Not-so-semi-auto trouble shooting

[scott_h]

I have put about 4000 rounds through my 15-22 with no problems other than the "standard" (~1% or less) failure to feed, failure to fire or failure to eject (stovepipes) common with just about all rimfire semi-autos in my experience. I have been shooting CCI Mini Mag, CCI AR Tactical and CC Blazer most recently in my 15-22 with pretty good results overall for the last 2k+ rounds.

The last two trips to the range I have been experiencing a problem where the bolt does not cycle back far enough to cock the hammer about 10-15% of the time. When this anomaly happens prior to the failure, I always get a good extraction of the spent round and good feed of the new round - just a simple lack of the hammer latching in the cocked position. I'm running ten different magazines (they are numbered) and have seen the problem on all ten magazines and with all three types of ammunition stated above - no doubt about it being a problem with the rifle.

Following the first trip to the range where this happened, I took the rifle completely apart including the trigger group and inspected, cleaned and lubed everything thoroughly. I didn't notice any unusual wear, restricted or binding action on any component in the trigger group or bolt/receiver.

During the second trip out, I had about the same one to two failures to cycle the hammer properly out of every ten rounds. I also had three occurrences of a two round burst which makes me suspect the trigger group has got a problem - maybe with the sear catch.

Anyone ever seen this anomaly before? I'll swap the trigger group out of my AR (RRA 2-stage NM) and see if that cures it or not.

Any advise/recommendations would appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[chuck s]

Appears from this distance to be a disconnector problem but substituting the other trigger set will confirm it's somewhere in the trigger group.

This is a completely stock AR15 trigger group? Or did someone to a "trigger job" on it?

The Rock River trigger is wonderful, but permanently putting a $120 trigger in a $350 rifle makes little sense to me.

-- Chuck

 

[Dragon88]

You need to stop using this weapon immediately and send it back to S&W for service. You obviously have a problem with your trigger mechanism, probably the disconnector. Possessing an unregistered weapon which can fire two round bursts is a Federal offense, not a simple anomaly. Have S&W fix the issue and you will be fine.

 

[CrazyFingers]

What Dragon88 said. Technically, you are now in possession of an un-registered NFA machinegun.
Yes, I know it sounds silly, but the law is the law and the BATF can be pretty unforgiving sometimes. Contact Smith & Wesson, describe the issue, and they'll fix it for you.

 

[ryhanus]

Also i have heard that when you send it in they usually will give you an extra mag with it. But you might want to send it in asap

 

[Redbulladdikt]

+1 on sending it to S&W...
Kelley Rathman is the Customer Service/Exchanges contact person who got my safety issue sorted out...drop her an email and she will take care of you--make sure you have the Serial # when you email her make sure you mention that a forum member gave you her info

[email protected]

 

[scott_h]

Thanks, guys. It's the original trigger. I'll swap out the disconnector, springs, and hammer individually. I want to isolate the root cause before I send it back to S&W for my own edification.

In spite of this minor problem, the M&P 15-22 is one of my favorite rifles. Fun factor is is hard to beat!

 

[Hobie1]

Sorry to see you're having problems. One quick question: You don't happen to have an allen screw in side the threaded part of the pistol grip do you? If you do, try taking it out. It is used by some to reduce the slack in the single stage trigger but if not adjusted correctly it possibly could create the situation you described. If it's not in there, it's a moot point.

Hobie

 

[Dragon88]

Thanks, guys. It's the original trigger. I'll swap out the disconnector, springs, and hammer individually. I want to isolate the root cause before I send it back to S&W for my own edification.

I don't want to sound alarmist about this, but it's very important so I will say it one more time. Your gun has a very serious malfunction which has potential legal ramifications. While you may be capable of fixing it, you are on very shaky ground here, and tinkering with the trigger is not a good way to go about correcting it. Call S&W for a free shipping label, send it back to them for repair, and keep the paper trail of your factory repair. Once the gun is returned fixed, then you can examine the trigger to your hearts content.