I agree this kind of thing shouldn't happen on a new gun. Moreover, once in a blue moon, ok, but enough that it becomes a known issue is another thing. I don't have a 15-22, my cousin just bought one though, and thats why I started coming into this part of the forum. Research. Didn't take me long or much reading to see all this either.

The first day he got it, he took it home and shot the thing. Next day he brought it to the house. Said he was getting a lot of jams. Said he found this part when he pulled the mag out. It was the plunger. Spring and extractor flew out of it the first day and he never noticed (no clue how the plunger stuck around long enough to be found). I ordered a VQ extractor and an A22 spring off Ebay for him instead of sending the thing back to Smith for god knows how long. Runs perfect now, but come on, one day? Glad the forum was here for us to get the tip on the A22 spring matching up though. 15-22 springs are evidently like hen's teeth.