So I noticed this uneven wear on my hammer

[wahoowad]

I'm trying to get re-interested in this M&P 15-22 after it found a cozy spot in the back of the safe for a few years. Today I pulled it out to fondle and get it ready for a range trip. I noticed the hammer only had wear on one side, and the bolt had a corresponding wear mark only on that same side. Then I noticed the hammer was slightly crooked which would cause this.



I don't see anything that I can adjust or fiddle with to try and get the hammer more properly aligned. Any thoughts as to what is going on and a fix?

 

[Eric300]

I guess if it goes 'bang' every time the trigger is pulled and it cycles/functions as it should, I personally wouldn't worry much about it. These aren't precision-built firearms..... You might want to check your hammer pin to make sure it hasn't walked a little, though.

 

[Alk8944]

If the face of the hammer is out-of-square with its sides by as little as .0001". or even less, it will show what you are calling "uneven". That is 1/10,000th of an inch! This is perfectly normal. Shoot the gun a couple thousand rounds and the wear pattern will probably extend evenly across the face!

 

[Kp321]

Make sure the hammer pin has not walked out slightly, letting the hammer cock to one side. Some early, 15-22's had a problem with the hammer not retaining the cross pin correctly.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a CMC drop in trigger. Best $125 (or less) you will ever spend.

 

[wahoowad]

Some early, 15-22's had a problem with the hammer not retaining the cross pin correctly.

Is there a year range or serial number range for those exhibiting this problem?


I don't shoot it frequently enough to justify an aftermarket trigger...but your recommendation and another thread I read have me thinking about it. A lot seems to have to do with which trigger pins should be used to secure a new trigger.

 

[wahoowad]

Do yourself a favor and pick up a CMC drop in trigger. Best $125 (or less) you will ever spend.

I think you mean best $189 I ever spent

 

[Eric300]

I put a Rise Armament 140-SST trigger group in my 15-22. It works perfectly. They come with anti-walk pins. Primary Arms has them on sale now for $99.00.

 

[wahoowad]

I checked and my pins are evenly seated.


I'm a little worried about buying an aftermarket trigger without knowing the source of the lean in my hammer. I figure it is either an uneven hole through the hammer or misaligned pin holes in the receiver.


Here's a couple better shots, including how the bolt and firing pin have the uneven wear. In fact my bolt has developed a small burr on the bottom that I need to remove, but I assume it could come back if the bolt is striking the hammer on an edge.

Lastly, I measured my trigger pull at around 4.5 lbs. I thought it was higher. I'm glad I checked as I might have bought a 4.5 lb aftermarket trigger. I'm not really sure what I would want it at. I might get into some rimfire matches but have attended any of those at my club yet.

 

[Kp321]

I think you mean best $189 I ever spent

I don't want to advertise for anyone but the large supplier out of South Carolina will run CMC triggers for $100 or less and their own copy for $89 occasionally, just have to watch for the Daily Deals. By the way. I have been using one of their copies (undoubtedly made by CMC) for several thousand rounds with complete satisfaction.

 

[wahoowad]

I am pretty sure I have a defective hammer. I pulled it and it appears to have a twist or otherwise out of square when rested on a piece of barstock steel. Will S&W send me a replacement hammer or will they want the whole gun returned?

 

[Pubtym]

I have the same wear marks on my bolt and hammer. 4000 rounds of CCI SV. I have no malfunctions on mine. I would not worry or try to fix it. I put a light coat of TW25b Lubricant on both those surfaces after I clean it. My trigger pull is slightly over 4.25 #.

 

[wahoowad]

I have the same wear marks on my bolt and hammer. 4000 rounds of CCI SV. I have no malfunctions on mine. I would not worry or try to fix it.

Do you have any burr on the bolt?


My worry is continued use will increase the damage occurring on the bolt. A burr like that after only 270 rounds? I can take a stone to it but it doesn't seem like I should bother until I replace the hammer.

 

[Pubtym]

No. No burrs on the bolt.
Keep in mind the steel bolt on this firearm does not fit tight in the steel receiver like a bolt action. The steel bolt rails on the slide have a built in fit so as to allow the bolt to move in the Poly receiver guide grooves, as it retracts following the recoil spring and guide rod. As the bolt begins to retract after firing, the extractor will exert a slight lateral movement of the bolt. That lateral movement is normal to allow rearward movement of the bolt. That lateral wear spot on the bolt is the first point of contact on the a hammer as the bolt retracts to cock the trigger.

 

[Kp321]

I am pretty sure I have a defective hammer. I pulled it and it appears to have a twist or otherwise out of square when rested on a piece of barstock steel. Will S&W send me a replacement hammer or will they want the whole gun returned?

I guarantee S&W will want the whole rifle. If you want to stick with the factory style fire control group, PM me your address and I'll send you a good hammer ( or two).

 

[Pubtym]

Defective hammer?

I have attached 4000 round images of my wear spots on my bolt and my hammer in the cocked and released position. IMO, continue to shoot it. I would consider it normal break-in and wear.
I would not spend money for a new trigger and hammer.

 

[MoGunGuy]

I don't want to advertise for anyone but the large supplier out of South Carolina will run CMC triggers for $100 or less and their own copy for $89 occasionally, just have to watch for the Daily Deals. By the way. I have been using one of their copies (undoubtedly made by CMC) for several thousand rounds with complete satisfaction.

I too am running this nameless trigger clone caught on a Daily Deal for around $80 in my 15-22 for several thousand rounds now. Solid trigger.

 

[tacticool22]

The bolt rails are steel and usually need to be honed or run on a hard Arkansas stone to remove the burrs from manufacturing

 

[shawn mccarver]

Simple solution: (1) Shoot it and if it works, stop worrying; (2) If it bothers you that much, call S&W and request a prepaid shipping label. Send it back. Let them either tell you it's fine, or make a repair, get it back and don't worry about it any longer.

Seriously, this thread has been going on since September 26. You could have had it back from S&W by now, or at least been way ahead of the game.

 

[wahoowad]

Simple solution: (1) Shoot it and if it works, stop worrying; (2) If it bothers you that much, call S&W wand request a prepaid shipping label. Send it back. Let them either tell you it's fine, or make a repair, get it back and don't worry about it any longer.

Seriously, this thread has been going on since September 26. You could have had it back from S&W by now, or at least been way ahead of the game.

Thanks for most everybody's help (except this last winner)

 

[shawn mccarver]

Thanks for most everybody's help (except this last winner)

Aww, I was trying to help. . . .