Failures to Eject with (Pretty) New 15-22

[rraisley]

I've had my 15-22 for just over a week, and have only gotten to shoot it twice: Indoors with 175 rounds, had one failure of some time but not sure what kind.

Today, at an outdoor range, shot 350 rounds. Seemed reliable for the first 200 or so, then started getting more failure to ejects. Seemed to get worse toward the end, with maybe 6-8 in total. I remember a post here from someone who had a similar problem, and got a new ejector from S&W. With my new MOE, I don't know that that is required, but it makes me wonder.

I'm using Federal Champion copper-plated 1260 fps 36 grain rounds.

Should I be checking something in particular? I was very surprised that the trigger still fired the FP, even when the slide was no where near being in battery(!?). Usually the shells were sideways, but one or two were on end. Also, usually, a new bullet had already fed into the chamber, but the ejecting shell kept the slide from moving all the way forward.

Anyhow, it did occur as the gun got dirtier; should I be concerned? What should I do/check?

 

[thacheese]

if your rifle is firing oob send it back, you probably have spring issues.

this is a safety issue.

 

[rraisley]

if your rifle is firing oob send it back, you probably have spring issues.

Well, at this point, I don't know if it's firing "oob", whatever that means. That's why I'm posting here. If it's adjustment, or dirt, or whatever, I don't want to send it back. Anyhow, people here will know much better than I what to expect, and what to do.

 

[Alk8944]

Did you, just by chance, think of cleaning the gun???????

Several hundred rounds of .22 rimfire and you are having extraction/ejection issues? What do you think will happen if you don't clean and lubricate it?

 

[ragingyeti]

Oob means "out of battery" meaning your rifle fires without the round being in the chamber and the bolt not fully closed. I do not think this is happening to you. You are having failure to eject issues, where rounds aren't fully coming out of the rifle in time.

I think your rifle might just be new and dirty. Clean it well, and keep shooting so everything breaks in. If the problem persists send it to Smith and Wesson for repair.

And BTW, if the bolt is not fully closed, all AR15 triggers will still function. But since the bolt is not seated properly, it is unlikely a round would go off.

 

[thacheese]

you need to clarify what you posted. the fp should not be moving if the bolt isn't closed.

 

[copper06]

Did you thoroughly clean AND lubricate it before your first session?

Did you thoroughly clean AND lubricate it before your second session?

Once the gang has answers to these questions I'm sure they can help you a lot better.

Using factory magazines? Tried different brands of ammo to see if symptoms change?

Good luck!

 

[thacheese]

provided it was cleaned and lubed properly you should be able to go through 500-1000 rounds of federal bulk with no issues. is the face of the bolt caked up at all?

you could also clean it really well and try another brand of ammo. while it isn't the case for me, some have said they had issues with federal. you could have a picky rifle.

 

[davevt48732]

It was new and dirty. Mine had the same symptoms. Every 300 rounds or so I just pull the bolt assembly, give it a quick wipe down and then spray it with some rem oil. Do this for a bit as it breaks in and you will be fine.

 

[rraisley]

Did you, just by chance, think of cleaning the gun???????

Several hundred rounds of .22 rimfire and you are having extraction/ejection issues? What do you think will happen if you don't clean and lubricate it?

So, you're saying that if I want to go to the range to shoot 300-350 rounds, I have to take my cleaning kit with me? If so, this gun is more finicky than others I've shot.

 

[rraisley]

Did you thoroughly clean AND lubricate it before your first session?

Yes.

Did you thoroughly clean AND lubricate it before your second session?

Yes

Once the gang has answers to these questions I'm sure they can help you a lot better.

I guess I assumed people would know that I cleaned a new gun, and cleaned after shooting each time.

Using factory magazines? Tried different brands of ammo to see if symptoms change?

Only the included 25 round mag at this time.

Good luck!

Thank you. ;-)

 

[rraisley]

Oob means "out of battery" meaning your rifle fires without the round being in the chamber and the bolt not fully closed. I do not think this is happening to you. You are having failure to eject issues, where rounds aren't fully coming out of the rifle in time.

Correct, some rounds have failed to eject. But while in that position (empty shell preventing the bolt from going all the way forward), the firing pin definitely will spring forward when the trigger is pulled. When this happens, it feels just like a dud round (trigger pulls, gun goes click, no bang), until I check and then remove the shell. If I don't pull the slide back all the way (sorry about the pistol terminology - this is my first rifle) before continuing, the gun won't fire, as the firing pin is not cocked. That is the main thing that surprised me: that the gun will fire without being fully in battery.

I think your rifle might just be new and dirty. Clean it well, and keep shooting so everything breaks in. If the problem persists send it to Smith and Wesson for repair.

I definitely will. Just wondered if I should do anything else.

And BTW, if the bolt is not fully closed, all AR15 triggers will still function. But since the bolt is not seated properly, it is unlikely a round would go off.

Ah, okay, didn't know that. Good to know. On any pistol I have, the trigger will not function until the slide is completely in battery. That makes me feel better. Still surprised, but better. ;-)

 

[rraisley]

It was new and dirty. Mine had the same symptoms. Every 300 rounds or so I just pull the bolt assembly, give it a quick wipe down and then spray it with some rem oil. Do this for a bit as it breaks in and you will be fine.

Mine was new, but not dirty. Well, okay, if you mean after 300 rounds it was dirty, then yeah, I'd agree. (See how the Internet can lead to misconceptions: I thought by your first sentence you were accusing me of shooting it new without even cleaning and oiling it. Then after your other text, I realize you're just saying it's still a new gun, and was dirty after shooting. So yeah, pulling the bolt assembly, wiping a bit and adding oil, every 300 rounds or so, isn't a bad idea.)

Good advice; thanks.

 

[rraisley]

provided it was cleaned and lubed properly you should be able to go through 500-1000 rounds of federal bulk with no issues.

See, that's what /I/ though.

Is the face of the bolt caked up at all?

No, it wasn't bad.

you could also clean it really well and try another brand of ammo. while it isn't the case for me, some have said they had issues with federal. you could have a picky rifle.

Well, Federal is the most recommended brand in the instruction manual. I'd shoot the cheap CCI stuff, but don't like shooting supersonic lead, preferring jacketed. And I have over a thousand rounds of it. But certainly if the problem persists, I'll try that.

 

[thacheese]

there are winchester bulks (555/m-22) CCI tactical, or mini mags, as well as other brands... Even with the mini mags in 100rd packs, a few hundred rounds shouldn't be more than $20. I would recommend trying something else if only for testing purposes. I would only avoid the specific ones listed to not use in the book.

See, that's what /I/ though.

No, it wasn't bad.

Well, Federal is the most recommended brand in the instruction manual. I'd shoot the cheap CCI stuff, but don't like shooting supersonic lead, preferring jacketed. And I have over a thousand rounds of it. But certainly if the problem persists, I'll try that.

 

[GMC man]

I had some problems with mine when I first got it I call it the NGS new gun syndrome after about 500 rounds it got better and has been great it just needed to be broke in everything was to stiff.

I would say after a box (550) if it doesnt improve get it looked at by a gunsmith or call S & W.

 

[Foxone]

I had the same. Try tuning your ejector, make sure it runs JUST snug to the bolt but not rubbing. This solved my issues, I went from a clean gun with 2 out of a mag FTE to running 4 mags without a single FTE.

 

[rraisley]

I had the same. Try tuning your ejector, make sure it runs JUST snug to the bolt but not rubbing. This solved my issues, I went from a clean gun with 2 out of a mag FTE to running 4 mags without a single FTE.

How do I go about tuning or adjusting it?

 

[Foxone]

Very carefully bend it, it does not take much, and you dont want to be bending it back and forth. Baby steps till it just sits off the bolt. Take the upper off the rifle so you can cycle the bolt and watch the ejector, make sure your tweaking the EJECTOR, not the EXTRACTOR. Mine came from the factory screwed up, and since I fixed it, it runs so well I went ahead and made an SBR out of it. Of course, make sure your extractor is grabbing also, I like to use fired shells because that simulates a distorted shell as it would be after being fired, any extractor will pull a fresh round.

 

[rraisley]

Very carefully bend it, it does not take much, and you dont want to be bending it back and forth. Baby steps till it just sits off the bolt. Take the upper off the rifle so you can cycle the bolt and watch the ejector, make sure your tweaking the EJECTOR, not the EXTRACTOR. Mine came from the factory screwed up, and since I fixed it, it runs so well I went ahead and made an SBR out of it. Of course, make sure your extractor is grabbing also, I like to use fired shells because that simulates a distorted shell as it would be after being fired, any extractor will pull a fresh round.

Uh, I hate to ask this, but is the EJECTOR the part that sticks out beside the barrel, and is not mounted on the bolt? (I searched for a parts breakdown, but couldn't find one.) And if so, I can see how it could be easily bent (snagged on a bore snake, for example). But I have no idea how or what direction to bend it to make it better.