M&P 22 will not cycle

[RMC1]

I got my wife this gun and the only ammo that we've been able to shoot without a ton of failures is CCI Mini Mags. I wouldn't mind so much if I could get CCI Mini Mags but they are just not available unless they're pushing $100 for 500.

We haven't tried all ammo but we have tried Aguila, Remington, Federal, and some of the other CCI.

Any suggestions? Should I just go get another Mark III?

 

[agksimon]

Most of the M&P22 full size have this problem, as Walther puts a stiff recoil spring in them. They do the same with the Walther P-22 and they have the same problem. My M&P22 full size short cycles on most ammo except Mini-Mags and AR15 Tactical.

 

[OKFC05]

There are some things you can do.
1. Look at the shiny spots in the action, and put a touch of action lube on them, especially the face of the hammer where the slide contacts.
2. Check for burrs in the action and on the mag lips. Stone them smooth.
3. Use only 40gr hi speed ammo
4. Use a correct locked wrist grip.
5. Store it locked open.

I can shoot almost any ammo in my M&P 22, but some beginners still can't make it work.

 

[agksimon]

There are some things you can do.
1. Look at the shiny spots in the action, and put a touch of action lube on them, especially the face of the hammer where the slide contacts.
2. Check for burrs in the action and on the mag lips. Stone them smooth.
3. Use only 40gr hi speed ammo
4. Use a correct locked wrist grip.
5. Store it locked open.

I can shoot almost any ammo in my M&P 22, but some beginners still can't make it work.

I have done all of the above, but mine still won't reliably cycle most bulk ammo. I thought about taking a coil off the recoil sprint, but haven't yet.
I am a long time IDPA and Steel Challenge shooter and fairly good at it, so "limpwristing" is not an issue.

 

[OKFC05]

I have done all of the above, but mine still won't reliably cycle most bulk ammo. I thought about taking a coil off the recoil sprint, but haven't yet.
I am a long time IDPA and Steel Challenge shooter and fairly good at it, so "limpwristing" is not an issue.

I hear you on that one. My 2206 won't shoot ANY bulk ammo reliably either because of the tight chamber and who-knows-what bullet size on the bulk packages. Maybe I should have said my M&P 22 will shoot most REAL .22 ammo, not the "giant pack bulk bargain items" that I gave up on. Some of it can barely be forced to chamber in a model 63.

 

[Louchia]

I agree with OKFC05.
I would also not use standard velocity ammo. Always the high velocity (1100-1300 FPS) I have had very good luck with Rem Golden, CCI Mini Mags. and only minor issues with all CPRN or CPHP. I stay away from LRN except Blazer,

 

[RMC1]

Thanks for all the good ideas. Some I have tried, others I will try. Grease/oil has not helped at all. I'll do some buffing the next time I have it apart.

 

[Tinn-Can]

Most of the slide weight is cocking the hammer back. Just rack the slide when it is cocked vs not and there is a huge difference. If you could find a lighter hammer spring that still functioned reliably that would probably do wonders...

 

[g27racing]

If you can find it, try the Fiocchi HV ammo. As other said as well, I only use HV ammo in my M&P 22. It doesn't like any Federal ammo at all but ran fine on the Remington bulk although I had about a 3% FTF with that ammo no matter what gun I used it in.

Believe it or not I have not had issues with the Armscor 22LR HV ammo. It cycles properly in my M&P as well.

Moved the Federal ammo to use in my 22 revolvers.
BTW, I have a Ruger MK1 and the federal doesn't work properly in that gun either.

 

[evnash]

Federal Auto Match .22 ammo is hotter than most of the bulk stuff. i would also recommend polishing all the contact services on the gun. particularly the sides of the hammer as it contacts slot it cocks into.

might also help to rack it several hundred times. will loosen up a bit.

oh and keep the gun lubed.

 

[Mydogmax]

I had the same problems with my FS M&P 22 when first new. CCI mini mags worked fine but standard velocity would give me problems. After about 1000 rds it settled down. Haven't shot it in over a year due to lack of .22.

 

[Dlister70]

Remington Golden is often scoffed at, but my M&P 22 loves that stuff. Mini Mags are great too. Federal works most of the time. Winchester does not. I've had good success with Aguila too.

Every gun is different, so your results will vary.. But I'd let it get past 1,000 rounds and see if it's more receptive to different ammo besides Mini Mags. I've got almost 10,000 rounds through mine now, and the spring feels so loose, it might even cycle CCI Quiets now!

 

[AGoyette]

I do not have the M&P 22 but I do have a Sig 22, and it's very picky! One thing I have noticed on the Sig is that it's very sensitive to any sort of rubbing against the finger. If I have any fingers touching the slide at all while I shoot it, jam central!
As to ammo, like the others, I would stick with the high velocity stuff, 1200-1400 ft per sec. My M&P 22 AR LOVES Golden bullets (in the bulk box, not the bucket) and I have not had any issues with Armscor 22 ammo. Hope this helps.

 

[RMC1]

I'll take it apart again this weekend and polish any areas that might be rubbing. From the way it malfunctions I'm pretty sure it's the spring that needs to loosen up a bit. The slide isn't coming back enough to throw the fired case clear. I hope I can get this resolved before we start going to Steel Competitions when the weather warms up.

 

[George9]

Make sure you have ALL the factory grease off and out of the gun! Also don't use grease on the M/P 22 as it will slow down the slide to much. Use a light gun oil or a CLP. Lube top of hammer and the same contact point on the inside of the slide on that pistol. This will help the pistol not short stroke. Yes 1280fps is what the pistol likes. Mine will shoot 1000fps ammo and up with out issue now that it's broke in. Pistol should work 99.9% or better with HV ammo.. It's a good gun! George

 

[RMC1]

I removed all the grease and oil again with my sonic cleaner. That didn't seem to make much difference in the feel of pulling the slide back. Next, I filed, stoned, and/or polished every part that showed signs of rubbing. That definitely made a big difference. I'm going to try to put a few rounds down the pipe before the games to see if some of this other ammo will work. I'm a lot more hopeful now. I'll let you know how it works.

 

[RV4driver]

My wife's P22 was really picky until I took a couple of turns off the recoil spring. Now it feeds anything. I had already bought an extra spring just in case...but it's still in the bag it came in.

 

[poolie]

I might have to try that. Recently bought my wife a P22 and CCI Mini Mags are all I've found so far that it's happy with and while all .22 ammo is very hard to get in my area, the Mini Mags are pretty much non existent.

My wife's P22 was really picky until I took a couple of turns off the recoil spring. Now it feeds anything. I had already bought an extra spring just in case...but it's still in the bag it came in.

 

[RMC1]

Well, I tried the the pistol today after I did some polishing and such. I can now shoot the Aguila 22's with confidence. The Federal Premium Target didn't do so well but I think they will after a good cleaning.

Thanks everyone for your input.