Questioning my choices

MosbyDawg

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Just installed an aftermarket charging handle on my MP15-22. I have a Volquartsen extractor to install also. I have an M&P Bodyguard .380 that I sent to Galloway to have it upgraded because of the problems associated with these firearms. I shoot blackpowder competatively. There are many options available to purchase reproduction firearms that are top-notch firearms. I've always been one to refuse this option because of pricing and after purchasing having to do trigger upgrades and other things to bring the firearm up to "snuff".Brings me back to the M&P22 and the Bodyguard. I don't understand why I have to go through all this BS to make these firearms perform as they should right out of the box. Light strikes ,FTF,FTE ,etc. ... Am I wrong? I just don't believe one should have to purchase a "performance" model to get functionality. Where do you all stand?
 
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22lr are often finicky and the bodyguard was never know for their reliability. Some function flawless while others don't function

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While there are quality products in this world at bargain prices, I typically stick to the "you get what you pay for" philosophy. The lowest priced offerings from a manufacturer typically aren't of the same quality as their more expensive offerings.

You wouldn't expect to find the same kind of quality in a $13K Chevy Spark as you would in an $80K Corvette Z06, would you?
 
S&W could install aftermarket charging handles and Volquartsen extractors on the M&P15-22 and increase the wholesale price by $100 to cover the parts. The question becomes just how many shooters would prefer the "new ungraded" guns versus the original cheaper model and be willing to pay the difference?

I have never understood why anyone would buy a gun and then complain about the quality after the sale on an Internet forum. Obviously they have access to a computer and should have had some idea ahead of time that people feel the need to "improve" the product after the sale. You have choices.
 
I'm a firm believer that new guns should work flawlessly right out of the box.

I'm also a firm believer that if it doesn't, the manufacturer should fix it until it does, and pay for shipping to/fro. If they never see their screw-ups, how are they to know they are producing problems (barring QC that doesn't seem to exist)?

Add-ons like a nicer charging handle don't really figure into this. My stock charging handle, and those on work guns that have seen hundreds of different users and tens of thousands of rounds, seems to work adequately.
 
I'm not convinced anybody "needs" to do anything to get these guns to run right. My BG380 (even with the dreaded original laser) and M&P15-22 ran fine out of the box and continue to do so. Others I know who have the same firearms have had similar results. In fact, the shop I work in with has sold hundreds of bodyguards and dozens of 15-22's. None have come back for repair that I have seen. If the gun doesn't run, send it to S&W. That's what the warranty is for.

That said, I get that some folks just want to upgrade components to " make it better". That's on them and an entirely different story.
 
I'm a firm believer that new guns should work flawlessly right out of the box.

I'm also a firm believer that if it doesn't, the manufacturer should fix it until it does, and pay for shipping to/fro. If they never see their screw-ups, how are they to know they are producing problems (barring QC that doesn't seem to exist)?

Add-ons like a nicer charging handle don't really figure into this. My stock charging handle, and those on work guns that have seen hundreds of different users and tens of thousands of rounds, seems to work adequately.
I agree 100%. Whatever the price, it should work flawlessly. If not, it's on the manufacturer's dime. If you need to double the price of the item for it to function properly, then double it. Just give me the choices of what product to buy or don't manufacture the product. Real simple.
 
Anything that is bargain priced will not have all the bells and whistles many guys want. After buying these accessories they are now invested highly in a bargain priced gun and will never realize a return on their investment. Do your homework, decide exactly what you want and save accordingly. Kinda like customizing a car... better like what you got cause you aren't getting custom $$$ back if you sell.
 
While there are quality products in this world at bargain prices, I typically stick to the "you get what you pay for" philosophy. The lowest priced offerings from a manufacturer typically aren't of the same quality as their more expensive offerings.

You wouldn't expect to find the same kind of quality in a $13K Chevy Spark as you would in an $80K Corvette Z06, would you?

No, but I would expect it to go up and down the road with little maintenance and trouble whether it cost 13K or 80k.
 
What specific problem was this intended to correct?



How could any of those issues be caused by the stock charging handle?
What did S&W say when you sent it in for warranty service?
The replacement of the charging handle was mine. Just as it was your choice to reply to this thread. And the extractor was installed after the problems I read about on this forum. I wanted to be pro-active and replace the extractor before having a problem. Same as the Galloway upgrade on the Bodyguard.
 
S&W could install aftermarket charging handles and Volquartsen extractors on the M&P15-22 and increase the wholesale price by $100 to cover the parts. The question becomes just how many shooters would prefer the "new ungraded" guns versus the original cheaper model and be willing to pay the difference?

I have never understood why anyone would buy a gun and then complain about the quality after the sale on an Internet forum. Obviously they have access to a computer and should have had some idea ahead of time that people feel the need to "improve" the product after the sale. You have choices.
I purchased both firearms of my own free will.I'm not bitching. I'm bringing up things that are all over this forum and hoping that S&W is watching and will hear what seems obvious. I like both firearms. Don't get or take me wrong. I'm not asking for a major overhaul here. The extractor can be had for under $5 and the oob and fte issues go out the door. Took me 5 minutes to install. No $100 increase in the price of the firearm. But why wouldn't they do this at the factory? It's an obvious problem and an easy fix for them .That's all.
 
What specific problem was this intended to correct?



How could any of those issues be caused by the stock charging handle?
What did S&W say when you sent it in for warranty service?
Why wait six months for a $5 part when I can get it in two days a replace it in 5 minutes? Did you read the post about the wait times and even S&W not having parts until August (I think they were springs though but nonetheless)? Why would I replace a questionable extractor with another questionable extractor?
 
I agree this kind of thing shouldn't happen on a new gun. Moreover, once in a blue moon, ok, but enough that it becomes a known issue is another thing. I don't have a 15-22, my cousin just bought one though, and thats why I started coming into this part of the forum. Research. Didn't take me long or much reading to see all this either.

The first day he got it, he took it home and shot the thing. Next day he brought it to the house. Said he was getting a lot of jams. Said he found this part when he pulled the mag out. It was the plunger. Spring and extractor flew out of it the first day and he never noticed (no clue how the plunger stuck around long enough to be found). I ordered a VQ extractor and an A22 spring off Ebay for him instead of sending the thing back to Smith for god knows how long. Runs perfect now, but come on, one day? Glad the forum was here for us to get the tip on the A22 spring matching up though. 15-22 springs are evidently like hen's teeth.
 
I'm a firm believer that new guns should work flawlessly right out of the box.
.
.

.

I would agree with your statement provided that the user is operating the firearm correctly.

I have seen huge numbers of people have issues with firearms that are purely operator. The past few years have seen large numbers of people buy firearms for the first time.

Many get no training on how to shoot, what they should buy, etc. The see a few posts and make modifications to their new firearm. When something goes wrong, it's always the fault of the firearm. That just ain't true.
 
I'm a firm believer that new guns should work flawlessly right out of the box.

Agreed, assuming the owner cleans and lubes the gun in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions. Way too many people figure that the thick waxy coating is lube.

Then there are the guns that come from the manufacturer dry (except for the metal chips left over from manufacture) and are shot that way.
 
Agreed, assuming the owner cleans and lubes the gun in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions. Way too many people figure that the thick waxy coating is lube.

Then there are the guns that come from the manufacturer dry (except for the metal chips left over from manufacture) and are shot that way.

Cleaning and lubing is only part of the correct operation of a firearm.


For instance, in the case of a pistol (and even an AR) they slam the magazine into place, the slide/bolt moves forward and the firearm is "defective".

Or they limp wrist a pistol to the point where the slide short cycles and a empty casing jams..... Again its a defective firearm.

Or, they ignore the aiming sight picture, can't hit anything and guess whose fault it is.... yup, the manufacturer.

Even a hammer won't do its job if operated incorrectly.
 
The replacement of the charging handle was mine...And the extractor was installed after the problems I read about on this forum. I wanted to be pro-active and replace the extractor before having a problem

So, to clarify, you did experience actual malfunctions that were corrected by these replacement parts?

Or you installed aftermarket parts in a functioning firearm to prevent possible future malfunctions?

Keep in mind that people are much more likely to post a complaint than a compliment. Internet forums tend to amplify perceived problems far beyond their actual rate of occurrence. I have over 17,000 rounds through my 15-22 with the stock extractor and charging handle without a single extraction problem.

I have had issues with ejection that were caused by a loose ejector that multiple trips to S&W were unable to correct. I purchased the tools to correct this issue myself and have not had it recur.

Why wait six months for a $5 part when I can get it in two days a replace it in 5 minutes? Did you read the post about the wait times and even S&W not having parts until August (I think they were springs though but nonetheless)? Why would I replace a questionable extractor with another questionable extractor?

If you weren't having malfunctions that could definitely be attributed to the factory extractor, then it wasn't a questionable component. If you just wanted to install aftermarket parts for peace of mind, that's certainly your choice, but it's disingenuous to make a blanket statement that all 15-22 factory extractors are flawed.
Again, your original and followup statements are unclear on whether you actually experienced malfunctions.
 
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I'm not convinced anybody "needs" to do anything to get these guns to run right. My BG380 (even with the dreaded original laser) and M&P15-22 ran fine out of the box and continue to do so. Others I know who have the same firearms have had similar results. In fact, the shop I work in with has sold hundreds of bodyguards and dozens of 15-22's. None have come back for repair that I have seen. If the gun doesn't run, send it to S&W. That's what the warranty is for.

That said, I get that some folks just want to upgrade components to " make it better". That's on them and an entirely different story.

Mine too!!!!......if you want to add "toys".......Go for it!
 
I agree this kind of thing shouldn't happen on a new gun. Moreover, once in a blue moon, ok, but enough that it becomes a known issue is another thing. I don't have a 15-22, my cousin just bought one though, and thats why I started coming into this part of the forum. Research. Didn't take me long or much reading to see all this either.

The first day he got it, he took it home and shot the thing. Next day he brought it to the house. Said he was getting a lot of jams. Said he found this part when he pulled the mag out. It was the plunger. Spring and extractor flew out of it the first day and he never noticed (no clue how the plunger stuck around long enough to be found). I ordered a VQ extractor and an A22 spring off Ebay for him instead of sending the thing back to Smith for god knows how long. Runs perfect now, but come on, one day? Glad the forum was here for us to get the tip on the A22 spring matching up though. 15-22 springs are evidently like hen's teeth.

I said "Runs Perfect". I may have jumped the gun. It extracts perfect. It gets light strikes ever 1 or 2 rounds. Saw a thread on firing pins, and his is way back up in that hole. About to check that route now, as maybe its too short.
 

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