[Stolarchos]

Just bought a brand new P938 and have noticed that whenever I attempt to seat either of the factory mags (one with extension, one without) I have difficulty. If I try to simply press the magazine in, it will not seat and I have to press it a second time for it to lock in place. My only other option is to slam the magazine in. Both methods slow my reload times. Any suggestions??

 

[ThnkFrst]

Press Harder the First Time?

Are you seating the mags with the slide closed or open? Should be easier with the slide open. New mags with stiff springs and fully loaded will take more pressure with the slide closed till things loosen up a bit.

 

[bearone2]

you'll probably have to smack it on the heel of your other hand to seat the mag.

welcome from az

 

[SheepdogIHS]

This is not really a problem. It is often experienced with new magazines hence the 'tap and rack' drill. This is practiced

by placing dummy rounds randomly in a magazine with live rounds. When the dummy round is chambered and does not fire

you 'tap' (hit the base of the magazine with the heal of your hand to ensure that it is seated properly) and then 'rack' the slide to chamber another round.

 

[Stolarchos]

Are you seating the mags with the slide closed or open? Should be easier with the slide open. New mags with stiff springs and fully loaded will take more pressure with the slide closed till things loosen up a bit.

I have been doing it with the slide closed. You think it will eventually seat without issues? I've never had this issue with any of the other pistols I've used.

 

[Cdub]

Same issue with magazine insertion

I picked up a new 938 Equinox last week and noticed the same thing. Standard 6 rd mag that came with it has to be slammed in (or mag release depressed to get the mag in. Same issue with the 2 7 rd extended mags I added. We tried the mags in other P938s at the LGS and they were all the same. Am wondering if the mag release on the brand new production coming out the door has a little sharper inferior edge that will eventually wear down with use. It does make inserting the mag more difficult than in any of my other pistols.

 

[Stolarchos]

This is not really a problem. It is often experienced with new magazines hence the 'tap and rack' drill. This is practiced

by placing dummy rounds randomly in a magazine with live rounds. When the dummy round is chambered and does not fire

you 'tap' (hit the base of the magazine with the heal of your hand to ensure that it is seated properly) and then 'rack' the slide to chamber another round.

I kind of disagree with you on this one. While I'm quite familiar with "tap, rack, bang" as far as an immediate action to deal with a ftf, I don't think you should have to do it on every magazine change. A fully functional firearm should rarely require immediate action, certainly not every time the magazine is changed. I find it tedious, at best.

 

[ThnkFrst]

I have been doing it with the slide closed. You think it will eventually seat without issues? I've never had this issue with any of the other pistols I've used.

I think that in time and with use it will get better but there will always be more pressure required to seat them with the slide closed vs open simply because the ammo/spring in the mag has to be compressed a bit when loading with the slide closed.

 

[Cdub]

Are you seating the mags with the slide closed or open? Should be easier with the slide open. New mags with stiff springs and fully loaded will take more pressure with the slide closed till things loosen up a bit.

Thnkfrst & Bearone- if it's the same issue I'm seeing, it's not a question os "seating" the mag. When inserting the mag, the leading edge of the mag stops at the base of the mag release internally. Normal pressure won't get it to slide past. Once it starts past the mag release, advancing and "seating" are not an issue. Getting the mag started past the mag release is the issue (at least with my new 938 - April build date)

 

[ThnkFrst]

Thnkfrst & Bearone- if it's the same issue I'm seeing, it's not a question os "seating" the mag. When inserting the mag, the leading edge of the mag stops at the base of the mag release internally. Normal pressure won't get it to slide past. Once it starts past the mag release, advancing and "seating" are not an issue. Getting the mag started past the mag release is the issue (at least with my new 938 - April build date)

I didn't get the sense that the OP's issue was the same as yours; I read his as "seating the mag with the slide closed".

You may be right that your issue is related to the shape of the mag catch or the stiffness of the mag catch spring. You might want to call SIG and discuss your particular problem with them to see what, if anything, can be done to resolve it.

 

[Malicious Compliance]

I kind of disagree with you on this one. While I'm quite familiar with "tap, rack, bang" as far as an immediate action to deal with a ftf, I don't think you should have to do it on every magazine change. A fully functional firearm should rarely require immediate action, certainly not every time the magazine is changed. I find it tedious, at best.

I think we all must keep in mind that this is a rather small firearm, SIG is trying to cram a whole lot of goodness into a rather tinyl space. These design challenges can lead to some tightness in various aspects of dimensional stack ups. As others have said, it should loosen up a bit as the mag spring starts breaking in.

 

[Stolarchos]

I didn't get the sense that the OP's issue was the same as yours; I read his as "seating the mag with the slide closed".

You may be right that your issue is related to the shape of the mag catch or the stiffness of the mag catch spring. You might want to call SIG and discuss your particular problem with them to see what, if anything, can be done to resolve it.

You are correct. Cdub and I seem to have different issues. My magazines do not get hung up while sliding past the mag release. I can get the magazine completely inserted, but it will not lock in place with any amount of force short of slamming it in. Interestingly, if I slide the magazine in and try to get it to seat with a regular amount of pressure, it will not seat. However, if I release pressure on the magazine, leave it in place (fully inside the mag well), and then apply the same amount of pressure a second time, it will then seat. I've never seen anything like it.

 

[ThnkFrst]

Now That's Interesting.

Interestingly, if I slide the magazine in and try to get it to seat with a regular amount of pressure, it will not seat. However, if I release pressure on the magazine, leave it in place (fully inside the mag well), and then apply the same amount of pressure a second time, it will then seat. I've never seen anything like it.

We can assume that the laws of physics apply equally to the first and second attempt to seat the mags. So what might have changed. Might the mag catch be shifting/rotating to a more favorable position? Might the column of ammo or the mag spring or both be compressing enough during the first attempt making the second attempt easier?

How about an experiment? Load up your mag to capacity and then press down firmly on the top round compressing it as far as it will go before inserting the mag in the pistol. Does this make it easier to seat the mag the first time?

 

[GoneBallisticInAlabama]

Many new mags on many pistols require them to be inserted "with authority." Consider it combat reload practice.

Treat that magazine like a naughty girl and spank it hard into place.

 

[Jerrysea]

I've had my 938 for a while and if the slide is closed, the magazine still needs to be pushed with some force. When slide is open it goes in to place smoothly without much force.

 

[Sig Nut]

Better to lock in tight than loose causing mag drop on firing that I just had fixed.
I am trying to get into the habit of slightly depressing the mag rel. button when inserting a mag. Slips right in.
Any time you are forcing 2 metal parts past each other something is wearing that could eventually lead to the mag not catching securely enough to hold it in place any longer.
Just another opinion for what it's worth.
DW

 

[animalhd1]

Just slam that sucker! It'll break in and get better.

 

[ThnkFrst]

I am trying to get into the habit of slightly depressing the mag rel. button when inserting a mag.

In a properly functioning P938, that shouldn't be necessary.

 

[mikeheel]

I have a new 938 Equinox (dated 4/3/17) and find I have to pay close attn to the magazines to make sure they are locked in well enough. Does seem like an odd thing, but no problem if I am careful about it. Hoping it breaks in a bit over time.

 

[Sigandcz]

I have a new 938 Equinox (dated 4/3/17) and find I have to pay close attn to the magazines to make sure they are locked in well enough. Does seem like an odd thing, but no problem if I am careful about it. Hoping it breaks in a bit over time.

Smack 'em in