Odd problem?

[Turdducken]

So went to the range today, finally a nice day. Well everything was going fine was using Federal match 40 grain solid, used it in my original magazine fired all of them fine no hitch. Tried one of the new plinker 32 round mags fired through all the way fine. Then went to the last one, loaded it up like the rest slowly and steadily, all of them went in perfectly. Then when I went to shoot about third round in when ejecting the round the bolt came back and grabbed it and pinched it in about 50% of it. So took out the mag the round and the shell tried again same thing kept happening. Thought it was maybe the way I loaded the magazines so I loaded them all up again same thing on that last magazine where it would snatch the round before it was fully ejected. Am I missing something or is the ammunition not cycling right? I've used this ammo before and never had this problem, nor any ammo. Is i the magazine, and its not sitting right staggered? Because every time I double checked it with the other magazines it was exactly the same staggered and all? Kind of stumped, help me wise gurus!

 

[Majorlk]

I'm confused. Which mag are you referring to?

ProMag 32 round or Plinker Tactical 35 round?

Also I can't picture in my mind what you are saying. Can you post a photo?

 

[Turdducken]

The Promag 32 my fault.

 

[Majorlk]

The Promag 32 my fault.

Haven't hear of any problems with them.

 

[Turdducken]

Thats what Ive read on the forums before I purchased them when they came available, I'm wondering if it could be the ammo or possibly the extractor. I did not however get one fail to fire on any round they all fired fine and had some pretty good accuracy. Ill do a field strip and check out the chamber, pin and extractor and try to see anything out of the norm and post some pictures if so. Just has me baffled because when it extracts the round it flings that thing like a bat out of hell ya know, and was just grabbing them instantly.

 

[Rundover]

Ejecting a spent casing is all about timing. At first I would say the bolt sounds like its a little slow sliding back, which ejects the shell. I would inspect the bolt to see if it is gunked up. The bolt needs to slide on the two rails so they also need to be clean. I have polished all mating surfaces on mine just to be sure the bolt moves as freely as possible so that the dirty 22LR ammo does not cause a problem with build up.

 

[Turdducken]

Pretty much the end of the casing where the bullet sat is pinched between the bolt and the polymer body, it barely sat in the the chamber maybe 1/8th inch if that.

I checked all the surfaces and cleaned them up, the rails as of the bolt barely had any residue except the head of the bolt, and pin. I also checked the extractor and didnt seem to have any wear or tare.

I plan on going to the range in a few days if it happens again I'll take a few pictures and maybe get some rapid shots from the camera to catch it frame by frame, might help to see where the problem is. That is if it happens again, hope not.

 

[Majorlk]

It sounds like classic stovepipes. It can be caused by ammo problems, dirty action, bad recoil spring. My first suggestion is to try different ammo. It is still happens, then make sure the bolt rails are clean with just a single drop of CLP on each rail.make sure the grooves in the bolt body are clean and dry. Make sure the upper receiver where the bolt slides is clean and dry. NO LUBE should be in this area. Check that the recoil spring and guide rod are free of debris and that the spring moves smoothly over the rod.

If the problem continues we'll go from there.

 

[Turdducken]

Thank you sir, appreciate it greatly. Ive always used BAR's, and this is my first semi auto, love the gun just never have seen something like that or knew that terminology. Thank you kind guru!

 

[Majorlk]

Thank you sir, appreciate it greatly. Ive always used BAR's, and this is my first semi auto, love the gun just never have seen something like that or knew that terminology. Thank you kind guru!

Additionally, when it comes to lube on parts ... If you can see it, you've likely used too much. One does not lube the 15-22 like an AR15.

 

[Jack80]

I had the same problem but it was atleast once per magazine from the first time I shot it. I wound up sending it in to get repaired. They adjusted the ejector. If you look online there's a fix for that involving some needle nose pliers but I opted out of that.
FIRST I'd clean it and lube it properly. Also make sure the bolt spring is the blue one. They had a problem with the other one.

 

[MarkBrumbaugh]

My idea on lube for all my firearms is....if you can get it on your finger...its too much. There are only a couple of firearms and places that call for any more than a dry appearance after oiling. If you can see a wet spot, it is going to collect dirt and dust and is overkill...doing more harm than good. Just my opinion. Lets see if anyone else says different.

 

[MarkBrumbaugh]

Whoops...looks like I'm redundant with the previous posts.

 

[Turdducken]

I have the Blue spring currently in my 15-22 and I would like to send it in if the problem persists but the wait time and good weather coming up kind of makes it hard. Would rather learn to work on it and fix what I can, no offense or to be rude. But it depends how shady is the fix look like, and if possible can a new extractor be ordered? Or does the whole bolt assembly have to be bought? Cause lets admit its to fun to send off for the up to 6 month wait.

I had the same problem but it was atleast once per magazine from the first time I shot it. I wound up sending it in to get repaired. They adjusted the ejector. If you look online there's a fix for that involving some needle nose pliers but I opted out of that.
FIRST I'd clean it and lube it properly. Also make sure the bolt spring is the blue one. They had a problem with the other one.

 

[Majorlk]

The odds are there is nothing actually wrong with your rifle. Before getting all caught up in replacing and adjusting parts, give the rifle a proper cleaning and lubrication and pay attention that the magazine is properly loaded.

Too many folks here immediately try shade tree gun smithing before doing a systematic elimination of possible causes.

 

[Turdducken]

Oh I will do that, gonna go out Wednesday if not tomorrow afternoon, if weather permits. Just like to have a back up plan/future prep. As well to know what possibilities I could get into. I hope as well its just some easy overlooked flaw I have made. Any who appreciate all of your guys feedback!

The odds are there is nothing actually wrong with your rifle. Before getting all caught up in replacing and adjusting parts, give the rifle a proper cleaning and lubrication and pay attention that the magazine is properly loaded.

Too many folks here immediately try shade tree gun smithing before doing a systematic elimination of possible causes.

 

[Maddmax]

The odds are there is nothing actually wrong with your rifle. Before getting all caught up in replacing and adjusting parts, give the rifle a proper cleaning and lubrication and pay attention that the magazine is properly loaded.

Too many folks here immediately try shade tree gun smithing before doing a systematic elimination of possible causes.

I'd go for the give it a good cleaning. I've noticed many a new shooter is skipping the most important step of all (be side reading the manual). Cleaning. I highly suggest Frog Lube. It's hard to get too much on,when you wipe most of it off when your done and it works it's own magic.

 

[Turdducken]

I plan on ordering some up Monday/Tuesday. I checked all my LGS's and couldn't find it and most looked at me like I had some weird fetish.. Would love that stuff, would most likely get the paste form easier to work and apply the right amount, not a fan of the whole little straw/spray.

I'd go for the give it a good cleaning. I've noticed many a new shooter is skipping the most important step of all (be side reading the manual). Cleaning. I highly suggest Frog Lube. It's hard to get too much on,when you wipe most of it off when your done and it works it's own magic.

 

[MarkBrumbaugh]

So went to the range today, finally a nice day. Well everything was going fine was using Federal match 40 grain solid, used it in my original magazine fired all of them fine no hitch. Tried one of the new plinker 32 round mags fired through all the way fine. Then went to the last one, loaded it up like the rest slowly and steadily, all of them went in perfectly. Then when I went to shoot about third round in when ejecting the round the bolt came back and grabbed it and pinched it in about 50% of it. So took out the mag the round and the shell tried again same thing kept happening. Thought it was maybe the way I loaded the magazines so I loaded them all up again same thing on that last magazine where it would snatch the round before it was fully ejected. Am I missing something or is the ammunition not cycling right? I've used this ammo before and never had this problem, nor any ammo. Is i the magazine, and its not sitting right staggered? Because every time I double checked it with the other magazines it was exactly the same staggered and all? Kind of stumped, help me wise gurus!

Have you checked you still have your extractor? It's the claw that catches the rim and holds it tight against the ejector. The extractor doesn't pull the shell out, the recoil of the cartridge firing actually pushes the bolt back, and the extractor keeps it against the ejector ( part of the lower) until it clears the chamber at which point it flips out. If that extractor is missing, the empty will sit right there in above the magazine until the bolt slams shut, generally with a new live round jamming a mutilated spent shell. If the extractor is there, clean the underside of the claw and the face of the chamber well, possibly also adjust the ejector to ride closer to the bolt.

 

[MarkBrumbaugh]

Retreading this thread, I apologize if I just told you what you already know, AND, I'd put money on crud on the bolt face impairing the extractor's purchase. Let us know....

 

[Jack80]

I have the Blue spring currently in my 15-22 and I would like to send it in if the problem persists but the wait time and good weather coming up kind of makes it hard. Would rather learn to work on it and fix what I can, no offense or to be rude. But it depends how shady is the fix look like, and if possible can a new extractor be ordered? Or does the whole bolt assembly have to be bought? Cause lets admit its to fun to send off for the up to 6 month wait.

I would definitely check out all your options before sending it in. BUT, if it comes down to that they are really quick. It took exactly 2 weeks from the time FedEx picked up my gun till it was back at my house. I was really empressed and I haven't had a problem yet. Even shooting "**** ammo"

 

[Jack80]

Here's a link to the YouTube video of the "fix". Looks simple enough if you're comfortable with it
http://youtu.be/wO76HC9tD4g

 

[Turdducken]

Extractor is still there, was wondering though does anyone know the leeway distance from the bolt it should be? Hopefully I can hit the range for a bit today and see if the problem persists. I put a little CLP on the rails and cleaned the face real well as well the upper and made sure there was no crud build up. Also I've heard of S&W legendary service but didnt think it would be that quick. Im not to down now if problem persists and have to haul it off then, the mosin and .380 will keep me company for a bit if need be

 

[eschoendorff]

I had a problem with a Promag 15-22 magazine. It would have at least one failure every time I used it. I finally figured out that the magazine was not fully seating in the lower receiver. I also noticed that the magazine would easily pull right back out when I thought it was seated (but it always felt snug, so I really had no reason to believe that it wasn't seating all the way in the first place). All I had to do was take a file and open up the slot a little where the magazine catch engages. Now my magazine fits and catches just fine. Problem # 1 solved and no more round failures.

Problem #2 was a little weird for me - the bolt would lock open with one more round in the magazine (as opposed to locking open after the mag was empty). It turns out that the little piece on the follower that engages the bolt lock is just a touch too tall, locking the bolt open one round too soon. I'd bet that if I take that piece down little by little I can find the right height for the piece to work properly with the bolt catch.

Promags seem to be a decent alternative to S&W magazines, but you may need to custom fit them to your particular receiver.

Hope this helps someone...