M&P 15-22 Safety alert from S&W

[Iain]

Many thanks for the kind offer Bamashooter

If we get no joy from our importer, I'll take you up on your offer.

As for the conversion to metric, some of us are old enough to remember rods, chains & cubits as units of measurement and it took us ages to get used to the new fangled Imperial system of inches .

I'll keep you posted

 

[Wee Hooker]

I spent a large part of my career doing field support work for our Navy's submarine fleet. As part of that work, I developed tools and procedures to be used by sailors to check for defective hardware/conditions on weapon systems equipment. The challange in that sort of thing is that the tool needs to be: a) effective, b) easy to use by the untrained, c)cheap to produce and d) able to be fielded quickly. Additionally, there usually isn't the luxury of allot of time to come up a fix once the concern is identified.
I'll go on record to say that I beleive this "go/no-go" tool (and I'll assume some decent accompaning simple directions) is a good approach for S&W to this issue. It checks all of those box's well.

I'll also go on record to say that I understand why they would rather have the public use the tool than to give out the number to measure too. That part is about higher potential for (many unskilled) users making a reading error and the resulting liability. (The engineer in me still wants that number though!;-)
Too bad this happened at all ,but so far I like what I see in the S&W response.

 

[DaveG_NJ]

Since when is a "re-call" a DIY proposition? If the gun aint right, how much faith will I have in the tool? The tool says "I'm good to go" No worries, carry on.

UPDATE: S&W issues recall on 15-22 gauge tool citing a few out-of-spec gauges.

^^^^^
Just kidding.

Reminds me of the adage - never take two chronometers to sea, take one or three. (The problem is dual modular redundancy - if they are different, which one is correct (if any)?).

I have a 2018 Performance Center 15-22 (NJ compliant). It was manufactured prior to 2/2019, but the serial number lookup says "Does not qualify", yet the advisory lists no exclusions.

I measure a depth of .041" on the bolt face. If this photo uploads, it shows a .22LR cartridge pressed into the bolt. Seems OK to me.

 

[s&wchad]

I ordered the gauge. I don't know why S&W is so tight lipped about the thickness, since it will be all over the web as soon as they start to arrive.

I have three affected guns (rifle, 2 pistols) and was curious, so I got out my Mitutoyo dial caliper and checked the rifle and one of the pistols. The other pistol is buried and I didn't want to dig it out right now.

My rifle (DZV) measured .036" and the pistol (DUM) measured .0385". While I do have sausage fingers, I go to the dentist regularly and spent a good part of career using precision measuring instruments!

 

[DaveG_NJ]

I understand there is some variation on rim thickness on the .22LR. I'm going to guess that the gauge is at the low (thin) end of whatever that range is. The SAAMI specs state 0.043" - 0.007" for the cartridge rim. I believe that means a range of 0.036" to 0.043". The "chamber" min/max are 0.043 to 0.051". Since the rim portion of the chamber is really the bolt face - unless I'm reading this wrong - I'd say you want a recess of .043".

 

[bamashooter]

UPDATE: S&W issues recall on 15-22 gauge tool citing a few out-of-spec gauges.

^^^^^
Just kidding.

Reminds me of the adage - never take two chronometers to sea, take one or three. (The problem is dual modular redundancy - if they are different, which one is correct (if any)?).

I have a 2018 Performance Center 15-22 (NJ compliant). It was manufactured prior to 2/2019, but the serial number lookup says "Does not qualify", yet the advisory lists no exclusions.

I measure a depth of .041" on the bolt face. If this photo uploads, it shows a .22LR cartridge pressed into the bolt. Seems OK to me.

I wouldn't doubt it.

 

[UK 15-22]

For the UK owners that may not be aware, the UK importer is Shield Sights of Bridport in Dorset.

I've emailed asking if these gauges are available through them and I'll let you know the response as soon as I get it.

Iain

Just been to my local RFD where I purchased the 15-22, and he rang Shield but they are no longer the Smith & Wesson importer. It is now Sportsman Gun Centre.

They are in the process, but today is the first day they have had to deal with it. Might be worth sending them an Email.

 

[Iain]

Just been to my local RFD where I purchased the 15-22, and he rang Shield but they are no longer the Smith & Wesson importer. It is now Sportsman Gun Centre.

They are in the process of getting ready, but today is the first day they have had to deal with it. Might be worth sending them an Email.

Hi UK 15-22.

When I first saw this issue on the forum, I Googled 'S&W UK distributor' and Shield Sights came up at the top of the page. I sent them an email through their contacts page yesterday and, as I hadn't heard anything by mid-afternoon today, followed it up with a telephone call. I went through the now familiar recorded voices (I really hate them ), only to hear that there wasn't anyone available to take my call and could I leave a message. A message was duly left but it was shortly after that I spotted your message about Sportsman Gun Centre (good work on that btw ) so I'm not expecting a call back.

I've just rechecked and their website still states that they are 'proud to be their UK distributor'. Clearly, they haven't taken the information down.

I think I'll leave it a day or so and give SGC a call. Hopefully, they'll have something in place by then.

Iain

 

[GhostMutt]

So I have been shooting my 15-22 for the past 4 years...rapidly, have kitted it out exactly how I want it and can count the number of issues I've had on one hand.

Should I really be bothered by this news??? Seeing as though I am a second owner of this rifle and in the UK, then my chances of bolt replacement or even the free gauge are slim to none.

Guess I'll just have to keep shooting until it goes full auto, then i'd better reload

 

[SgtStone]

[snip]
The S&W safety report sounded a lot like public reports surrounding the 'Appleseed incident'; not so much the original event but reports from MP 15-22 owners. Just a thought.

I read most of the reports I could find at the time on "Appleseed and MP 15-22". Reports on OTHER 15-22 problems closely resemble the S&W reports in the OP without an out of chamber detonation. I notice 'bolt problems' after ~150 high quality rounds fired without cleaning. The bolt face gets so much waste buildup it could alter clearance effecting operation.

I installed a different ejector. If I return the bolt to S&W, would I need to replace the factory ejector first?

JFTR I purchased a M&P 15-22 since several family members were already familiar with the 'AR-15' layout and I had zero problems with other S&W products.

 

[Blackstuff]

Still no one in the US that has the gauge fro measuring?

 

[Jeppo]

Still no one in the US that has the gauge fro measuring?

Still no email confirming the order.

 

[bamashooter]

Nothing here regarding email. Order number generated online therefore I assume the order was successful.

 

[VaTom]

Thanks for the original post. I have had mine for 5+ years. No problems. Clean bolt face after every range session. Went to S&W website, printed off the PDF of the alert and inspection document and ordered the gauge (free) on their site. Have to enter the Serial Number for the order. Easy. Simple inspection if you have the gauge.

 

[Iain]

This morning, I took my stripped bolt into the Inspection Department at work where they have a very large computerized measuring machine (CMM) that's calibrated to International standards.

Long story short, measured at three different points in the recess, the recess in the bolt face (mine anyway) is 0.0388".

It might be worth noting that the rifle was bought new last August and has fired about 800 rounds with no problem other than when I didn't fill the mag correctly.

All I have to do now is wait to see what the Go/NoGo gauge thickness is.

Iain

 

[UK 15-22]

This morning, I took my stripped bolt into the Inspection Department at work where they have a very large computerized measuring machine (CMM) that's calibrated to International standards.

Long story short, measured at three different points in the recess, the recess in the bolt face (mine anyway) is 0.0388".

It might be worth noting that the rifle was bought new last August and has fired about 800 rounds with no problem other than when I didn't fill the mag correctly.

All I have to do now is wait to see what the Go/NoGo gauge thickness is.

Iain

I was told to contact the warranty centre closest to me by Smith & Wesson customer support. Belguim is closest.

BELGIUM

WAPENHANDEL PARTHOENS
SIEBERG 46
3770 RIEMST
BELGIUM
Phone: 32-12-451615
Web: Wapenhandel Parthoens

I had a email from them this morning asking for my address to send a guage when they receive them from the US.

I've measured mine with digital calipers which will not be as accurate as the machine you used but mine was 0.046. I've also measured my Anschutz bolt and that is around 0.049. I think mine is going to be OK.

 

[sgtsandman]

Same deal here. No email on the order for the gauge. But the site did say the order was placed and accepted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[UK 15-22]

There is now an international order form for those outside the US

Here is the link - M&P15-22 Bolt Inspection Gauge International Order Form

 

[lynsey444]

There is now an international order form for those outside the US

Here is the link - M&P15-22 Bolt Inspection Gauge International Order Form

Thanks for that UK 15-22

 

[Iain]

Many thanks for that UK 15-22. Just ordered mine and the acknowledgement says about 6 weeks for delivery.

Iain