I've got a k-22 from about 1947 and when I shoot hi-velocity stuff extraction is a b---h. Standard velocity is ok. I cleaned the h out of the chambers (heavy brushing lots of patches etc and that seemed to help. But still after two or three cylinders full extraction is difficult and the spent cases won't go back in.

Any ideas? I don't mind the scrubing and all but I'd like to get more than 10 or 15 shots off between cleanings. And NO I won't sell it even if I can't shoot it! I can always replace it with a 617.

Thanks guys.

Have you tried different brands of HV ammo? I have one that does the same thing, I just run a rifle length bore brush through the chambers, one pass will do ya, every now and again and keep shooting. IMHO its worth the hassel.

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Stay safe people!

It's not unheard of for K-22's to have extraction issues with certain brands or types of ammo. Actually, it's fairly common with other types of guns chambered in .22 LR. Sometimes one brand of ammo will give perfect results, while another brand within the same performance range makes you want to pull your hair out.

I've usually been able to weed out the less than stellar performers by running 50 rounds of 4-5 different brands of .22 ammo - all in the same velocity range. The guns (K-22's and others) usually show a preference for what they like best - both by the way the group as well as how well they function (extract, eject, feed, etc.). When I find a particular brand and type of ammo that tends to work better with a particular gun, I make a note of it, and avoid the stuff that tends to take the fun out of shooting that particular gun.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

I understand that the earlier Smith .22's may have had tighter chambers(= better accuracy) causing tight extraction after a few cylinders. Personally I'm fine with it. I keep a .22 bore brush in my shooting kit and if extraction starts to get sticky a few strokes with the brush and everything's fine again.

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Pecos: Mike has the right idea. Keep a .22 caliber bronze brush and a cotton bore swab hand in your shooting kit. Use the brush first and then the swab in the cylinder only of your K Model. But before going to the range next do this: Take the cylinder out of the revolver, unscrew the ejector rod, take the ejector star out of the cylinder. Then take a old worn .22 bronze brush and wrap it with a very thin layer of OOOO steel wool, chuck a short cleaning rod in a variable speed drill motor, put some good bore cleaner on the steel wool and then using a very slow rotational speed swab each chamber out with a gentle fore and aft motion. Don't over do this. Clean the cylinder normally. I bet the problem will be solved right there. ........ Big Cholla

Your K-22 is a target gun. It undoubtedly has tight chambers to enhance it's inherent accuracy. Unless you plan to use it for hunting, why shoot HV rounds in it? They are generally more expensive and will probably continue to do precisely what your are experiencing. Stick with the standard velocity or target ammo and shoot the HV in another gun. At today's ammo prices, you can probably save enough not buying HV ammo to eventually get a good Ruger Mark II or III and blast away with whatever you like in it.

One added thing.....your 1940's vintage K-22 is becoming more and more valuable, which in itself might be enough motivation to stick with standard velocity ammo. JMHO.

I've had the same experience with my K-22 . . . using Rem Std Vel Target ammo (same as I used in my Hartford HS Victor years ago) and Aguila SV that CMP sells.

A member here suggested polishing the chambers with a bit of carnuba wax. I just did that but haven't had time yet to shoot it to see if that solves the problem.

My K22 will start to get hard extraction after about 75 rounds with some ammo and I also have a bore brush in my range bag and I run it through the chambers and go back to shooting. The gun is so great I don't mind doing that as it's just part of the process. My 17-4 with 8 3/8 inch barrel is very accurate and it doesn't experience the same problem.

Polishing the chambers will help. Slight reaming impressions/ridges (you may need a magnifier to see them), could be the culprit. The brand of ammo that used the powder that creates the highest pressure will press the cases into these ridges and make the chambers hard to extract from. I just had this in a 940 (9mm) and a fellow forum member was generous enough to loan me some flex hones to polish the chambers. Where I previously had to beat WWB empties out of the chamber, I can now extract with just thumb pressure.

Without having to buy flex hones, you could take a bore mop that fits tight, and some fine polishing compound, and polish the chambers by chucking the mop into a cordless drill and using up to medium speed and constantly moving the mop in and out slowly for a few minutes.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

My 1959 model 17 no dash does not have this problem unless I shoot Remington ammo in it. In fact, a lot of Rem ammo won't even chamber unless pushed hard into the chambers, so if you're using Rem. that may be your problem. Federal works fine - so does Winchester.


PS: This info is several years old as I no longer buy/shoot Rem .22 ammo since their quality dropped off.

PS + 1 My early 80s 18-4 does get a bit hard to chamber Fed & Win -- but after more like 75-100 rounds. A light brushing (bronze brush) brings it back to normal.

Good Luck!

I have had good success with JB Bore Paste available from Brownells. You need to use a bore mop wraped with patches for a tight fit. The patches are then impregnated with the paste.

re: Jimmymac46

I don't know where you are but here now and always hi-velocity LR's are MUCH cheaper than standard velocity. Always has been. Also it would take "zabillon" HV OR standard velocity rounds to wear out a Smith .22. Bottom line. HV won't do any damage to your J or K frame .22's.

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Pecos here. Thanks for the help guys. I've tried three brands of HV ammo with the same results. When I said I cleaned the h out of the chambers I stopped just short of a polish, even thought of that myself. I've got no problem with SV ammo this is just something that bugs me for some reason. Sheesh, I've got no problem living with CB's. It's just fun shooting the old dog. How dare someone suggest I should save for a Ruger. My Buckmark does just fine. Thanks again for all the help and suggestions they have been or will be tried.

And by the by my range box carries a full cleaning kit.

Thanks agian