tips for new owners

[mikehoncho]

there has been an awful lot of complaints about the 15-22 and people getting upset that they have to send their gun in for service. i thought it may help to post a few helpful tips for new owners to look at before heading to the range for a possible disappointment. hopefully the more knowledgable here will add to my list.

basic tips
1. take your time loading your mags, make sure the rounds are staggered. if your mags aren't loaded correctly, you're asking for trouble and it's your own fault.
2. look at the position of your ejector relative to your bolt ( YouTube - Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Ejector (Extractor) Fix ) and adjust as necessary. i tweaked mine prior to firing.
3. use the right ammo. the consensus seems to be use anything other than remington.
4. clean your gun before shooting. just run a few patches (or a few pulls of a boresnake) with some basic cleaning agent to remove any excess grease/lube from the factory.

intermediate tips
5. take time to make a barrel removal tool ($6 dollars of PVC and 15 minutes) and make sure your barrel nut is tight. search forum for barrel nut tool and you get step by step instructions how.
6. take your barrel out and polish your feed ramp (i used a dremel tool with a cotton polishing point and some diamond compound to get a near mirror finish).

well, that's what i've done and with about 300 rounds through, i've had one FTF due to a poorly loaded mag. rapid fire, slow fire, it's all good.

enjoy your new toy and best of luck with it.

 

[Scoreguy]

Good points! Thanks, from a newbie!

 

[AK MIKE]

Thanks for the tips, I hope this will save some from having to send back their rifles but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The problem is the product. You shouldn't have to tweak this and twist that to get a product to work as advertised. That is like buying a new truck and having to rebuild the tranny or redo the ignition timing on it before you drive it. S&W should anounce a recall and fix the issues with these rifles. They should also make potential customers aware that the rifle doesn't work with certain ammo. That is the responsible thing to do.

I apologize for having posted several threads that probably seem like I'm going out with the sole intention of bashing S&W but the truth is that is not my intention at all. I'm just very dissappointed with this product and the level of customer support that I have had thus far. I think it is a responsiblitiy of those that post on this forum to inform others of our experiences so they might not have to endure the same issues and disappointments.

 

[mikehoncho]

Thanks for the tips, I hope this will save some from having to send back their rifles but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The problem is the product. You shouldn't have to tweak this and twist that to get a product to work as advertised. That is like buying a new truck and having to rebuild the tranny or redo the ignition timing on it before you drive it. S&W should anounce a recall and fix the issues with these rifles. They should also make potential customers aware that the rifle doesn't work with certain ammo. That is the responsible thing to do.

I apologize for having posted several threads that probably seem like I'm going out with the sole intention of bashing S&W but the truth is that is not my intention at all. I'm just very dissappointed with this product and the level of customer support that I have had thus far. I think it is a responsiblitiy of those that post on this forum to inform others of our experiences so they might not have to endure the same issues and disappointments.

AKMike, it's time for you to cool it. this thread was in response to your multiple previous posts on other threads about your horrible experience. you keep saying the same thing in different places. i feel bad for you dude, i do, your experience sucks and i'd be pissed off too, but this thread is "tips for new OWNERS"...they already have the gun so don't kick them in the nuts before they get to shoot it. i'm just trying to help them out so they can have an experience like i've had...very positive. i did all the things i mentioned, and while i agree you shouldn't have to "fix" a new gun, it takes minimal effort. tweak the ejector...10 SECONDS! make sure mags are loaded properly...10 SECONDS!

i'd be willing to bet that if the early buyers knew to avoid remington ammo and just loaded their mags carefully, there would have been a lot fewer problems.

no gun is perfect so i'm trying to help out the new owners, not piss in their cereal over and over. how does the saying go, "when life gives you lemons..."

 

[walterg]

Thanks for the tips, I hope this will save some from having to send back their rifles but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The problem is the product. You shouldn't have to tweak this and twist that to get a product to work as advertised. That is like buying a new truck and having to rebuild the tranny or redo the ignition timing on it before you drive it. S&W should anounce a recall and fix the issues with these rifles. They should also make potential customers aware that the rifle doesn't work with certain ammo. That is the responsible thing to do.

I apologize for having posted several threads that probably seem like I'm going out with the sole intention of bashing S&W but the truth is that is not my intention at all. I'm just very dissappointed with this product and the level of customer support that I have had thus far. I think it is a responsiblitiy of those that post on this forum to inform others of our experiences so they might not have to endure the same issues and disappointments.

I have seen your post, and it's a shame that you have had the problems that you have had with your 15-22 and S&W CS. I had to send my 15-22 back to S&W twice for the same problem. Both times CS was very helpful and fast with getting my gun back to me. I also recieved an extra magazine each time I sent it back, and I didn't ask for one either time.

When I first purchased my 15-22 I bought some Winchester HV Expert ammo. Since I got my 15-22 back for the second time I got rid of the Winchester ammo and bought Federal bulk ammo ($15 for 550 rounds at Wal-Mart). I have almost emptied out one of the boxes and have not experienced a single problem.

 

[27 Beck]

there has been an awful lot of complaints about the 15-22 and people getting upset that they have to send their gun in for service. i thought it may help to post a few helpful tips for new owners to look at before heading to the range for a possible disappointment. hopefully the more knowledgable here will add to my list.

basic tips
1. take your time loading your mags, make sure the rounds are staggered. if your mags aren't loaded correctly, you're asking for trouble and it's your own fault.
2. look at the position of your ejector relative to your bolt ( YouTube - Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Ejector (Extractor) Fix ) and adjust as necessary. i tweaked mine prior to firing.
3. use the right ammo. the consensus seems to be use anything other than remington.
4. clean your gun before shooting. just run a few patches (or a few pulls of a boresnake) with some basic cleaning agent to remove any excess grease/lube from the factory.

intermediate tips
5. take time to make a barrel removal tool ($6 dollars of PVC and 15 minutes) and make sure your barrel nut is tight. search forum for barrel nut tool and you get step by step instructions how.
6. take your barrel out and polish your feed ramp (i used a dremel tool with a cotton polishing point and some diamond compound to get a near mirror finish).

well, that's what i've done and with about 300 rounds through, i've had one FTF due to a poorly loaded mag. rapid fire, slow fire, it's all good.

enjoy your new toy and best of luck with it.

All good info. The title of this thread should have said for the 15-22, as this grouping is for all S&W long guns, which include shotguns and the S&W M&P 15.

Thanks for the tips, I hope this will save some from having to send back their rifles but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The problem is the product. You shouldn't have to tweak this and twist that to get a product to work as advertised. That is like buying a new truck and having to rebuild the tranny or redo the ignition timing on it before you drive it. S&W should anounce a recall and fix the issues with these rifles. They should also make potential customers aware that the rifle doesn't work with certain ammo. That is the responsible thing to do.

I apologize for having posted several threads that probably seem like I'm going out with the sole intention of bashing S&W but the truth is that is not my intention at all. I'm just very dissappointed with this product and the level of customer support that I have had thus far. I think it is a responsiblitiy of those that post on this forum to inform others of our experiences so they might not have to endure the same issues and disappointments.

Other gun owners also have problems. See this for the Colt M4
Broken Lower on new M4 .22 - ColtForum

With regard to ammo, problems with the Remington Golden Bullets are well known across all makes of guns. They don't work in a great majority of the semi autos. Check other forums.

Since you brought up the vehicle analogy, would you use bad gas in a vehicle and expect it to run properly? Same with bad ammo.

I really hope you get your 15-22 back from S&W soon and get it sold, so you can move on.

 

[mikehoncho]

All good info. The title of this thread should have said for the 15-22, as this grouping is for all S&W long guns, which include shotguns and the S&W M&P 15.

i guess if forgot there are other long guns since all we talk about here is the 15-22. you're right, do you know how to edit a thread title?

 

[AK MIKE]

AKMike, it's time for you to cool it. this thread was in response to your multiple previous posts on other threads about your horrible experience. you keep saying the same thing in different places. i feel bad for you dude, i do, your experience sucks and i'd be pissed off too, but this thread is "tips for new OWNERS"...they already have the gun so don't kick them in the nuts before they get to shoot it. i'm just trying to help them out so they can have an experience like i've had...very positive. i did all the things i mentioned, and while i agree you shouldn't have to "fix" a new gun, it takes minimal effort. tweak the ejector...10 SECONDS! make sure mags are loaded properly...10 SECONDS!

i'd be willing to bet that if the early buyers knew to avoid remington ammo and just loaded their mags carefully, there would have been a lot fewer problems.

no gun is perfect so i'm trying to help out the new owners, not piss in their cereal over and over. how does the saying go, "when life gives you lemons..."

Very good
I suppose I have certainly run my mouth too much. Your post was exactly what I needed, a little humor and a push back on track.

 

[Fishslayer]

You shouldn't have to tweak this and twist that to get a product to work as advertised.

Not to mention what that tweaking and dremeling will do for a warranty...

 

[straight-shooter]

Not to mention what that tweaking and dremeling will do for a warranty...

LOL, that's rich! - tweaking means moving the ejector 1/16" toward the port. A 10 second operation that certainly does not void any warranty. Foremost, no dremeling required in any aspect, no way no how.

Only optional dremeling is to polish the feed ramp which will most certainly not void a warranty. I do this to all my guns directly after purchase.

Where did this come from ? .... oh, nevermind.

 

[Fishslayer]

How the heck do you load a mag incorrectly?

Oh... I see...

 

[27 Beck]

LOL, that's rich! - tweaking means moving the ejector 1/16" toward the port. A 10 second operation that certainly does not void any warranty. Foremost, no dremeling required in any aspect, no way no how.

Only optional dremeling is to polish the feed ramp which will most certainly not void a warranty. I do this to all my guns directly after purchase.

Where did this come from ? .... oh, nevermind.

LOL

I had my barrel threaded and a flash suppressor put on my 15-22 before I had to send it to S&W for extractor repair. No problems at all with warranty from S&W.

 

[straight-shooter]

16 year old gangbangers intitiation loading a mag! FAIL!! ...

 

[straight-shooter]

LOL

I had my barrel threaded and a flash suppressor put on my 15-22 before I had to send it to S&W for extractor repair. No problems at all with warranty from S&W.

Waiting on my barrel to come back from Minnesota right now from getting it threaded... will be nice. They mailed it out today so should be by the end of the week.

 

[mikehoncho]

How the heck do you load a mag incorrectly?

Oh... I see...

LOL! that is really funny.

 

[Fishslayer]

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

It was the first thing I thought of when I read "load the magazine carefully." That, and tapping the M-16 mag on yer boot heel to make sure the rounds were all the way back...

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Well.. since this thread is so FUBAR anyway.....

Who is that in the pic? I thought it might be Joe and S&W CS being told another 15-22 owner is on the line for him ....

 

[CORPORAL PUNISHMENT]

Thanks for the tips, I hope this will save some from having to send back their rifles but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The problem is the product. You shouldn't have to tweak this and twist that to get a product to work as advertised. That is like buying a new truck and having to rebuild the tranny or redo the ignition timing on it before you drive it. S&W should anounce a recall and fix the issues with these rifles. They should also make potential customers aware that the rifle doesn't work with certain ammo. That is the responsible thing to do.

I apologize for having posted several threads that probably seem like I'm going out with the sole intention of bashing S&W but the truth is that is not my intention at all. I'm just very dissappointed with this product and the level of customer support that I have had thus far. I think it is a responsiblitiy of those that post on this forum to inform others of our experiences so they might not have to endure the same issues and disappointments.

I agree with what your saying. This rifle should perform perfectly and they should make customers aware of what kind of ammo to cycle. I also think it's your responsiblity as a consumer to report a product, bad or good. So I agree with your statement. I think you might have just talked to the wrong person at smith or something. My personal experience with smith has been a positive one. It appears they fixed my rifle and gave me 2 free mags. Do I wish that I could load the mags faster with less care, YES! I think I have accepted the fact that this is no battle rifle. So, If I get 1 ftf in 350 rds or so I'm not gonna sweat it. If my AK had ONE ftf in 5000 rds I'd be losing my mind!!! I guess in the end, I wish you would give this another try when you get it back. This rifle is a ton of fun. Something I wouldn't want anybody to miss

 

[Tupperware]

How the heck do you load a mag incorrectly?

Oh... I see...

Here is another way

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

If my AK had ONE ftf in 5000 rds I'd be losing my mind!!!

That's an excellent point. It really is about expectations.

If I was expecting the 15-22 to be an above average shooter based on S&W's claim of a having a "Match Grade Precision Barrel" I would have promptly throw it in the dump after the first 30 minutes of shooting. But I bought it because it looked cool, had a lot of rail space, and to shoot cans and stuff so I'm quite satisfied. Though... I do shoot paper with the 15-22 now and then just to aggravate myself.