2nd time out - lots of FTEs.

[cubsin2079]

I bought a black MOE a month ago. The first time out I had a bunch of failure to ejects. I was using Federal Auto Match. OK, I thought maybe it was the ammo. Today I got to get out for the second time. I could not get through a full mag without at least 2-3 failure to ejects. Multiple types of ammo. The spent casings are hanging up and getting crushed by the bolt trying to return to battery. Very frustrating! To those of you who have had to return your 15-22 to S&W, what did you ship it back in? Is just the box it came in OK? Did they fix your problem 100%? Did you have to register your firearm with them?

P.S. Thanks to all on the forum I have been able to score ammo and 8 extra mags.

 

[Majorlk]

Did you clean the rifle before shooting it the first time? What you are experiencing is not unusual with dirty firearms.

It is also typical of a bent / misaligned ejector.

 

[cubsin2079]

Yes it was cleaned and lightly lubed before both outings.

 

[rnwells]

Had very similar issues for the first 200-300 rounds. Rifle finally started shooting better. Now, with a little over 1000 rounds thru the barrel, it shoots almost flawlessly. My last three boxes of ammo has been federal auto match (325 rd box).

 

[Majorlk]

Yes it was cleaned and lightly lubed before both outings.

Well that eliminates that cause ... Look at the ejector as it lays in the bolt recess; is it flat against the bolt recess, not sticking up or twisted? Is it pretty much centered in the recess?

 

[RPeacock1128]

How did you clean it. The ejector is in a delicate area and can be bent by mistake. It doesn't take much to hit it with a rod or especially catch it ever so slight with a bore snake. If the ejector is not in its correct alignment you will experience the problems you described.

RP

 

[cubsin2079]

The ejector sits in the bolt recess. It just barely touches on the inside of the recess. at the tip of the ejector. Not sure if this is of note, but the brass, when ejected, flies in all directions. Some come out straight sideways and some fly forward.

 

[cubsin2079]

I was aware of the issues with cleaning as I had done a lot of research before buying. I made sure not to touch the ejector when cleaning or replacing the bolt after cleaning.

 

[Majorlk]

The ejector sits in the bolt recess. It just barely touches on the inside of the recess. at the tip of the ejector. Not sure if this is of note, but the brass, when ejected, flies in all directions. Some come out straight sideways and some fly forward.

That's not uncommon with any 15-22 if there's variations in the velocity of the ammo, but it's more typical of an ejector problem.

With the bolt removed, can you move the ejector, even a little bit, or is it tight?

 

[Zax]

Yes, you can ship it in the S&W box. They will provide a pre-paid label.

If you bought it new then yes you should register it on their website, and the repair will be completed at no charge.

Check that the ejector isn't loose, and with the bolt closed and magazine removed you can also verify the ejector placement in the bolt. The location is critical for correct operation.

 

[Majorlk]

Yes, you can ship it in the S&W box. They will provide a pre-paid label.

If you bought it new then yes you should register it on their website, and the repair will be completed at no charge.

Check that the ejector isn't loose, and with the bolt closed and magazine removed you can also verify the ejector placement in the bolt. The location is critical for correct operation.

It will be repaired at no charge whether he registered it on their web site or not.

 

[cubsin2079]

Ejector is not loose. I'm going to email customer service and hopefully they can get this right for me. I bought the 15=22 as a cheaper way to shoot the AR platform but it has been super frustrating so far.

 

[Zax]

It will be repaired at no charge whether he registered it on their web site or not.

That is true, I did not mean to suggest otherwise.

If you register online it just makes it easier for them to pull up your information (using the s/n) and process the warranty return or to send parts out.

I also recommend calling their excellent customer service rather than e-mailing.

 

[Denversteve]

Ejector is not loose. I'm going to email customer service and hopefully they can get this right for me. I bought the 15=22 as a cheaper way to shoot the AR platform but it has been super frustrating so far.

What ammo are you using? Also, many .22LR rifle's have failure issues during break in period of 200-300 rounds. Try to get there and see if it smooths out. Don't be frustrated, it's a fact of life that things happen.

 

[Majorlk]

What ammo are you using? Also, many .22LR rifle's have failure issues during break in period of 200-300 rounds. Try to get there and see if it smooths out. Don't be frustrated, it's a fact of life that things happen.

My family has three 15-22s. None has any such breakin problems.

 

[Mike1161]

I had similar issues when I first shot my 15-22. Each mag seemed like a new problem, regardless of the ammo type. I clean the gun well after each use. Now after 1500-2000 rounds I rarely have a FTE or FTF. Matter of fact, the last time out shooting 500 rounds, not a single FTE. I have cut back my cleaning to every other time out and have had no issues lately.

 

[Rundover]

Look at the extractor as well and be sure the rounds go into the chamber easily and are not tight. The ejector sounds like it is correct but understand that its a timing thing so you must look at all the parts in play. The extractor must grab and hold onto the casing as the bolt travels back. If the casing is dragging in the chamber or if the extractor is dropping the casing before the ejector does its job the spent casing will fall inside and get smashed by the returning bolt.

 

[Majorlk]

And a dirty bolt face can cause the case head not to seat properly. Same deal with a gummed up extractor.

Absent a damaged ejector, the most likely cause for these problems falls back to maintenance.

 

[Rundover]

Yes, forgot to mention the bolt face. 22L is very dirty ammo and **** can build up on the face and get wedged in behind the extractor which is a common problem with 22s.

 

[DelFuego]

Post pictures of the bolt and extractor so that everything can be ruled out by the experts on this forum, not that I am one of them.