Need some help from fellow sig owners..

[Newbie 9mm]

Ok. I have a 226ST in .40. Shoots great, but I noticed that the recoil spring seems really stiff, even after 500 rounds thru the gun. It feels almost as heavy as the one on my Kimber 4" .45. I noticed that when I field stripped the gun, the recoil spring seems to stick and bind onto the recoil spring guide rod, even when its lubed. And when I re-assemble the gun, the slide doesn't want to go all the way to the rear. I have to push it the last 3/16" or so. Could you guys measure the length and width of your 226 recoil spring guides, and one from a 220?? I am wondering if I got a different recoil spring rod or the wrong spring. Just doesn't seem the same as some of the other ones I handled at the store. Thanks, guys!

[fnfalman]

I don't have the gun in that model, but it does sound like the wrong recoil spring and/or guide rod was installed in that gun.

[Newbie 9mm]

Ok, I just checked my P239 in .40 and SP2009, you do have to bring the slide back slightly to get it even when you lock it up, the spring is under some tension. But the 239 spring feels so much lighter, and its a shorter barrel, so the spring should be heavier. I am working on relubing and cycling the gun to see if I can get the spring to stop binding. I measured the guide rod, its 3.285" long by .31" diameter. Does this sound right? Maybe I just gotta smooth out the finish on it more?

[idahoglocker]

I have a 226 in 4o as well. my spring seems to be exactly the same length as yours. I have never thought of this as a problem, and am not sure what you mean by "binding".

[Newbie 9mm]

The recoil spring is binding on the recoil spring guide rod. I can feel it grating and dragging on the guide rod. Also, it is very difficult to remove the spring from the guide rod, even when lubed. the spring length may not be the issue, but the weight feels much heavier than other ones I have seen. The spring is approx 4.5" long, .44" outside diam, .315 inside dia. I am wondering if I got a recoil spring from a 220?? or maybe the guide rod from the 220? It doesn't seem like the other ones I handled in the store. the recoil spring seems much heavier and sometimes feels like its sticking on the guide rod.

[idahoglocker]

I have 4 226's (2 9mm, 1 40, and 1 40 st), and a 220 ST, and ALL of my recoil springs are very difficult to remove from the guide rod. But I really don't see that as a problem for me. They clean up easy enough without removing them from the guide rod.

[Newbie 9mm]

Ok. That makes me feel a little better that the springs are normally tight on the guide rod. The 239 and 2009 have the flat springs, not the multi coil spring, so that may be why it is tight. I have been cycling it a lot lately, and it seems to have gotten slightly lighter. I cycle a lot, pull the spring off, clean the rod, relube and repeat a few times. Maybe it just takes a while to get it "broken in". This gun has been pretty tight, I have detailed stripped, cleaned and lubed a few times to help with the trigger pull, maybe it just needs more shooting :) No malfunctions, mags are locking back, it just seemed a few pounds heavier than the other ones I tried in the store, more like the recoil spring from a .45.

[ThreadKiller]

I'm sure you've already covered this, but the stock Sig spring is smaller on one end than the other. Obviously the smaller diameter end needs to be put on the guide rod first.

Tim

[fnfalman]

And the springs do scrape against the guide rod. That happens on all guns and not just SIGs.

[Newbie 9mm]

Yes, I know the springs are smaller on one end. And yes, the springs do scrape on the guide rod, but most springs generally don't get stuck in the compressed position on the guide rods. And most springs you can remove from the guide rod fairly easily. I shot another 400 rounds thru it yesterday and that helped to smooth things up nicely, its not sticking and binding anymore. Thanks for the help.