No - this is normal. All semi autos get that wear - usually in the same spot, bth on the top and the bottom of the barrel.

This occurs from the slide and the barrel rubbing together, as the slide goes back and forth.

ALL semi autos get this to some degree.

I am probably the biggest "don't get the gun scratched" guy here - I go out of my way to not scratch up my guns. And, my carry gun is hard chromed, so it won't get holster wear.

However - this is 1 part of wear that you cannot avoid unless U don't shoot it.

U will also get wear on the top of the barrel block (the part of the barrel you see when the slide is closed).

That's life...

Thanks very much, takes a load off my mind.
The internet can make being a newb so much less painful

Yep---it's normal and you can't avoid it.

Congrats on your new Sig. Nice, ain't it? As previously alluded to, there's nothing you can do about that barrel wear aside from making your Sig a "Safe Queen"; Sigs weren't really designed for that. I recently had the privilege of shooting a well-worn, rusty levered Sig P229 chambered in .357 Sig. It had seen a lot of use but shot just great. The owner was still in love with it, rust, scratches, worn finish and all. One last thing about most Sig Sauers: you won't have to expend 500 to 1000 rounds of costly ammo to "break it in".

Yup, the other guys are on the money. It's perfectly normal. I am sort of the opposite of Shipwreck, and don't give a damn what my defense guns look like. They're here to take care of me, not vice versa. I think a well-worn pistol is the mark of a serious shooter who practices a lot.

Well - this free FNP will me my first time that I'm just not gonna care about the finish - I'm gonna let whatever happens, happens, and not worry about protecting it more with an aftermarket finish.

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

Well - this free FNP will me my first time that I'm just not gonna care about the finish - I'm gonna let whatever happens, happens, and not worry about protecting it more with an aftermarket finish.

"FREE FNP"?? How does one go about getting a free FN?

Originally Posted by IntegraGSR

"FREE FNP"?? How does one go about getting a free FN?

One would have to be the admin of an FN Forum for a minimum of 19 months, and have FN sponsor you, in order to get one

But now we're gettin' off topic...

The wear on the barrrel is commonly referred to by aficionados as "Sig smilies."

What does that mean ?

Sigs are notorious for wear on the top of the barrel that is seen in the ejection port. It is perfectly normal wear for a Sig. Glocks, S&Ws, Rugers, etc., don't wear like that.

Originally Posted by Gudda

What does that mean ?

What does what mean?

Wear is normal and so are smileys on the Sig barrels......JJ

Shipwreck told it to you straight. Congrats on the P226; it's one of the best pistols anywhere, at any price.

Hey, congrats on the new Sig! Just as said before, this is normal wear. I have a few pistols that have this.

Originally Posted by FNISHR

Shipwreck told it to you straight. Congrats on the P226; it's one of the best pistols anywhere, at any price.

Originally Posted by berettatoter

Hey, congrats on the new Sig! Just as said before, this is normal wear. I have a few pistols that have this.

Original post date: 6/28/2008

I'm guessing that "new" Sig has a bit more wear on it now.

Thanks for the question from 4 years ago. I was wondering the same thing about my, I think it's about 10 years old 'used to be a safe queen' 92FS. My first almost new gun. Seeing the same kind of wear on the barrel right where it goes through the slide I was concerned, as you were, that something was rubbing wrong and I would at the least have to re-blue it and at most take it to a gunsmith. On my initial trip to the range I had stove pipes and FTE's because I had not cleaned it first. Newb mistake, didn't even think about that. (I now clean after every range trip, part of the enjoyment for me.) Second time to the range it fed flawless and I put more rounds through it than it had since it's birth. Now starting up between 200 and 600 rounds I notice those rub marks showed up.

With this information I am not going to worry about them for now but rather offer them as proof of practice.

My question is, can I expect them to go all the way to shiny metal and if that happens should I worry then? The slide and barrel won't rust will they? This hobby only got started for me 5 months ago so I'm still learning. Today's metals are different than my old blue .22lr squirrel gun.