First time at the range, dissapointed

[Gtrman13]

Well, after buying my M&P 22 several weeks ago, I finally made it out to the range this morning. I liked many things about this gun, but I had lots of problems as well. I would guess that one out of every three rounds failed to fire, eject, or enter properly, so I got frustrated and packed up after about 50 rounds. I'm hoping that these are simply symptoms of a new gun or maybe incompatible ammunition. Although I was using a 525 round box of Remington, so I have a lot of wasted ammo if my gun doesn't like the stuff. Is it possible I'll be fine after a good cleaning and a few more rounds through the gun?

 

[Spectre_USA]

Yes, especially after the cleaning part.

It is best to do a cleaning before first firings, as the actions and barrels are
treated with packing "gunk" in case it gets into a humid area and has to sit
a while.

Give it a good cleaning, light oil in the barrel, and go blast away...

 

[MastaMarksman]

Yeah, that Remington Golden Bullet bulk pack ammo is pretty dirty stuff.

It's pretty much universal that the Federal Bulk pack 525 or 550 round (Now they are selling it in smaller bulk pack's as well 325 round?) is the best cheap ammo.

I even use the Federal Bulk Pack's in my Sig Mosquito which is known for being EXTREMELY ammo picky and I've never had a single problem.

Definitly give the rifle a good full/complete cleaning and try the Federal Bullk Pack ammo, I'll bet your problems go away.

Make sure you are loading the magazine's properly (Read the Manual).

If you continue to have problems after cleaning and using different ammo, you can always try CCI Mini-Mag's, which are super pricy but if they don't work/feed/fire properly then the problem is likely in the rifle not the ammo.

-Masta

 

[glockeyed]

remmington rimfire ammo is the worst. i wouldn't use or even sell it if someone gave it to me.

 

[stevegartx]

You at correct about the ammo . Remington is not to be used . You really should read your manual all the way though any way . There is section about ammo to use . I think we all just about have learned about this one . You will find 15-22 like some ammo & others it don't . There are plenty of threads here that can help you also . When the the right ammo is used the fun will begin . Also I will have warn you that little black rifle can be sickness .

 

[CPTBeaker]

That's why pg 10 of the 15-22 Safety & Instruction Manual recommends not to use most Remington ammunition:

 

[TwistedCreations]

As stated, Remington ammo is not recommended in our guns..Also you should really go through the sticky "notable thread" at the top of this forum.

You will find this video from brett - YouTube - S&W M&P 15-22 Magazine Loading without the load assist and it has worked wonders for me.

The first thing you need to do and should always do with a new gun though, is clean it real well. When I purchased mine, It had cardboard pieces and other junk in the gun. Also the grease they use is so thick, I could use it as rearend grease in my truck

But give the gun a real good cleaning, watch the video I posted, swing by and pick up a 100 round box of CCI Mini Mag and go hit the range again..You should be much happier after that


EDIT - While cleaning, look at your springs to make sure they are a blue color also.

 

[Jswiney9]

i dont understand the ammo issues with these guns....... i really just dont.

 

[reelman]

22's in particular are known for being finicky about ammo. Even though the manual says that you should not use any subsonic ammo my 15-22 shoots Remington SubSonics and Aguilla 60gr SubSonics just fine.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

My 15-22 has a hearty appetite and will digest about anything.

There's tons of info posted here on the Forum about cycling problems with this rifle. And near zero info posted here about cycling problems after being sent back to S&W. Just sayin...

 

[bulldozerd8t]

My 15-22 will eat all the 22 ammo I have tried, but like phil said that is after I sented it back. Before it had the same troubles the op stated.

 

[tacticool22]

After thousands of rounds, mostly CCI minimag, this rifle will shoot anything. CCI seems to be the most recommended to break a gun in.
A good initial cleaning is important. Using a good quality CLP is the other key. I like Gunzilla, others like remington, military CLP, WD-40. Etc.

 

[guy22]

Well, after buying my M&P 22 several weeks ago, I finally made it out to the range this morning. I liked many things about this gun, but I had lots of problems as well. I would guess that one out of every three rounds failed to fire, eject, or enter properly, so I got frustrated and packed up after about 50 rounds. I'm hoping that these are simply symptoms of a new gun or maybe incompatible ammunition. Although I was using a 525 round box of Remington, so I have a lot of wasted ammo if my gun doesn't like the stuff. Is it possible I'll be fine after a good cleaning and a few more rounds through the gun?

So I guess you didn't read or follow the manual that came with it?

I got mine 2 weeks ago. First thing I did was clean it, and lube it. Next thing was to buy 2000 rounds of CCI Mimi-Mag copper plated round nose 40 grain 1235 FPS rounds.

So far shot ~ 1000 rounds. No FTF, or jams. The manual says to clean it, and shoot so and so ammo!!
Based on the design and action of the M&P15-22, Smith &
Wesson recommends that you use the following brands and
types of .22LR ammunition for optimal performance in your
M&P15-22 rifle:
• CCI Standard Velocity • Federal American Eagle
• CCI Mini-Mag • Federal GameShock
• CCI Stinger • Winchester Super-X High Velocity
• Aguila Super Extra High Velocity • Aguila Super Extra Std. Velocity
Smith & Wesson suggests that you fire several boxes of a recommended
brand of ammunition through your M&P15-22 before you
put it into regular use to determine reliability of ignition and performance
of your ammunition. If "failure to fire" or other issues
should occur, try different recommended brands and types until a
reliable load is found.
Through our testing, Smith & Wesson has also found that there
are several brands and types of .22LR ammunition that do not
perform consistently or reliably. Consequently, Smith & Wesson
DOES NOT RECOMMEND that the following brands or types of
.22LR ammunition be used in your M&P15-22 rifle:
• Remington Golden Bullet • Remington Thunderbolt
• Remington Target 22 • Winchester Wildcat
• Any and all sub-sonic brands and types

So you had problems! Guess why???
Guy22

 

[MastaMarksman]

i dont understand the ammo issues with these guns....... i really just dont.

The problem is that the majority of .22LR ammo out there is ****.

What I don't understand is why people buy ANY bulk .22LR ammo other then FEDERAL. Federal has for many years been known to be the one bulk pack .22lr ammo that works in almost all .22lr chambered firearms.

I also don't understand why CCI has never packed/sold their Mini-Mag's (Most pouplar .22lr Ammo they sell) in bulk!

Though, I've yet to find a .22lr chambered firearm that doesn't shoot Federal Bulk Pack's with out issue.

-Masta

 

[bulldozerd8t]

I hate to disappoint you but my browning buckmark does not cycle fed bulk and on rfc forum another person said their browning buckmark will not cycle fed bulk neither.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Sig Mosquito my buddy has choked on Fed Bulk Pack.

For cheap HV ammo CCI Blazer is tough to beat.

 

[NamibianAmphibian]

My 15-22 has no issues with Remington. I use mostly Federal 40 grain 50 packs. 1st 1000 or so rounds had zero issues. Had 2 FTF's out of a single box between rounds 1000 to 1500. Nothing to complain about.

 

[stickbug1]

We all drop huge amounts of money on firearms and accessories because we love to shoot. Why will we willingly try to save pennies on ammunition when we know it will cause us grief and headaches.
CCI mini-mags are a small percentage more than any other normal .22LR ammunition out there. And hugely cheaper than any other caliber of ammunition.They will feed and fire in both my Sig Mosquitos, S&W 15-22 rifle and pistol, S&W 622 target pistol, Marlin 60SS rifle, an old Winchester 61 pump gun, Winchester 25 and 75 bolt guns, and a few revolvers too. Why on earth would I go through the trouble to keep different brands and types of .22LR ammo when one is all I need.

Simple and low stress is worth way more than a few pennies saved on rounds.

So here is my 2 cents worth of advice. Buy CCI Mini-Mags when there on sale, and stock up. If you want to experiment with other things for improved groupings that's OK. But for the every day shooting, plinking, squirrel exterminating, zombie horde repelling, or whatever you use your .22LR firearms for, for gods sake just shoot the mini-mags and save your sanity.

 

[NamibianAmphibian]

We all drop huge amounts of money on firearms and accessories because we love to shoot. Why will we willingly try to save pennies on ammunition when we know it will cause us grief and headaches.
CCI mini-mags are a small percentage more than any other normal .22LR ammunition out there.

CCI mini mags are $6 - $7 per 100; Federal Lightning is <$3 per 100. That's not a small %.

Multiply that savings over tens of thousands of rounds...

 

[Jav]

After having to buy 9mm ammo, $8 for 100 for CCI minimags is completely fine with me. I also don't buy huge bulks at one time either.


5.56/.223 isn't going to be fine, either haha.