Problem with a K22

[HGWT]

I have a k22 that after a few rounds it appears that the shell casting has expanded and it is very difficult to remove the shell casting out of the cylinder. I bought this a few years ago from a guns shop and don't shoot it very often and never really notice it before.

 

[fyimo]

K22's are fairly famous for this proplem as they have very tight chambers and after you get some carbon and lead build up this problem appears. The best way to eliminate it is to remove the cylinder and soak it in gun solvent over night and then clean each cylinder chamber with a brass brush making sure to really clean them.

Some also require mild honing of the cylinders but I would do that if all else fails.

 

[Texan]

I would suggest trying different ammo, especially the Fed bulk 550 packs from Walmart.
If that doesn't work might I suggest using Gunscrubber and cleaning
the charge holes and not applying oil in them-keep them oil free.
Try leaving them dry, as I found my model 17's work very well without oil in them.
Good luck.
Texan

 

[geoff40]

Likely nothing is wrong with the gun, these first 2 replies are getting at the issue. 22 is a small hole, and much of the powder used to make ammunition leaves a lot residue behind.

 

[Alk8944]

HGWT,

This is a question asked at least once a week. It is not peculiar to S&W, although that is generally what is asked about here naturally. It is noticed because you are extracting all cases at one time, so it is generally not noticed with single-action revolvers like Rugers.

Ammunition selection does make a difference as Texan mentioned.

The correction for the "problem" is simple, clean the gun. Carry a cleaning rod and bronze bore brush when shooting a .22, and every three cylinders, or when extraction begins to be difficult, simply run the brush through all charge holes 2-3 times and go back to shooting

 

[HGWT]

Thank you for the info, I have another k22 that has been in the family for 60 years dob late 40's or very early 50's and I have never had a problem with it; that's why I was thinking something not right.

 

[What the]

I agree with most of the others about trying different ammo, you may find some that shoots better than what you're shooting at present.
On my list is usually Federal Auto Match, it's bulk ammo but man does it shoot good in most of my .22's.

I own 1 K-22 and 2 M-17's and have no problems with the Federal. Some people wrap .22 brushes with brass wool and use a slow drill and plenty of bore cleaner until the chambers are polished up all pretty.

It may be worth a shot in your situation, just don't go crazy with the drill. Make sure the chambers are dry as a bone before shooting. The chambers are tight for a reason.

They are fine shooting, classically styled revolvers as you know and they need a little attention until you find the right ammo. I don't bother with the expensive target ammo but if you got the dough that may be the way to go.....

 

[whelenshooter]

I agree with most of the others about trying different ammo, you may find some that shoots better than what you're shooting at present.
On my list is usually Federal Auto Match, it's bulk ammo but man does it shoot good in most of my .22's.

I own 1 K-22 and 2 M-17's and have no problems with the Federal. Some people wrap .22 brushes with brass wool and use a slow drill and plenty of bore cleaner until the chambers are polished up all pretty.

It may be worth a shot in your situation, just don't go crazy with the drill. Make sure the chambers are dry as a bone before shooting. The chambers are tight for a reason.

They are fine shooting, classically styled revolvers as you know and they need a little attention until you find the right ammo. I don't bother with the expensive target ammo but if you got the dough that may be the way to go.....

I've done the Bronze wool around a brush in an electric drill thing before and it works well. I once did a trade for a S&W Model 34 Kit Gun on which someone had applied some kind of a baked-on finish to prevent rust. Unfortunately the person got the stuff in the chamber and the empties would stick so bad you had to hit the ejector rod with a rawhide mallet to get them to eject. I had gotten an amazingly good deal on the trade, and I think the person thought he had taken me. I put the bronze wool on the brush and chucked it in the drill, then put some J-B compound on the bronze wool. About ten seconds of spin in each charge hole and the finish came out. After that the empties ejected very easy. When I told the guy I had made the trade with what I had done, I could tell by the look in his eyes he had originally thought he had taken me, and he was kicking himself for not thinking about cleaning out the charge holes himself.

Whelenshooter

 

[JoeHatley]

something not right

Once you have verified the gun is clean and tried a few different types of ammo, if the swelled case/hard extraction still persists, it is almost certainly too much headspace. Common problem with .22 revolvers that have hard extraction.

Usually a endshake bearing or two will set the cylinder back far enough to prevent the cases from backing out far enough expand and cause the hard extraction.

If this is clear as mud, just take it to your local gunsmith and should be able to fix you right up in no time for a small charge.

Good luck...

 

[USAFret]

I take along a boresnake when firing my Model 17. I run it through the charge holes whenever it starts to show ejection issues. Also, at that time, I run it through the bore. Seems to damp down the problems.