SR22: First Round Chambering Problem? My Solution/Discovery

[mark_s]

First, hello to all. This is my first post.

I picked up an SR22 pistol on Thursday, and had quite a few issues through the first 200 rounds (both with 40gr plated CCI Mini Mags and Federal 36gr 550 Value Pack). More than anything else, I encountered many "first round off the mag wouldn't chamber, and got stuck on the feed ramp" issues.

Cleaned and lubed the gun after that trip, and took it back out today. Ran another 200 rounds of CCI through it, 200 of 40gr Blazer round lead nose, and 100 rounds of Federal. Through those 500 rounds, I might have had 2 hiccups, *after* discovering this:

Don't slam the magazine in the pistol as you might be accustomed to doing with other/larger caliber guns. Push the mag in until you feel it seat, and either slingshot the slide back, or use the slide release. Guess what? No hangups at all after doing that. The gun ran virtually flawlessly (maybe 2 cases of it not going fully into battery).

Now, this could be coincidental with break in, after hitting the 300 or so round count, but I don't think so.

If this is already common knowledge, or mentioned in the manual (yes, I'm guilty of not always thoroughly RTFM), my apologies. But, I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

Is there any other way to load a semi auto pistol besides slingshot? :wink: Glad it's working for you now.

 

[mark_s]

Is there any other way to load a semi auto pistol besides slingshot? :wink: Glad it's working for you now.

Thanks. Well, I should have been more clear, because "slingshot" might mean different things to different people. With any larger caliber pistol, I always rack the slide back using an over-hand grip. I was taught that using the coarse motor skill would be preferred to the "pinching" the rear of the slide and pulling back. So in fact, I probably should have said "rack the slide back". But, well, do what works to release the slide.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

I always rack the slide back using an over-hand grip. I was taught that using the coarse motor skill would be preferred to the "pinching" the rear of the slide and pulling back.

Mark, I actually use the overhand grip on any semi auto as well. I was taught to hold your left thumb against your chest and push the pistol away and out of your left hand. To me anything besides using the slide release is sling shotting. It sure doesn't hurt the pistol going into battery from full rear slide travel.

The SR22 is on my wish list a few spots back.

 

[contender]

Glad to know you figured out your glitches with your pistol.

However,, I usually caution folks who use a hand over the slide type of racking. Why? Well, a slip can and does cause the occasional negligant discharge. And if the hand is anywhere near the muzzle,, well it results in injuries. Just this past week, a shooter was telling me his brother in law was planning on attending our monthly USPSA match. (yesterday.) Well he couldn't, as last week, he was in the process of unloading his Glock, and using the hand across the top type of slide racking, had a slip & discharge. A bit over 100 stitches in the hand, and his ammo was some type of SD load.
Last year, at the SC State USPSA match, right before the match, a local club member was found dead on the range. He was well liked & knowledgable. The video showed he was having difficulity with a semi-auto. He accidently shot himself in the chest while trying to rack the slide or un-jam it, using his hand across the top & pulling the gun close to his chest.

I teach people to grasp the firearm with their dominate hand, grasp the slide with their off hand, along the rear, then, push the gun away, with the dominate hand, while pulling the slide backwards with their off hand. I tell them to "try & rip off the top of the gun" type of motion. It naturally points the gun away from the body, doesn't allow the hand to get in front of the muzzle, and also allows the action to work the same as if it were being fired.

Just offering suggestions to keep everyone safe.

 

[ArmedinAZ]

I teach people to grasp the firearm with their dominate hand, grasp the slide with their off hand, along the rear, then, push the gun away, with the dominate hand, while pulling the slide backwards with their off hand. I tell them to "try & rip off the top of the gun" type of motion. It naturally points the gun away from the body, doesn't allow the hand to get in front of the muzzle, and also allows the action to work the same as if it were being fired.

Just offering suggestions to keep everyone safe.

Yeah that. Way better than my description but what I meant. Thanks!

BTW, an SR9 forced me to use this method. The spring was so stiff and the slide serrations so sharp doing a slingshot was painful. Got rid of the pistol but kept the loading method. :wink:


How did the guy manage to get the muzzle pointed at his chest, could you tell from the video?

 

[mark_s]

Thanks. It never hurts to clarify things in the interest of safety. But, yes, that's the technique I use, and at no time does my weak/off hand cross the muzzle.

 

[Cholo]

It sure doesn't hurt the pistol going into battery from full rear slide travel.

With most pistols, yes. Kahr does not recommend it in their PM series. It was discussed about a year ago and someone didn't believe me till they checked their manual. Their response was... It always pays to read the manual!

I've never smacked a semi auto's magazine into place like the gun rags used to, still do?, tell you. I press them in firmly till I hear the audible "click". It works for me, though YMMV...