New Sig P220 45 Elite FTF with rounds stuck in front of extractor

[Bullets n BBQ]

Hello all,

I just experienced some failures to feed with my new P220, and I was wondering if anyone here has any insights with this type of malfunction.

Before the first range session I did some light cleaning, added some lube and took it to the range: 0 malfunctions, 250 rounds of Speer Lawman 230gr FMJ.

I cleaned, lubed, and swapped out the factory E2 grips for some Hogue Rubber grips.

On my second outing to the range, I had 3 malfunctions out of 150 rounds of Speer Lawman 230gr FMJ.

All the malfunctions were the same, the rounds got in front of the extractor and caused a jam (photo attached). In two cases, it was the 2nd to last round, and in one case it was the last round. Two of these failures happened with Armscor ACT-MAG's, and one happened with a Sig factory magazine.


Any thoughts on this? Usually if a new gun malfunctions for me it happens during the first range session, and smooths out over time as it breaks in. Since the grips are the only thing I changed, I wonder if that could be the cause, but I have no idea how they would cause this. I may have put a generous amount of grease on the rails, are Sig's very sensitive to over-lubing?

[Leroy]

Grip screws interfering with the magazine

Grip interfering with mag catch messing with the mag

Grip interfering with slide lock lever

I have big hands and like the P220 E2 grip but the Hogue G10 checkered are slighty better.

How do you like the elite frame? Have you carried AIWB with it?

I would put the E2 grip back on and see if it fixes it.

[Bullets n BBQ]

Grip screws interfering with the magazine

Grip interfering with mag catch messing with the mag

Grip interfering with slide lock lever

I have big hands and like the P220 E2 grip but the Hogue G10 checkered are slighty better.

How do you like the elite frame? Have you carried AIWB with it?

I would put the E2 grip back on and see if it fixes it.

Hey Leroy! Thanks for your thoughts on this.

I followed the advice on Hogue's site and made sure the grip screws don't go in too far by using some Sig lock-washers. I don't see any interference with the mag catch either, but it does seem to contact the slide release lever so maybe you're onto something there. I think the slide release doubles as an ejector with this design.

I was really hoping the grips aren't the cause because they feel a lot better to me and I shot better with them! I thought these rubber Hogues are commonly used on these Sigs, but maybe mine are out of spec. There's no denying grips are the only thing I changed before this malfunction appeared. I'll keep testing and see if the problem disappears if I switch the grips back.

I like the frame a lot! My only comparison for a similar sized single stack .45 is a 1911, and I can shoot this P220 better than I can shoot any 1911, it fits my hand better and I like that there aren't any safety edges I need to wrap my thumb around/over. I haven't carried it yet - I don't really bother buying holsters and stuff until I'm sure a new gun is running reliably

[Leroy]

I think I tried the rubber grips before and it interfered with the slide lock so I ditched them before shooting.

I agree on the P220 grip vs a 1911.