Fail to feed with full 25 round magazine

[HKster]

Hi, I am a new member and after couple months of debating on either buying the Ruger SR-22 or the M&P 15-22, I bought the 1522 two days ago. Serial # DUU & 2nd gen mag. I use CCI mini mags 36grain copper plated hollow point. The first 150 rounds had no issues. I was only loading either 5, 10, 15 or 20 rounds. After that I load the mag with 25 rounds and the 1st round was fail to feed, the next 24 rounds were no problems.

Everything time I load 25 in the mag, the same happens, 1st round FTF. I looked at the FTF round, I can see black plastic on the bullet head and the head is loose from the casing. I couldn't figure out what the black plastic was.

When I got home I looked at the magazine and I can see little bit of polymer missing from the top inside corner of the mag where the bullet sits. I think something is hitting and shaving the polymer off and not loading the round properly.

Is there a fix for this, I don't really want to bother S&W unless I have to. I guess I can just load 20 rounds and avoid this issue, but that defeats the purpose of having a 25 round mag. Otherwise I love this rifle, 1.5" groupings at 25 yards and 2.5" groupings at 50 yards using Bushnell banner 3-9x50mm and Grip-Pod.

 

[chuck s]

The magazine will not hold 25 rounds unless the rounds stagger themselves in the magazine body. Forcing the 25th (and sometimes 24th) into the magazine when there's no room (from poor loading) will cause this every time.

The magazine on the right will give you trouble if you jam that last round (or two) into it.

-- Chuck

 

[HKster]

Thats what I thought with the 1st FTF. I was careful and double checked to make sure the rounds were staggered....still FTF with the 1st round.

 

[grimreaper21]

is the bolt in the proper position before firing?

 

[E6type]

I never fill magazines all the way up due to this problem either. In Iraq, all of the magazines for my M4 had 28 rounds in them. Why have to clear a jam when you're are already reloading!

 

[HKster]

is the bolt in the proper position before firing?

I am new to guns...I guess the bolt is in the proper place. After I emptied the mag, the action stays open, I release the mag, load the mag, put the mag back in, push the bolt release on the left side of the rifle. Pull trigger and FTF.

After I eject the FTF round, I can rapid fire the next 24 rounds. I'll go and buy another mag and see if it is an mag issue.

 

[zamboni_driver]

I am new to guns...I guess the bolt is in the proper place. After I emptied the mag, the action stays open, I release the mag, load the mag, put the mag back in, push the bolt release on the left side of the rifle. Pull trigger and FTF.

After I eject the FTF round, I can rapid fire the next 24 rounds. I'll go and buy another mag and see if it is an mag issue.

Don't you have to pull the charging handle back somwhere in there? I always do when changing mags..

 

[DownRange&Upwind]

Don't you have to pull the charging handle back somwhere in there? I always do when changing mags..

I do the same process of empty a clip.. lol mag got ya ha ha any way.. I empty a mag, the bolt stays open. I drop the current mag, insert a new one and hit the bolt release, continue firing untill empty. You shouldnt need to hit the bolt release the bolt AND charge the handle. My .223's are the same as my 15 22 in this aspect.

 

[Langster]

Don't you have to pull the charging handle back somwhere in there? I always do when changing mags..

You can choose to rack the charge lever instead of hitting the bolt release to put the gun into battery, but that's not optimal as it's waste of motion. Just bang the bolt release lever with your palm as you reach for your forward grip position.

 

[zamboni_driver]

Damn, went to the range tonight and I can't believe I have been using the charging handle all this time. You learn something new everyday..

 

[chuck s]

Actually smack the bolt bolt stop with the heel of your hand.

-- Chuck

 

[HKster]

Update on fail to feed:

The 1st day, I shot 400 rounds of CCI mini mags and 10 FTF.

The 2nd time out, I bought a new 2nd gen mag. Shot 300 rounds of CCI mini mags and also 10 FTF. I only load the mag with 20 rounds. The FTF is unpredictable, it could be the 1st round, last round or somewhere in the middle. So, total of 700 rounds and 20 x FTF. It is about 2 - 3 % FTF rate. One round actually stovepiped and was stuck in the mag. I had to use some force and wiggle it out, now I can see little indent marks inside the new mag

Should I be worried or should I keep shooting and hopefully after breaking in the rifle, the problem may go away. I guess if problem continues, I have one year to contact S&W. When I read this forum, some members say they shot thousands of rounds with cheaper ammo and not one single problem. This really upsets me. I am gonna buy 2 more mags and give it another go.

 

[chuck s]

FTF is too generic. One round stood up in the magazine. What did the other 9 rounds do?

Just curious. I recommend calling S&W and have them pick up the rifle for warranty service. Failures of any type are rare with my carbine, but she made the round trip to S&W about 10 months ago.

-- Chuck

 

[HKster]

FTF is too generic. One round stood up in the magazine. What did the other 9 rounds do?

With the other 9 rounds, the bolt / action does not close all the way. When I eject the round, the bullet head is loose from the casing, I can wiggle the bullet head, sometimes there are indent marks on the bullet head as well.

I will give it one more try at the range. If I still get 10ish FTF, I will contact S&W.

 

[grimreaper21]

Should I be worried or should I keep shooting and hopefully after breaking in the rifle, the problem may go away. I guess if problem continues, I have one year to contact S&W. When I read this forum, some members say they shot thousands of rounds with cheaper ammo and not one single problem. This really upsets me. I am gonna buy 2 more mags and give it another go.

I thought these were lifetime warranty?

 

[HKster]

I thought these were lifetime warranty?

The owners manual states Lifetime warranty for owners within the US. I am in Canada, I hope for at least one year warranty. I'll contact S&W to clarify.

 

[adjc]

"After that I load the mag with 25 rounds and the 1st round was fail to feed, the next 24 rounds were no problems."


i had this same problem and it was the ones marked with ".22 lr 25 rds" i have 3 of them. try this...remove the bottom plate be careful an not to loose the follower plate, it will fly right out of there if not paying attention. once you get the plate off take the spring out and flip it over, then reinstall the spring assembly. i can now load 25 rds with no problems what so ever. give it a try.......just might be your fix.

 

[chuck s]

As mentioned my M&P15-22 went to S&W late last year. Before the trip I had at least one stoppage that produced this. None since.

This rifle uses controlled feed. Meaning the bolt strips the top round from the magazine, holds it against the face of the bolt with the extractor, and feeds it into the chamber. Won't feed without the extractor holding the cartridge straight. (This is unlike the M16 which "stuff feeds" cartridges into the chamber and snaps the extractor over the rim as the bolt closes.)

I aggressively polished the chamber in mine too.

-- Chuck

 

[HKster]

Update...

Just came home from the range today.
I made sure I load the mags slow and properly.

1st day 400 rounds ........ 10 fail to feed
2nd day 300 rounds ........10 fail to feed
3rd day 500 rounds .......... 1 fail to feed (along with 2 bad ammo)
Combination of CCI mini mags 36g CPHP & CCI Blazers 40g LRN

I was loading 20 rounds per mag for the most part.
Then I tried 22 rounds and 23 rounds (both no problems)
Finally tried full mag again.....and the 1st rounds fail to feed.
Dame....that sucks.....oh well, I will never do full mag again.

Awesome rife, I love it. Rapid fired 5 mags of 20s in a roll and no issues. I think my rifle has now broken in. Thanks for all your recommendations, you guys rock.