The problem with the 15-22 mags is that the rails that the follower assist button rides on are not even. The follower is not binding, but rather the assist button is binding. If you remove the assist button the binding disappears. As previously mentioned, you can see and feel the uneven rails about midway down the follower travel path.
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There are more problems than that.
I love this rifle. I have 3. From the very beginning, 15-22s were the most reliable magazines on the market. The combo of the 15-22 mags and the McFadden Lightning Loader makes it a real joy to load and shoot, fun even. The platform was the most reliable plinker I've ever owned. I sold off my 10-22s.
I'm very disappointed about S&W lack of concern about the newly made mags. I bought a dozen new mags because they are a consumable. I've owned almost 30. I now opened every package of new mags to test them before going to the range. 4 of the new mags had serious problems. They are tight in the magwell, they split and one was warped.
None of them have been left in the Sun. One failed on the first loading. It split apart. One of the replacements S&W sent was also defective. They need to issue a recall.
I also use and recommend the 15-22 mags for AR22s with an ARcatch22. I noticed that BoreBuddy has stopped recommending them too. When my wife and son started having problems inserting and removing mags, I groaned.
I can no longer recommend this firearm to people knowing that the feeding system has a known issue and S&W refuses to admit it. It's really a shame as the platform has been amazing.
Edit: Since I'm splitting hairs here...
Another thing S&W could do to make 15-22 better is to not use .6" threads on the muzzle. Use the SilencerCo 1/2x28 thread specs so all suppressors could be used without crud sealing suppressors to the muzzle or spacers. I love this rifle as a suppressor host.
