M&P 15-22 Broke After 6 Rounds

[TrevorB]

Just curious, but is S&W manufacturing these, or are they being outsourced?

 

[markw76]

Barrel is made by Thompson-Center (also owned by S&W), that's all I know for sure.

 

[Lynn]

So far, my DSX3xxx example doesn't like goldens but will feed Wildcats like it does Federals and CCI.

I double checked my ejector and it appears it was bent that way from the factory. Might explain my low jam rate so far (6/600 rds)

Keep an eye on this. I haven't cleaned mine yet, kept oil away from the barrel end of the upper, and all's good so far. Things may change for the better with the others as they get a handle on function problems. I've got no regrets so far and wish I had the money to relieve a couple guys of their heartaches.

I must say that your posts are not only usually very informative and helpful, but they are also well thought out and reasonable.

So thanks.

 

[markw76]

I must say that your posts are not only usually very informative and helpful, but they are also well thought out and reasonable.

So thanks.

Why, thank you! I try to be as descriptive as possible. It's rather useless if I can't relate my experiences accurately and in an easily understood manner. Besides that, I've had many years of experience at being understood. 28 years dispatching Fire and Police here. Retired. So if I'm confusing, I'm either being sloppy or my blood glucose is too low.

 

[27 Beck]

Just curious, but is S&W manufacturing these, or are they being outsourced?

S&W is manufacturing these 15-22s. The buck stops right at S&W when there is a problem. As it should.

 

[Lynn]

Why, thank you! I try to be as descriptive as possible. It's rather useless if I can't relate my experiences accurately and in an easily understood manner. Besides that, I've had many years of experience at being understood. 28 years dispatching Fire and Police here. Retired. So if I'm confusing, I'm either being sloppy or my blood glucose is too low.

Just keep up the good work. Oh, and keep your BGL up too.

 

[Lynn]

S&W is manufacturing these 15-22s. The buck stops right at S&W when there is a problem. As it should.

Thankfully they aren't passing that buck and are standing behind their work.

I agree it must be terribly frustrating and disappointing to have a new rifle require repair. I hope mine doesn't go south on me too. So far so good though.

Hang in there you guys. It will all be worth it in the end.

 

[Dukeno1]

I am up to around 600 rounds fired through my 15-22 now and have had one stovepipe and that's it. I really do think that the way you load the magazine is critical. I have been trying to load mine carefully, one round at a time. I pull the follower down just enough to fit one cartridge in. It takes a little longer but seems to be working for me so far! The one stovepipe I had came after loading a mag fairly fast so I believe I caused that one. So far I love this rifle! I can't get enough of firing it and the fact that it is only .22lr makes it a not so guilty pleasure!
I hope those that are having issues get their rifles back to S&W and get them repaired. They are a blast. Now if I could just stop buying accessories for this thing before I go broke!

 

[Lynn]

Good news! Looks like S&W is really taking care of things.

 

[allglock]

Good news! Looks like S&W is really taking care of things.

They should have "taken care" of the problems before they released the gun...... You mean to tell me they never had any of these problems when they did testing on the prototype?.... I think they did.

 

[markw76]

I am up to around 600 rounds fired through my 15-22 now and have had one stovepipe and that's it. I really do think that the way you load the magazine is critical. I have been trying to load mine carefully, one round at a time. I pull the follower down just enough to fit one cartridge in. It takes a little longer but seems to be working for me so far! The one stovepipe I had came after loading a mag fairly fast so I believe I caused that one. So far I love this rifle! I can't get enough of firing it and the fact that it is only .22lr makes it a not so guilty pleasure!
I hope those that are having issues get their rifles back to S&W and get them repaired. They are a blast. Now if I could just stop buying accessories for this thing before I go broke!

That is the prescribed manner to load magazines. If people are taking a shortcut there, then getting feed problems and not reporting the diversion from the instructions, they are costing themselves and S&W a lot of time and expense. It is stressed int he instructions, so S&W spent enough time with the rifle to discover it's peculiarities.
I'm sure most read the instructions, but there are always a few...it's a guy thing.

If you get in a rush or just have a few rounds "out of order", pull the loading buttons down an inch or two and let the follower slap the rounds against the feed lips until the rounds shake themselves into place.

 

[Lynn]

They should have "taken care" of the problems before they released the gun...... You mean to tell me they never had any of these problems when they did testing on the prototype?.... I think they did.

From what I have read both here and elsewhere, from 15-22 owners themselves, a great many owners of these rifles having early build numbers have had few if any problems, and they have not required return to S&W for repair or tune up. So apparently something during either the manufacturing or parts assembly production process, began to cause problems later on, with perhaps even increasing frequency over time.

I certainly would not assume S&W ignored bad testing results, during the prototype development process, in order to rush a weapon into production prematurely, because doing so would be completely counter to their bottom line. They are a business, and offending their customers and trashing their reputation would be tantamount to committing financial suicide.

As it stands now, S&W is one of the few remaining American companies, who have remained at home in the USA instead of "going offshore" as most have. Utilizing only American made parts made by Americans, S&W manages to survive and even thrive despite the unfriendly nature of the "new global marketplace", and I am sure it ain't easy. If you want continuously unerring flawless perfection, you will have to go to God to get it, because nobody else anywhere at all offers that, and for right now at least God isn't making rifles handguns and shooting accessories last I heard.

It is surely a highly complex process, to design, develop, test and put into production a completely new kind of rifle. It is in S&Ws best interest to trace down the problem and fix it, and so of course they are doing their best to do just that. For now the problems they are having, demonstrate very clearly that S&W stands behind their work and does their level best to provide great service to their customers. So I think it both foolish and nothing less than irresponsible to accuse them as you are now doing.

I do not work for S&W. I would very proud to admit it if I did though.

 

[dmar]

I don't have the Smith model, but do have the Colt 'M4' .22, and like it a lot. It hates Remington, but Federal and Wolf have fired without a hitch; and it's a whole lot of fun! Feels like a real AR, but absolutely no recoil, and 30 rounds to point-of-aim; as fast as you can pull the trigger! I also find it surprizingly accurate, even with the 'plinker grade' trigger...

I didn't like the amount of polymer on the S&W, compared to the Colt. But, I do like the S&W solid barrel, compared to the Colt's barrel. Does anyone have the Ruger AR .22 for a comparison...?

I've got a bunch of semi auto .22s, and these AR .22s are definitely not on the high side of manufacturing quality. Overall, I'd say that you get what you pay for. These AR .22s are definitely not made like their big brothers, but they also don't cost $1,000+, and they are a lot of fun to shoot. I got mine as a novelty; as a fun plinker, and I'm pretty happy that I did. Cheaper to shoot than my full power ARs...

I would agree with the comment that you do get more gun for the money with a 10/22. One of my 10/22s is the bull barrel 'US Olympic Team' 'race guns.' That gun cost less than my AR .22, and it is head and shoulders above the AR .22 in terms of accuracy, quality, and reliability. But, if you already have a 10/22 (or two, or three, or...), then I think the AR .22 is worth getting.

I also agree with the comments on the importance of how you load up the magazine on these AR .22s. The way these things are made (rounds can go in pretty loose in the mag), it would be easy to have feed issues if they are not properly stacked... You have to be sure they lay in there properly, or you will be sure to have problems (another advantage of the Ruger 10/22; great magazine design...). Just pull the mag follower down low enough to put in one round at a time, and place spring tension on the rounds if they start to get bunched-up.

I've decided to get a red-dot sight for my Colt, this is sure to increase the fun factor!

 

[Lynn]

I don't have the Smith model, but do have the Colt 'M4' .22, and like it a lot.

I didn't like the amount of polymer on the S&W, compared to the Colt. But, I do like the S&W solid barrel, compared to the Colt's barrel.

I considered buying Colt's M4 .22. I also considered getting the .22 GSG-5 H&K MP5 clone.

I decided that the tried and true firearm grade polymer, used in many Pistols like the Ruger LCP and so many other pistol makes and models, was far far better than the die cast zinc (POT METAL) that the Colt M4 22 and GSG-5 are both made of.

I could go on, but that was sure enough right there, for me at least.

 

[dmar]

I considered buying Colt's M4 .22. I also considered getting the .22 GSG-5 H&K MP5 clone.

I decided that the tried and true firearm grade polymer, used in many Pistols like the Ruger LCP and so many other pistol makes and models, was far far better than the die cast zinc (POT METAL) that the Colt M4 22 and GSG-5 are both made of.

I could go on, but that was sure enough right there, for me at least.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the pot metal on the Colt either, but it's more than adequate in it's application, and unlike the polymer in the S&W receiver, it is unseen in the inards of the traditional-style AR receiver...

Again, for me, the use of polymer in the S&W was a turnoff in an AR type rifle; YMMV... I think it's too bad that both companies didn't do it right and put a little more quality into these guns, and charged a little more for them. But hey, who knows, I may still get a 15-22 one of these days...

 

[Lynn]

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the pot metal on the Colt either, but it's more than adequate in it's application, and unlike the polymer in the S&W receiver, it is unseen in the inards of the traditional-style AR receiver...

Again, for me, the use of polymer in the S&W was a turnoff in an AR type rifle; YMMV... I think it's too bad that both companies didn't do it right and put a little more quality into these guns, and charged a little more for them. But hey, who knows, I may still get a 15-22 one of these days...

The pot metal is not hidden inside the receiver. The Colt M4 receiver itself is made of pot metal.

You really should take another look at firearm grade polymer. It is much stronger and more durable than that pot metal junk.

The M&P 15-22 has great fit and finish. The quality is obviously there. The 15-22 has functional AR style controls, e.g. the side bolt catch release button, the charger handle, the magazine release, all function just like any other AR. The same cannot be said for the Colt M4 22.

The M&P 15-22 also breaks down just like any other AR. The upper and lower easily separate, just like any other AR, making it very easy to clean and maintain.

You can drop in any milspec AR trigger/hammer group right into the M&P 15-22. Try doing that with Colt's pot metal 22 M4.

 

[markw76]

I didn't like the amount of polymer on the S&W, compared to the Colt. But, I do like the S&W solid barrel, compared to the Colt's barrel. Does anyone have the Ruger AR .22 for a comparison...?

The AR-22 is just a dressed-up 10-22. MSRP is higher than the 15-22, but you don't get as much for it IMO.

I considered buying Colt's M4 .22. I also considered getting the .22 GSG-5 H&K MP5 clone.

I decided that the tried and true firearm grade polymer, used in many Pistols like the Ruger LCP and so many other pistol makes and models, was far far better than the die cast zinc (POT METAL) that the Colt M4 22 and GSG-5 are both made of.

I could go on, but that was sure enough right there, for me at least.

Same here. I had both in my hands and without even knowing about the cracked receivers on some of the Umarex guns out of the box, I bought the Smith. Never had a polymer gun before, but it's light, no rattles, sturdy as heck, rigid, won't rust, and all controls are AR duplicates and it takes mil-spec aftermarket goodies. What more could a hard-boiled Zombie assassin need or want?

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the pot metal on the Colt either, but it's more than adequate in it's application, and unlike the polymer in the S&W receiver, it is unseen in the inards of the traditional-style AR receiver...

Again, for me, the use of polymer in the S&W was a turnoff in an AR type rifle; YMMV... I think it's too bad that both companies didn't do it right and put a little more quality into these guns, and charged a little more for them. But hey, who knows, I may still get a 15-22 one of these days...

You should. Some time with both may have you changing your mind! The zinc alloy of the M4 is OK, as long as it isn't cracked before you get a hold of it. Someone with deep pockets needs to do a "drive over it with a truck and see if it still shoots" test on them...

After having my 15-22 for a few hundred rounds, I'm looking forward to another polymer gun...maybe the Ruger 9mm.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The AR-22 is just a dressed-up 10-22. MSRP is higher than the 15-22, but you don't get as much for it IMO.

I chose the 15-22 over the Ruger SR-22 because of cosmetics, and would make the same choice again. As far as what someone gets for the money, I duknow...

The SR-22 comes with a threaded barrel and flash hider. That's about a 100.00 value.

The SR-22 is equiped with a handgaurd that accomodates different rail configurations. The 15-22 does not. Value is in the eye of the beholder, but flexibility is of value.

The SR-22 has a proven 10-22 action that is extremely reliable. The 15-22 is plauged with a less than reliable action. Priceless.

The SR-22 has many magazine options to chose from to 50 rounds. The 15-22 a 10 and 25 with questionable functionality. The value of a reliable magazine configurations?
Priceless.

The SR-22 does not come with sights. The S&W comes with sights that appear to be from the parts bin at UTG. Value 50.00.

Now, if someone is trying to learn how to operate the charging handle, fire selection and bolt release design of an AR-15, then only the 15-22 will do.

And... if someone wants practice at clearing a jammed .22lr, then they'll get way more for the money with the 15-22.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I think it's too bad that both companies didn't do it right and put a little more quality into these guns, and charged a little more for them. But hey, who knows, I may still get a 15-22 one of these days...

I agree. Both companies focused on cosmetics at the expense of functional design.

 

[Lynn]

Same here. I had both in my hands and without even knowing about the cracked receivers on some of the Umarex guns out of the box, I bought the Smith. Never had a polymer gun before, but it's light, no rattles, sturdy as heck, rigid, won't rust, and all controls are AR duplicates and it takes mil-spec aftermarket goodies. What more could a hard-boiled Zombie assassin need or want?

My experience was very similar to your own. I held a GSG-5, and I was impressed with it's build quality and attention to detail. Then I learned it is made of pot metal. From my experience with that material, I knew that all it would take, is one good drop on some rocks, and it would crack.

I agree about polymer. I understand the concerns of some about it. But I also have experience with that material, and I know first hand how durable and sturdy it is. The same stuff is used in commercial jet aircraft construction, and I wont scare the others by mentioning how extensively and where. Lets just say, it is very tough stuff, and I trust it.

I agree with you about the great functionality also. The 15-22 is definitely more than just cosmetics.