SIGforum
P220 cannot lock slide to the rear

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https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/4760034284

June 03, 2021, 09:19 PM
billinaz
P220 cannot lock slide to the rear
I got everything together and at the last step.... I cannot get the slide to lock to the rear. I cannot get it to go back the last 1/4 inch to be able to push up the slide lock.

Removing the barrel, guide rod and spring it goes all the way back.

Anyone have this happen?



June 03, 2021, 10:20 PM
azmercedes
First thought is the locking block isn’t perfectly in position. It can make you crazy. Had that first time I took a 229 apart. Looked right but wasn’t just right. Took it out and refitted it. About the third time it went down that tiny extra and bingo. My 2 cents.
June 03, 2021, 10:32 PM
357p239
I'm no expert but I thimk the recoil spring is not serted against the barrel correctly.
June 03, 2021, 11:00 PM
billinaz
quote:
Originally posted by azmercedes:
First thought is the locking block isn’t perfectly in position. It can make you crazy. Had that first time I took a 229 apart. Looked right but wasn’t just right. Took it out and refitted it. About the third time it went down that tiny extra and bingo. My 2 cents.


It took me several tries to get it to drop in!

It seems like it's in there. Being that without the barrel and spring the slide goes all the way back could that be the case?
June 03, 2021, 11:31 PM
45ProCarry
What did you take apart? What did you do to the pistol? Can we get a top view pic of the frame with the slide off and a bottom view pic of the slide off?
June 03, 2021, 11:37 PM
12131
The recently NP3 refinished slide could be the culprit. A tiny bit overplating, especially where the slide and barrel hood lock up, will result in such a problem.


Q






June 03, 2021, 11:42 PM
billinaz
quote:
Originally posted by 45ProCarry:
What did you take apart? What did you do to the pistol? Can we get a top view pic of the frame with the slide off and a bottom view pic of the slide off?




This message has been edited. Last edited by: billinaz,
June 03, 2021, 11:44 PM
billinaz
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
The recently NP3 refinished slide could be the culprit. A tiny bit overplating, especially where the slide and barrel hood lock up, will result in such a problem.


First time it has happened in all my NP3 guns...

It does easily slide back without the barrel and spring though.
June 03, 2021, 11:57 PM
12131
quote:
Originally posted by billinaz:
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
The recently NP3 refinished slide could be the culprit. A tiny bit overplating, especially where the slide and barrel hood lock up, will result in such a problem.


First time it has happened in all my NP3 guns...

It does easily slide back without the barrel and spring though.

Which makes my case. I had a P228 that SIG NH re-Nickel plated the slide several years ago. It came back with the exact same problem. Nothing changed on the gun, except the slide refinishing. I stupidly ended up bubbasmithing it. It finally went in, but the smithing job, if you can call it that, was an embarrassment. I had SIG do 2 other slides for me in Nickel and had no problems with reassembly, but that one time was definitely an overzealous plating job. Moral of the story is, just because it didn't happen to you before doesn't mean it won't happen. It can, and it will.


Q






June 04, 2021, 12:48 AM
billinaz
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
quote:
Originally posted by billinaz:
quote:
Originally posted by 12131:
The recently NP3 refinished slide could be the culprit. A tiny bit overplating, especially where the slide and barrel hood lock up, will result in such a problem.


First time it has happened in all my NP3 guns...

It does easily slide back without the barrel and spring though.

Which makes my case. I had a P228 that SIG NH re-Nickel plated the slide several years ago. It came back with the exact same problem. Nothing changed on the gun, except the slide refinishing. I stupidly ended up bubbasmithing it. It finally went in, but the smithing job, if you can call it that, was an embarrassment. I had SIG do 2 other slides for me in Nickel and had no problems with reassembly, but that one time was definitely an overzealous plating job. Moral of the story is, just because it didn't happen to you before doesn't mean it won't happen. It can, and it will.


So what was the solution?
June 04, 2021, 12:49 AM
billinaz
I just tried again.  Without barrel, guide rod, and spring the slide smoothly goes to the rear.


Just putting in barrel (holding gun upside down) it unlocks as I pull slide back, the barrel tilts and then stops when it hits the locking block.


I put my finger in the breech end of the barrel and it's solid and does not move.



The slide stops in the same place, about 1/4 inch before I can push the slide lock into the detent.
June 04, 2021, 01:39 AM
12131
quote:
Originally posted by billinaz:
So what was the solution?

With mine, I decided to file off a little the part of the slide where the slide-barrel hood lock up takes place and the undersurface of the barrel feedramp lug where it got caught by the locking insert. Like I said, an embarrassing bubbasmith job. Roll Eyes In retrospect, should have contacted SIG and let them fix it, but I was impatient and wanted the damn thing fixed right then. Mad

With yours, bring it back to them (CTI), this time, I recommend the whole gun. They overplated it, they can redo it. This time with the whole gun, there's not a chance it will leave them with the same issue. I don't recommend doing it like I did.


Q






June 04, 2021, 04:17 AM
lewk
Decock the hammer and pull slide back
June 04, 2021, 09:00 AM
billinaz
quote:
Originally posted by lewk:
Decock the hammer and pull slide back


I tried that....no go.
June 04, 2021, 09:22 AM
bigpond73
I am no expert, so with that being said......

What trigger is that? It does not appear to be a standard, or short P series trigger. It could be the photo, but, it almost looks like the trigger is touching the trigger guard. Do you have another trigger to put in and see if that solves the problem?


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
June 04, 2021, 09:42 AM
billinaz
quote:
Originally posted by bigpond73:
I am no expert, so with that being said......

What trigger is that? It does not appear to be a standard, or short P series trigger. It could be the photo, but, it almost looks like the trigger is touching the trigger guard. Do you have another trigger to put in and see if that solves the problem?


It's a standard Sig trigger, just rounded and polished.
June 04, 2021, 11:50 AM
cyberiad
I just looked ay my P229 (I don't have a P220) and back edge of the locking block seems like it's a bit closer to the mag well opening than yours appears to be. If this is the problem I had a P226 like this, maybe this is possible with all the classic series, I don't know. I could actually install the locking block all the way down to the frame but in fact it was too far forward.

I would remove the locking block and reinstall it and try to get it to seat further back if possible.
June 04, 2021, 03:45 PM
billinaz
Well, the slide is getting stripped and refinished. IF there is a thickness issue, that should take care of it.

I originally put the Night Fision suppressor sights on but I didnt like the amount of fitting required and it just didnt look right. I ordered Trijicon sights to put on instead. Looks like they will slide right on (I have a sight pusher) with no fitting required.