[Saturnine]

Since I borrowed the old Ruger 77/22 from the family safe in September, I've had a lot of trouble with it. At first I thought it was just bad ammo, but I tried Federal, Remington, CCI, and a few others and they all have issues. I thought it was normal to get a few duds in each box, but now I can barely get through a magazine without having to pry an unfired cartridge out of the chamber (they usually won't eject). Last time I used it, I decided to retry some of the ammo that wouldn't fire and it all worked the second or third time through. So it's definitely the rifle and not the ammo. What could be causing this? All the casings have the dent from the firing pin, and I couldn't find anything else wrong with them. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,
Alex

[wideym]

It maybe a weak firing pin spring, a defective firing pin, or the bolt may need cleaning.

I haven't taken apart a 77/22, but my uncle's 10/22 did the same thing and it was extreamly dirty. His idea of cleaning was to spray WD40 on the the bolt.

[scythefwd]

Saturnine,
We would have the same problem with our M16's when they would get very dirty. I don't know if the problem could be the same, but check the firing pin for fouling. There might be some carbon buildup that is stopping it from coming that picometer forward enough to really hit that rim. Do the indents from the hammer look right when you look at an unfired one?

[Eroc]

My old Savage .22 has the same problem once and a while, it usually clears up when I clean and oil it.

[Saturnine]

I haven't taken apart the bolt to clean it, I didn't know I was supposed to until I pulled up directions for cleaning my new M44. I'll clean it and see if it improves.

As far as I could tell, the indent in the unfired casings are the same as on the spent brass.

[Saturnine]

I took apart the bolt and it was full of gunk. I cleaned it out real good, but now I can't get it back together. I think it's because I'm not sure how far the end bit needs to be screwed back in. I had the same problem with my M44 bolt, but I eventually figured that one out. I have the manual but it isn't helping too much, any tips would be appreciated.

[Omnivore]

The failure to extract was another clue. The extractor could have been jammed with gunk. My bet is, when clean it will both fire and extract reliably-- once you get it back together properly. Asking for help from someone familiar with that model is a good way to go. It should be a good, reliable piece.

[mnrivrat]

The failure to extract was another clue.

I agree but for a slightly different reason . My thought is a dirty chamber - don't forget to clean the chamber after you get the bolt back together.

[Saturnine]

I got it back together, and the chamber is clean. It only fails to extract when it doesn't fire. Hopefully I'll get out to the range today or tomorrow and see how it works. Thanks guys.