SBR Lever / Bolt Lock Back Problem Solved

[NDZ Performance]

Hey Guys thanks for all the nice comments... We NDZ, are Committed to bringing you the best quality products that we can. Some times we run into some snags like this one. But We did not give up and Like Majorlk said I new early on that 2 things would fix the problem A lighter Bolt catch spring or heavier Mag springs.. But we went back to the drawing board and cut the weight in half trying to fix the issue so that no one had to worry about cutting springs or altering your stock gun. Sadly there were still some issues because the problem was a combination of 3 things First the heavier bolt catch spring was an issue on stock guns using 25 round mags. Second, is the weaker springs found in 25 round mags, and third is a Timing matter in that the 22 caliber round being a smaller round and not having the gas blow back that larger .223, round has causes a timing issue. So add all those things up and you get the Failure.. With that said like Majorlk has mentioned Clipping the bolt spring will fix it.

Currently we are in the process of sourcing a lighter spring and if so we will include it with all the new SBR sales so that you will not have to cut your stock spring. This way you can put the stock spring back in if you wish.

On a Side note If we source these springs I will post on here and I will send a spring to anyone with an SBR that wants one just contact us.

Thank you all for standing behind us and look for new things to come from NDZPerformance !

A Special Thanks to Majorlk for all your Help with this.

 

[Majorlk]

800 rounds.... But didya hit anything?

You're supposed to hit things???????

We have some small swinging targets, a spring loaded knock down, bowling pins, and of course, a selection of vicious attack rocks.

 

[Majorlk]

A Special Thanks to Majorlk for all your Help with this.

My pleasure, guys. As I said at the shop ... any excuse to go shooting.

 

[hkyplr]

Hey Guys thanks for all the nice comments... We NDZ, are Committed to bringing you the best quality products that we can. Some times we run into some snags like this one. But We did not give up and Like Majorlk said I new early on that 2 things would fix the problem A lighter Bolt catch spring or heavier Mag springs.. But we went back to the drawing board and cut the weight in half trying to fix the issue so that no one had to worry about cutting springs or altering your stock gun. Sadly there were still some issues because the problem was a combination of 3 things First the heavier bolt catch spring was an issue on stock guns using 25 round mags. Second, is the weaker springs found in 25 round mags, and third is a Timing matter in that the 22 caliber round being a smaller round and not having the gas blow back that larger .223, round has causes a timing issue. So add all those things up and you get the Failure.. With that said like Majorlk has mentioned Clipping the bolt spring will fix it.

Currently we are in the process of sourcing a lighter spring and if so we will include it with all the new SBR sales so that you will not have to cut your stock spring. This way you can put the stock spring back in if you wish.

On a Side note If we source these springs I will post on here and I will send a spring to anyone with an SBR that wants one just contact us.

Thank you all for standing behind us and look for new things to come from NDZPerformance !

A Special Thanks to Majorlk for all your Help with this.

Now that's what I call a quality company that really cares about customer service!

 

[Majorlk]

I have found that the vendors who are members of this forum all have great customer service.

 

[skeeter7]

After that last post by NDZ, I will definitely buy the SBR lever from them when they include the needed shorter spring as I was skeptical about cutting mine just in case I didn't like the lever. Now there is no risk whatsoever. Great customer service on their part!

 

[NDZ Performance]

We are still trying to Source a Spring no luck yet but we are on it.

 

[Majorlk]

After that last post by NDZ, I will definitely buy the SBR lever from them when they include the needed shorter spring as I was skeptical about cutting mine just in case I didn't like the lever. Now there is no risk whatsoever. Great customer service on their part!

There's no risk cutting two turns off the spring. It still functions 100 percent, with or without the lever installed.

Just a reminder that this has been the recommended solution for failures of the bolt to lock back since shortly after the 15-22 was first introduced.

 

[tacticool22]

The springs are only $2.00 so the risk is very small.

 

[scposubs]

Are there any images/videos of the spring mod?

 

[Majorlk]

Don't know, but it's not difficult.

- make sure gun is empty with nothing in the chamber.
- lay gun with bolt latch side up.
- with a small drift punch and small hammer, drift the roll pin (from either side) out until you can pull the bolt latch out of the slot. It's not necessary to take the pin completely out.
- remove spring.
- cut two turns off the spring.
- Re-insert spring and the detent.
- reinsert bolt latch.
- drift the pin back in position.

It took longer to write these instructions than it does to do the mod.

 

[w0ady]

^can you make a youtube video?

 

[Majorlk]

^can you make a youtube video?

I don't do youtube.

 

[tacticool22]

There are pictures in the original thread.
I will see if I can put them here again.
Like Majorlk wrote, it takes about as long to do the mod as it takes to read the instructions.

 

[skeeter7]

There's no risk cutting two turns off the spring. It still functions 100 percent, with or without the lever installed.

Just a reminder that this has been the recommended solution for failures of the bolt to lock back since shortly after the 15-22 was first introduced.

Didn't know that. You learn something everyday, I guess. I thought it would have affected it in some way if I took the lever off the bolt release and that the modification was supposed to be only made if the lever was installed.

 

[skeeter7]

Hate to revive an old thread but I finally got around to putting an order in for the SBR a couple weeks ago. Got it in the mail last week, installed it, and cut two turns of the bolt latch spring as mentioned above. Went out to the range last Friday night and did about 30 mag changes only loading about 5 rounds per mag, with 3 different 25 round mags (my original one and 2 new ones). The bolt locked back after the last round every single time using Walmart Federal 550 Bulk.

Really happy with it as I have had my BAD Lever on my Colt 6720 for a while now and always wanted to put one on the 15-22 as well. Thanks to NDZ for making a great product!

 

[Locked-N-Loaded]

Been waiting on my SBR for like 10 days.. should be this week as they got backed up.

Now, so far I have had zero issues across 5 mags with the bolt locking back with the stock spring. So, my plan is to leave the spring stock and shoot with the newer lighter SBR on it and if needed, I will cut it then.

Thanks for the guys that did the research on this.

 

[NDZ Performance]

Thanks guys and sorry for the delay... We have been getting our buts kicked so to speak... Hope everyone is well !

 

[Maximum Adam]

I just received my SBR and carefully clipped two coils off of the spring, and installed after reading all of the posts very carefully. I cant decide whether the play in the bolt release is just wildly exaggerated all the way down at the finger release, or i cut off too much of the spring.

i dont have any experience with AR's or the B.A.D. lever so i cant compare, but yeesh the thing almost dangles. (yes everything is screwed down tight). i have not been able to take it shooting yet to try it out for functionality.

I was hoping that NDZ would have sourced a spring to include in the kit by now.

i know it is probably a $2 replacement spring, but i really dont think i could have over-cut it since i can count

could s&w have corrected this factory spring and i just made it even shorter? does the SBR naturally flop about?
dont get me wrong, the NDZ SBR is perfectly machined and as advertised. the gripe is with the ping pong paddle flop that travels and escalates all the way through to the end of the lever. its almost as if i need to put a shim in there to hold it against the lower more securely. but then you run the risk of it not performing properly.

 

[Majorlk]

I just received my SBR and carefully clipped two coils off of the spring, and installed after reading all of the posts very carefully. I cant decide whether the play in the bolt release is just wildly exaggerated all the way down at the finger release, or i cut off too much of the spring.

Don't fret. Anytime you extend a lever as much as happens with the SBR, any movement is magnified. After a few times, you'll never notice it.

I was hoping that NDZ would have sourced a spring to include in the kit by now.

Not worth the effort on their part.

could s&w have corrected this factory spring and i just made it even shorter? does the SBR naturally flop about?

I have put them on three 15-22s and none "flop about". There is some movement. That's normal.

dont get me wrong, the NDZ SBR is perfectly machined and as advertised. the gripe is with the ping pong paddle flop that travels and escalates all the way through to the end of the lever. its almost as if i need to put a shim in there to hold it against the lower more securely. but then you run the risk of it not performing properly.

You are worrying about nothing. There is lateral movement in the paddle from the factory. You just don't notice it because you don't move it sideways in normal use. Quit wiggling the SBR and just let it hang in position and enjoy having the bolt release at your trigger fingertip.