Ruger 22/45 causing problems

[Jesse H]

All sorts.

Last week I took it shooting and it would jam at least once per magazine. It'd either fail to extract, stovepipe, or fail to feed. Clear the malfunction only to have it happen again within a few rounds.

Took it home, took it apart, and cleaned it up real good and oiled it. Made sure the extractor was clean. Went to the range today and it shot perfectly for about 100 or so rounds, then the problems came back...but more severely. Every round would either fail to feed, fail to extract, lock back when not empty, or stovepipe.

I'm guessing that it might be the magazines since they haven't been cleaned. I will clean the mags and see what happens from there. What's a good lubricant to use on the mags? In the meantime, any suggestions?

 

[Hal]

I take mine apart and clean them every time I clean the gun, which amounts to every time I shoot it. Ruger .22/45 mags are very simple to disassemble. I had some Flitz gun wax laying around, so I used it on the mags and it worked well enough that I continued to use it.

 

[hksw]

Have you changed ammo since you last remembered shooting it without any problems?

 

[Handy]

Take you mags apart and shove an oiled T-shirt scrap through them. You can lubricate them, but they'd probably work fine dry.

Clean the rest of the gun very well, preferably blowing it out with compressed air. Oil lightly. Make sure there is no build up in the chamber.

Check the feed ramp and bolt face/extractor for sharp edges that could affect cycling (there are plenty, but just worry about the ones the bullet might contact). Examine the alignment of the ejector and its connection to the barrel extension.

Now assemble, check for smooth operation and shoot it with CCI Minimag only. If it doesn't work after that, call Ruger.

Pay attention to which mag, if any, it's jamming with.

 

[Ledbetter]

Mag and ammo advice is good. Leave no oil in mags--use dry lube if you must. Also, do not over-lubricate the gun. Try using just a dab of grease rubbed on the exterior of the bolt body (not the face or the chamber).

 

[braindead0]

I haven't cleaned my 22/45 mags in oh..say...two years at least (and perhaps 2000 rounds, don't shoot it too much).

The only time I've ever had feed problem is with cheapo lead ammo..

 

[Jesse H]

That's why I'm so stumped. Before, I've let it go thru a couple of bricks before cleaning and it'd function reliably. The last time I cleaned it, it was spic and span, and oiled properly.

The last few bricks have been with the same ammo, problem occurs with both magazines. I'll take it apart and clean it again, along with both mags and see what results.

 

[Ledbetter]

Extractor

The extractor is a weak link on these pistols. Mine has functioned much better since I installed a Volquartsen extractor. The old one was noticably worn when I removed it.

Also, you don't say how old the gun and mags are. Could it be time for a new mag spring?

And don't forget to try different ammo. Good luck.

 

[CARSON]

My MK II jammed regularly with heavily lubircated bullets. I then switched to Power Points and clean the magazines every time I clean the pistol and the problem has never reoccured.

 

[BamBam-31]

What Ledbetter said.