Model 17 ejection tough

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This is a common problem with Smith & Wesson .22 caliber guns. Some are better than others. One, and I believe the first effort to take is to experiment with different types of ammunition. If that does not work, then polishing or finish reaming the chambers are the next two options.

Cleaning the chambers after each cylinder full has helped on mine, but it is a pain to have to do that when at the range. Or in the field.

There are several folks here on the forum that have fixed their .22's and they should be along shortly to explain their experiences.
 
I have done a couple of my .22s by a method a few on here do not like, but they now work fine.:D

I was down at my club last week and a man was having trouble like the OP described. We tried switching ammo and the Aguila that I gave him to try made his life much better. In fact I traded him a 50 box for what he had and he had no more trouble. The last thing he said when he left the range was "Next stop Joes gun shop and purchase a brick of that ammo." Disclaimer it worked well for him I give no guarantee it will work for you
 
I have had several S&W .22s through the years and most have had this characteristic. While reaming may be needed, what I found was that my "shiny clean" chambers weren't REALLY clean, in every circumstance. The waxy coating on the outside of most .22 loads builds up in the chambers and even though things look clean, they aren't. A very, very thin layer can remain. On the worst offenders I found that cleaning with a bronze brush spun in a drill quickly solved the problem. This was not a remedy that had to be applied every time the guns were cleaned, but inevitably it needed to be repeated every 3 or 4 cleanings.
 
I polished my chambers which helped but I found that using the bulk Federal value packs that I used to find at Walmart made more of a difference. I can put at least 100 rounds through it now before things get too sticky. If I want to shoot more then that, then I need to bring a cleaning rod to the range with me.
 
We encountered that problem in our shop many times through the years.
First remedy was of course a different brand of ammunition if proper cleaning hadn't solved the problem.
The slowly, calmly reaming the chambers again with a first class reamer then seemed to solve it permanently.
 
NYlakesider said:
....Aguila that I gave him to try made his life much better......
Click to expand...

I would second Aguila .22 ammo works well. The SuperExtra 40 grain copper plated and lead work well as does the .22 Rifle Match from Aguila.

The easiest ejecting .22 ammo I've found for S&W revolvers is Norma TAC-22. It hits a sweet spot between cost, accuracy, and easy to eject.
Norma-Tac-22-Ammo.jpg
 
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I'm really impressed with Norma TAC. Bought a brick last week (most expensive 22 I've ever bought) and tried it in my old rabbit gun.CCI sv will shoot 1/2" groups with an occasional 3/4" group at 50 yards.Norma shot all 1/2" groups [emoji1]
And that is with a trigger that needs more work and a cheap bushnell scope!
 
I had this problem with my Model 17 and I took it to my gunsmith

in Amarillo, Tx. Brad took a tool he made in Gunsmithing School at the

Colorado School of Trades, it was a steel expander that fit the cylinder

Chambers on a K-Frame S&W .22. He put the cylinder in a padded vice

with the ejector rod holding the cylinder pointed down. He stuck the

tool with steel cone shaped expanders that fit the .22 chambers, a

couple of moderate raps with a ballpeen hammer and I've never had any

trouble with the Model 17 since. He also did all of my Model 18s.

Rule 303
 
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Had the same problem on my brand new K-22 I purchase in 1964. Hard extraction. Figured I got a bad one and sold it. I cannot believe that a fine Company like S&W shipped out so many defective guns! Disgraceful to say the least. I still like to collect K-22's however and I have half a dozen from 4 digit post wars on up to the early 60's. Great collectible now but many were defective (extraction) as delivered.
 
I've had this problem w/every S&W .22 revolver, except a no lock 317 and I have no idea why. I got so frustrated w/the Model 17 I sold it and purchased the M&P .22C, more fun.
 
This is an age-old and oft-reported issue with M17s. Gunsmiths have "fixed" it with a SAAMI-spec reamer. According to various reports, this has no undesirable effects. One has to wonder why Smith continued with tight dimensions. Presumably after all these years they know what they're doing.

Anybody have any ideas or conjecture as to why they've stayed with tight chambering for so long? I'm guessing there must be a good reason.
 
Happy to have found this thread. Thanks, pmanton, for posting and to all who replied with the variety of possible solutions.

I recently sold a M 34 for this very problem. I recall having had several Models 34, 17, and 51 in the '70s that didn't have this issue so was really disappointed in my M 34 when it did.

I'm in the market for a 17, again, but was leery. Now I'm not thanks to this thread.

Cheers,

Bob
 
I have found that only Federal .22's load and eject easily from my pre-17 and 18-3.
 
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