[wbnash]

I purchased a Sig 9mm conversion kit for my 9mm 226 Legion to have the slide milled for an RMR. I wanted to keep the Legion slide intact with the X Ray sights.

Tried it all today with complete conversion kit assembly (slide, barrel, spring, etc.).

Rounds ejected sort of straight up and the slide would not lock back.

I am calling Sig CS tomorrow, but any ideas from you folks out there on this...

Thanks in advance for any help and information.

 

[Sig Texas]

I have a 9mm conversion kit for a standard 226 (new, 6 months ago) . 1,000 rounds without a hiccup.

I assume the Legion frame would be different however.

 

[GoneBallisticInAlabama]

There should be no operational difference between two modern P226 frames as far as a conversion kit is concerned.

Would need more information about the kit with pics.

 

[Willard]

I'm assuming, when you replaced the original slide, it would lock back. If not, I'd say weak magazine spring.
The opposite could be said of the ejection, of the new slide assembly, with a new recoil spring. With a stiffer recoil spring, it could also influence your slide locking open after the last round, if the slide doesn't travel far enough to the rear for the stop to engage the notch in the slide.
Try the new slide with the old recoil spring assembly, and be sure to grease the rails well, to alleviate that as a problem.

 

[wbnash]

I'm assuming, when you replaced the original slide, it would lock back. If not, I'd say weak magazine spring.
The opposite could be said of the ejection, of the new slide assembly, with a new recoil spring. With a stiffer recoil spring, it could also influence your slide locking open after the last round, if the slide doesn't travel far enough to the rear for the stop to engage the notch in the slide.
Try the new slide with the old recoil spring assembly, and be sure to grease the rails well, to alleviate that as a problem.

Same mags worked w/o any similar issues with the Legion slide on. I will swap out the recoil spring assemblies and see if the issue duplicates or not.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[wbnash]

I called Sig CS and they had no answers, but suggested I swap the recoil springs around. I did that today.

Put the non-milled Legion slide rod and spring in the conversion kit slide and the same problems persisted. Put the conversion kit rod and spring in the non-milled Legion slide and it worked fine.

Has me puzzled.

Mark Housel did the milling and mounting of the RMR (great work) and I have reached out to him.

 

[Pete K]

Since the optic weighs more than the metal removed to mount it, heavier slide assembly probably needs more spring.
Or would it be less spring?
****. Too early to think this through.

 

[wbnash]

Since the optic weighs more than the metal removed to mount it, heavier slide assembly probably needs more spring.
Or would it be less spring?
****. Too early to think this through.

Mark has done a lot of these and there was no issue with spring changes or function. It may have been an issue with the conversion assemble (I did not try it before the milling). Mark suggested trying some things to try to figure it all out...

 

[Willard]

I initially didn't realize this was with an optic attached, I thought it was a conversion slide you were "going" to have milled.
First without barrel and recoil spring assembly, check to see that it moves effortlessly along the frame rails, after using a little grease.
If no problems found, add the barrel and recoil spring, and work the slide by hand, feeling for any resistance. If everything feels alright proceed to the next step.
I'd suggest removing the optic, and seeing if the problem still exists, by firing a few rounds. As Pete K. mentioned with the optic attached, the slide will weigh more, so a reduced power recoil spring would possibly be necessary. Factory for the 9mm is listed by Wolff at 15#.
If it works without malfunction with the sight removed, it sounds like a need for Wolff Gunsprings... @ www.gunsprings.com I'd suggest their reduced power variable recoil calibration pack, stock #13179. It has 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 # variable weight springs. Start with the 14#, and work your way down, until you have no malfunctions.

 

[wbnash]

I initially didn't realize this was with an optic attached, I thought it was a conversion slide you were "going" to have milled.
First without barrel and recoil spring assembly, check to see that it moves effortlessly along the frame rails, after using a little grease.
If no problems found, add the barrel and recoil spring, and work the slide by hand, feeling for any resistance. If everything feels alright proceed to the next step.
I'd suggest removing the optic, and seeing if the problem still exists, by firing a few rounds. As Pete K. mentioned with the optic attached, the slide will weigh more, so a reduced power recoil spring would possibly be necessary. Factory for the 9mm is listed by Wolff at 15#.
If it works without malfunction with the sight removed, it sounds like a need for Wolff Gunsprings... @ www.gunsprings.com I'd suggest their reduced power variable recoil calibration pack, stock #13179. It has 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 # variable weight springs. Start with the 14#, and work your way down, until you have no malfunctions.

First without barrel and recoil spring assembly, check to see that it moves effortlessly along the frame rails, after using a little grease.

No issue with either. Both slides move the same.

If no problems found, add the barrel and recoil spring, and work the slide by hand, feeling for any resistance. If everything feels alright proceed to the next step.

No resistance except at the end of the rearward motion (very slight) and it is the same for the stock Legion slide (non-milled).

I'll try some hot ammo next trip. If it works then, your idea of a weaker spring may be the answer.

Thanks!

 

[wbnash]

Hotter ammo made the issue with my milled slide go away.

Mark at L&M (who did the milling and mounting of the RMR) has not had this issue with the prior 226 jobs he has done.

Maybe this new slide is still a little tight.

All good now.

 

[wbnash]

Pushed still more hotter ammo through my new slide on the 226 and then tried the lower power ammo again. Worked just fine.

Apparently the slide was just enough snug when new that when combined with the added weight of the RMR, it would not lock back.

All good now. Thanks to you all for the guidance...and to Mark Housel at L&M for advice as well.

 

[Willard]

Glad it worked itself out!

 

[GoneBallisticInAlabama]

A little tight and a little extra mass. Makes sense.

Glad she is running now. Congrats!