Did you clean the gun with Hoppes 9 or your favorite cleaner and oil the gun before either trip to the range?

That probably sounds like an ignorant question since you've done the Flitz, springs, and polish on the inside, but a dirty gun (i.e., cylinders, barrel, etc., and no oil on the moving parts) could contribute to your problem with a Smith .22.

My two bits,

Bob

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob