I purchased a used P226 CA (California) Model. I received the pistol without the factory installed "Magazine Safety", which suits me fine. I did not understand that I was getting a loaded chamber indicator (LCI) until it arrived. Man It is ugly, .
I have witnessed others discuss the LCI and was somewhat indifferent until I learned that it is impossible to drop a round into the barrel and close the slide on a chambered round. That got me thinking of all of the unintended consequences of the poorly designed LCI.
The LCI is designed to clear (allow slide barrel lock up) and function (raise to signal loaded chamber) only as a round is fed from a magazine. It will not clear when a round is already chambered. This could be a flaw and unacceptable risk for serious social use.
If the slide is released on a chambered round (I did it once), then the LCI will not allow the slide to close into battery, Nor will the extractor be able to grasp the chambered round and extract. The full force of the slide slam is received by the LCI against the loaded cartridge, which would contribute to the failure of the LCI part.
If the small and fragile LCI part breaks during use and jams the pistol, then it may be down until service with a pin punch is executed.
If your extractor ever fails to extract a stuck case or chambered round, then you are done fighting until you get a stick and push the offending stuck case out from the front of the barrel.
“Tap, Rack and Bang” as an emergency fail procedure may not be applicable to the LCI featured Sig 226. ***. I fear that I must either remove the LCI or make a new piece of kit designed to extract stuck cases from the front of the barrel with the slide locked open in the dark and under stress. I may need a new pocket or pouch for my "SIG LCI Stuck Case Push Stick" or SLSCPS.
Could SIG Engineers to build a LCI that behaved like a pin through the breech face, that would protruded out the back of the slide to indicate loaded, that also allowed the slide to go into battery on a stuck case (Like a Walther P38), that did not interfere with operation and make a less reliable firearm.
I carried a SIG 226 for 24 years of LE service. No trust issues, None better. Now I own an Sig with a LCI. I am considering replacing the LCI with a filler device that does not interfere with the breech face function. I hear process is quick and easy, but there is always still witness to an abortion.
BTW, My spare .357 Sig barrel will not fit my new LCI equipped P226 .40 cal until I cut an LCI relief cut in the .357 Sig barrel hood or remove the LCI. I did not see that coming.
Advice before I do LCI removal surgery on my P226?
I have witnessed others discuss the LCI and was somewhat indifferent until I learned that it is impossible to drop a round into the barrel and close the slide on a chambered round. That got me thinking of all of the unintended consequences of the poorly designed LCI.
The LCI is designed to clear (allow slide barrel lock up) and function (raise to signal loaded chamber) only as a round is fed from a magazine. It will not clear when a round is already chambered. This could be a flaw and unacceptable risk for serious social use.
If the slide is released on a chambered round (I did it once), then the LCI will not allow the slide to close into battery, Nor will the extractor be able to grasp the chambered round and extract. The full force of the slide slam is received by the LCI against the loaded cartridge, which would contribute to the failure of the LCI part.
If the small and fragile LCI part breaks during use and jams the pistol, then it may be down until service with a pin punch is executed.
If your extractor ever fails to extract a stuck case or chambered round, then you are done fighting until you get a stick and push the offending stuck case out from the front of the barrel.
“Tap, Rack and Bang” as an emergency fail procedure may not be applicable to the LCI featured Sig 226. ***. I fear that I must either remove the LCI or make a new piece of kit designed to extract stuck cases from the front of the barrel with the slide locked open in the dark and under stress. I may need a new pocket or pouch for my "SIG LCI Stuck Case Push Stick" or SLSCPS.
Could SIG Engineers to build a LCI that behaved like a pin through the breech face, that would protruded out the back of the slide to indicate loaded, that also allowed the slide to go into battery on a stuck case (Like a Walther P38), that did not interfere with operation and make a less reliable firearm.
I carried a SIG 226 for 24 years of LE service. No trust issues, None better. Now I own an Sig with a LCI. I am considering replacing the LCI with a filler device that does not interfere with the breech face function. I hear process is quick and easy, but there is always still witness to an abortion.
BTW, My spare .357 Sig barrel will not fit my new LCI equipped P226 .40 cal until I cut an LCI relief cut in the .357 Sig barrel hood or remove the LCI. I did not see that coming.
Advice before I do LCI removal surgery on my P226?
