15-22 Misfires

[Jesusll512]

Hey guys new to the site, I know this has been butchered again and again, but I really can't seem to find the problem. I got my rifle a couple of months ago and since the first trip to the range it's had multiple misfires, sometimes per magazine. I took it home and read up on it. I cleaned the bolt and carrier group, and took out my firing pin. The pin was pretty dirty with carbon buildup so I gave it a real good clean. After I assembled it back together, I put a light coat of lube on the rails, and nothing more. Took it out yesterday and still had the same issue. The cases looked to be having light strikes, barely leaving a print of a strike on it. I've tried CCI minimags, CCI stingers, federal field pack, federal auto match, Winchester super x all with same results. The only one it didn't have problems with was Remington thunderbolt, but I only shot 50 rds through it. Does anybody know what could cause this? I'm trying to see if it's fixable before I call S&W. I'll submit pics once I get home

 

[sithlord]

Was this rifle new? Carbon buildup on the firing pin with what sounds like only a few hundred rounds downrange doesn't seem right.

Light strikes are an indication that the hammer isn't hitting hard enough, rather than the ammo. Did you replace the fire control group? Swap out hammer springs? Also, another thing to check is whether or not your hammer or trigger pins are not set correctly (they should be just slightly inside both outer edges of the lower receiver). IIRC, I had a similar problem at one point and the hammer pin was not being supported on both sides of the lower receiver, causing both a weaker hammer, and offset hammer strike.

 

[onebadvet]

I am shame to say I have never cleaned the firing pin, cleaned the bolt every time I shoot, and since owning it over 8 thousand rounds went down the barrel with no problems to date.
I guess I'm lucky! I go to the range every Wednesday with bunch fellows, and I shoot 200 rounds each trip with every shot fired.

 

[Eric300]

Make sure the you clean the CHAMBER real well!

 

[Kp321]

Every case of light strikes I have seen on these rifles can be contributed to one of two problems, firing pin or hammer/trigger group.
A firing pin is normally good for 10,000 to 15,000 rounds before giving trouble so I would take a good look at the fire control group. Only about half of the aftermarket drop in triggers have enough oomph to get the job done. If factory trigger, look at the hammer spring. Are both legs intact and on top of the trigger pin?

 

[Del1964]

I had a first time failure to fire with my 15-22 PC rifle yesterday. It was CCI Suppressor 45 grain round. Good strike on the rim and had no other FTF on those rounds or any other ammo I've used so far. The nature of 22lr ammo in my case.

 

[Jesusll512]

Ok guys, after a long time I finally went to the range. I did everything y'all said by cleaning the chamber real well, I replaced the hammer spring, and bought some extra strength ones just in case. I finally pinpointed the problem to the hammer pin walking itself out, causing the light strikes. I would pull the trigger with my middle finger while keeping my index finger on the pin hole to see for any problems, but it would fire flawlessly. Thank y'all for the advice and tips. I'm ordering the anti walk pins to get rid of this issue.

 

[strobro32]

Take a look at the hammer J spring. Mine was missing. The hammer pin kept walking out.

 

[HRArms]

How the hell are your pins walking? Are you using a drop in FCG? The standard mil-spec and non-drop-in types, I have never seen them walk. The mechanics simply don't make sense. Even on my friends full auto, the pins don't move.

The competitive shooters at the gun store don't recommend anti walk pins except for drop in FCGs since the springs are not holding the pins in place. And these guys are hardcore gun nuts.

 

[Jesusll512]

No I haven't changed anything besides the hammer spring, and I just checked the hammer like strobro said, and the j spring is broken

 

[cjt50]

How the hell are your pins walking? Are you using a drop in FCG? The standard mil-spec and non-drop-in types, I have never seen them walk. The mechanics simply don't make sense. Even on my friends full auto, the pins don't move.

The competitive shooters at the gun store don't recommend anti walk pins except for drop in FCGs since the springs are not holding the pins in place. And these guys are hardcore gun nuts.

If the J-Pin in the hammer brakes or is missing, the hammer pin can walk out. S&W has had problems in the past with their MIM hammers doing this. The trigger pin shouldn't move since its captured by the hammer spring legs. (if it's installed correctly)

 

[cjt50]

No I haven't changed anything besides the hammer spring, and I just checked the hammer like strobro said, and the j spring is broken

Excellent, ya found your problem. Replace the hammer and have fun!

 

[bamashooter]

No I haven't changed anything besides the hammer spring, and I just checked the hammer like strobro said, and the j spring is broken

Good deal, looks like you found the issue. Regarding "pins walking" with nothing broken or missing, though very unlikely for this particular problem, it can occur with tolerance stacking or just an out of spec pin.