My Baby AR

[radyoactive]

I have had mine for almost 2 months and it has worked with very little issues. Maybe a failure once every 100 rounds and that's a big maybe. I've read others can't get the bolt off the rail but no issues here either.

I had a 10/22 that I bought few weeks before the 15-22 and ended up selling the 10/22 as I would probably not shoot it with the 15-22 around.

The 15-22 has to be my favorite so far and it was worth what I paid for it.

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[GL9CK]

I cleaned it last night. It was absolutely filthy in the chamber and on the bolt.

I find it odd that there aren't recommended lube spots from S&W.

 

[radyoactive]

I cleaned it last night. It was absolutely filthy in the chamber and on the bolt.

I find it odd that there aren't recommended lube spots from S&W.

About how many rounds before you cleaned it?

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[GL9CK]

About how many rounds before you cleaned it?

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Close to 1,000 rounds. Definitely over 700.

 

[radyoactive]

I cleaned mine when I first got it and put about 400 rounds through it before cleaning it.

Did you experience any issues the more you shot it?

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[GL9CK]

I cleaned mine when I first got it and put about 400 rounds through it before cleaning it.

Did you experience any issues the more you shot it?

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Yeah I cleaned mine when I first got it as well.

It did seem to be more problematic the more I shot it that last time out.

 

[kd4gij]

I have never had an issue with mo 15-22 It is an older one.
But my model 60 is just as fun to shoot and it gets all the complements at the range.

 

[stonecutter]

Invest in a McFadden loader and the cartridges will always align correctly in the magazine. The only down-side with this device is that it allows you to load your 15-22 as fast as you can shoot it. Allow for this in your ammo budget.
Lightnin' Grip Loader

A plus 1 for the Lightnin Grip Loader its a must have if you have a Smith!

My 15-22 functions perfectly out of the box with all ammo I have tried, I only use decent ammo not cheapo bulk stuff its not worth it, I have purchased a Volquartsen extractor that I am keeping to hand just in case I have a problem but so far so good its still in the packet!

 

[huafist]

It is odd that S&W doesn't fix a known issue.

I have considered the Volquartesen extractor, but I am going to hold off at least for a little while to see how my rifle "breaks in". And, of course, I don't want to do anything to void a warranty in case I need it to fix my ejection or other issues.


I didn't think the charging handle would affect ejection, but it's a valid point not to change it.

I didn't do anything to bend the ejector. I used a brass brush and patches on an Otis pull cord not something like a bore snake. I do really like your straw idea though and will be borrowing it for the future cleanings.

It seems CCI ammo is very popular so I should try that.

I load my magazines using the same method that you do and ensure they are staggered. Good point. I did not know this at first. I only saw it after doing research after the issues during my first shooting session.

I tweaked the ejector on my 15-22 slightly, and installed the Volquartsen extractor - now my rifle literally rockets the casings out of it. I had some that shot out 20' while shooting a steel challenge stage.
After I made those mods, I've had zero issues with stovepipes - regardless of what ammo I've fed it.

 

[huafist]

A plus 1 for the Lightnin Grip Loader its a must have if you have a Smith!

My 15-22 functions perfectly out of the box with all ammo I have tried, I only use decent ammo not cheapo bulk stuff its not worth it, I have purchased a Volquartsen extractor that I am keeping to hand just in case I have a problem but so far so good its still in the packet!

Plus 2 for the Lightnin Grip Loader - I use it for my 15-22 and my Kimber rimfire conversion for my 1911. It's AMAZING.

 

[kramden]

That picture is from my first day out when I was unaware the ammo had to be staggered. That might be a reason for my FTE issues. Since then I have ensured the bullets stagger correctly after loading the magazine.


Thanks for the link to that! It's the first I'm seeing and it looks incredibly awesome! I definitely need one!

I did clean it thoroughly before shooting.

It's hard to find any 22LR ammo locally especially CCI. Today I went to a shop farther from my house. They only had CCI Standard Velocity in stock so I picked up a box of 500. I hope to try it out tomorrow.


I'm surprised to see you had that many issues with the 10/22. I've heard it's one of the more reliable 22 rifles out there.


Thank you for sharing that! I knew I had seen a list like this somewhere at some point in my research on the M&P15-22. My printed manual does not have this list and after contacting S&W they told me they do not specifically recommend specific manufactures and simply told me to look for ammo that meets SAAMI standards. I'm glad to see that the CCI Standard Velocity ammo that I purchased today is on this list.

Thanks for all of the great feedback guys. I'm a gun newbie and I'm all about learning.

This still leaves my question about the charging handle unanswered though. Is the MST worth the extra cost over the Tacticool 22?

Just ordered a new 15-22. Have'nt got it yet so can't comment. But I do have a 10-22 which I bought in 1978. Still shoots as well as the day I bought it. Terriffic gun.

 

[GL9CK]

I was shooting my M&P15-22 two weekends ago using Federal American Eagle ammo. I had about 5 FTEs per 25 round mag. That was too many and so I got the Volquartsen extractor. I also bent the ejector closer to the bolt. This past weekend I went and shot 100 more rounds through it. Not a single issue. I am sold on this extractor! Now bending the ejector might have helped just as much, but the extractor sure didn't hurt. Definitely worth the $12 or whatever I paid for it.

 

[Rob1]

I have yet to experience any issues with the original extractor but I do have the swap out one ready to go should I need it.
Just loathe to tinker with it while it works fine.

That said, when I consider all the other changes I made when there were no issues, I guess I should stop putting off the inevitable.

Rob.

 

[GL9CK]

I have yet to experience any issues with the original extractor but I do have the swap out one ready to go should I need it.
Just loathe to tinker with it while it works fine.

That said, when I consider all the other changes I made when there were no issues, I guess I should stop putting off the inevitable.

Rob.

I have the same thinking as you. If it's not broke don't try to fix it!

The installation is very simple and can be done at the range with a flat head screwdriver or thin punch. Keep the extractor in your range bag and don't switch it until you have issues. That's my 2 cents.

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[GhostMutt]

Likewise I have never had an issue with my factory extractor but I went ahead and bought and installed the VQ extractor just to see what all the fuss was about and I will admit that it does seem more positive.

The slight difference in angle and tolerance does seem to be maximised to extract and eject the casings.
I have seen some casings go a clear 12ft from the rifle.

I have the original in the storage compartment of my Hogue grip, so I have no worries if anything untoward should happen, just need a spring, plunger and firing pin and I'm covered. Getting them.....well....haha not holding my breath.

If could bear the thought of sending away my springs to get some copies made, i would....but like you said ' ain't broke, don't fix'

 

[JayFramer]

Welcome to the world of "point two two" as the Brits call it.

Not as reliable as central-firing metallic cartridges.

 

[Rob1]

Being a Brit and a user of these fine little firearms we so love this side of the pond, I feel I must point out that in over 35 years of shooting I have never heard it referred to as a " point 22 " Maybe it's an Upper Class thing...

I think most people in the Good ol U.K. Refer to it as a Two Two instead of, how it is referred to in the US as a Twenty Two.

Which is in itself a little odd as I'm sure no one in the US would refer to an AR as twenty two three, more likely to be a
Two Two Three or maybe a Five Five Six, as opposed to a
Five Fifty Six.

Hard to show the difference in language use when typing for a forum but I'm sure ya'll will understand what I'm trying to say.

Any hoo, not trying to snark or berate how language is used, but thought I would point out a subtle, yet, IMO, an important difference in pronounciation of my native tongue.

Rob.

 

[digitaleagle12]

I tweaked the ejector on my 15-22 slightly, and installed the Volquartsen extractor - now my rifle literally rockets the casings out of it. I had some that shot out 20' while shooting a steel challenge stage.
After I made those mods, I've had zero issues with stovepipes - regardless of what ammo I've fed it.

Another vote for the Volquartsen extractor. I bought a brand new 15-22 Sport and had constant FTE's with bulk ammo when I first shot it. I was going to send it back to S&W but decided to order the VQ extractor first. After installing it I went to the range. It was like a completely different gun. I ran just about every type of **** bulk ammo through it without a single FTE. CCI Mini mags were reliable wtih even the stock extractor, but most bulk type ammo had issues.

Now the gun is incredibly reliable. It feeds any type of ammo without a hitch. I highly recommend replacing the stock extractor with the VQ - it made a world of a difference in my rifle.