GSR Blues

[45 Fanatic]

Purchased a new GSR last August, ran about 1000 through no problems, then I started to have feed/ejection problems resulting in total failure of extractor, replaced by my gunsmith (SIG approved), back to the range, about 5 perfect mags then fail to feed/eject , returned to SIG & they replied that they could find no problem, but polished feed ramp ?? Back to range, several mags just fine then fail to eject again, now back at SIG - When working this gun is an absolute pleasure, I hope the problems are repairable, if not I will need a replacement & would appreciate suggestions for full size 1911 - Thanks Phil

[joeydingo]

My suggestion might be to talk to Sig and see if they'll give you one of the "new" GSRs that are now made in house. I had a first generation stainless GSR that was what I would consider "junk out of the box". Many FTF and FTE, along with rust (YES, rust on a new stainless gun). I was able to return the gun and get a refund. I replaced it with a Springfield TRP that has been flawless.

[Tom]

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it ... strange ... that Sig would name a psitol that also stands for "gunshot residue".

[Belgian Blue]

Sorry to hear about the problems you're having with your GSR. If you talk with them about your issues, they may in fact give you a replacement. Hope things get ironed out.

Good Luck.

Belgian Blue

[Don]

when Sig brought the mfg in houese they mfg'd or bought some poorly dimensioned extractors -- which caused some extraction iussues -- mine was failing 50 % of the time on the first few boxes of ammo ! -- wow, was I upset and disappoinmted ! when my new, non rail, GSR Revolution failed to extract

it is the only consistent iussue they seem to have had

I have an early GSR with rail -- it works flawlessly

the new one with no rail and mfg'd partly in house had the extraction issue -- a new extractor, spring and related pin from Sig fixed the problem -- rather than take to my local gunsmith anbd add $50 to the prtoblem, I installed it myself -- problem resolved, and 1,000 + rounds through it have not failed to extract after the fix

Sig admitted to having had some bad extractors -- and they were probably only 1 mm too long --

if you just replace the extractor, I think you will find the problem is solved -- best way is to get new parts: extractor, and related spring and pin -- and have you local gunsnmith install them -- the cost would be the same as sending a pistol to Sig, and the wait would be zero -- plus, if you ship it, and Sig installs andother poorly dimensioned extractor {or fails to install one at all and says your pistol is 'fine' or 'ok' -- or couldn't duplicate your problem}, you still have a problem, and the gun is going back and forth costing $$$ to yoiu each trip -- and eventually someone in the shipping stream will take home a nice Sig 1911 for zero $$$, and it will just need a new extractor.........I have seen that happen a couple of times....and now I rarely ship guns, except by Fed-Ex overnight, with insurance, and follow up on the signature and delivery

[Maxx2257]

What kind of extractor would you recommend?

[Don]

Hi, Max

I could only recommend the Sig extractor -- from the factory -- I was shocked to hear it when the cust, svc rep told me this was approx a $ 50 part -- I told them I had now two Sigs GSR's and one didn't extract and the other did -- I put many 100's of rounds through the early GSR with the rail -- so I knew it was not my shooting or my 'hold'

some folks, especially those new to 1911's, have ejection issues related to 'limp' wristing the gun -- so if the shell extracts, but fails to eject -- it is likely a slightly 'soft' hold -- I used to do that, so I got familiar with what not to do, and now it will happen to me once every 10 boxes of ammo -- when I fail to pay proper attention to what I am doing --

but if the gun fails to extract, and leaves the shell in the chamber -- I first check the chamber for being dirty -- that happens to me sometimes during long sessions at the range -- a bore brush and a patch or bore mop fix it in about 30 seconds -- with no take down.

if the gun just plain fails to extract with a relatively clean chamber -- you may have one of the poorly dimensioned extractors -- probably a millimeter too long -- and need a new factory part -- if you have a gunsmith locally, I would try to get the part, plus the related spring and pin from Sig, and have it installed locally. I could barely see or measure any difference in the old non working extractor and the new factory item -- but the new extractor fixed me up immediately -- and I have had zero issues with it since.


I hope this helps some

Don

[Maxx2257]

Thanks a lot. It has seemed that some days my pistol has run great no problem at all and on others it has been mind numbingly poor. tried different mags thought that fixed it...well we'll see.

[Kevin1911]

Hi, On the extractor issue my GSR revolution has gone through 2 of them in 6500 rounds. The first one failed when the extractors claw completely snapped off. Sig promptly sent me another next day air (I paid the extra shipping). The second one lasted approx 2000 rounds and the claw chipped and was worn down. I called Sig again for the second one and had it the next day. These extractor failures were MY FAULT not Sig's and this is the results of my own investigation into this issue. After removing the second extractor and wiping out its receiver groove I used the old extractors claw like a little scraper and ran it through the receiver groove I was really shocked to see the layers of packed in crud peel out of the groove (be careful not to scratch your gun) Solvent and a tooth bush is now used now during normal cleanings - extractor comes out after a 1000 rounds or so and a good cleaning - no more extractor issues. Sig recommends replace the solid extractor roll pin everytime you remove it. I have been reusing mine because the new ones really go in tight and are a real bear to remove. The pin is driven out with the slide upside down out the top. The old pins fit very snug and come out easier. I have had no problems using the old solid pin over and over. The residue and crud really builds up quick when I use Fiocchi FMJ 230gr ball ammo or any other no so clean stuff. It does not take much residue to get under the extractor to start having it wear rapid and eventually fail - it mostly packs under the front portion of the extractor in its groove not letting it return in its seated position. The front portion of the receiver groove is a mirror image of the extractor with even a little step in it. The only other issues that I have had with my GSR was the little spanner disc that locks the plunger came loose when new - a little locktite and thats fixed and I have found that the Novak magazines are a little more finicky than other brands with residue that collects in them. The Novaks work flawlessly clean for hours of fun! When replacing the extractor make sure you order a new spring for it if its been fired alot. I believe that Sig is the only supplier for this spring so its good to have some in your parts box so there is no down time. I hope this helps, Happy Shooting and punish those targets !!! - Kevin

[texasborn]

I gave up on mine three days ago. I know most on this site have a passion for Sig GSR's, but I don't understand the tolerance for the performance on this pistol. I got mine last year when they were rare and difficult to find. I was really lusting after this pistol. I've had my old man's 60's era Colt for years and wanted one from "my" generation. And a SIG to boot? I fired up Gunbroker and paid a premium to get one in Nitron.

Out of the box, the trigger was stiff as hell. It had to be a 12 lb. pull weight. Hello custom trigger and hammer job. Then (and I won't bore you with the details since this is a common complaint) the extractor broke. Then the pin underneath the barrel came loose and began to rub against the frame, causing serious jams. I had it worked on and worked on and worked on in '05. After resoving *all* of that, it worked fairly well at the range.

In January I was hunting pigs with a pal (who bought a GSR at the same time) in Abilene. Toward sunset it got very cold (by Texas standards anyway). So both of these damn pistols start failing to feed shells. One of us could be limp-wristing it but both??

So Tuesday I take it to the range again, and the extractor breaks *again*. I'd say there was about 1,500 rounds between the first and the second.
So I finally knuckled up and traded it to the range owner for a spanking new p226.

Here's my two cents: I've put over 5,000 rounds through the 60's era Colt, and I can't remember ever having a failure to feed and it's still has the original perfectly functioning extractor that's almost half a century old. It shoots in cold weather, it shoots dirty, and it shoots without a gunsmith ever having touched it. I'm reading post after post of shooters who outline in detail how much work and maintenance they have or have had to put in to these guns just to get them to perform reliably. I still love me some Sigarms (I did, after all, trade for another Sig) but I really don't understand the mindset that the GSR is a "fixer upper" out of the box - and that that's ok. At the price point of the GSR (just a step or two below a custom gun) we should expect form *and* function.

[djones]

Hello Texasborn.
You are absolutely correct. I've had one issue with my GSR revo involving the plunger set screw. It backed out and I lost the plunger and spring. Sig sent me one the next day, but it shouldn't have happened. In Sigs defense, my GSR has ran flawlessly for 3500 rounds. I've noticed this trend in almost all things. Fords powerstroke, Chevys duramax, Airstream trailers, electronics, and all sorts of items we buy expecting to get what we pay for. Trying to get a product out quick as possible, quality control is getting worse. All this of course is my opinion. But it is getting scarry!

[buddyRoland]

I have 7 Sigs and a GSR will not make the count 8. I have heard way too many horror stories. Too much money to have those many issues.

[DanC]

Texasborn and djones, I commiserate with you. I bought a new GSR Revolution, and have had nothing but problems with it. Have had more than 15 failures to feed in the first 500 rounds, and the same issue with my firing pin plunger set screw. My gun is at Sig right now, after dealing with customer service for almost 3 weeks just to get it there! I WILL NOT entrust the defense of my life or my family's to this gun, ever. It is too unreliable, and I have several Glocks with thousands upon thousands of rounds through them without fail to which I entrust this most important duty.

[hanexp]

DanC, I guess yours is slightly ahead of mine in the que, as I just shipped back yesterday. Same problems, frequent FTFs. Like Texasborn, I *don't understand the mindset that the GSR is a "fixer upper" out of the box - and that that's ok*. I will comment that it was easy to work with Sig Customer Service. I like the heck out of the gun when it works so I hope they do fix it...the first time back...

[PWhite1]

Texasborn and djones, I commiserate with you. I bought a new GSR Revolution, and have had nothing but problems with it. Have had more than 15 failures to feed in the first 500 rounds, and the same issue with my firing pin plunger set screw. My gun is at Sig right now, after dealing with customer service for almost 3 weeks just to get it there! I WILL NOT entrust the defense of my life or my family's to this gun, ever. It is too unreliable, and I have several Glocks with thousands upon thousands of rounds through them without fail to which I entrust this most important duty.
Mine has had 300 rounds through it in the last week and no problems yet and I really don't expect any. My trigger pull is slightly over 4 lbs and crisp.
Some with problems may be doing what I used to and that's using CLP for my lube. I switched to Militec and in my opinion it's the best lube on the market. Heck if it's good enough for the Army's 105 big guns it should work on anything:-)