Not familiar with that gun......but, it should be similar to others in that there should be a lip on the follower of the magazine that lifts the slide lock after last round. Insert an empty mag into the empty gun and pull the slide back. It should lock.
IF IT DOES- good then that part(s) is working.
If it doesn't lock back- then try another different mag. Then do that with all mags. If some do and some don't?- Separate out the ones that don't. With those that don't - there is probably an issue with the follower in the mag.

IF NONE lock back- then there is probably an issue with the slide lock- perhaps the spring is out or disconnected?
Remove the slide- then insert an empty mag and observe where the lifter (little flat edge on mag follower) contacts the slide lock. It should push up on the lock. You should also be able to push up on the slide lock- and it should snap back down when you release it. If it doesn't go back down when you release it- perhaps the spring is not connected or it could be missing.


Like I said- I don't know that gun- but your issue should be somewhere in the things mentioned above.
If none of this helps- hang on...I am sure someone who has that gun will eventually come along- good luck.

 

Not familiar with that gun......but, it should be similar to others in that there should be a lip on the follower of the magazine that lifts the slide lock after last round. Insert an empty mag into the empty gun and pull the slide back. It should lock.
IF IT DOES- good then that part(s) is working.
If it doesn't lock back- then try another different mag. Then do that with all mags. If some do and some don't?- Separate out the ones that don't. With those that don't - there is probably an issue with the follower in the mag.

IF NONE lock back- then there is probably an issue with the slide lock- perhaps the spring is out or disconnected?
Remove the slide- then insert an empty mag and observe where the lifter (little flat edge on mag follower) contacts the slide lock. It should push up on the lock. You should also be able to push up on the slide lock- and it should snap back down when you release it. If it doesn't go back down when you release it- perhaps the spring is not connected or it could be missing.


Like I said- I don't know that gun- but your issue should be somewhere in the things mentioned above.
If none of this helps- hang on...I am sure someone who has that gun will eventually come along- good luck.

Thanks for the quick reply. When manually pulling the slide back, it will lock every time, the magazine will work as it should. The follower engages the bolt face on a manual pull, flawlessly, and the slide locks back.

But during live fire, it does not lock back and have used three different types of ammo. If it were a center fire round, it would not bother me. But this is a 22 long rifle, a rim fire. And you know what they say about dry firing 22s. Although Sig Sauer says that this particular pistol can be dry fired thousands of times, I don't believe it.

So I am trying to figure out what is going on physically between a manual pull of the slide as opposed to live fire. It has me stumped. But at some point, I'm sure the answer will reveal itself.

 

Could the rounds may be too weak to push the slide all the way to the rear through the a full cycle, or recoil spring too heavy?
I do not see how dry firing could affect slide lock.

Sounds like during live fire- the slide does not go fully to the rear.

Edit: Or there is something between the magazine and the slide lock/release that is preventing the lock from engaging.

 

That is what I thought as well, that perhaps the rounds are too weak. I used three different popular brands of ammo, had the same results with all of them.

The reason why I mentioned dry firing wasn't because it would affect the slide. I mentioned it because when the slide does not lock back after the last round, I continue to pull the trigger. The rim fire firing pin hitting the edge of the barrel often, will ultimately result in damage. That is my concern. I believe that at some point I'll figure it out. The pistol is not my EDC, so I'm not overly concern. If the pistol gets damaged, I'll just send back to Sig.

Another gentleman mentioned, the last round loading as the spent shell is being ejected, resulting in the slide closing before it has a chance to engage the follower. I don't know if that particular explanation is viable. I guess its not inconceivable.

I do appreciate and thank you for your replies.

 

Try loading two rounds in the magazines at a time and test it. I was having a last round feeding issue that I thought wasn’t locking the slide back after last round, but it was actually ejecting the last live round when trying to feed.

 

I am not a 22 person- so just a guess here: Could you try a more potent round next time you shoot. Don't know what you are shooting- but possibly could you try some Mini-mags or CCI Velociter? Just load a few each time and see if the slide locks back after last round. If so?- then possibly recoil spring is too heavy, or that gun just needs a heavier ammo?
Just a guess there?

One more thing- I had to pull up a pic of that gun just to look at it: Now is it possible that your thumb is getting in the way of the slide lock? That does happen to some folks- Try shooting a couple times left-handed and see if it locks back?

 

Is your thumb resting on the slide latch holding it down while you fire the gun. It has happened to me. Watch your thumb placement next time.

 

Is your thumb resting on the magazine latch holding it down while you fire the gun. It has happened to me. Watch your thumb placement next time.

Beat me to it!! The latch or on the slide.

 

Deleted

 

I had sporadic lock backs early on with my two but they both started consistently locking back after ~160 rounds.

 

It was the opposite with me. When the pistol was new, it locked up more often. Now, the chances of the slide locking up is less than me winning the Mega Millions Lottery!

 

Good morning guys, really do appreciate all the feedback I've been getting. I was very mindful that my thumb was nowhere near the slide release lever. I learned that lesson when I would shoot my Sig P320. Sometimes on my 9mm, Sig P320, the slide wouldn't lock back because my fat thumb would be resting on the slide release lever. So I made sure that I kept an eye on my thumb when shooting this new P322 22lr.

My only concern, and so far no one in this thread has addressed it, will the firing pin hitting the edge of the breach ultimately DESTROY or DAMAGE the pistol????? Since the slide won't lock back, I always pull the trigger on an empty chamber after the last round is spent. Remember, it is a rim fire pistol.

 

No, it’s designed so the firing pin stops before hitting the breech.

 

Have experienced the same. Sent it back to Sig today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Have experienced the same. Sent it back to Sig today.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What was the resolution? I’ve got about 1000 rounds through my P322, and the slide lock might as well not even be there. It’s impossible to use a bore snake without field stripping, as even the slightest vibration will send the slide forward.
This issue is almost as frustrating as the feeble magazines that require a very special loading technique or I get a stovepipe or FTF every other round. This happens on all 7 mags, 20 and 25rd. Five different kinds of ammo, no difference.

As soon as I hit “post” I’m going to call Sig. I hate to say it, but I think I should have bought the Taurus.

 

Huh....mine has locked back without issue, but with Aguila ammo, (two different types) I get a LOT of light strikes, no ignition. Not a problem with any other ammo, and I tried CCI Quiet, CCI Suppressor, Federal Auto Match, Federal Suppressor, and some Blazer LRN. Loving the gun, wishing the sight dots were bigger.


About the dry firing thing, I really cannot imagine any modern maker that doesn't design a firing pin that won't destroy itself or the chamber rim.....BUT.........7-8 3.d. says "Press trigger, hammer should fall" for a function check.....and 7-9 says not to dry fire it without the chamber flag as it "can lead to unnecesary wear..". No explanation of why the discrepancy; though I assume it's to protect the gun from lots of dry fire reps, while the function check isn't considered a high volume operation.

 

Recently purchased a Sig P322 pistol. I am both lucky and at the same not so lucky with this pistol. Mounted a Holosun red dot optic, and the pistol is very accurate, a straight shooter. I am NOT experiencing the lead fouling of the barrel like so many others. Shoot hundreds of rounds with no problems with fouling to the barrel. I must be one of the lucky ones. From what I have read, I'm one of the very few lucky ones when it comes to lead fouling. However the issue I am having, is that the slide will NOT lock back after the last round fired. Also, the slide will at times slam forward when inserting a magazine. These are the only issues I am having. Is there a quick fix for this? I'd hate to send it back to Sig and have them send it back with the problem not being resolved. I am also concerned of dry firing after every last round in the magazine.

I have one that was doing the same thing ask a friend about it and he said it was probably a Weak magazine Spring told me to go buy a New one never had no more problem with it. I also bought a 25 round sig magazine for it as well. It works perfect .I decided I would take the magazines apart And compared it with the newer One that I bought . And found that Both of the Springs was shorter than the newer one. Understand that I had probably shot Fewer than 300 round through this thing. Just waiting for something else to mess up with .

 

I didn’t consider weak mag springs. There might be something to that. I bought all my mags around the same time, so they probably all have similar springs. Hmm. 🤨

 

I have about 550 rounds thru my P322, I have had the best luck with CCI “clean 22” (has the “pink ribbon” on the plastic bottle, bought at the range at SIG. My bucket of bullets are useless at the range with this gun. I also didn’t have any issues using their target ammo. It hasn’t been locking back consistently, I do need to clean the gun…

 

I got my P322 back from Sig and repair notes say “adjust slide catch lever. Passed all function test. Ammunition used: CCI Clean”.

At the range, it operated correctly for the first 200ish rounds, then the slide stopped locking back after last round. At least the slide catch is holding the slide open when manually operated. It used to slam shut if I looked at it wrong. Except for the lever on the right side of the gun…it will not lock the slide back ever. Weird.
I also sent my mags with the gun asking them to check spring tension. No notes on that.

I’m not looking forward to sending the gun back again, but I will if this doesn’t resolve on its own. I’m going to clean it and hit the range shortly, running another 8 mags worth through it and see if I’m irritated enough to call Sig again.

As far as ammo goes, it will feed and fire pretty much anything, if the mags are loaded correctly. It seems only CCI Minimags will load into the mags correctly, so that’s all I’m using.

 

I got my P322 back from Sig and repair notes say “adjust slide catch lever. Passed all function test. Ammunition used: CCI Clean”.

At the range, it operated correctly for the first 200ish rounds, then the slide stopped locking back after last round. At least the slide catch is holding the slide open when manually operated. It used to slam shut if I looked at it wrong. Except for the lever on the right side of the gun…it will not lock the slide back ever. Weird.
I also sent my mags with the gun asking them to check spring tension. No notes on that.

I’m not looking forward to sending the gun back again, but I will if this doesn’t resolve on its own. I’m going to clean it and hit the range shortly, running another 8 mags worth through it and see if I’m irritated enough to call Sig again.

As far as ammo goes, it will feed and fire pretty much anything, if the mags are loaded correctly. It seems only CCI Minimags will load into the mags correctly, so that’s all I’m using.

CCI Clean only has a muzzle velocity of 1070fps..CCI mini mag 1235fps..Let us know how it goes..

 

Maybe after they're done releasing all the different color variants they'll have time to re-tune and release replacement parts

 

It’s likely due to low pressure from your ammo or the recoil spring being too heavy — meaning you need to further break it in. I also am very lucky and got a non-lemon P322. Actually, I don’t think it’s luck. I think Sig simply fixed and tweaked things as they always do. No fouling, no jamming, etc etc.

But I also wonder if my positive experience is because I exclusively shoot my P322 suppressed. I’m at 9K rounds and I think I’ve only ever shot 5 unsuppressed. And in total, I have had only one FTR and a single FTE — solely because I hadn’t cleaned the handgun in 3K rounds from its heavy carbon buildup. This was stellar, considering my Ruger MKIV Tactical begins having FTE’s after just 500 rounds, suppressed.

My theory is that extra back pressure from the suppressor aids in reliably cycling the slide and giving it a little extra “oompf” to the slide. And because of this, I almost never have issues with the slide locking back. I can think of many two times where it didn’t lock back, on the last round. That said, the slide loves to engage after putting a fresh mag in. But it’s a non-issue for me. My HK VP9, P30SK and P30L all do the same lol.

So yeah! Try hotter rounds. Or buy a suppressor. I recommend the latter, the P322 Is a phenomenal .22LR. suppressor host. Especially under NODs. I threw an IR laser on mine for that exact reason.

🟢👃🟢

 

Pretty sure I need to drop mine off at SIG. can’t EMS gone more break in than another 400 rounds through mine, I’m on my 3rd bottle of bullets. My wife loves to shoot it. The slide lock is also very touchy, doesn’t work on type right side, but does on left. I am left handed, but always set it down so that it’s more visible (so flip to lay on right side) when you go to pick it up, that it’s empty. When I do that, 75% of the time it snaps the slide closed, with or without a clip.

Besides the 50 rounds I had shown above I have used the same ammo they require you to use if you rent a P322 at Sig Experience Store. It’s CCi “clean 22” 40 grain 1235 fps .22lr ammo.

 

Got it back from SIG, it was gone for 7 days total. They fixed the slide lock issue. Slide locks back everytime. Hope it stays that way, over 1200 rounds through it. Great pistol!

 

At about 800 rounds of CCI Mini-mag copper plated round nose, I started having issues with the slide not locking back. Cleaned the mags, still had lock back issues with out of three mags. Changed ammo to standard velocity (Armscor 40 grain round nose). Lock back issue reduced to one out of six mags. Note: I always thoroughly clean my pistol after each range visit of 60 rounds. Recently, I noted some burned powder residue inside the slide release levers on both sides of the pistol. Took my can of Office Depot Cleaning Duster (Air) and blew out all the areas around the slide releases (Inside and Out). Took my spot oiler of Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil and put 2-3 drops of oil in the top slot over each slide release lever and 2-3 drops of oil under each slot of each slide lever. Took my can of Office Depot Cleaning Duster (Air) and blew the oil into the slide lock levers. Cycled the slides. Now, after 240 rounds at the range, no more slide lock back issues with all of my three magazines and Armscor standard velocity ammo. Another Note: I always use the chamber flag. I only release the trigger hammer with the chamber flag installed...no light strikes. These techniques seem to work 100% for me and my P322 is working great.

 

Hey everyone! New P322 owner with the exact same symptoms as the OP. Very 80 rounds of CCI mini mags locked back fine. Second trip today 120 rounds same ammo, first mag locked second did not third did but slammed close soon as I put the next mag in. Manual open with empty mag locks fine.

I cleaned the gun really well and got the loop and head lamp out to see if I could figure out how the catch works (new to guns but was a school trained auto tech for 12 year in my first career) Anyway, once I realized the follow pin in the mag was what pushes the locking lever into place, I cleaned and lubed the mags. While investigating with the slide off and empty mag in, when pushing down on the follower in the mag and release it, the lever kind of raised sluggishly. I proceeded to lubricate all pivots on the locking lever and disassembled the mags to clean the carbon from the top and hit the inside, follower, pin and spring with CRC spay silicon then blew everything dry with compressed air before assembly. The push down test of the follower was markedly better with the lever moving fast and smoothly. No idea if this will have any effect on live fire but seems like it might, since it worked fine the first use. Will be a few weeks before I get to try it again. From the looks of things, I assume they just bend the lever up a tad ..

This is where the lock is sitting on mine when locked back manually, just curious to know what it looks like on someone gun that is functioning well or has been "Adjusted by the factory"

 

So the angle (on the “lock” as you call it) was changed when I sent mine in. I couldn’t tell you if it is more severe or less on an angle than before, just know it looked different when I got it back.

bottom line, if it isn’t working correctly, send it in. It should get back to you fairly quickly. I live within 10 miles of where it went and where I bought it (SIG Experience store), and got it back in 7 days. Wish I could have taken it to where it was fixed (even closer to my house!), but that’s another (long) story.

 

So the angle (on the “lock” as you call it) was changed when I sent mine in. I couldn’t tell you if it is more severe or less on an angle than before, just know it looked different when I got it back.

bottom line, if it isn’t working correctly, send it in. It should get back to you fairly quickly. I live within 10 miles of where it went and where I bought it (SIG Experience store), and got it back in 7 days. Wish I could have taken it to where it was fixed (even closer to my house!), but that’s another (long) story.

It would be great if another member could post a similar photo of the lock back lever on a gun that works correctly.
That way we can compare both photos.

 

Here's my photos of lock back on my Sig 322. It's working correctly.

 

Not a lot different.. just got off the phone.. printing the shipping label now. They did ask for the Mags..
My luck it will work prefect for them

 

Try this test.
Insert an empty mag in an empty gun.
Pull the slide back and lock the slide manually if it doesn't lock back automatically.
Now position the gun so you can manually pull the slide back just enough to take the pressure off the lock.
With a pen push the follower on the magazine up and down and observe the little bar in the back. Does it move up and down too?

If it doesn't YOU have a DIRTY GUN that's all.

 

Got mine back today, Adjusted Slide Lock Lever.. Oh so very slightly, will test it out in the coming days.. also got a 25 round mag to try out.
Top image is before and bottom after.

 

Looks like my post images #37...slightly canted toward the rear if the pistol..
Keep us updated on your test fire.

 

Had same issue.. SIG fixed mine as well

Adjusted the Slide Catch Lever
Before

After

 

my old eyes have trouble seeing what's been done.
Is the slide catch lever bent forward or aft?

 

BTW, no issue with Blazers, Mini Mags, or Std Velocity. Only problems I have had was 2 new mags I had not lubed with silicon causing FTL with stove pipe of unfired round.