First day out with 15-22.. tons of FTEs..

[TacticalTwentyTwo]

I thought this was an issue that was fixed or maybe it was my ammo or I am doing something else wrong. At first I got FTE's every 5 or so rounds. Using Federal bulk ammo.. I seemed to get less issues with the Reamington Bulk hollow point but still get FTE's. Right at the end I was able to do 75 rounds without a single issue. Not sure if this thing needs some sort of break in or the ejector needs to be adjusted. I really hate to have to send it back for repair and not have it. I would almost rather fix it my self or take it to a local gunsmith. I put 650 rounds through it this weekend. Thanks for any advice!

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Did you make sure that the rounds were staggered when loading the magazines? It's very important they are as it can really cause problems when firing if they're not staggered, and it's easier than you think for the rounds to not sit in the magazine properly.

 

[TacticalTwentyTwo]

Yeah, I noticed they staggered but ill pay more attention to it next time I am out. I saw a video about moving the ejector over a hair. He mentioned there is a tiny gap between the ejector and bolt near the hook portion. Mine there is no gap at all.. it is almost rubbing the bolt. I assume I should have no issues shooting cheap bulk ammo?

 

[TacticalTwentyTwo]

Had a couple FTF's but was not aware of the stagger. Will make note of that next time. I guess I may have to send this back to Smith and Wesson but didn't want to have to do that.

 

[Squirrel Master]

My new 15-22 has the blue spring, and the blue hammer spring. The rifle was shooting fine for me using Winchester Super X, or CCI. However, I found (4) cans (325 count each) of federal bulk ammo. I took the (4) cans to a buddy's house to show him how impressive the rifle was, and accurate. Out of 26 rounds each time, I would get anywhere from 4-9 FTE. I took it down, cleaned & oiled it, and tried again. Same thing. I called the wife over to bring me some of the Winchesters after being laughed away from the target area. Upon arrival with the Winchester, I asked my buddy if he would like to make a friendly a wager that I could shoot all 26 rounds with no FTE. Well, he didn't want to make it friendly. He up'd the wager and although hesitant, I accepted. I rapidly shot off 26 rounds w/no FTE at all. LOL, and best of all, the new wager covered the cost of all for cans of the Federal ammo. LOL.

For some reason, it stove pipes the Federal ammo, but using Winchester, Remmington, or CCI, I have no problems. Rifle was purchased new about 3 months ago. Try some different ammo.

 

[Franklin]

"using Winchester, Remmington, or CCI, I have no problems"

I guess your rifle is telling you something!

 

[Freeway]

Yep... it seems your rifle does not like federal bulk. Just keep feeding it the Winchester, Remington, and CCI, and all should be good. Keep experimenting with different types of ammo, though. You may find more that your rifle will like.

 

[TheDonXR]

Sent mine in for FTE's to S&W on Wednesday it gets there Monday and I should have it back by late in the week or mid next week.

 

[vipermd]

"using Winchester, Remington, or CCI, I have no problems"

I guess your rifle is telling you something!

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!
Out of curiosity did you clean and lube lightly before shooting? Next time you have a brand new factory gun- Clean the barrel and you will be amazed at the amount of dirt/metal/crud/ that you will find in it. It does not matter who made it, it is dependent on where, and for how long it was stored. Typically I can pick up the first 3-5 patches with a magnet!! Be Safe,

 

[speedyquad]

i just got mine back from smith and wesson on tuesday for the same issue. i was getting 3-7 fte's per mag...it didn't matter what brand i was using.

i shipped it out on the monday before. they received it on wednesday, and it was on it's way back by friday evening. if you do send it back to them, it won't be gone long.

they replaced the bolt, and after 110 quick rounds as a test today, it cycled perfectly...

 

[TacticalTwentyTwo]

Ok, looks like I will send it off. I cleaned the barrel and bolt right after buying it. Lots of junk in the barrel when it was new. Bolt wasn't bad. I know it doesn't seem to like the federal bulk ammo (325) for me either as that is what I was shooting. I almost forgot.. I thought I got a jam with the reamington box but I was wrong.. I had part of his ammo and part of my ammo.. his shot clean and as soon as I got down to my ammo it would FTE. I will get a box of soemthign else and see if I can get through it without a bunch of FTE's before sending back.

 

[Lager]

Tactical, good idea.
While I have shot and continue to shoot Feds and have had no troubles.
You might have picked up some low velocity rounds that will cause the troubles you are having.
I would look more into ammo before I sent it back to S&W.
Concerning staggering bullets in the magazine causing all sorts of problems?
I dont know where this started, but I hear it mentioned often when ever anyone has any troubles with their 15-22.
Im calling BS on this one.
Dont make a darn difference which way they fall in there.
I shoot usually 2 competitions per month with dozens of other 15-22 shooters.We all just jam them in the mags as fast as we can because the next stage is coming up fast.
The feed lip on the magazine will put them in the right position when its the next round to be loaded into the camber.
Hope this helps.

 

[dentkimterry]

My new M&P15-22 likes anything Winchester or Remington. It does not like Federal American Eagle or CCI Blazer. These are the only types I have had to use. It is getting less picky the more I shoot it though.

 

[Squirrel Master]

"using Winchester, Remmington, or CCI, I have no problems"

I guess your rifle is telling you something!

Correct. It doesn't like Federal for what ever reason. This is why I only use CCI or Winchester now.

 

[Squirrel Master]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!
Out of curiosity did you clean and lube lightly before shooting? Next time you have a brand new factory gun- Clean the barrel and you will be amazed at the amount of dirt/metal/crud/ that you will find in it. It does not matter who made it, it is dependent on where, and for how long it was stored. Typically I can pick up the first 3-5 patches with a magnet!! Be Safe,

Yes sir! I never fire any new firearm with all of that factory gunk, grease, and oil on and in it. I used Ballistol to clean it.

 

[warbird]

The manual advises on the ammo not to use as well as recommended ammo.

 

[Majorlk]

The manual advises on the ammo not to use as well as recommended ammo.

That list is several years out of date and is useless. It was based on user reports when the 15-22 was having out of battery discharges. It was not based on any testing by S&W itself. Besides, the list says not recommended, not do not use.

It also does not cover 90 percent of today's .22 LR ammo.

 

[wolfgar1911]

no ptoblems

I must just have a good rifle,or something! I've ran close to three thousand rounds through mine,all different brands,old ones new ones doesn't mater. I've had no problems with my 15-22 at all.shoots everything I feed it with no complaints. I also have a Plinker Tactical 35 round mag that works just fine. I read my manual fist thing,followed all instructions and clean my rifle after every outing. Maybe i just got lucky,don't know. But my 15-22 works like a well made weapon should work! Load it shoot it ,enjoy it.

 

[Squirrel Master]

I must just have a good rifle,or something! I've ran close to three thousand rounds through mine,all different brands,old ones new ones doesn't mater. I've had no problems with my 15-22 at all.shoots everything I feed it with no complaints. I also have a Plinker Tactical 35 round mag that works just fine. I read my manual fist thing,followed all instructions and clean my rifle after every outing. Maybe i just got lucky,don't know. But my 15-22 works like a well made weapon should work! Load it shoot it ,enjoy it.

These rifles are individuals. Just because mine doesn't like Federal bulk, I could go back to same store, and get same model, from same production line, next serial number up from the original, take it home, clean it, and run 500 rounds of Federal bulk with no FTE's or hiccups period. Just the luck of the draw. Like picking a pup from a litter, these rifles are individuals. Could take one pup home that loves Purina puppy chow, while the other barfs it up, and requires Pedigree puppy...

 

[eflyersteve]

I haven't read through all the replies but I'm sure this has been covered - be sure to grip the gun tightly. You'll get FTE's if you limp wrist it. We had the same issue with my son's and a tighter grip helped eliminate this issue.