With extreme sadness re: my Hellcat

[xdman]

I could not recreate it, thats why I wanted to do a video call, so I could accurately try to reproduce it. Since it sounds like the slide has to be in the right position.

 

[Invisibleflash]

I got 2 Hellcats. No need for having none available. Buy another one OP. I'll get 2 more Hellcats later on.

I gave up on revolvers for CCW after Summer of Love 2020. Now carry 2 Hellcats. Went from 5 rounds to 30 rounds. Hellcats are the standard in micro 9mm that all the others strive to be.

I still got tons of Glocks and some FN's round the house. But only carry Hellcats for CCW other than a Glock with drum mag as a trunk gun unless I'm packing a SBR AR.

Have many backups, two is one and one is none OP.

 

[jumpinjoe]

I could not recreate it, thats why I wanted to do a video call, so I could accurately try to reproduce it. Since it sounds like the slide has to be in the right position.

The best I could determine was that the slide had to be far enough back for the slide lock button to engage the slide notch or maybe even all the way to the rear. While holding the slide all the way to the rear, I could literally push the button up and inward toward the slide. At that point the button would actually move inward about 1/32" - 1/16". If the slide was released to engage the lock button at that point it would jam the button ..... and only release it if and when the slide was pulled rearward which relieved the slide tension and I could visually see the button actually 'pop' outward. At that point I could simply pull downward on the button to release the slide completely.

 

[Annihilator]

The best I could determine was that the slide had to be far enough back for the slide lock button to engage the slide notch or maybe even all the way to the rear. While holding the slide all the way to the rear, I could literally push the button up and inward toward the slide. At that point the button would actually move inward about 1/32" - 1/16". If the slide was released to engage the lock button at that point it would jam the button ..... and only release it if and when the slide was pulled rearward which relieved the slide tension and I could visually see the button actually 'pop' outward. At that point I could simply pull downward on the button to release the slide completely.

Joe, got a question if you can remember, when you had your Hellcat apart, was the spring still on the slide release just inside the frame, I was just wondering if the spring broke and caused your issue, had mine apart several times this morning trying again to duplicate your issue, couldn’t and was thinking on that spring

 

[dennisd]

Just today I sadly and with a lot of anxiety boxed up my Hellcat to send it back to SA. Unfortunately a few days ago while locking back the slide with a slightly injured hand, I unintentionally added just a slight sideways pressure to the slide lock button while pushing it up to lock the slide back before handing it to a friend.

What resulted was the lock button jamming and refusing to unlock and drop the slide until I pulled the slide back slightly and relieved the tension on the lock button. As the slide moved rearward just enough for the notch to be engaged by the lock button, the lock button actually moved inward toward the slide about 1/32"-1/16" and actually jammed. I couldn't apply enough downward pressure to unlock the slide until I relieved the tension from the lock button at which time it 'popped' back out to where it should be and from there on unlocked by a simple pull downward and released the slide.

Afterwards, on several occasions I intentionally pressed the button inward as I pushed upward on it and each time it would move that very slight amount inward toward the slide and jam.

The good news is....... I called SA's customer service folks and talked to a guy named Drew. Drew was as surprised as I had been to hear about this particular issue and took time to actually talk to one of their techs about the issue. The tech also was unaware of the situation and suggested I send it in for them to take a 'look see'.

They immediately sent me, via email, a document with full instructions on how to proceed and a shipping label to be attached to a boxed Hellcat. As reluctant as I am/was to send my gun in for a 'look see, I felt very comfortable that it and I will be taken care of in short order.

As much a PIA as it is to have to send any product back to the manufacturer, it is a relief to be able to deal with folks like Drew at SA. He was professional, courteous, knowledgeable in handling the situation, and fast. As bad as I hated to send my gun away, I can/will highly recommend SA's customer service and product support.

I had a similar experience with SA after having a feeding problem with my .45 1911. Not only did they fix the issue, but added a couple of upgrades!

 

[SinisterKid76]

Just today I sadly and with a lot of anxiety boxed up my Hellcat to send it back to SA. Unfortunately a few days ago while locking back the slide with a slightly injured hand, I unintentionally added just a slight sideways pressure to the slide lock button while pushing it up to lock the slide back before handing it to a friend.

What resulted was the lock button jamming and refusing to unlock and drop the slide until I pulled the slide back slightly and relieved the tension on the lock button. As the slide moved rearward just enough for the notch to be engaged by the lock button, the lock button actually moved inward toward the slide about 1/32"-1/16" and actually jammed. I couldn't apply enough downward pressure to unlock the slide until I relieved the tension from the lock button at which time it 'popped' back out to where it should be and from there on unlocked by a simple pull downward and released the slide.

Afterwards, on several occasions I intentionally pressed the button inward as I pushed upward on it and each time it would move that very slight amount inward toward the slide and jam.

The good news is....... I called SA's customer service folks and talked to a guy named Drew. Drew was as surprised as I had been to hear about this particular issue and took time to actually talk to one of their techs about the issue. The tech also was unaware of the situation and suggested I send it in for them to take a 'look see'.

They immediately sent me, via email, a document with full instructions on how to proceed and a shipping label to be attached to a boxed Hellcat. As reluctant as I am/was to send my gun in for a 'look see, I felt very comfortable that it and I will be taken care of in short order.

As much a PIA as it is to have to send any product back to the manufacturer, it is a relief to be able to deal with folks like Drew at SA. He was professional, courteous, knowledgeable in handling the situation, and fast. As bad as I hated to send my gun away, I can/will highly recommend SA's customer service and product support.

Tried mine several times trying to get the slide lock to stick but no luck. Pushed it in, pushed up and down on the front edge, then on the rear edge and it worked fine each time.
Sorry jumpinjoe, hopefully SA gets it back to you in a timely manner and it's better than new. Keep us posted.

 

[straydoglogic]

I saw somewhere that this issue was addressed and that any Hellcat born after Jan 2021 was no longer affected. I'm sure that many here know more than I do about it, but that's what I read anyway.

 

[jumpinjoe]

I saw somewhere that this issue was addressed and that any Hellcat born after Jan 2021 was no longer affected. I'm sure that many here know more than I do about it, but that's what I read anyway.

Well, this may be the answer. Mine was bought way back in early 2020. I had never heard of this issue so we'll see. Anybody else here know anything about this?

It does seem strange though that if this were a known issue prior to Jan 2021, they would have mentioned it when I called customer service.

I've got to give FedEx a big thanks though. I dropped the package off on Tuesday pm and got an email notice it was received yesterday mid pm. Pretty fast transport to SA.

 

[jumpinjoe]

Anybody else got one born prior to Jan 2021? Just curious.

 

[straydoglogic]

Well, this may be the answer. Mine was bought way back in early 2020. I had never heard of this issue so we'll see. Anybody else here know anything about this?

From what I understand it has to do with the trigger safety catching on the small gap behind the trigger. I saw some people filing down the back of the trigger safety ever so slightly and resolving it. Not something I'd ever do, but it seems to help.

 

[jumpinjoe]

From what I understand it has to do with the trigger safety catching on the small gap behind the trigger. I saw some people filing down the back of the trigger safety ever so slightly and resolving it. Not something I'd ever do, but it seems to help.

Oh oh, I think we must have crossed up somewhere. My issue had to do with the slide lock button jamming if it were pushed inward while locking back the slide. It didn't have anything to do with the trigger safety, although I am pretty familiar with that issue for some. I never had the trigger issue at all. And actually, I'm pretty convinced the trigger deal was more related to a user issue than a trigger issue.

But thanks.

 

[straydoglogic]

Oh oh, I think we must have crossed up somewhere. My issue had to do with the slide lock button jamming if it were pushed inward while locking back the slide. It didn't have anything to do with the trigger safety, although I am pretty familiar with that issue for some. I never had the trigger issue at all. And actually, I'm pretty convinced the trigger deal was more related to a user issue than a trigger issue.

But thanks.

Ahhh, my apologies. That's what happens when I come in late to the game; I have no idea what I'm talking about lol. I do agree with you on your last sentence as well. Muh bad.

 

[jumpinjoe]

No, not bad my friend .....it's just like you said, a little "late to the game". It's all good !!!

 

[Annihilator]

Well, this may be the answer. Mine was bought way back in early 2020. I had never heard of this issue so we'll see. Anybody else here know anything about this?

It does seem strange though that if this were a known issue prior to Jan 2021, they would have mentioned it when I called customer service.

I've got to give FedEx a big thanks though. I dropped the package off on Tuesday pm and got an email notice it was received yesterday mid pm. Pretty fast transport to SA.

Well, I guess you didn’t want to answer my question, that’s fine, good luck with your gun when it comes back

 

[BobM]

Joe, got a question if you can remember, when you had your Hellcat apart, was the spring still on the slide release just inside the frame, I was just wondering if the spring broke and caused your issue, had mine apart several times this morning trying again to duplicate your issue, couldn’t and was thinking on that spring

Annie, am thinking JJ missed your question?

 

[jumpinjoe]

Annie, I sure as hell did miss the question.... don't know how but I did....... man I'm sorry ..... you know I wouldn't intentionally ignore you!!! Only thing I can see to cause me missing your question was I had read down so many posts I simply forgot you had asked.

OK, here's the best I can do. I never tried it with the gun taken apart. It only happened when I pulled the slide back to lock it, like you would do before handing it off to someone else. At the point the slide was far enough back that the lock could engage the lock notch is when it happened. I'm going to say the spring was still there and working as it should since if I pulled the slide back just enough to relieve the recoil spring tension, the little lock button would actually 'pop' outward to the proper position. Then I could allow the slide to remain locked back and drop it by simply pulling down on the slide lock button. But up until I relieved the slide tension by pulling it back just a tine bit, the lock button was jammed tighter than 'Dick's hat band'.

And once again man ...... I'm sorry it appeared I ignored you.

 

[Annihilator]

Annie, I sure as hell did miss the question.... don't know how but I did....... man I'm sorry ..... you know I wouldn't intentionally ignore you!!! Only thing I can see to cause me missing your question was I had read down so many posts I simply forgot you had asked.

OK, here's the best I can do. I never tried it with the gun taken apart. It only happened when I pulled the slide back to lock it, like you would do before handing it off to someone else. At the point the slide was far enough back that the lock could engage the lock notch is when it happened. I'm going to say the spring was still there and working as it should since if I pulled the slide back just enough to relieve the recoil spring tension, the little lock button would actually 'pop' outward to the proper position. Then I could allow the slide to remain locked back and drop it by simply pulling down on the slide lock button. But up until I relieved the slide tension by pulling it back just a tine bit, the lock button was jammed tighter than 'Dick's hat band'.

And once again man ...... I'm sorry it appeared I ignored you.

 

[Annihilator]

Annie, I sure as hell did miss the question.... don't know how but I did....... man I'm sorry ..... you know I wouldn't intentionally ignore you!!! Only thing I can see to cause me missing your question was I had read down so many posts I simply forgot you had asked.

OK, here's the best I can do. I never tried it with the gun taken apart. It only happened when I pulled the slide back to lock it, like you would do before handing it off to someone else. At the point the slide was far enough back that the lock could engage the lock notch is when it happened. I'm going to say the spring was still there and working as it should since if I pulled the slide back just enough to relieve the recoil spring tension, the little lock button would actually 'pop' outward to the proper position. Then I could allow the slide to remain locked back and drop it by simply pulling down on the slide lock button. But up until I relieved the slide tension by pulling it back just a tine bit, the lock button was jammed tighter than 'Dick's hat band'.

And once again man ...... I'm sorry it appeared I ignored you.

It was worth a shot, I hope when you get it back they explain what might have caused it so the rest of us has some kind of ideal about it. Also Joe, all is fine.

 

[jumpinjoe]

 

[KillerFord1977]

I got 2 Hellcats. No need for having none available. Buy another one OP. I'll get 2 more Hellcats later on.

I gave up on revolvers for CCW after Summer of Love 2020. Now carry 2 Hellcats. Went from 5 rounds to 30 rounds. Hellcats are the standard in micro 9mm that all the others strive to be.

I still got tons of Glocks and some FN's round the house. But only carry Hellcats for CCW other than a Glock with drum mag as a trunk gun unless I'm packing a SBR AR.

Have many backups, two is one and one is none OP.View attachment 21629

3 paperweights and a fantastic firearm.