M&P 15-22 shoots low

[Bosbruin]

I'm having a little issue with my new M&P 15-22. Probably have shot about a 1000 rounds through it and I clean it regularly.
When I'm shooting from either a sitting or standing position, I hold onto the magazine, which in turn puts pressure upwards.
When I do this, the rifle shoots low.
I had another person try this with the same result.
If I rest the rifle on sidewall and shoot, I have no issues.
Anyone ever heard of this? Is this normal or is there something wrong with my rifle?

 

[bamashooter]

Sounds reasonable with the ultra lightly - built 15-22. Not that I see it happening with the little .22lr, however, with an AR, if it decides to self destruct, many times it'll do it's thing to include expelling a lot of the explosive energy straight down the magazine and through a hand if the hand is grasping that magazine.

 

[jagular]

M&P 15-22 shoots low

Seem like an easy fix...don't hold it by the magazine. Get a vertical grip and locate it wherever feels comfortable. You can also get a shorter 10-round mag for when you are bench shooting.

If you are pulling the magazine back to keep the rifle firmly against your shoulder (which you probably are) I could see this happening. I'd be weary of doing this as it could cause malfunctions and possible damage. The ejector is a sensitive part. How much lower are we talking about when this happens?

 

[Bosbruin]

About 2" low from 50'

 

[Bassyaks]

Hold it the way it meant to be held and it'll shoot fine. That's like holding your pistol with the Mag at 90 degrees, looks cool but!!

 

[MichiganScott]

I'm having a little issue with my new M&P 15-22. Probably have shot about a 1000 rounds through it and I clean it regularly.
When I'm shooting from either a sitting or standing position, I hold onto the magazine, which in turn puts pressure upwards.
When I do this, the rifle shoots low.
I had another person try this with the same result.
If I rest the rifle on sidewall and shoot, I have no issues.
Anyone ever heard of this? Is this normal or is there something wrong with my rifle?

Since you have no issues when resting the rifle, I'd bet the low shooting is shooter induced.

 

[bamashooter]

I think they're right about not holding the magazine on this particular rifle. The tolerances are rather sloppy and the possibility exists that any little deviation from the "norm" may have a negative impact on accuracy and function. Though I consider it dangerous to do I've never seen a problem with accuracy (against bleeding targets) when grasping the magazine of a M16 or any AR-type rifle.

 

[1911luvr]

Check to make sure the barrel is not loose. Mine started shooting all over the place so I sent it back to S&W where they discovered the barrel but had loosened. Been fine ever since.


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[Aksarben]

I experience FTE if I let my longer magazine push down(rest) on a solid surface when shooting. Get the magazine off the bench/object and it ejected fine. Not a good idea to hang onto a magazine as it will do strange things and was not meant as a part of the forward grip.