I have a P233 I rebuilt that feeds and functions fine by hand. It even functions fine with live ammo EXCEPT it doesn’t want to reliably lock open when empty.

I triple checked the spring is installed properly and is is good shape. Maybe it needs a fresh spring and/or slide lock open?

This one has me scratching my head as I can’t discern any damage compared to my LNIB copy.

Any ideas?

Try the magazine from your LNIB example and see what you get. If that one works correctly, you need a new magazine spring.

Follow P220 Smudge's advice or take your mag spring and pull from both ends an inch. Replace the spring and test it on the range for reliability. If the slide doesn't lock back, replace the spring.

It is definitely the spring.
The pistol was stored in the case since new so the magazine in the pistol had its spring set.

Matrix Precision should manufacture replacement P230/232 springs. They are unobtanium and need to be on top shape for a direct blowback pistol.

Have you checked Wolff Springs ?

Good luck with resolution.

There may be some useful information in the pinned thread in this section, "Why won't my slide lock back after last shot fired?"

Wolff has been extra long non-finished springs meant to be fit by a gunsmith.

Springs are made to average dimensions for a particular caliber and have extra coils for fitting to most magazines of that caliber. Designed to replace broken or weakened springs


Hopefully I will have enough material between the magazine being 7 vs 8 rounds and the design of the spring retaining the base plate.

I was hoping a Walther PP or Bersa Thunderer would be good candidates for donors if this doesn’t work out.

There’s definitely a market for new P230/P232 magazine springs. Hopefully Matrix makes them because even if this works I wouldn’t be comfortable carrying it.