Bolt Etching Bullets Problem

Alright, after about an hour of messing with the bolt I think I finally got it to stop gouging the bullet. I noticed that after testing it, the bolt had a lead smear from where it was contacting the bullet. I ended up sanding off the little lips by hand and then using a dremel with a polishing wheel and compound to buff it to an almost mirrored finish. Also noticed that the guide and springs rods were slightly tilted down, so I bent them back up as far as possible while letting the bolt slide smooth. After that I lubed the little loading point on the bolt and tested a few more times. It worked :D Only had one or two with super tiny signs of skimming the bullet(almost couldn't see). I did notice one little mark of lead on the bolt, so I'll have to go and polish it a little more. I'll see if I can get some pictures up when I get back on sunday
 
Slider_ said:
Alright, after about an hour of messing with the bolt I think I finally got it to stop gouging the bullet. I noticed that after testing it, the bolt had a lead smear from where it was contacting the bullet. I ended up sanding off the little lips by hand and then using a dremel with a polishing wheel and compound to buff it to an almost mirrored finish. Also noticed that the guide and springs rods were slightly tilted down, so I bent them back up as far as possible while letting the bolt slide smooth. After that I lubed the little loading point on the bolt and tested a few more times. It worked :D Only had one or two with super tiny signs of skimming the bullet(almost couldn't see). I did notice one little mark of lead on the bolt, so I'll have to go and polish it a little more. I'll see if I can get some pictures up when I get back on sunday
Click to expand...

Maybe before and after pics can be provided?

John
 
Scuds03 said:
I cantacted S&W through e-mail and they didn't even question my problem they just said this:

I am sorry to hear about your issue. Please send me your mailing info, serial number and phone number with area code so I can send you a pre-paid FedEx return label so we can get the firearm back here at the factory to make sure that is within factory specifications at no cost to you. We stand behind our products and will make this right for you.

Regards, Steve

I just put an order in for a pre-paid, pre-insured FedEx return label. Please allow around 5 business days for delivery. Please follow the instructions that will be included in the package. Include a letter with your contact information and a description of the issue. We stand behind our products and will make this right for you.

I would say that we will have your gun between 2-4 weeks.

Regards, Steve
Click to expand...

Shipped it off to S&W today. I used the original box inside out. Cheap and easy.
 
Snapped some shots of the cci blazers before I polished the bolt and the piece of the bolt that got polished. Seemed to work pretty well so far just cycling the bolt by the charging handle. All rounds show no sign of being touched with the exception of the last round in the mag. Tested it a few times and it looks like the last one is a little temperamental. Sometimes it has a mark, sometimes it doesn't. Either way it's nowhere near as bad as it was before. Also tested it with velocitors and had no markings at all. I'm assuming that the copper plating is either more slick or slightly harder than the lead. I was thinking about polishing the rest of the bolt and feed ramp as well. Anything wrong with polishing the rest of the bolt on the 15-22?

IMG_0548.jpg

IMG_0555.jpg


Had to polish it a little farther down the center rail and smooth out the edges as well

IMG_0560.jpg
 
Man that looks nice. I wonder if S&W is going to do something silimar to fix it?
 
Scuds03 said:
Man that looks nice. I wonder if S&W is going to do something silimar to fix it?
Click to expand...

Let's hope they come up with something instead of just throwing new parts at it. From my experience with warranty stuff in general, they'll just replace parts without looking for the cause unless they get a high volume of people having the same issue. Not really cost effective otherwise. Unfortunately I don't think many people have even thought to check for this seeing as how it's almost unheard of. I'll see if I can remember to post a range report when my scope comes in. Hopefully the results are the same.
 
Same symptoms here

I bought a MOE edition a couple of weeks ago and it is doing the same exact thing. I was looking at it last night trying to see if the recent FTE problems were an ejector issue, and I hand-cycled an entire magazine through it. When I picked up the rounds, I noticed that 3/4 of them had this same scoring on the bullet and case. I'll take a closer look at the bolt tonight.
I'm assuming that despite what one of the support reps said, this is not normal? I certainly don't see anything like this on my 22/45, 1911, or 92fs.
 
Scuds03 said:
Mine went off today too haha. Lets soo who gets theirs back first!
Click to expand...

FedEx Door Tag at 1130 today.
-----------------------------------------------
Called S&W on 10-20 to report issue.
Received return label on 10-23.
Shipped on 10-25.
Returned 11-5.

VERY impressive turn around time.
 
ChattanoogaPhil said:
FedEx Door Tag at 1130 today.
-----------------------------------------------
Called S&W on 10-20 to report issue.
Received return label on 10-23.
Shipped on 10-25.
Returned 11-5.

VERY impressive turn around time.
Click to expand...

Exciting, I sent mine in same day you sent yours in by chance, so hopefully that means I'll be recieveing mine within the next couple of days. I'll be sure to get out to the range ASAP and let everyone know how S&W did.
 
Phil, it won't matter in a couple days you will be spending all your free time punchin paper anyway... And if you can get your meathooks off in this new pistol of mine you need to give her a try... Its amazing it truely is impressive.. I wish I was half as good as it is, id never have to work again..lol
 
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BELT_FED said:
Phil, it won't matter in a couple days you will be spending all your free time punchin paper anyway... And if you can get your meathooks off in this new pistol of mine you need to give her a try... Its amazing it truely is impressive.. I wish I was half as good as it is, id never have to work again..lol
Click to expand...

Yes indeed... plus we need to get together cuz I'm gonna need some paper punching lessons with Pugsters' new tactical toy:D
 
john16443 said:
Range report this weekend then!
Click to expand...

Just got the rifle from FedEx.

I don't think a range report will be needed here. They did nothing but replace with blue springs. Returned same mags, same scraped up bolt from OOB, same o same o... Though, the paperwork returned with the rifle does accurately reflect their service... nothing... not even the old updated to latest specs nonsense.... just a blank page with a note at the bottom " If you have any questions regarding the work performed, please feel free to contact blah blah blah..." But hey... they did it quickly. :D Oh almost forgot... they did include a chamber flag... what a deal!
 
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ChattanoogaPhil said:
Just got the rifle from FedEx.

I don't think a range report will be needed here. They did nothing but replace with blue springs. Returned same mags, same scraped up bolt from OOB, same o same o... Though, the paperwork returned with the rifle does accurately reflect their service... nothing... not even the old updated to latest specs nonsense.... just a blank page with a note at the bottom " If you have any questions regarding the work performed, please feel free to contact blah blah blah..." But hey... they did it quickly. :D Oh almost forgot... they did include a chamber flag... what a deal!
Click to expand...

time to whip out the polish then huh?
 
As long as mine comes back not drilling holes into my bullets I'm cool.
 
Got my rifle back from S&W today. I got the same treatment as Phil, came back with new blue spring and a chamber flag. No free mag :(

BUT more importantly it no longer is etching my bullets when I rack the bolt!! I also think they did something to my ejector because it is CRAZY now :eek:. When I rack the bolt to pull a round out of the chamber it ejects it literally 8-10 feet away. They fly out of the gun. Before I sent it they'd kinda just barely fall out the side.

I have not shot it yet but I am super excited to see how well it works. I'll most likely be going to the range tomorrow (Friday).
 
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