Sig P220 Magazine question

[capo2186]

Hey guys,

I was checking out the magazines on my P220 the other day to see how they were doing (I keep them full). I noticed when poping the rounds out, some would get stuck and not slide up the magazine. This made me nervous because if my life depended on this firearm, I would only get 1 shot in some scenarios. My questions is, do you think its the springs? Should I spend $27 and get 3 springs or $90(roughly) to get new mags. I am going to try first a very thorough cleaning of the mag itself. Any recommendations here? Has anyone every had this issue before?

-Capo-

[benzuncle]

I am going to try first a very thorough cleaning of the mag itself.

My guess is that you found your solution. I've moved a lot of rounds through them and disassemble them and clean them occasionaly and have had no problems with my P220 mags. You are talking about SIG mags or Mec-Gar mags, aren't you? Not Pro-Mags. The best review I've ever seen for Pro-Mag is "I guess they are okay for the range but I wouldn't trust my life to them."

The only other reason I can think of is that the OAL is too long for the mag. I had that issue when working up some loads for another caliber. Once I corrected the OAL my "hang up" went away.

BTW: I have purchased quite a few SIG mags, new and used from Top Gun Supply and have never had a problem with any of them regardless of caliber.

[capo2186]

My guess is that you found your solution. I've moved a lot of rounds through them and disassemble them and clean them occasionaly and have had no problems with my P220 mags. You are talking about SIG mags or Mec-Gar mags, aren't you? Not Pro-Mags. The best review I've ever seen for Pro-Mag is "I guess they are okay for the range but I wouldn't trust my life to them."

The only other reason I can think of is that the OAL is too long for the mag. I had that issue when working up some loads for another caliber. Once I corrected the OAL my "hang up" went away.

BTW: I have purchased quite a few SIG mags, new and used from Top Gun Supply and have never had a problem with any of them regardless of caliber.

Thanks for the reply! I use SIG mags. Could it be that I keep them loaded to capacity all the time and don't leave them empty? Top gun sells replacement springs so I am going to buy from them and see if that fixes it (if the cleaning doesn't). I have had these for two years now and am only running into an issue now.

Thanks,
capo

[.45acp]

Thanks for the reply! I use SIG mags. Could it be that I keep them loaded to capacity all the time and don't leave them empty? Top gun sells replacement springs so I am going to buy from them and see if that fixes it (if the cleaning doesn't). I have had these for two years now and am only running into an issue now.

Thanks,
capo

You can buy some new springs but the springs should not wear out like that. Worn springs just lose tension, they don't cause a hang up in the mag. Clean the mags, and as benzuncle suggested check to COL. I was working in South America for 8 years and had 1911 mags loaded for the entire time in the gun safe. Took em out, shot the rounds and I still carry them.

Steve

[benzuncle]

Capo, there's been a lot of discussion on various forums about leaving mags loaded or empty as to whether it compresses the springs rendering them useless. The results: It doesn't matter whether you leave them loaded or unloaded. The spring going bad comes from use not from how they are stored. I use 4 mags at the range and keep 2 loaded with 230gr Golden Sabers for SD. I do the same with my P239/357SIG. 4 are for the range and 2 are for SD.

[capo2186]

You can buy some new springs but the springs should not wear out like that. Worn springs just lose tension, they don't cause a hang up in the mag. Clean the mags, and as benzuncle suggested check to COL. I was working in South America for 8 years and had 1911 mags loaded for the entire time in the gun safe. Took em out, shot the rounds and I still carry them.

Steve

Please forgive my ignorance...whats the COL?

-Capo

[benzuncle]

COL (Cartridge Overall Length) is sometimes used the same as OAL (Overall Length). I guess technically, COL refers to the cartridge or casing only, but you get .45acp's drift. The info and thoughts he shared are spot on.

[darin]

I am thinking of buying a used Sig 220. It needs a good cleaning and there is slight slide wobbling but I have seen Sigs with this and they were fine. The spring tension seems ok and I didnt see any cracks in the slide of frame. I dont have any experience with Sig 45s. I have seen 9mm 226s go thousands of rounds without problems. Does the 220 have the same durability of the 9mm 226? Does anyone have a Sig 220 that has alot of rounds through it?

[Cocked _and_Locked]

Mine doesn't have much, maybe a 1,000 or so by now not sure. But it seems as tight and accurate as the day it was new.

[benzuncle]

Darin, if the P220 is functioning normally, my guess (and only mine) is that being a metal gun you should have no problems with buying it used. You didn't mention the asking price. One of my SIG's is used and I've had zero problems with it. My P220 Compact has about 3000 trouble free rounds through it. As none of my firearms are safe queens I don't care what they look like but rather how well they perform. I had the opportunity to fire a SIG P229/357SIG that belonged to a Sky Marshall. It had rust on the decocker, slide release and mag release. the corners were shiney from wear but that thing was a thing of beauty to fire. It cause me to buy a SIG chambered in 357. Good luck to you. Let us know...