LCPII Lite and Federal Punch ammo

My LCPll would not reliably run Velocitors or any hollow point really. It likes Aguila Super Extra 40gr round nose the best, even better than MiniMags. I didn’t test Stingers since the gun doesn’t like hollow points anyway. I don’t know anything about the Punch ammo but these guns seem to be picky so the combination just might never work. I bet if you could get it to cycle, then the bullet shape would become a factor and it would not feed reliably. (just my opinion)

Badgerman45 said:

Recently I tried Federal Punch ammo in my LCPII Lite. I found that that the rounds would fire but not recycle. I'm wondering if it is because of the shape of the bullet or the light weight of the bullet. Has anyone else had this issue? I have not tried CCI Stingers or Velocitors but hope to in the future. Has anyone tried either of them? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

If you mean the LCPII in .22? Wife bought one right after I found out they hit. I ran some hyper velocity (Yellow Jackets & Stingers) through it along with 5 or 6 "standard like the CCI MM. It seemed to like all of them. Settled on the Velocitor's for her to carry in it. Pretty neat little pistol. I wish she would carry better but, she is super sensitive about recoil. This she loves and will practice with so its better than nothing. Only thing I had trouble with was the damn mags. VERY hard for me to load without the tool they sent. By now I would suspect they are available. Back then no one had one so I could buy a couple extra's. Had to alter ones made for the .380 version. I have never tried the Punch. So maybe buy a box of the Velocitors and stingers see how yours likes them.

The extra case length of the Punch (like the Stinger) may also influence cycling reliability.

I highly recommend getting an aftermarket spring package for your LCP 22. Mine was a finicky little beast until I changed the springs. Now it eats everything including bulk stuff as long as it’s high velocity.

When I got mine a year ago before the pandemic really kicked off, I ran about 300 rounds of everything thru it right out of the box. Shot well and no issues. Did have some standard vel stingers and velocitors and all functioned flawlessly

Badgerman45 said:

Recently I tried Federal Punch ammo in my LCPII Lite. I found that that the rounds would fire but not recycle. I'm wondering if it is because of the shape of the bullet or the light weight of the bullet. Has anyone else had this issue? I have not tried CCI Stingers or Velocitors but hope to in the future. Has anyone tried either of them? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

Exactly what problem are you having? Failure to extract, eject, or feed?

I've tried the Punch in a Ruger MkII and a 10/22, both cycle that ammo normally, with a little more recoil (for a .22), and a little more distance on ejection then the bulk Federal I normally shoot. Since the Punch are solids I'd expect them to feed in pretty much anything.

BSW

Federal Punch has a flat nose I think. I dont have the LCP22 yet (holding off a little longer) but I have reworked a lot of 22 pocket autos to get 100% reliable....Sterlings, Jennings etc. Two things with flat pointed ammo is not getting hung up on the front of the magazine and any kind of lip in the feed ramp. As mentioned spring changes that speed up the cycle time can help sometimes. Trouble always with 22lr in pocket autos is all the different power variations so you sometimes have to dial them in. I will typically dial things in to shoot cheap bulk ammo because thats the whole point... cheap shooting. Still hoping Ruger puts out a 25acp version. 25acp pocket autos always run reliably and a LCP25 would likely be one of the all time greats and carry worthy.. for a 25.

So... try loading up a full magazine and inspect how much the bullet nose is clearing the front of the magazine. If its catching that front edge of the flat point that could be your problem. To much magazine spring strength can create a friction issue as well between the round and the feedlips as well (leading to slower cycles and hitches) so maybe keep your mags loaded for a while and let the springs take a set. If some LCP22s are feeding everything and others are not its likely not a design flaw. Just need break in on the springs. My well worn 22 pocket autos all run reliably will everything. My nice lightly fired shiny pretty ones that I dont shoot much can act up sometimes.

All of your magazines won't feed the Federal or just some of them?

BSW

I think he is talking about the Mcarbo extra power recoil spring. This should speed up the cycle with the slide feeding. You might want to try some round nose copper plated mini mags before you start worrying too much. I try to stick to round nose plated bullets for my pocket 22s. That federal punch might choke up a few of mine as well. It just wasnt available when I was last stocking up on rimfire. I did have some problems with CCI minimags because they got a little too generous with the wax and the rounds wouldnt fully feed into the chamber. Had to clean off a few thousand by hand.

This is all the nature of 22 rimfire in pocket autos. As fun as they are its a real pain...hence the reason JB created the 25acp in the first place.

Where you having feeding issues through the entire magazine or just the first couple rounds? If so it would indicate to much pressure and friction with the magazine....which slows the slide cycle..... which then could induce a feeding issue.

Also might check to make sure the slide is not impacting or contacting the feedlips. Pull the slide and inspect for strange wear or scratches.

Also might check the extractor. If the case rim is not sliding up under the extractor correctly during the feed you can run into problems.

Best thing to do would be run some different ammo through it to troubleshoot and find out if its the ammo or the pistol.