Strange 10-22 problem

[Roland]

Hi All,

My 10/22 has been having some rather unusual FTEs. It works good most of the time. But sometimes, usually towards the middle of a mag, I get a stovepipe. Sometimes another round feeds or partially feeds, or sometimes it doesn't at all. The weird part is that it occasionally works fine for twenty rounds or so before a FTE.

The mags are pretty new. The rifle is almost entirely after factory parts. The only thing that could be wrong is the fact that the firing pin spring is bent. (got another from Brownells, just haven't put it in yet.) But I don't think that could possibly cause FTEs.

So, does the Appleseed hive mind have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Roland

[Charles McKinley]

Open a different lot # of ammo and see if that cures it or try a different flavor altogeather.  Or did you already try that?

[yellowhousejake]

The first thing I would do, is return to an all factory state and see if the problem continues. If not, start adding after market parts back in based on what parts actually make the rifle better (few of them).

Also, if the mags are new, check this thread. I was there, Niecie took the picture, switching to a old milled feed lip magazine cured the problem.

http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=25471.msg195108#msg195108

YHJ

[Roland]

I bought the rifle with all of the aftermarket parts three years ago, before my first shoot. And it's run fine with Federal Champion up til now. And the mags work fine, usually. And the ammo is what we have used since the very beginning. Same problem from different boxes.

[SSG Platz]

If you have had a similar problem from other boxes of the same ammo I think you may have answered your own question. I know from personal Expediance that 99% of all my weapon malfunctions with, rifle or pistol, have either been magizines or operator error, now with .22 ammo you have another factor that's your ammo, as we all know different rifles like different ammo, and within differnt lots we have found large discrepencies. So with all this said if you say you have had the same thing happen periodically when using different boxes, but always the same ammo try using a different box, or two and see if it straightens up. It could be as simple as a bad lot of ammo, or a dirty rifle, or it may be as complicated as something broken within your rifle. Check the cheapest solutions first.

[yellowhousejake]

Agree with Platz, if it is a known well functioning rifle, especially with a 10-22, I would reach for a box of 40 gr CCI Mini Mags before I did anything else.

YHJ

[Roland]

See, the only thing is, I've put somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 rounds through this rifle without nary a problem. (except when I forgot to clean it.) So, ammo problem appears to be unlikely. Sorry, my earlier statement was unclear. Had the same problem with different boxes and lots, same kind. I will try some CCI standard next time I'm out at the range.

[Appleseed Widow]

Does the problem occur more often in one position than the others?  One thing I have noticed is that the charging handle will on occasion hit the spent case back into the chamber.  Things to try to correct the problem:  change the profile of the charging handle, change the cyclic rate of the bolt(heavier/lighter/bent hammerspring) don't be so consistent in position.  Sucks to start outperforming your equipment (not really).  Let us know what works!
   Milt 

[yellowhousejake]

I will try some CCI standard next time I'm out at the range.

Not standard, 40 grain Mini Mag. I don't work for CCI and I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last night, but I've seen a lot of rounds go down range and 40 gr MM are rifle candy. Their impulse and timing are about perfect for a 10-22. I've not seen a clean mechanically sound 10-22 that would not function and group with them.

Jus' saying...

YHJ

[SSG Platz]

I will try some CCI standard next time I'm out at the range.

Not standard, 40 grain Mini Mag. I don't work for CCI and I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last night, but I've seen a lot of rounds go down range and 40 gr MM are rifle candy. Their impulse and timing are about perfect for a 10-22. I've not seen a clean mechanically sound 10-22 that would not function and group with them.

Jus' saying...

YHJ

2nd that

[RiflesnReins]

I have to disagree. CCI is the most accurate ammo I have found. Although Centurion is a very close second.   

[boscohurn]

The quickest thing to check for FTE's would be making sure the chamber has not developed a ring of gunk, powder , etc.  At the same time check to make sure the extractor has not become semi-hung up with .....stuff and that it's in good shape.  After that, the fun begins.

[dond]

Check the holes in the barrel that the extractors fit into. They can get filled up with gunk. It happened to mine.

[Nickle]

I've had a similar problem a time or two.

I ended up removing the bolt and cleaning the receiver and bolt, paying close attention to the extractor.

I also highly recommend cleaning the chamber frequently, using a brush on the end of a cleaning rod section. You'll have to bend the brush to make it work. More important to do this than to clean the bore. And, a Bore Snake won't clean the chamber enough (but, they work great on the bore).

[floydf]

The stock 10/22 extractor also leaves a bit to be desired.  I had a 10/22  over time stove-pipe more and more, and replaced the stock extractor with a Volquartsen (from Midway: cheap!), and the FTEs all went away.

[oladcock]

I will try some CCI standard next time I'm out at the range.

Not standard, 40 grain Mini Mag. I don't work for CCI and I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last night, but I've seen a lot of rounds go down range and 40 gr MM are rifle candy. Their impulse and timing are about perfect for a 10-22. I've not seen a clean mechanically sound 10-22 that would not function and group with them.

Jus' saying...

YHJ

I'm coming to the same conclusion, all 4 of ours run like sewing machines with them (CCI MM), virtually any other will have issues, some more than others. A dirty/filled up extractor notch on the chamber face causes an OOB condition/FTF.......O.L.

As an addition, all are "stock" bolt/extractor parts, a couple with THOUSANDS of rounds through them. I see more problems on the line with rifles folks have tricked out in an effort to make them "better", ain't seen one yet that is either in function or accuracy. I understand the urge to tinker, I do the same but with inexpensive polishing and tuning.......O.L.

[douglas34474]

99% of the time FTE problems are extractor related. As this is not a new rifle, I would strip the bolt and clean the extractor slot on the bolt.

If this was a new rifle, I would fit the extractor to the bolt. Very few of the many 10-22s I have tuned up have the extractor hook too short for reliable running.

The only function of the extractor for fired rounds is to hold the spent cartridge case to the bolt face until the bolt travels far enough back to allow the case to hit the ejector and be kicked out of the rifle. The extractor should cam out at least 0.015" when the cartridge case is slipped under it.

[Roland]

Wow, thanks for the responses everybody. I'll clean and then respond.

[AFTERMATH]

While you're cleaning it - check the recoil spring/guide rod for wear and/or chattering....

Light grease, rather than oil is the best lube for this.

[lprgcfrank]

different thought on the lube - I go with a good synthetic oil - like Mobile1

I have a well used loaner 10-22 with about 7,000 rounds through it since I last cleaned it, but I regularly lubricate it with Mobile1.  Still a tack driver (particularly with Centurion ammo)  I get a rifleman out of it about every other shoot.

[wcmartin1]

The stock 10/22 extractor also leaves a bit to be desired.  I had a 10/22  over time stove-pipe more and more, and replaced the stock extractor with a Volquartsen (from Midway: cheap!), and the FTEs all went away.

What he said.

[Roland]

Wow, I completely forgot about this thread. Sorry bout that. I detail stripped and cleaned, and haven't had a malfunction since. Using the same mags and ammo.

Roland

[oladcock]

 

Watched "stock" 10-22's singing their tune this weekend while one of the "tricked out" ones hicuped every couple of shots. Don't fix what isn't broke or if you do, PUT IT BACK! ....O.L.