Model 22a1 Problems

[McE]

Took my S&W 22a1 to the range, and usually couldn't get through a mag without one or two jams.
Stovepipes and failures to feed, sometimes doesn't feed at all, sometimes hangs up in the feed ramp.
This happened invariably with both magazines I had.

I was using Winchester White Box 222 ammo.

The stovepipes tell me the ammo isn't powerful enough (but this stuff is "high velocity" but it wouldn't explain the feeding issues), just looking for ideas on possible fixes, fluffs/buffs before I go through with sending this thing in.

I bought it just to start off new shooters on but I do not want to ruin a new shooter's experience with a gun that jams so frequently.

 

[varmint243]

Try a couple different kinds of ammo
That can make all the difference in a .22

Also note that the 22A-1 is not really S&W's finest piece of hardware

 

[AveragEd]

I don't know about that as mine is very accurate and has been 100% trouble-free but I've only ever used CCI MiniMags or Federal GameShok ammo in it - both are high-velocity loads with copper-plated bullets.

Ed

 

[Barrie]

For the price range they actually are a decent gun. I would try different brands of ammo as it will make a difference as it does with our M41's as well or the M46's also. I have never had any good firing luck with the Winchester White box ammo in my pistols.

 

[rsrocket1]

You did clean it before you shot it right? I took mine straight from the store to the range, but I also had a can of Hornady One Shot gun cleaner and dry lube with me. I thoroughly doused the gun with the spray and let the stuff drain out and onto the ground. I had a couple of stovepipes and jams with the first few hundred rounds but none since. One field strip and clean after the first range trip and none since with a couple k rounds through it. Eats everything I feed it including value pack stuff and even Remington golden bullets. I can't find Thunderbolts, if I could, I'd throw those it too. Everything woks great so far.
For the naysayers, if you don't like yours send it to me, I'll find a good home for it and I'll pay the postage.
;-)

 

[grich]

22a-1

Mine did the same with mags loaded to full 10 rounds. It did not do it with 8 rounds. After cleaned it, cycled A-zoom dummy rounds and discovered they were hitting the ridge of the barrel at the feed ramp. So i filed smooth the ridge and the dummy rounds (all 10 of them) cycle perfectly. have not made it back to the range. Will report back next time i go to the range in two weeks.

 

[MarkAlt]

For those that don't know, .22 semi-autos can sometimes be finicky. All brands and models will favor certain brands for reliability and accuracy. If you still have problems, give Smith a call and they'll take care of it.

I own two 22A-1 pistols. They are budget plinkers that are accurate, durable, reliable and affordable.

Didn't know they were discontinued. If so, the 22A joins a long line of nicely engineered guns that can only be purchased on the used market. Come to think of it; all the guns on my current 'want' list are discontinued models.

 

[grich]

After filing the ridge from the barrel at the ramp to make the ramp one smooth surface into the chamber, went to the range and no feed problems!

 

[Texas629]

For those that don't know, .22 semi-autos can sometimes be finicky. All brands and models will favor certain brands for reliability and accuracy. If you still have problems, give Smith a call and they'll take care of it.

I own two 22A-1 pistols. They are budget plinkers that are accurate, durable, reliable and affordable.

My 22A-1's are very accurate and don't like Remington Gold ammo. 22 ammo is not bench rest quality to say the least. CCI min-mags and other HV works OK in mine. Nice pistol and better than some people think.

 

[625smith]

Could be a magazine issue check this link:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/267714-f2f-issues-model-22a.html

 

[Pete388]

I had the same problem with mine. Went to the lgs and the recommended cci mini mags. Not one problem since.

 

[Virginia John]

Check out you tube, there was a modification on there that I applied to my 22A1 and I had no more problems.

 

[TECH11165]

CCI SV is the only ammo I had no issue with. I shoot in a bull's-eye league and never had any issue. When I practice or warm up, I use bulk ammo and had all the issue. I polished the feed ramp and that helped some but still issue. Definitely finicky on ammo.

 

[Florida Guy]

Problem is, most of us are pretty limited as to the ammo we can find, and often have to settle for what's available.
I've probably got 5 or 6 different brands of 22 in the safe because some guns like one but not the others.
Try a few different brands if possible and you may find one that your gun likes.

 

[AveragEd]

I know they are nigh onto impossible to find right now but two versions of 22LR ammo that every one of my handguns and rifles shoots accurately are CCI MiniMags and Federal GameShok 38-grain hollow-points (their load #714). Both have copper-plated bullets and while both the 40-grain round-nose and 36-grain hollow-point MiniMag loads are accurate, the 40-grain one is a little more so in most of my guns.

My 22LR arsenal includes two Remington 541-Ts (one sporter, one heavy-barrel), two Savage Mark IIs, two no-dash S&W Model 617s, an S&W Model 22A-1 and 1911 rimfire target conversion kits by Kimber and Advantage Arms. I purchased ammo of just about every domestic brand and load as well as a few imported ones and those two loads outperformed the rest. Some of the ammo labeled "match" and "target" was horribly inaccurate in all of my guns but it wouldn't still be in production if it was that bad in all guns. The handguns were group-tested at 25 yards and the rifles at 50 yards.

The fact that MiniMags are the shell most recommended by many gun and conversion kit makers is a good indicator of functionality and they do work well but a 50-round test over a chronograph at a target 50 yards away using my Remington 541-T sporter showed that in that gun, the Federal load was very slightly more accurate, perhaps due to its shot-to-shot velocity variation being a little less. The 325-round cans of Federal Champion 36-grain plated hollow-points is at least good enough for most uses and is the most accurate shell in one my Mark IIs. But if I had to use just one in all guns, it would be the 40-grain MiniMag.

Ed