With the takedown screw problem finally solved, I took my new Victory to the range for a shakedown. I should note I gave it a thorough cleaning and lubing before doing so. It functioned flawlessly until it started getting close the 100 round mark. It then seemed to be having trouble chambering rounds. I brought the gun home and disassembled it. I went to do the "plop" test, holding the barrel up and dropping a fresh round in to the chamber. It should just fall in with a noticeable "plop". The round stopped with about an 1/8 inch to go. A light push got it to seat the rest of the way. I pulled the round out and got my bore light out. What I found was lead buildup at the front of the chamber, right behind where the rifling starts. It was odd, because there was no sign of leading in the barrel, just around the front of the chamber. I cleaned it with a bore brush and got quite a few flakes of lead out of it. I cleaned it until the barrel and the chamber were clean and shiny...as shiny as they get anyway. Took it back to the range. Same problem after 70-80 rounds. Same result. Noticeable leading at the front of the chamber. I've never had a .22 pistol do this. I was shooting Remington Golden Bullets by the way. I've never had issues with them in any other gun. I'm going to try again with CCI mini mags and see what happens.

guarantee the CCI will not lead near as bad as the remmy.

Are you sure it's lead? I've found Remington to be very dirty, but it was powder residue and not lead. If it was lead, and you get a repeat performance with the CCI, then you may have a rough chamber that is scraping of bits of lead.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Just a friendly FYI: Competition handgunners chamber check their ammo before matches and call it the "plunk" test. Plop is a close substitute.

I don't doubt you found lead in your barrel but I think the powder crud built up first and scraped lead into the mix. Different ammo is a good idea. Also, after a lot of rounds down the pipe, the problem will lessen or even disappear.

Don't be afraid to use locktite on the screws(blue or purple). I am a long time competitive revolver shooter and it's very common for the yoke screw to come loose and also the screw at the front end of adjustable sights. Rather than rant about poor workmanship, we use a dab of locktite. S&W actually puts a dab of red locktite on the yoke screw in the factory.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

It is not uncommon for a deposit to develop just ahead of the brass, many 22's leave one. All you have to do is pull a brush through the barrel from the chamber to the muzzle and it will be gone.

No big deal, but reduces accuracy.

My Ruger MK II does the same thing. I keep a bore brush and pistol rod in my range bag. A couple of passes through the barrel and I'm back in business.

Thanks all for the advice.

I get terrible lead build up in my Victory and .22 M&P compact with Remington thunderbolts. Not with any other ammo I've tried.

Attached Images

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You shouldn't have a leading problem with Golden's, they have a heavy plate on them but they are dirty, stay away from the Thunderbolts.

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Don

I agree as its the dirtest ammo in the marketplace. Even my Annie rifle hates this stuff.

Yep. More than likely you have buildup of burned powder in the chamber. Very common in newer guns. I treat the bore with Frog Lu and heat then clean it out really well. Seems to work really well in preventing borned powder from building in the chamber and even leading.

Shoot CCI Mini Mag. Clean after 300 rounds. Impressive.

Did first takedown after 300 plus CCI "copper plated mini mags."

Not worth disassembly. Only the bolt and breech face required some light cleaning. Could have done that assembled with a Hoppe cotton saturated Q tip. Barrel only needed a quick pass.

I can see minimum 1,000 rd. (maybe more) takedown with above approach using said rimfires.

BTW, CCI Mini Mag accuracy phenomenal, consistently hitting the 3" square head of mini steel USPSA target at 33 yards. That's right, 33 yards with standard open sights!

My wife has not cleaned or done anything but check the screw (It is holding well)with her 3 week old Victory. Yes it was lubed by me as called for in the manual) All is going very well no problems of any kind, she has fired two bricks of Aguala ammo.

Sometimes she has a problem asking me to teach her how to do certain things like oil changes on a car or gun cleaning/maintenance!


FWIW its safe to say this as she does not come into this forum

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!