Well, I went for it....So far it works GREAT!!

[PainterlyShotgroup]

There is a chance your gun won't cycle properly now. Anything that will affect the recoil will often lead to stovepiped cases in a .22LR firearm. Unlike an AR a .22 is a blowback action which needs all the recoil assist the action has to get the bolt to cycle properly. They have a relatively narrow range of bolt movement that will successfully fire and cycle the next round in the chamber. It will either work, but differently maybe or it won't work at all and you will have a nice wall ornament. If you had left the spring and buffer out it likely would still work like stock.

It works like an off the shelf 15-22. I never had issues with the gun before I modified it and have had NO ISSUES with it since I modified it.
I was very aware of how movement of the bolt could lead to poor cycling and other malfunctions, which is why I put that insert in and made sure it sat flush with where the back of the bolt sits.
The insert that goes into the tube that the bolt rests against actually fits into the tube and has a lip that catches on the rim of the tube. It doesn't move at all so it provides a solid backstop for the bolt to rest against. The buffer and spring were more just for weight.
The gun functions 100% as it should.

 

[photoracer]

There is a chance your gun won't cycle properly now. Anything that will affect the recoil will often lead to stovepiped cases in a .22LR firearm. Unlike an AR a .22 is a blowback action which needs all the recoil assist the action has to get the bolt to cycle properly. They have a relatively narrow range of bolt movement that will successfully fire and cycle the next round in the chamber. It will either work, but differently maybe or it won't work at all and you will have a nice wall ornament. If you had left the spring and buffer out it likely would still work like stock.

Well it is good to know that you still have a functioning rifle.