Bolt Catch Problem

[Cawdor]

I have the Performance Center M&P 15-22. I've done two things to it. I moved the safety from the left side to the right side, and replaced the Hogue grip with a MagPul.

It has recently started to have a problem with the bolt catch, and it is hard to describe. After the last round in the magazine is fired, the bolt locks back, but the bolt catch is as open as far as it can be and it so tight that I can't depress it. I have to release the bolt with the charging handle. When I pull back on the charging handle, it feels as if the bolt is caught on something before the bolt catch. This has happened on my last two trips to the range, and the gun was cleaned and lubed before each trip.

I also haven't been able to duplicate the problem by manipulating the bolt catch and the charging handle by hand. When I pull back the bolt with the charging handle and depress the bolt catch to lock the bolt open, the bolt moves forward a little when the charging handle is released as it engages the bolt catch; the bolt catch also closes a little. This is not happening when the last round has been fired. The bolt is back as far as it can go, and the bolt catch is stuck.

Any idea what is going on?

 

[mrasgt]

Bolt Catch

I've tried to duplicate your problem the best I could as described
with my 15-22.

I couldn't.

There may be something a little off with the bolt catch itself. Has this happened every time since you took delivery?

If the rifle is nice and clean and you have checked the bolt catch for freedom of movement, the only thing I can think of is call S&W and send it back. Something seems out of spec.

I'm no expert, I hope others here will chime in. I don't think I would fool with it myself too much and take a chance on voiding the warranty. Send it back.

Please let us know how things progress.

M

 

[Juvicator]

Are you sure nothing got out of time when you switched the safety.

 

[tacticool22]

By lubed, do you mean grease or a CLP? Sounds like it might be real dirty.
There is about 1/16" from the bolt being held open by the catch til it goes back to its full travel.
The FCG should have nothing to do with bolt travel or the bolt catch, but there could be a spring out of whack that interferes.
Some questions from the simple to more technical. I'm not trying to be a jerk, just thorough.
Do you drop the mag before you use the charging handle to release the bolt?
Are you pressing on the large paddle shape to release the bolt?
Does the bolt move to the rear with the charging handle after the last round is fired?
Have you field stripped the rifle to make sure there is not a spent casing in the guts of the mechanisms?
It is normal for the bolt to go forward (about 1/16") when using the charging handle, before it is stopped by the bolt catch.
I'm sure I missed something.

 

[matmat417]

After reading this i decided to take my PC out for a little night time fun. I shot around 2 boxes of CCI Tacticals to see if the same problem happened. I couldnt ever get it to where the bolt catch seized up. So IMHO call Smith and talk to em.


Matt

 

[Cawdor]

I had taken the gun to the range several times before this started to happen, and I had trouble-free sessions after I switched the safety. The problem started in the middle of a shooting session.

If it continues, I'll contact Smith after the holiday.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Cawdor]

By lubed, do you mean grease or a CLP? Sounds like it might be real dirty.

It has happened with CLP and TW-25. It has happened with a clean gun.

Do you drop the mag before you use the charging handle to release the bolt?

The mag is usually out. However, the bolt catch is frozen when the mag is in. I usually use 10-round mags at the range, but I was able to duplicate the problem with a 25-round mag.

Are you pressing on the large paddle shape to release the bolt?

Yes. If you press the lower part of the bolt catch in as far as it goes, you'll see the position the bolt catch is in when it freezes.

Does the bolt move to the rear with the charging handle after the last round is fired?

Hard to say. At most, it is only a little. When I pull the charging handle, it feels like I'm freeing the bolt from something. As I said, when I operate the bolt by hand after freeing it, everything works as you would expect.

Have you field stripped the rifle to make sure there is not a spent casing in the guts of the mechanisms?

I'll check, but it would have to be a small piece because I check the lower when I clean it.

It is normal for the bolt to go forward (about 1/16") when using the charging handle, before it is stopped by the bolt catch.

If I lock the bolt open by hand, the bolt moves forward a little when it engages the bolt catch. The bolt or bolt catch is sticking on something after the last round has been fired. I'm just not sure what. I may move the safety back to the left side and reinstall the Hogue grip to see if the problem continues.

 

[idontknow]

ive been having the same problem, what happens is the bolt catch gets caught underneath the bolt instead of infront of it. the bolt has a little square section cut out of it where the ejector goes underneath the bolt and the bolt catch gets jammed in there and i can only release it with the charging handle and its alot harder than it should be. mine used to only do it when the last round in a mag was fired but now i can do it by just manually pulling the charging handle and pressing the bolt catch and itll usually get stuck,

any solutions?

 

[thacheese]

i replaced my catch spring with a new mil spec one, and called smith and got a replacement bolt catch. this seems to have resolved a similar for me about 1/2 the time (used to happen after every mag.) now the issue is isolated to 3 or 4 specific mags. this is probably a combo issue bolt catch/mags. you'll have to send mags back for replacement (i'd try a new/different proven one first), but you may be able to get them to send a new bolt catch.

 

[tacticool22]

It sounds like you might need a new bolt catch from S&W
will you take a picture of where the bolt is supposed to catch?
There have been some bad parts.
***
thacheese
Try shortening your bolt catch spring. It is probably overpowering your magazine spring. All you need to do is remove 1 to 1-1/2 turns or .045 of an inch.
There is another thread that covers the theory and reality of this mod. a bit more.

 

[thacheese]

It sounds like you might need a new bolt catch from S&W
will you take a picture of where the bolt is supposed to catch?
There have been some bad parts.
***
thacheese
Try shortening your bolt catch spring. It is probably overpowering your magazine spring. All you need to do is remove 1 to 1-1/2 turns or .045 of an inch.
There is another thread that covers the theory and reality of this mod. a bit more.

heh, that's the reason i replaced the spring initially before the catch, think i should try it again with the new catch? the local shop was nice enough to give me the spring from a kit once, i doubt i'd be able to get another one easily.

 

[tacticool22]

Couldn't hurt and the springs are cheap.

 

[ScottyJ]

The same thing as the OP happened to me today. Literally the SAME problem. The gun has about 1000+ rounds through it. I thoroughly clean it and lube it prior to every outing. This has NEVER happened before. All of a sudden my kid is like "Dad the bolt thing wont go in". Manually using the charging handle gets the bolt back enough to engage the bolt catch. Always on the last round this would happen. Unlike the OP I didn't touch the fcg. Wierd that it started happening out of nowhere.

 

[tacticool22]

ScottyJ Can you take a pic or two of the catch where it touches the face of the bolt?
Or just take it out and take 3 or 4 pics of different sides

 

[ScottyJ]

ScottyJ Can you take a pic or two of the catch where it touches the face of the bolt?
Or just take it out and take 3 or 4 pics of different sides

Ok. I will try. Check the other bolt catch thread under this one. I don't think it is a bolt catch problem. I believe it to be a bolt problem. Look at MMA FAN's pics, as my bolt looks just like his. The center rail is worn, and wont engage the catch. The spring is pushing the bolt over the catch. Pull your bolt and compare it to MMA FAN's. Also visually check how the catch engages your bolt. Right now mine is holding by a hair when manipulated by hand. I'm gonna call S&W today, and see what they say about this.

 

[ScottyJ]

Ok. I called S&W, and spoke to a rep.........they know about this problem, and have dealt with this before. They say send the complete gun back, and they will look at it.

 

[LT-1_350]

Bolt Jam problem, bolt catch

I am looking for a solution to problem I am having with my M&P 15-22. After firing last round, the bolt is locked to rear, and when I replace a loaded magazine in, upon attempting to press bolt catch to send bolt home, it is stuck. I have to pull charging handle in order for bolt to go home. I am attaching some pics of bolt face ( worn edge on rail below firing pin ), bolt catch (this seems fine, no significant wear seen) although the bolt catch wobbles when bolt is pushing forward on it.

 

[tacticool22]

It looks like there is a burr on the face of the bolt.
What does the face of the catch where the bolt stops look like?
The bolt catch always wiggles a bit.
Does it move freely with the upper and lower separated?

 

[Gabrielclum]

Bolt catch problem

So I looked in the chamber to see what was going on. The bolt catch actually hits the slide and will not let it go. So there is a problem with the slide, it's rails or something on the frame itself that is having a problem. Not the bolt catch button itself.

 

[tacticool22]

Can you post a pic of the "slide"
And maybe a description of what it is?