Reliability-challenged Heritage Stealth.

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

I've got a Hertitage Stealth C-4200 in .40 cal. It's a neat little gun, and it only cost $300 +tax+fees to take it home. The problem is that it doesn't want tot feed unless the mag is pushed firmly up into the mag well. On its own, the mag will sag about 60-7- thousandths, which makes bullet noses jam on the feed ramp, or case mouths to catch on the top of the chamber. These problems vanish when the mag is pushed up.

Should I send it back to Heritage and Gripe at them? I bought this gun new, and put about 100 rounds throught it. I was hoping some of the issues were "new gun" crankiness, but it's performance is very consistent.

Is it a magazine problem, easily fixed with a different one?

any input from the public at large concerning these guns and solutions in general is most welcome.Thanks!

 

[customfret]

From my experience, I suggest you try polishing the feedramp & firing a couple hundred more rounds through it. If that doesn't fix it, send it back.
It has a 10 year warranty & Heritage customer service is first rate!

After the first couple hundred rounds (and polishing the feed ramp) my first Heritage Stealth 40 didn't have any more problems until around 1,200 rounds had been fired through it. After firing a magazine through it about a month ago, it wouldn't let the empty magazine eject. I jiggled the thing around & finally got it out, inserted a full mag & tried to eject it, & it fell out just fine. So...I then attempted to fire the gun with the new mag of ammo, & when I pulled the trigger, it pulled all the way to the rear without firing the gun! Humm.... I tried pulling the trigger quickly, and it fired, but it just wouldn't fire if pulled slowly.

I sent my Stealth back & about a week later they called to tell me they were sending me a new replacement gun because of some kind of "frame problem", and were going to destroy my gun.

The new gun, which I've had about a week, has about 200 rounds through it, has fed & ejected flawlessly, and everthing is much "tighter" than the old one. The magazines "snap" into place with this one, and accuracy is MUCH better...with 25' groups about 1/2 the diameter of the old gun. In fact, this one gives me similar sized groups to my Kimber Custom Compact!

I bought my Stealth mainly to carry with me when on bicycle rides because it was cheap & made from materials that I felt wouldn't have problems with rust if I rode in the rain. It's become my primary carry piece in an Alessi IWB Talon + holster, because of the 11 rounds of 40 S&W in a very small size and the 20 oz. fully loaded weight. I can carry it all day & not really notice it's there. The gas delayed action also makes it the lightest recoiling "40" I've shot to date!

My old gun had the "loose mag" feeling you seem to be describing, although it worked just fine for awhile.

Please keep us informed of your situation!