[Brass Tacks]

The saga began in April when I purchased a new S&W M&P-22 for my wife's usage. After removing the gear oil applied at the factory it was ready for a trip to the range. The first pull of the trigger resulted in a SNAP. Misfire due to light primer strike. Lost count in the number. Even the rounds that ignited were much lighter strikes than I've ever seen with a .22.

Filled out S&W's return form on the inter-web and received a FedEx shipping label and it was on it's way that afternoon, May 16th, and in their hands on the 18th. FedEx placed it in my hands yesterday, June 11th. Great!

In the box was a letter stating the "handgun had been reviewed by two pistol technicians and found to be within our manufacturing specifications. No repairs have been performed." WTF We went to the range that afternoon to try again. Again, the first pull of the trigger resulted in a SNAP. Misfire after misfire. As before we tried 4 different brands of ammo, same results. I am not a happy camper. Guess I'll take it apart myself, I couldn't make it much worse.

Taking it down was put on a short hold while I searched for the extractor spring that had exited the assembly, it was found. Inspection showed no obvious defects. Looking at the business end of the firing pin I noticed something I hadn't seen before. Right above the area that actually dents the primer was a protrusion that would make contact with the breech right above the chamber to limit the depth of the strike. AHH HA ! I removed .010" from the protrusion and reassembled the pistol. When we built our house I could step out the back door and cut loose a mag but civilization has now surrounded us so it's back to the range.

200 rounds without a hiccup. The wife was cranking them off faster than I could load the mags. SUCCESS The strikes are now sharp and pronounced as they should be.

This will be my last S&W purchase if that's the best their "pistol technicians" can do.