AboutDave Nyce Expertise I have been an NRA certified pistol instructor for over 15 years. Was a pistol team captain in Pennsylvania for 5 years. Had a carry permit in PA, now have one in NC. I am a NC certified CCW (concealed carry of weapons) instructor. Also hunt using handgun, rifle, shotgun, bow and arrow, muzzleloader. I can answer questions on safety and shooting skills, recommend types of equipment (but not specific model numbers or prices), and answer questions on shooting competitions and hunting. Sorry, please don't ask me about the price or value of guns or other equipment, manufacture date, how to repair, how to get parts, or to provide any info on antiques.
Experience NRA certified pistol, rifle, and shotgun instructor. North Carolina certified instructor for concealed carry permit. Boy Scout shotgun merit badge counselor. Have Federal firearms license (FFL) and class 3 SOT. Member of 3 gun clubs. Licensed Radio Amateur (Technician), Licensed airplane and helicopter pilot.
Organizations Life member of: NRA (benefactor), NC rifle & pistol assoc., Grass Roots NC, US Parachute Assoc., Experimental Aircraft Association, and National Trapping Assoc.
Member of: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc., San Lee Gun Club, Sir Walter Gun Club, Lower Providence Rod & Gun Club, Tripoli Rocketry Assoc., National Association of Rocketry, US Hang Gliding Assoc., A.F.& A.M., Shriners, York Rite, Scottish Rite, B.P.O.E., The Planetary Society, Apex Historical Society (board of dir.), The American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Acadamy of Model Aeronautics.
Publications Authored numerous technical articles on sensors, wrote chapters in three engineering reference books, authored the book Linear Position Sensors, Theory & Application
Awards and Honors Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow, Vaaler award, EDN magazine, "Inerting for Safety", 1987, Listed in Who's Who in Engineering, in the South, in the World, "Total Quality Management" medal awarded by MTS Systems Corporation 1991, "Best Sequel" award for the video production: "For Engineers Only" at the MTS national sales meeting, Las Vegas, 1998 (written and directed by David S. Nyce), Voted "Most Effective Leader" at Center for Creative Leadership: Looking Glass, Greensboro, NC 1995, Silver Award for New Technology at SENSORS EXPO, in Chicago, 2001 for SEF Liquid Level sensor,MTS Circle of Innovators award, 2003, Elected Master of Masonic Lodge #584 , Apex, NC, 2005, "Gold Honour Award" for outstanding service in York Rite Masonry, by the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, August 22. 2007, Board of Directors: Everight Sensors, and Apex Historical Society Maynard Pearson House
I had just recently purchased a sigma sw9ve from a local outdoor shop. I took the pistol to the firing range to try it for the first time. I loaded the magazine and placed it in the weapon. I then proceeded to fire at my target. After about three rounds the bullets began to jam and the gun wouldn’t fire. I went to get a range instructor and he oiled the gun and it worked for a few more shots until it jammed again. He told me hold it a certain way and I fired again, but after a few rounds the weapon again began to jam up. Could you, by any chance, give me a reason why this would happen?
Thank You,
Eric Zegaczewski
Answer Semi-auto handguns require that you hold the gun firmly in order for the auto-loading cycle to function properly. This allows enough of the energy of firing the cartridge to be stored in the spring for cycling the action. This is especially true of lighter guns.
If you are gripping the gun firmly, there are several other possible causes (if you bought the gun used, maybe that's why the previous owner sold it). The gun may not be tuned for the type of ammo you are using, sometimes the magazine lips need to be adjusted, sometimes the spring is too light or too heavy, sometimes the case is stopping on the feed ramp and the ramp needs to be smoothed-out, sometimes the ejection port needs to be filed out at an angle.
You could try another type of ammunition first. Try a full metal jacket type to see if that works. Even if you don't want to use FMJ, that will give you a clue to the problem. You should probably take it to a gunsmith to make any needed adjustments.
