quote:

ORIGINAL: HaveRopeWillBind

Just replace the magazines first if you have kept them loaded for a long time it causes the spring in them to deform and become weak. Good chance is that a weak spring in the magazine has caused this gradual problem. If new clips don't solve the problem, then do other troubleshooting.

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyPact

Win,

I had MP read your original over my shoulder just now. He says...

"I was a master armorer in the Army. The symptoms you are describing are magazine related, only. The spring that pushes the rounds into the chamber is worn. As the spring wears, it can hold less and less weight. Eventually, it won't be able to push anything in. If you buy a new magazine, it will resolve your issues."

"You can extend the life of you magazine in the future with simple magazine maintenance. All you need to do is slide the base of the magazine off, and the whole assembly will come out. Lightly oil the spring, and by this, it means a condition as such that you will feel only a slight residue on your fingers. Don't get any on the solid piece on top."

"This is the most important thing. Pay very close attention to the orientation of the spring. If you can't remember, take a picture of it. You can practice it on the old magazine, before working on the new ones. Replace the old magazine first because you are at the point of not saving that old one. If you are not comfortable doing this, you can take it to your local gun shop. They will charge you, but you will learn how to do it."

quote:

ORIGINAL: BamaD

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyPact

Win,

I had MP read your original over my shoulder just now. He says...

"I was a master armorer in the Army. The symptoms you are describing are magazine related, only. The spring that pushes the rounds into the chamber is worn. As the spring wears, it can hold less and less weight. Eventually, it won't be able to push anything in. If you buy a new magazine, it will resolve your issues."

"You can extend the life of you magazine in the future with simple magazine maintenance. All you need to do is slide the base of the magazine off, and the whole assembly will come out. Lightly oil the spring, and by this, it means a condition as such that you will feel only a slight residue on your fingers. Don't get any on the solid piece on top."

"This is the most important thing. Pay very close attention to the orientation of the spring. If you can't remember, take a picture of it. You can practice it on the old magazine, before working on the new ones. Replace the old magazine first because you are at the point of not saving that old one. If you are not comfortable doing this, you can take it to your local gun shop. They will charge you, but you will learn how to do it."

Another possibility, though most likely he is right (99% chance) would be underpowered rounds, wouldn't hurt to check before buying new magazines. This is one of the reasons I like revolvers better. It seems odd that both guns start acting up when she got them, operator malfuction (when loading) should be considered.

quote:

ORIGINAL: mnottertail

quote:

ORIGINAL: WinsomeDefiance

My .22 handgun has been failing to chamber and sometimes jamming.
It should hold 8 rounds, but I found I didn't have any problems chambering and firing when I loaded only 7 rounds into the clip
Then six.
Now, I have issues if I load more than 5 rounds.

I think ordering a new magazine clip ( or 2) for it might help.

I could take it in for service, but ordering a new clip would be a cheaper first step.

Any ideas what else it could be?

I like the gun, and I've become comfortable firing it and prefer it over my .380. I just don't see any use for a gun that I can't rely on.

So, any advice from those of you who have experience with this issue?

What brand of ammo? I would mic it. 99.9999999999% of that stuff is bad ammo. look, you may need a light and a magnifier, do you have lead build up anywhere certain place? do you see brass shavings anywhere. load your mag, thumb them out on the bed, any difference between 9 and 5? harder to push anything, scraping noises? look up the void with a flashlight as well. the blowback and push to lock on a 22 isnt that much, you check for dents on your mag, even small ones, whether the loading end is worn or bent, look how it fits in the gun does it rattle in there? how many rounds been thru it? when if fails to chamber is the bullet moved? hung up? not moved at all? check the lips on the round as well, the spring doesnt get a hard workout, is the mag lock worn or does it still snap? if you work the mech by hand does it never fail?

quote:

ORIGINAL: WinsomeDefiance

Thank you all,

I'm going to order new magazines for both the .22 and the .380 and practice maintenance on the old clips so that Kay and I are comfortable rebuilding and maintaining the new ones. Hurray for YouTube!

CaptR, I use the ammo the dealer who sold me both guns recommended. He is a retired police officer, and has been really helpful. I will have to check and see if the .380 is using a low recoil or not. We buy the ones for target practice so they probably are. He'd kick my butt and ban us if we used the personal protection rounds (hollow point) at the range.

Thanks again y'all, much appreciated.

quote:

ORIGINAL: WinsomeDefiance

Thank you all,

I'm going to order new magazines for both the .22 and the .380 and practice maintenance on the old clips so that Kay and I are comfortable rebuilding and maintaining the new ones. Hurray for YouTube!

CaptR, I use the ammo the dealer who sold me both guns recommended. He is a retired police officer, and has been really helpful. I will have to check and see if the .380 is using a low recoil or not. We buy the ones for target practice so they probably are. He'd kick my butt and ban us if we used the personal protection rounds (hollow point) at the range.

Thanks again y'all, much appreciated.