FTE Rate

[Perrien]

I'm relatively new to guns and very new to rifles, this is my first actually, picked it up about 2 weeks ago. I've been to the range with it 4 times now with a good cleaning and lube between each and am still having quite a few failure to ejects where the spent casing is caught in the bolt (usually partially crushed). It's now happening perhaps 5-6 times/100 rounds.

I've read an earlier thread that discussed it and checked my ejector and there really isn't any room in there to adjust it (maybe .25-.5mm this way or that).

What would be considered an acceptable or normal failure rate for something like this? While it's not horrible, it is annoying to have to eject the mag, cycle the bolt, mag back in, cycle again, once or twice per magazine. Assuming this rate of failure is out of the normal, I'm assuming it'd be a trip back to S&W? Any other possible suggestions before I have to ship it off for a few weeks?

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I experience about one FTE per 500 rounds or so. So rare that I get surprised when it happens.

There are lots of threads discussing this, so as opposed to rehashing the same advise & suggestions over & over, I suggest you read them all first, then come back & explain what you have done & where you stand after all that. Not trying to be a jerk but there is just a tremendous amount of info here... even in just the first page of recent threads.

 

[Concept1]

Its going to depend on what kind of rounds you run. The cheaper the round, the more it's going to happen. The better the rounds you run, and cleanliness of your gun, it should happen less.

 

[AR-Getsome]

Mine does that with new magazines sometimes. Other than that no issues.

 

[BillyJack2012]

I was getting them with Remington. It hates Remington rounds. No issues with CCI or Federal. Every 15-22 is different though. Try different ammo.

 

[rweller68]

mine was a total jam-o-matic brand new out of the box.. didn't matter what ammo i used.

same thing, i looked at the extractor and couldn't adjust it as some said to do because it appeared to be right against the bolt

i ultimately sent it back to S&W for a 4 week vacation

when I got it back it shot any ammo (expensive/cheap) and has been a total bullet hose (i can fire as fast as i can pull the trigger with no FTE's yet after 600 rounds)

s&w did not tell me what they fixed on the new rifle so i can't tell you what they did

 

[Majorlk]

I'm relatively new to guns and very new to rifles, this is my first actually, picked it up about 2 weeks ago. I've been to the range with it 4 times now with a good cleaning and lube between each and am still having quite a few failure to ejects where the spent casing is caught in the bolt (usually partially crushed). It's now happening perhaps 5-6 times/100 rounds.

Stop going overboard with the cleaning and lubing, especially the lubing. Other than maybe a swipe of the bore with a boresnake and a quick wipe down of the bolt, a complete cleaning is unnecessary except every 1,000 rounds or so.

The ONLY lube that is necessary is a single drop of CLP on each of the bolt rails, one on the bolt stop latch and a very small drop on the trigger and hammer pins. There is no need to lube the bolt body, the charging handle or any other part of the rifle. You should NOT put any liquid lube in the firing pin channel - a dry lube only, and then very little of it.

More problems are caused by over lubrication than if you put no lube on the rifle at all.

 

[little_airwolf]

Totally agree! I bet its over oiled. The 22s Ive have/had shot best with almost no oil and somehow the dirty ones shot the best groups.

 

[jagular]

I clean and lube my 15-22 after every range trip and have it runs flawless. Let's not demonize how we maintain our firearms. If the OP is over lubing his rifle that is a separate issue. My first suspicion is ammo related. Remington is **** ammo and the manual recommends against using it for this very reason. I'd also check for any gunk buildup behind the extractor and try a different/new mag. Get back to us on the ammo you run and if you may be over lubing the rifle.

 

[ScrapmasterFlex]

Might want to tell us what ammo you're using?

My Remington 597 (which is a regular-type rifle but semi-automatic like the 15-22) would just not run any and I mean any Remington-brand rimfire ammo, and rarely would function with any Winchester. Like, barely could call it a gun. However, Federal and CCI ammos worked, and when I replaced the extractor and hammer it works like a top now, amazing.

My 15-22 has had, like, one or two? in a few thousand rounds, failures to feed/eject, and all were when it was already very dirty and with poor ammo.

I am willing to bet your gun just needs some better ammo and more breaking in, a little TLC.

 

[Majorlk]

I clean and lube my 15-22 after every range trip and have it runs flawless. Let's not demonize how we maintain our firearms. If the OP is over lubing his rifle that is a separate issue. My first suspicion is ammo related. Remington is **** ammo and the manual recommends against using it for this very reason. I'd also check for any gunk buildup behind the extractor and try a different/new mag. Get back to us on the ammo you run and if you may be over lubing the rifle.

No one is demonizing anyone or anything. Excessing cleaning and over lubing is a very common mistake made by new firearms owners.

As to the manual's recommendation - it's five years old and essentially useless since the majority of today's .22 ammo isn't even listed. My 15-22 runs Remington ammo just fine. There are a lot of others who say the same things. Many of those damning it have never used it and are simply repeating stuff they read on the internet.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I clean and lube my 15-22 after every range trip and have it runs flawless. Let's not demonize how we maintain our firearms. If the OP is over lubing his rifle that is a separate issue.

I too clean very often but that doesn't mean my gun is over lubed, as I wipe everything mostly dry as a final step. Only thing I run a bit wet are the bolt rails. Over lubing is not a separate issue when talking about such failures. Actually, it is a major issue. 22lr is dirty ammo & over lubed parts attract gunk like a magnet.

That being said, as you mention, there are lots of things that can cause failures. That is why I suggested the OP real here a lot first. This site is full of great info.

 

[jagular]

Changing ammo manufacturer is one of the easiest ways to check against problems. I know first hand the issues remington cause. Besides feeding and ejecting malfunctions, I had a rim explode which took my extractor with it. First and last time using that ammo.

 

[Jack Wagon]

No one is demonizing anyone or anything. Excessing cleaning and over lubing is a very common mistake made by new firearms owners.

As to the manual's recommendation - it's five years old and essentially useless since the majority of today's .22 ammo isn't even listed. My 15-22 runs Remington ammo just fine. There are a lot of others who say the same things. Many of those damning it have never used it and are simply repeating stuff they read on the internet.

Assumption at best.

 

[Majorlk]

[/B]

Assumption at best.

Nope, based on a lot of posts stating "I heard" or "I read" or "someone told me". It happens on every internet forum, no matter what the subject.

 

[Perrien]

I've tried a few different ammo types, Winchester Super X, Aguila HV, CCI mini mag, Federal match something or other. I can't seem to link the failures to any specific kind.

As for the lube suggestions, it's possible I've been a bit heavy handed with it, my assumption being more lube = smoother running but as someone mentioned, lube attracts dirty build up and this thing gets DIRTY even after a couple hundred rounds. It's due for another cleaning, I'll do that and try going much lighter on the lubing.

Many thanks to everyone for the suggestions, keep them coming, they are much appreciated. I'll give the other FTE thread a good reading again before going out and see if I can find anything else.

 

[Jack Wagon]

Nope, based on a lot of posts stating "I heard" or "I read" or "someone told me". It happens on every internet forum, no matter what the subject.

I haven't seen those words used in this thread. People are entitled to their opinion.

 

[Rob1]

Remington Thunderbolts.

Dirty dirty dirty dirty.

I know girls almost as dirty as these things.

Consistency ? Questionable.

To the point where you could actually feel the difference in power through the recoil of the action.

Some fails to fire (3) out of 300, 2 fail to recock the action, low low charge. Noticeable upon trigger pull.

Accuracy was reasonable but nothing special compared to American Eagle or say Eley Club.

300 rds and my gat is sooo black and dirty it's unreal.

Long wipe down and dig out now order of the day.

Anyhoo, once in finished with them, I shall buy no more. Except in dire emergency and NOTHiNG else in stock.

Hope that helps someone

Happy valentines to all my lovely lovely shooters....

Rob

 

[GhostMutt]

I run Eley sport, very affordable, very accurate, through both my Annie and 15-22. I am out shooting and competing with guys at the range who shoot ammo which costs double, through rifles which cost double...volquartsen this and ruger that.
My 15-22 gagged with aguila...dirty round which it didnt like. The moment i changed to Eley sport every problem stopped, bar the odd light strike. Find a brand your particular 15-22 likes and hoard it all mwah mwah hahahaah.

On a side note...has anyone tried the latest Eley round....
Eley Edge?
Talk about a 'tacticool' looking round....if i can find any i am going to splurge on a brick for my next summer comp.

 

[peterdeb]

On a side note...has anyone tried the latest Eley round....
Eley Edge?
Talk about a 'tacticool' looking round....if i can find any i am going to splurge on a brick for my next summer comp.
View attachment 185056
[/QUOTE]

WOW... $12.99 for a box of 50.
Ammo .22 LR ELEY Edge 40gr Flat Nose Bullet 1085 fps 50 Rounds 02000

 

[Majorlk]

I haven't seen those words used in this thread. People are entitled to their opinion.

This is not the only thread on the subject ... And yea, it IS opinion based on personal experience.

 

[Jack Wagon]

This is not the only thread on the subject ... And yea, it IS opinion based on personal experience.

Well, I guess you do have me by 8 whole months.

And just because someone has a different experience than you doesn't make them wrong.

I've personally had mixed results with Remington. Having said that, it didn't stop me from buying a couple of "Buckets" recently.

Peace on you, Major!

 

[micocyco]

I've tried a few different ammo types, Winchester Super X, Aguila HV, CCI mini mag, Federal match something or other. I can't seem to link the failures to any specific kind.

As for the lube suggestions, it's possible I've been a bit heavy handed with it, my assumption being more lube = smoother running but as someone mentioned, lube attracts dirty build up and this thing gets DIRTY even after a couple hundred rounds. It's due for another cleaning, I'll do that and try going much lighter on the lubing.

Many thanks to everyone for the suggestions, keep them coming, they are much appreciated. I'll give the other FTE thread a good reading again before going out and see if I can find anything else.

Hi Perrien, welcome & post often.
FTE for me is almost never, that said most of my shooting is done with my Grandson & I try to discourage shooting as fast as we / he / you can, the fast is slow - smooth is fast thing.
& We probably don't shoot near as much as a lot of folks here.
My go to ammo is CCI & Federal, I have some M-22 I need to try.
I have shot a few thunderbolts with out problems.
I will not buy or shoot Golden bullets. Reason being when I got my first 15-22 like most all I loved it immediately. But like you I was having what I thought were more FTE than I should. I read all the threads on loading the mags & cleaning. I put off off on needing break in so I just kept on loading I shooting ( at the time I was shooting the golden bullets I had found some & that was what the range had to sell. Well FTF started along with FTE some times I would have the spent shell & the new cartridge in front of the bolt at the same time. Don't know if I had out of battery fire or what but there was a funny pop & the extractor, spring & pin were gone from the bolt.
Not saying at all this is your problem or that it will happen.
Just saying even if it does S&W will fix it.
I don't know what part if any the golden bullets played but that is my reason for never using them.