Any tips for using the 25-rd mags to prevent jams?

[NWPilgrim]

I have zero issues when using the 10-rd mags with the 15-22, no matter the ammo brand or type.

But when using the 25-rd mags I frequently gets cartridges jamming up in the mag and not rising to the feed lips. I think it might be partially due to the type of ammo, or specifically the bullet shape. Also, it seems to work better if I carefully align the rims when loading the mag. But after jamming several times I gave up experimenting and have just been using the 10-rounders.

For sighting in loads from the bench the 10-rd mags are perfect. But when I take the family to the gravel pit for plinking it would be nice to be able to have several loaded 25-rd mags and not have to reload them so many times like I do with the 10-rd ones.

Do you all get similar cartridge jams in the 25-rd mags, or is this just me? I don't see much discussion about this and for me it is the only frustration I have with the 15-22. Any tips on how to avoid it? Ammo to avoid? Loading technique that is not super tedious?

 

[Luger9x19]

I never have any trouble with 25 round magazines. They always work flawlessly for me.

Follow the instructions in the manual and make sure you Stagger the rounds. Very important!!!

From the manual on loading....

" • Orient the magazine as shown (Figs. 13 & 14). Hold the follower down using the loading assist button on each side of the magazine. Hold the follower down only far enough to load one round at a time to maintain cartridge alignment. Feed each round into the magazine until it is held by the magazine lips and is against the rear of the magazine. Place the next round on top of the previous round and repeat until the desired number is loaded. Do not attempt to load your magazine beyond its capacity."

 

[jagular]

If you're using Remington ammo, it's notorious for having 'loose' bullets that might cause feeding issues. The manual even recommends not using this brand of ammo. Your mileage may vary however. Also, when using 25 rounders, make sure the rounds are staggered. I've hand loaded mags where they aren't perfectly staggered but never had an issue (typically). A loader may be helpful in this regard.

 

[Luger9x19]

Hilljak has a good loader for the M&P 15-22

AR15-22 Quickie Loader

 

[Ricrock]

The ONLY solution to your problem is the McFadden Lightnin loader. It loads the 15-22 perfectly and very quick. It stops the problems you are describing.

Lightnin' Grip Loader

 

[JM4151]

Smith & Wesson model 15 Mag jams

Keep the mag lightly lubricated and this should correct your problem.

 

[vipermd]

I have zero issues when using the 10-rd mags with the 15-22, no matter the ammo brand or type.
Loading technique that is not super tedious?

As stated above, tilt the mag back, pull down the plunger, and load them so each rim is above the last. I have fired thousands of fed bulk, winchester, CCI with out problems through at least 15 different mags. I have not used any remington so I can not comment. Be Safe,

 

[bamashooter]

No issues with the 25-round magazines. I run only the CCI AR Tactical and recently some CCI Copper-22 (the 21gr stuff).

 

[TX-Dennis]

No problems ever with that issue - IF you follow the loading instructions in the manual. Pull down on the loading buttons, slide one round in, then let go of the loading buttons. Repeat the process for subsequent rounds.

If you try to hold the buttons down constantly while shoving rounds into the magazine you will have problems. If for some reason you can't follow the instructions get yourself one of the McFadden loaders. I have one. It works well, but with all the preparation it takes to load and operate it, it really isn't much faster than loading by hand.

 

[tomcatt51]

As others have said, keeping the rds staggered is CRITICAL. I have 25 and 10 rd mags. They both run reliably as long as the rds are staggered. The 25s are more difficult to load. 25 chances to screw up the stagger instead of just 10...

 

[NWPilgrim]

As others have said, keeping the rds staggered is CRITICAL. I have 25 and 10 rd mags. They both run reliably as long as the rds are staggered. The 25s are more difficult to load. 25 chances to screw up the stagger instead of just 10...

OK, thanks guys for the info about staggering the rounds. I see when I load it sometimes rounds will stack on top of each other rather than staggering left-right. I'm heading to the range next weekend so will load up a bunch of mags with staggered rounds and see how it works.

I'm not sure using the assist button is much help. It seems too easy to pull down a little too much and then they stack sometimes. I'm going to try just pushing them all down for several mags and see if that aligns them more consistently. Hoping something simple like this solves the problem. Many thanks for your help!

 

[rd97]

The ONLY solution to your problem is the McFadden Lightnin loader. It loads the 15-22 perfectly and very quick. It stops the problems you are describing.

Lightnin' Grip Loader

I use this loader and have had zero issues with jams.

 

[Luger9x19]

OK, thanks guys for the info about staggering the rounds. I see when I load it sometimes rounds will stack on top of each other rather than staggering left-right. I'm heading to the range next weekend so will load up a bunch of mags with staggered rounds and see how it works.

I'm not sure using the assist button is much help. It seems too easy to pull down a little too much and then they stack sometimes. I'm going to try just pushing them all down for several mags and see if that aligns them more consistently. Hoping something simple like this solves the problem. Many thanks for your help!

Just pull down the follower enough so there is just enough room for the round. Let go so the round hits the feed lips. Then pull down again and slip in another round. Rinse and repeat until full.

I have been using my 25 rounds magazines for 5 years and thousands and thousands of rounds of every brand and I have never had any rounds jam in the magazine. In fact I have only had maybe 10 malfunctions of any kind in my rifle.

The reason you have to stagger the rounds is because of the rim of the cartridge does not allow them to stack on top of each other well. If the rim is on top of the rim, it causes the tip of the bullet to tilt down. With the rounds tilted downward they don't feed up to the lips in proper alignment.

The more rounds you put directly on top of each other magnifies the tilt. This is probably why you don't have the problem with the ten round magazines. (you should stagger the rounds in them too).

Let us know how your range trip goes.

Good luck and good shooting.

 

[tomcatt51]

I'm not sure using the assist button is much help. It seems too easy to pull down a little too much...

It does help but use it as an ASSIST button. Pull down on it just enough to make it easier to insert rds. I use the assist button to assist even with the McFadden Loader.

 

[cmichael]

I have zero issues when using the 10-rd mags with the 15-22, no matter the ammo brand or type.

But when using the 25-rd mags I frequently gets cartridges jamming up in the mag and not rising to the feed lips. I think it might be partially due to the type of ammo, or specifically the bullet shape. Also, it seems to work better if I carefully align the rims when loading the mag. But after jamming several times I gave up experimenting and have just been using the 10-rounders.

For sighting in loads from the bench the 10-rd mags are perfect. But when I take the family to the gravel pit for plinking it would be nice to be able to have several loaded 25-rd mags and not have to reload them so many times like I do with the 10-rd ones.

Do you all get similar cartridge jams in the 25-rd mags, or is this just me? I don't see much discussion about this and for me it is the only frustration I have with the 15-22. Any tips on how to avoid it? Ammo to avoid? Loading technique that is not super tedious?

Here we go [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7s9vu_9QXI[/ame]

 

[NWPilgrim]

...
The reason you have to stagger the rounds is because of the rim of the cartridge does not allow them to stack on top of each other well. If the rim is on top of the rim, it causes the tip of the bullet to tilt down. With the rounds tilted downward they don't feed up to the lips in proper alignment.

The more rounds you put directly on top of each other magnifies the tilt. This is probably why you don't have the problem with the ten round magazines. (you should stagger the rounds in them too).

Let us know how your range trip goes.

Good luck and good shooting.

OK, that is EXACTLY what happens to me. When the mag jams the top round's tip is tilted down and won't feed. I loaded up four mags with the instructions you all gave me and I am anxious to try them out this coming Sunday. I will let my grandson do most of the shooting with these mags so it will be third party tested!

Thanks for your patient and detailed tips (even a video!). I love this little rifle and the 25-rd mag jams were the only irritation about it. Hopefully this resolves the issue and I can finally stock up on more 25-rdrs so I can preload for an entire range session.

 

[tacticool22]

Never pull the follower down so there is no tension on the rounds.
Never hold, touch or rest the mag on on aything while shooting.

 

[sigmundsour]

Keep the mag lightly lubricated and this should correct your problem.

What kind of lube does one recommend that one use in ones magazine? Just one-dering

 

[bamashooter]

I pretty much do as the video shows but I pull down just a hair more requiring no pressure on the rounds during loading. Just a habit and always works fine. Muscle memory.

 

[sigmundsour]

I'm good on boolet stuffing technique, Bama.

BUT...what the heck do I lube the magazine with? and should I? Sounds like something you wouldnt want your mom to catch you doing!