Smith and Wesson Sigma 40 cal ejecting onto my forehead

Biff from Oxford · February 11, 2008, 06:21 AM

At least half of the ejected cartridiges are landing on my head.
I am shooting 165 grain FMJ Winchester. Would changing the brand and maybe going a bit lighter on the load help?

Note..Wear a helmet is not the answer.

rantingredneck · February 11, 2008, 06:50 AM

Mine did the same thing (couple other guns I've owned/shot did too).

Easy solution....wear a baseball cap to the range. All the spent shells will be deflected by the bill and keep them out of your face. I had a piece of hot brass get stuck between my glasses and nose once so it's standard range gear for me now.

Shadi Khalil · February 11, 2008, 07:01 AM

My kimber ultra used to do the same thing. No matter how it was gripped or who shot it, you were probably catching atleast three hot cases to the mug. It really got in the way of concentration, trying to steady a shot but you know your about to get whacked in the face with hot brass. I never tried the hat trick, I'm sure there is something that can be done to the ejection port. Give it some time and someone here will offer a solution.

Anchorage · February 11, 2008, 07:43 AM

are you shooting at the range ? is it bouncing off the partition ?

tipoc · February 11, 2008, 07:45 AM

Likely it's either the ejector or extractor that needs tweaking. S&W could repair it or any local smith.

Or start moving your noggin really quick. Or pretend it's rain and ignore it. Or challenge your friends to see how many you can catch in your mouth, make a few bets, win a little money, I'd make a great You Tube vid.

tipoc

Biff from Oxford · February 11, 2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

are you shooting at the range ? is it bouncing off the partition ?

No, instead of ejecting to the right they go straight up and arc to the back either hitting me in the forehead or on top of my head.

KMO · February 11, 2008, 09:18 AM

Well, since you slid the helmet solution off the table from the get-go, maybe try a revolver?

Biff from Oxford · February 11, 2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Well, since you slid the helmet solution off the table from the get-go, maybe try a revolver?

I guess I could get a set of the sights shown below, I mean afterall, I am down with my homies and straight outta Compton Arkansas.

tipoc · February 11, 2008, 06:55 PM

I'll repeat myself...drop by a local pistolsmith or send it back to S&W. The S&W repair centers contact info is on the S&W website. Likely it is either the extractor or the ejector or a combination of both. The repair is an easy one. S&W may also pay for the shipping, particularly if the gun is still under warranty.

tipoc

wyocarp · February 11, 2008, 07:42 PM

I like the Homeboy Nyte Sytes. I'm going to have to get a special clock just to have those installed.

Another option would be to have a laser installed. Then the gun could be fired in such a way (even inverted) so as to have the cases go some other place.

tplumeri · February 11, 2008, 07:49 PM

+1 for the homeboy sites.

Biff from Oxford · February 11, 2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

I'll repeat myself...drop by a local pistolsmith or send it back to S&W. The S&W repair centers contact info is on the S&W website. Likely it is either the extractor or the ejector or a combination of both. The repair is an easy one. S&W may also pay for the shipping, particularly if the gun is still under warranty.

Point taken and thank you, I called them this morning and we decided it was best to take it back to where I bought it so they have to pay the shipping.

Sorry you felt the need to repeat yourself.

Erik · February 11, 2008, 09:55 PM

"Smith and Wesson Sigma 40 cal ejecting onto my forehead ."

Move to the shooter's left.

---

Sounds like you've got the answer that you need. The shop will make it right for you.

WVfishguy · February 11, 2008, 10:03 PM

My .40 Sigma also ejects cases upwards. Seems different bullet weights eject brass in different directions. Try 180 FMJs.
Personally, I like it when it rains cases. Makes them easy to find. What's the big deal about wearing a ball cap?

BillCA · February 11, 2008, 10:19 PM

Any defensive pistol should eject the empty cases away from your noggin. If you need to use it in a self-defense situation, the last thing you need is for an empty case to smack you in your dominant eye.

My guess is either a weak extractor spring or a worn ejector. The spring is an easier replacement.

**44 AMP** · February 12, 2008, 02:01 AM

and the extractor tension on the case, and the size and location of the ejector, etc., etc.

But what makes the most difference is how fast the slide is moving when the fired case hits the ejector. Changing the ammo, changing the recoil spring are the two most simple answers. Sending it back to the maker may not cure the problem, unless they use the same ammo you do for testing.

My Dad had an 1911A1 that would drop cases in your left shirt pocket with target loads, and fring them over your head with JHP. Ball ammo usually goes just to the right of your face, but not always.

Good Luck.

YukonKid · February 12, 2008, 02:25 AM

+2 for HoMeBoy sights. They would go great with an iced out cross and caddy.

February 11, 2008, 06:21 AM	#1
Biff from Oxford Junior member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: The South Posts: 199	Smith and Wesson Sigma 40 cal ejecting onto my forehead At least half of the ejected cartridiges are landing on my head. I am shooting 165 grain FMJ Winchester. Would changing the brand and maybe going a bit lighter on the load help? Note..Wear a helmet is not the answer.

February 11, 2008, 09:18 AM	#7
KMO Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 949	Helmet Not an Option? Well, since you slid the helmet solution off the table from the get-go, maybe try a revolver?

February 11, 2008, 09:55 PM	#13
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	"Smith and Wesson Sigma 40 cal ejecting onto my forehead ." Move to the shooter's left. --- Sounds like you've got the answer that you need. The shop will make it right for you. __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

February 11, 2008, 10:19 PM	#15
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	Any defensive pistol should eject the empty cases away from your noggin. If you need to use it in a self-defense situation, the last thing you need is for an empty case to smack you in your dominant eye. My guess is either a weak extractor spring or a worn ejector. The spring is an easier replacement. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

February 12, 2008, 02:01 AM	#16
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	Where the brass goes is a function of the slide velocity... and the extractor tension on the case, and the size and location of the ejector, etc., etc. But what makes the most difference is how fast the slide is moving when the fired case hits the ejector. Changing the ammo, changing the recoil spring are the two most simple answers. Sending it back to the maker may not cure the problem, unless they use the same ammo you do for testing. My Dad had an 1911A1 that would drop cases in your left shirt pocket with target loads, and fring them over your head with JHP. Ball ammo usually goes just to the right of your face, but not always. Good Luck. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 11, 2008, 06:50 AM	#2
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Mine did the same thing (couple other guns I've owned/shot did too). Easy solution....wear a baseball cap to the range. All the spent shells will be deflected by the bill and keep them out of your face. I had a piece of hot brass get stuck between my glasses and nose once so it's standard range gear for me now.

February 11, 2008, 07:01 AM	#3
Shadi Khalil Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 5,210	My kimber ultra used to do the same thing. No matter how it was gripped or who shot it, you were probably catching atleast three hot cases to the mug. It really got in the way of concentration, trying to steady a shot but you know your about to get whacked in the face with hot brass. I never tried the hat trick, I'm sure there is something that can be done to the ejection port. Give it some time and someone here will offer a solution.

February 11, 2008, 07:43 AM	#4
Anchorage Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2008 Posts: 112	are you shooting at the range ? is it bouncing off the partition ?

February 11, 2008, 07:45 AM	#5
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	Likely it's either the ejector or extractor that needs tweaking. S&W could repair it or any local smith. Or start moving your noggin really quick. Or pretend it's rain and ignore it. Or challenge your friends to see how many you can catch in your mouth, make a few bets, win a little money, I'd make a great You Tube vid. tipoc

February 11, 2008, 06:55 PM	#9
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	I'll repeat myself...drop by a local pistolsmith or send it back to S&W. The S&W repair centers contact info is on the S&W website. Likely it is either the extractor or the ejector or a combination of both. The repair is an easy one. S&W may also pay for the shipping, particularly if the gun is still under warranty. tipoc

February 11, 2008, 07:42 PM	#10
wyocarp Junior member Join Date: December 23, 2007 Location: Wyoming Posts: 169	I like the Homeboy Nyte Sytes. I'm going to have to get a special clock just to have those installed. Another option would be to have a laser installed. Then the gun could be fired in such a way (even inverted) so as to have the cases go some other place.

February 11, 2008, 07:49 PM	#11
tplumeri Junior member Join Date: September 26, 2007 Posts: 1,919	+1 for the homeboy sites.

February 11, 2008, 10:03 PM	#14
WVfishguy Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2007 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 662	My .40 Sigma also ejects cases upwards. Seems different bullet weights eject brass in different directions. Try 180 FMJs. Personally, I like it when it rains cases. Makes them easy to find. What's the big deal about wearing a ball cap?

February 12, 2008, 02:25 AM	#17
YukonKid Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: NW Posts: 744	+2 for HoMeBoy sights. They would go great with an iced out cross and caddy. __________________ This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill Fifteen percent concentrated power of will Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!