame it on myself. 

But   You had 2 people give you great info,

1st. Parabellum, He is the owner of the forum look at his post count, Hes been around and seen and heard A lot. He is offering help in his own way, Did you see the post where he called Sig CS?

 

2nd. Bruce Gray. He has offered to discuss this with you. I know its your Dads gun. But call Bruce!  Hes not extending that offer to say hey I'm the man! He is offering help.   Plus he is the man.(Get some damn grease!) frequent the forum and follow his posts you'll know what it means.

Give Sig another call like I said. If theres a reason for no warranty then at least it will be repaired correctly. If it is warranty they will make it right for your dad and you.

Again just hoping you get this taken care of so that Sig can be relied on like Sigs are made to be.

I appreciate your input, but like I said I'm walking away from it and leaving it for my dad.

 

I really do appreciate the bit about Kyle at Sig though. You're the first person to actually answer my question.

Sounds good.

I havent had to send any Sigs back for work, But I have had conversations with CS.  I do my own work on the ones I have. And have helped people  with theirs.

You guys will get it figured out I'm sure.

 

If I were to have any comp work done on my Sigs it would be done by Bruce Gray

Send that Sig off on A road trip, and when it comes back home , You and your Dad can take it out and shoot the snot out of it.

 

Going to be A great day today, So I'm off to shoot some sporting Clays and 5 Stand.

Feel free to hit me up with ant questions