45 ACP
16th May 2005, 15:03
GSR Owners,
First of all, hello!
After SHOT Show 2005, I purchased a Grade 1 used GSR from RSR. This GSR was a salesman sample unit that was never fired. It was a spectacular value and despite what I will detail below, I do not regret purchasing this gun.
Initially, I “broke-in” the gun with 200 rounds of Winchester ammo. The gun performed better and better as I shot it more (the trigger didn’t feel all that nice at first)
The other day, I was participating in some recreational shooting with some friends at a local indoor range. After about 50 or so rounds, the gun would not return to battery after firing. It was locked up SOLID.
A close examination of the gun showed that the setscrew on the upper RHS of the slide had backed out. It backed out sufficiently to allow the firing pin disconnect plunger to drop down and make contact with the backside of the frame. This in turn did not allow the slide to return to battery.
Pushing in the plunger allowed me to make the gun safe and return home. At home, I completely stripped the slide and found red assembly lube on the aforementioned setscrew.
Figuring that some sort of Loctite should have been used, I placed a call to SigArms the next morning. A gentleman by the name of Tim indicated that Loctite 262 (Red medium removable) was the specification called for by the factory.
I wanted to give Sig the benefit of the doubt since my gun could be classified as a “pre-production” model. Nevertheless, Tim indicated the assembly area has never been instructed to use anything other than 262 on this setscrew.
My boss also purchased a similar GSR from RSR (his S/N is 3 digits removed from mine). Upon removal of his setscrew, I also discovered red assembly lube on his setscrew. Since he has not fired nearly as many rounds as I have, I guess his screw has not had the opportunity to back out just yet.
I’m disappointed that Sig and/or Caspian decided to place a setscrew in such a critical area. I don’t understand why a setscrew is used to retain the plunger when other manufacturers make it captive against the firing pin (push in the plunger, remove the firing pin, then the plunger can be removed).
I am pleased that Tim was very helpful and offered to repair the gun immediately. I’m pretty handy with guns so I simply asked for a replacement plunger and setscrew, as I had dressed the plunger with an India stone. He said he would drop it in the mail immediately (this was last Friday).
After dressing the plunger, I reinstalled the original components with Loctite 262 and proceeded to fire 500 rounds as fast as I could load my 10 magazines. I’m pleased to report the screw did not back off at all. I plan to install the replacement parts when they arrive and don’t anticipate any problems.
I’m only putting this out there for other GSR owners to consider. I’m not looking to slam SigArms, RSR, Caspian or anyone else.
FYI: If you’re interested in the proper tool for removal of the drilled spanner security-style setscrew, you can find one version here:
http://www.mcmaster.com
The part number is 94062A113
First of all, hello!
After SHOT Show 2005, I purchased a Grade 1 used GSR from RSR. This GSR was a salesman sample unit that was never fired. It was a spectacular value and despite what I will detail below, I do not regret purchasing this gun.
Initially, I “broke-in” the gun with 200 rounds of Winchester ammo. The gun performed better and better as I shot it more (the trigger didn’t feel all that nice at first)
The other day, I was participating in some recreational shooting with some friends at a local indoor range. After about 50 or so rounds, the gun would not return to battery after firing. It was locked up SOLID.
A close examination of the gun showed that the setscrew on the upper RHS of the slide had backed out. It backed out sufficiently to allow the firing pin disconnect plunger to drop down and make contact with the backside of the frame. This in turn did not allow the slide to return to battery.
Pushing in the plunger allowed me to make the gun safe and return home. At home, I completely stripped the slide and found red assembly lube on the aforementioned setscrew.
Figuring that some sort of Loctite should have been used, I placed a call to SigArms the next morning. A gentleman by the name of Tim indicated that Loctite 262 (Red medium removable) was the specification called for by the factory.
I wanted to give Sig the benefit of the doubt since my gun could be classified as a “pre-production” model. Nevertheless, Tim indicated the assembly area has never been instructed to use anything other than 262 on this setscrew.
My boss also purchased a similar GSR from RSR (his S/N is 3 digits removed from mine). Upon removal of his setscrew, I also discovered red assembly lube on his setscrew. Since he has not fired nearly as many rounds as I have, I guess his screw has not had the opportunity to back out just yet.
I’m disappointed that Sig and/or Caspian decided to place a setscrew in such a critical area. I don’t understand why a setscrew is used to retain the plunger when other manufacturers make it captive against the firing pin (push in the plunger, remove the firing pin, then the plunger can be removed).
I am pleased that Tim was very helpful and offered to repair the gun immediately. I’m pretty handy with guns so I simply asked for a replacement plunger and setscrew, as I had dressed the plunger with an India stone. He said he would drop it in the mail immediately (this was last Friday).
After dressing the plunger, I reinstalled the original components with Loctite 262 and proceeded to fire 500 rounds as fast as I could load my 10 magazines. I’m pleased to report the screw did not back off at all. I plan to install the replacement parts when they arrive and don’t anticipate any problems.
I’m only putting this out there for other GSR owners to consider. I’m not looking to slam SigArms, RSR, Caspian or anyone else.
FYI: If you’re interested in the proper tool for removal of the drilled spanner security-style setscrew, you can find one version here:
http://www.mcmaster.com
The part number is 94062A113