My Only Problem With the S&W Model 22

[Gundenstern]

Just got an S&W Model 22 in .45 and I love it despite not having shot it much yet, which is part of the problem. My only problem is that some ammo will sometimes not go into the chambers in the cylinder properly. Remington drops right in, but CCI and Federal sometimes (but not always) need an extra push. Is this something that needs to be worked out in a warrenty return, or do I just only use certain brands of ammo? I cant imagine it's the second option. For the record, it does it with both bare ammo and when the ammo is in moonclips.

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

Are the chambers properly cleaned? That's the first thought that comes to mind.

 

[BikerRN]

My EDC Off-Duty is a 22-4 Thunder Ranch Revolver.
The first thought that comes to mind is, are you lining the cartridges up properly with the Charge Holes?
When I'm doing a "combat reload" at the range I often have to turn the moon clip a little to get the bullets to go in.
I hope this helps.

Biker

 

[Master Blaster]

Test the rounds with a case guage, if they need to be nudged/forced into the cylinder, it means they are either too long or not properly tapper crimped.

I have a 22 and I love it its a great revolver, I bought mine used with the rug and all accessories for $450 last year. Inside the case was a receipt for $690 from the valley forge gun show, ten RIMZ plastic moon clips that had some carbon on them, and 5 steel clips that came with the gun in the factory envelope unused.

I have lots of steel moon clips, so it was about a month before I tried the plastic ones. The gun was 100% with steel clips in double action, 100% with no moon clips in double action. When I tried the RIMZ it would not fire reliably in DA apparently the RIMZ cushion the firing pin blow so 1/2 the rounds would get a light strike in DA . I'm pretty sure thats why the original owner sold the gun, he used the RIMZ and had FTF. The grips that came with the gun while they look nice, were too small and terrible to shoot with, so I got some wood Hogues for it.

I have reloaded extensively for my .45 acp revolvers, and I found that my reloads I used in 1911's were too long. .45 ACP revolvers are intollerant of out of spec ammo, ammo that chambers no problem in my 1911 will not chamber in my blackhawk convertible or my taurus 445, my two smiths have slightly looser chambers, but if the ammo is out of spec they will let you know.

 

[Onmilo]

I have a fix for this little issue.
Have a gunsmith slightly chamfer the cylinder charge holes.
Doesn't have to be major chamfering either, just break the sharp edge, 15 degrees to a depth of 30 to 40 microns will do it and also slightly radius the ejector star all around
Everything including flying ashtrays will drop right in using full moon clips. HTH

 

[Gundenstern]

Thank you all for your help. In case it makes any difference, I forgot to mention that the CCI ammo I tried was FMJ and I got this problem, but the Remington FMJ seemed almost eager to drop into the charge holes. But I think a little trip to the gunsmith should work this all out.

 

[Master Blaster]

I forgot to mention that the CCI ammo I tried was FMJ and I got this problem, but the Remington FMJ seemed almost eager to drop into the charge holes.

Before you have a gunsmith mess with it I would check the cci ammo to see if its out of spec, there have been problems reported with CCI .45acp blazer brass cased ammo recently.

 

[Gundenstern]

I would, but I have no idea how to do that . But my gun also had a problem with Federal 230 grain Hollowpoints, so I dont think it's the fault of the ammo so much. Unless Federals are known for being a little oversized and I just happened to try it with the only two types of bullet it does not like , though I would very much doubt it.

 

[Master Blaster]

Call Smith and Wesson, they will send you a prepaid fed ex label, and fix it under warranty on their dime. The gun has a lifetime warranty, unless you let somone else work on it. They have very good customer service, and will probably turn it around in a week or two.