My M&P 15/22 BROKE? What you think?

Rancher · 06-15-2012, 19:59

So my son asks to go shoot my M&P 15/22 and I got it out of the safe while he was setting up targets. He came in, got the rifle, then went out to shoot.

I was on the computer. Heard several shots, then a rapid fire group and I heard one of those "that ain't right sounds". Reminded me of the one and only squib I have ever had and really hoped he did not pull the trigger again. He did not and came in with the rifle.

He brought in a round that looked like it had a primer problem, the round had the bottom partially blown out. It was a Remington Golden.

He said when it made the sound he put the weapon on safe, kept barrel down range, and after a second or two removed the magazine. When he did that he found the crazy looking round and on top of the magazine in the chamber he found a spring that is about an inch long, it look like an AR detent spring, kinda like the one I alway screw up when removing a stock.

Guess I shall send it back to S&W unless somone can give me a quick fix. Have no idea where the spring came from. Gun seems to function just fine. Have broke it down and checked all I know to check, it is not a true AR!

Opinions welcome.

Rancher

M2 Carbine · 06-16-2012, 08:03

Rimfire cases, especially Remington, blowing out at the rim isn't unheard of. A CCI .17 HMR blew out on me last week.

Usually when a case rim blows on the M&P 15-22 it blows the extractor out of the bolt and you lose the extractor and spring.

Check the bolt to see if the extractor is missing. If so S&W will probably send you a new one free.
Or you can send the rifle in for S&W to check it over if that makes you feel better.

Sounds like you taught your Son good gun procedure.

GTS197 · 06-16-2012, 08:19

Glad he's ok. Sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders and followed sound safety practices.

Hope you get the rifle fixed quickly. Pretty sure S&W will make it right.

Rancher · 06-16-2012, 15:05

Thanks guys!

Rancher

cptslick · 06-16-2012, 15:29

I guess you didn't read the manual.
Based on the design and action of the M&P15-22, Smith &

Wesson recommends that you use the following brands and

types of .22LR ammunition for optimal performance in your

M&P15-22 rifle:

• CCI Standard Velocity • Federal American Eagle

• CCI Mini-Mag • Federal GameShock

• CCI Stinger • Winchester Super-X High Velocity

• Aguila Super Extra High Velocity • Aguila Super Extra Std. Velocity

Smith & Wesson suggests that you fire several boxes of a recommended

brand of ammunition through your M&P15-22 before you

put it into regular use to determine reliability of ignition and performance

of your ammunition. If “failure to fire” or other issues

should occur, try different recommended brands and types until a

reliable load is found.

Through our testing, Smith & Wesson has also found that there

are several brands and types of .22LR ammunition that do not

perform consistently or reliably. Consequently, Smith & Wesson

DOES NOT RECOMMEND that the following brands or types of

.22LR ammunition be used in your M&P15-22 rifle:

• Remington Golden Bullet • Remington Thunderbolt

• Remington Target 22 • Winchester Wildcat

• Any and all sub-sonic brands and types

Please call Smith & Wesson Customer Service at 1-800-331-

0852 ext. 2905 if you have any questions regarding the recommended

ammunition and maintenance of your M&P15-22 rifle.

Rancher · 06-16-2012, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by cptslick

I guess you didn't read the manual.
Based on the design and action of the M&P15-22, Smith &

Wesson recommends that you use the following brands and

types of .22LR ammunition for optimal performance in your

M&P15-22 rifle:

• CCI Standard Velocity • Federal American Eagle

• CCI Mini-Mag • Federal GameShock

• CCI Stinger • Winchester Super-X High Velocity

• Aguila Super Extra High Velocity • Aguila Super Extra Std. Velocity

Smith & Wesson suggests that you fire several boxes of a recommended

brand of ammunition through your M&P15-22 before you

put it into regular use to determine reliability of ignition and performance

of your ammunition. If “failure to fire” or other issues

should occur, try different recommended brands and types until a

reliable load is found.

Through our testing, Smith & Wesson has also found that there

are several brands and types of .22LR ammunition that do not

perform consistently or reliably. Consequently, Smith & Wesson

DOES NOT RECOMMEND that the following brands or types of

.22LR ammunition be used in your M&P15-22 rifle:

• Remington Golden Bullet • Remington Thunderbolt

• Remington Target 22 • Winchester Wildcat

• Any and all sub-sonic brands and types

Please call Smith & Wesson Customer Service at 1-800-331-

0852 ext. 2905 if you have any questions regarding the recommended

ammunition and maintenance of your M&P15-22 rifle.

Actually I did ready it but guess my son did not. That ammo was on top of the fridge. I'd shot Goldens out of it before with no problem, same as for all the .22's we got around here with no problem but...... guess ya' learn something new every day! I was suprised he was not shooting the Mini-Mags that was up there as well.

Rancher

Bimmer1 · 06-16-2012, 23:04

This is a known problem shooting certain ammo in the 15-22. I stick with CCI mini mags in all of my semi-auto .22 caliber guns.

Rancher · 06-17-2012, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer1

This is a known problem shooting certain ammo in the 15-22. I stick with CCI mini mags in all of my semi-auto .22 caliber guns.

It is honestly the first I had heard of it. Like I said there was a box of 40 grain round nose Mini-Mags sitting next to the box of Goldens and just figured he was using those. I thought I had researched the rifle pretty well and never saw this complaint on one.

Been buying bulk packs of various ammo for a loooong time and never had a problem other than misfeeds or a round just not going off. We shoot a LOT around here and guess there is a first for everything. It is my only .22 semi-auto that is not a Ruger.

Thanks for the replies.

Rancher

G36's Rule · 06-17-2012, 09:21

Got to be honest, that sounds like a good reason NOT to buy a M&P 15/22. If I have to be picky about what ammo I'm going to run in a 22lr. I really don't want it.

I run just about anything that is available cheap through my Ruger Mk. II pistols and my 10/22 without issue, other than dead priming compound occasionally.

Berto · 06-17-2012, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by G36's Rule

Got to be honest, that sounds like a good reason NOT to buy a M&P 15/22. If I have to be picky about what ammo I'm going to run in a 22lr. I really don't want it.

I run just about anything that is available cheap through my Ruger Mk. II pistols and my 10/22 without issue, other than dead priming compound occasionally.

.

I agree... It's a .22, were not talking SOCOM here.

dudel · 06-17-2012, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by G36's Rule

Got to be honest, that sounds like a good reason NOT to buy a M&P 15/22. If I have to be picky about what ammo I'm going to run in a 22lr. I really don't want it.

I run just about anything that is available cheap through my Ruger Mk. II pistols and my 10/22 without issue, other than dead priming compound occasionally.

Got to agree. I have lots of GBs (the AA conversion kit recommends them), and they shoot fine in the Rugers, Contenders and others. Price is right for the GBs in bulk.

Not being able to handle subsonic is another big minus. I enjoy using the can on the Rugers.