Is there any fix to the slide rattle on P239's?

I love the pistol, but hate the rattle.

Some have it, some don't. I had six P239 pistols at one time, three da-sa and three DAK. All calibers represented. Two rattled. Nothing significant about their production dates compared to the others.

The "rattle" didn't bother me...but I quit shaking the pistols just to hear it. The two functioned just fine. You might try using grease if you're currently using oil.

My Gen 2 SAS is exceptionally loose. Still runs flawlessly and seems to maintain accuracy. I am thinking about sending it to the Sig Armorer for a Carry Action upgrade, but thought I would ask the forum here if there was a rattle fix first, because it bothers me more than the trigger.

As long as there is no play between the slide and barrel, don’t sweat it; accuracy won’t be affected. Agree on grease vs. oil, if you’re not already using it.

quote:

Originally posted by burnetma:
Is there any fix to the slide rattle on P239's?

No.
Well ..., maybe not.
Years ago I asked Grayguns if they could tighten up the slide of a P229. The answer was perhaps yes, but perhaps the process would destroy the slide.

Slide "rattle" on semi-auto pistols is usually a psychological issue rather than a mechanical issue.

If it REALLY bothers the shooter, slides can be tightened to more closely fit the frame rails. Old-time gunsmiths used to do this on bullseye .45's, and later on other competition pistols used in IPSC. It added to the perception that the highly modified pistol ($$$) had been made as intrinsically accurate as humanly possible.

According to Bill Wilson's 1988 book "The Combat .45 Automatic", slide tightness contributes to about a 5% intrinsic accuracy improvement. In other words, poop. Thus, a 2" group at 25-yards would be one-tenth of an inch smaller with the 5% "improvement". Given Sigfreund's post re GrayGuns advice, there is a risk involved depending on the specific slide characteristics and the degree of tightening involved.

If a shooter finds the "rattle" severely unacceptable or aesthetically displeasing, either buy a different pistol that doesn't rattle or have the slide tightened. It's a free country. Don't, however, expect any meaningful improvement in intrinsic accuracy.

I wonder if you could experiment and find the thickest grease that would still allow the pistol to function reliably

And if that grease would then also calm the rattle just a bit....

Slide glide comes in three thicknesses I think.

Edited to add: just went to slide glide website and it says "heavy" (thickest version) is for slides that are looser...(and hot weather). Worth a try.

Yes, this is simply a personal preference fit & finish issue for me. Perceived quality, if you will. Not looking for accuracy improvement.

Thank you all for the input. Not sure what I might do at this point. I have tolerated it for 6+ years and I have no desire to part ways with this pistol.

Shake maracas, not pistols.

quote:

Originally posted by kz1000:
Shake maracas, not pistols.

I just cannot control myself.

I could play in a band with my oldest 239 (50K rounds). It has not made any difference to its accuracy or usability. Enjoy the best of the last metal single stacks.

I have one that sounds like a baby rattle, it still blows out the center of the bullseye if I do my part.

quote:

Originally posted by burnetma:
Yes, this is simply a personal preference fit & finish issue for me. Perceived quality, if you will. Not looking for accuracy improvement.

Thank you all for the input. Not sure what I might do at this point. I have tolerated it for 6+ years and I have no desire to part ways with this pistol.

It's a service pistol, it is loose so that it functions in a variety of real world conditions. It is not a bullseye pistol where having a super tight slide fit would benefit you enough to worry about it.

People freak out about their pistols rattling similar to those who freak out about their AR15 upper-lower flopping.

Hmmm. In the words of the Immortal Philosopher: "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

I had a P225A that rattled like a spray can and ran across a recommendation for Eno's slide glide. It is a high temp thick grease that worked wonders. You can order it from Amazon. It is a small tub but it lasts a long time. Give it a try - it won't rattle after that.