M&P22 range fail

[Jizzo]

I bought my first gun this week, an M&P22. I thought it would be easy for my wife to shoot and we could put a lot of round through it for not a lot of money. I bought 1k rounds of armscor 22lr 40 grain. Today we went the range for the first time and it was a total fail.

We put about 300 rounds through the gun and right from the start we were getting ftf's about 3-5 rounds out of each 12 round clip. We had maybe 3 clips that shot all 12 rounds. It was extremely frustrating so much so that my wife gave up and went to the car. The rounds would get stuck in the firing position and I would have to poke them out from the front of the barrel. I could see a nice dent in the back from the firing pin.

I'm not sure if this was just user error or if there is a problem with the gun. I have read that this gun doesn't have issues with ammo. Could there be something I'm doing wrong? Please help.

Not complaining, just concerned.

 

[cddanjr]

bad bullets

Have you tried another .22lr bullet? could be bad primers in the rims?

 

[gunnut165]

My guess would be the ammo. I just purchased my M&P-22 a couple of weeks ago and have just been putting CCI mini mags with no trouble what so ever. Before you total give up on it just try different ammo.

 

[jajo]

I don't have an M&P 22 but I have several .22s and some of them don't like some ammo. It usually works out OK though because it will work in another gun.

The .22 rounds can be very inconsistent in size weight and charge even from the same lot. Even match grade ammo needs to be sorted for target shooting in competition.

It's a shame ammo is in such short supply right now, but you really need to try some different brands to find what works best for you.

The Federal Champion bulk works great in my 15-22, but the CCI groups better.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Thiokol]

It's the ammo, not the gun. See my range report on my new M&P22 here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/290137-m-p-range-report.html

 

[mag318]

I too think it's the ammo. Try some high quality CCI or Federal and see if they perform better, I'll bet they run flawlessly.

 

[Lost Lake]

Rule 1 when buying a new gun: Clean it.

Some M&P.22's have so much packing grease crammed in them it's a wonder they can even rack the slide.

ETA: Here's just one of many threads complaining of all the packing grease... http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/290787-m-p-22-grease.html

 

[Jizzo]

Thanks for all the quick replies.... I guess I just need to settle down.

I'm sure it's just the ammo... I've read so many good reports about this gun. I have read elsewhere that either federal or cci is the way to go. I spent and hour online today looking for those two. Everyone is out. I think I'm gonna have to backorder some.

I can't have these ftf's if someone is in my house.

 

[ACP230]

Some guns despise certain types of ammo.
See if you can buy a few single boxes of various kinds and try them.
One will probably work better than the rest.

I had a Beretta that just hated CCI Stingers. Aim at the middle of the
target and they would hit the four corners instead. Quite accurate
with several other types of ammo.

 

[MichiganScott]

I'd be real careful about poking live rounds out from the front. I've grown real fond of my body parts.

 

[catcus-jack]

The big problem is you were using clips instead of magazines.

 

[Hrcnsfan]

What MichiganScott said. I cringed a little when I read that.
Hope some new ammo will sort things out for you, Jizzo. It likely will.

 

[IntenseImage]

I took my new m&p22 out tonight and ran 180 rounds with no issues.

Prior to shooting I did a full cleaning and a relube at the touch points.

Ammo used was minimags for the first 100 and a mix of Federal and Blazer bulk for the rest.

While your issue may be ammo i would certainly give it a clean and lube

One other thing, if any of the issues were just the spent shell not extracting it may be shooting technique (limp wrist) as you stated this is your first gun

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Jizzo]

The big problem is you were using clips instead of magazines.

Ha! busted...mags...I know better.

I was nervous about poking those out too. I told my wife to keep her fingers outta the way.

I gotta find some new ammo.

I definately learned a lot today though...can't wait to get back to the range with a clean, lubed gun and some different ammo.

 

[spad124]

As this is your first firearm, and if you haven't done so, I suggest a thorough cleaning with a relube of the slide rails and a drop of oil rotating shafts.

Also, when I stripped and cleaned the packing grease out of my M&P22 I found a large amount of grease behind the takedown latch. You should remove that also. The latch will come out if you rotate it slightly and pull it out. Note the alignment of the latch when it starts to come out so you know how to reassemble.

I use a light grease on the rails. Not too much. When it is cold, about freezing, I switch to a dry lube or Breakfree on the rails.

If your still having problems, try a little Breakfree in the firing pin channel. Not much.

 

[HotRoderX]

My bet is the ammo also 22lr has to be one of the finickiest rounds on earth. My Ruger 22/45 refused to eat anything but CCI mini Mags, Winchester Super X, and CCI Blazer ammo. After about 1000 rounds it loosened up and all ammo works great. Also had a small issue of liking to shave the tips off hallow points during them first 1000 rounds.

 

[FLY FIS]

I found that it's all about the ammo. My son got me 1000 rounds of CCI Target for Christmas and I have been through 300+ without a hiccup. Federal target ammo in a black and white box is the worst.

 

[Martya]

Nobody mentioned your grip - a firm grip can solve some feed problems.

Also I have had some past issues with dusty magazine insides and followers that stick a little. May want to take the mags apart and wipe them down, watch for any manufacturing burrs.

 

[Jizzo]

Update...I cleaned and lubed the gun. It seemed to be smoother. When I was cleaning it I found some rub marks on bottom of the slide and in the back. I went back to the range and put another 200 rounds through it, still the same issue, at first it didn't seem as bad...only 1 ftf in the first 50 rounds or so...then back to the same ftf, fte every other round almost. I was sure to have a strong, solid grip. It did feel to me like the slide was rubbing.

I took these pictures when I got home from the range to show the abrasion.

Not real good pics.

I can't find ANY 22lr ammo in town. Academy told me I would have to be there at 7:30 am to get it straight off the truck or it would be sold out. I'll do that this week and hit the range next weekend.

Is it normal for the slide to rub like that after only 500 rounds? Should I contact Smith & Wesson about this? I don't think the ammo is the (only) problem due to the rubbing I see. I'm kinda dissapointed in my first S&W purchase so far.

Thanks for the input.

 

[BigCityChief]

Thanks for all the quick replies.... I guess I just need to settle down.

I'm sure it's just the ammo... I've read so many good reports about this gun. I have read elsewhere that either federal or cci is the way to go. I spent and hour online today looking for those two. Everyone is out. I think I'm gonna have to backorder some.

I can't have these ftf's if someone is in my house.

Sir, if someone is in your house, you don't want to confront him with the M&P 22. Get yourself a S&W Shield in .40 and train with the .22. Good luck!