FN SLP 18" Failure To Cycle Jamming

[simontang86]

Hi Everyone,

 

New to the forum, I chose this one to post as it had the most comprehensive responses for this issue, but it was back in 2013: https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/181004-fn-slp-mark-1-new-jam-nightmare-1-bronze-piston/

 

I bought this gun for general home defense, but to also use whenever I do 3-Gun or skeet/trap (which isn't often).

 

I brought it with me for skeet/trap for my bachelor party this weekend and upon firing it jammed. I was incredibly discouraged. I made a video on the issue here: https://youtu.be/4stL6OVZcdw

 

Now, if you watch the video you're probably cringing when I try to pull the shell out, but when your $1100 gun isn't working you tend to get a little frustrated.

 

FN Shipped me 2 pistons, 1 for heavy (>1.5oz) and 1 for light (<1.5oz) loads. I have the light load piston installed as the shells are cheap 1oz bulk birdshot.

 

I found that many people fixed this issue by ordering the Browning Gold Piston. I went to order it right away, but it looks like this product is discontinued. I then went to look for alternative pistons that could possibly work, but couldn't really find anything solid. The only ones I found were these 2:

1. https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/b111605102

2. https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/B1126524FN

However, both of these say in the description that they WILL NOT work with 18" SLP shotguns...

 

I also ready that the Sure Cycle System could possibly fix this issue, but I don't think it's this part, I think the issue is the piston.

 

I'm also reading that reaching out to FN Customer Service is pointless, so before I turn there I'd like to see if anyone on this forum could possibly help me.

 

I'm really stumped here, really could use some help as this is incredibly painful. Thank you all!

Edited September 26, 2018 by simontang86

[simontang86]

FN just got back to me and said the lightest shells the piston (even though it says less than 1.5 oz) can take is 1.25 oz. The shells I currently own are 1 ounce so I guess I'll have to buy some new ammo and try them out...

 

Still can't find any Browning pistons

[hgr2]

The SLPs that I have will not cycle light loads reliably, if at all. The 18" is especially sensitive to cheap ammo.

 

I bet if you try some Winchester AA your results will improve. My favorite is the WW Super Sport 1 1/8 OZ  1300FPS.

[The Donald]

FLP's hate cheap ammo, Winchester AA, Remington Nitro 27 Golds will work. Buy a couple boxes of each.

[3GLewie]

Here is the Browning Gold Piston in stock: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1005443670/browning-universal-piston-assembly-browning-gold-silver-winchester-sx2-sx3-fnh-slp-12-gauge

With this piston my friends SLP runs flawlessly with Federal bulk packs and has for years. Good shotgun with light recoil when you run a Gold piston.

[simontang86]

AHHH It's back in stock!!! Thank you! I will order this asap, thanks again! I also bought some Winchester Super-X High Brass buckshots and #7 1/2 to test out.

[joelpend]

Good luck with the SLP, sounds like you know what to do. I had bad experience with a couple of them many years back, soured my taste for them. I decided to never work on them again because of unpredictability. They may be better now.