10/22 Feeding problem - trying a JB Weld fix

[soam]

I've been having fairly frequent feeding problems with my 10/22, where the front of the bullet would jam up against the bottom edge of the chamber. Basically, the magazine was sitting too low/pointing at too low of an angle to feed properly. If I pressed up on the bottom of the magazine to force it to sit higher, then rounds would feed fine.

After inspecting, I determined/guessed that the hole in the receiver where the front of the magazine (that is, the bolt head that sticks out of the front) sits was worn, leaving a low spot where that bolt head would sit and allow the magazine to rest too far low.

I contacted Ruger and got the standard "send it in and we'll look at it" response, but I'm reluctant to send it in for what seems like such a simple problem.

My solution: mix up some JB Weld and fill in the worn out spot.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a "before" picture, but here is an "after" picture of the fix. It is currently setting/curing, so I won't be able to test it until later, but I'm hoping this resolves my feeding issues. I will update once I get a chance to test it. This is my first attempt at "home gunsmithing", so I hope it turns out well.

10/22 JB Weld Fix

 

[Dirtypacman]

Interested to see how the fix works. Your theory makes sense to me. Is it coming out tonight to Harvard?, I brought the ruger box so in case your fix does not take it will be ready to go for you.

 

[soam]

Interested to see how the fix works. Your theory makes sense to me. Is it coming out tonight to Harvard?, I brought the ruger box so in case your fix does not take it will be ready to go for you.

That's the plan, I figure since JB Weld sets in 4-6 hours it should be okay for some initial testing tonight, especially since that spot doesn't undergo any significant heat or pressure. I made a spur of the moment decision this morning to try the JB Weld instead of sending it in, but if that doesn't work then off it goes to Ruger.

 

[Dirtypacman]

That's the plan, I figure since JB Weld sets in 4-6 hours it should be okay for some initial testing tonight, especially since that spot doesn't undergo any significant heat or pressure. I made a spur of the moment decision this morning to try the JB Weld instead of sending it in, but if that doesn't work then off it goes to Ruger.

Best of luck if you hit the range before I am there, see you tonight.

 

[soam]

Well, I paid the price for my impatience and the JB weld came off since it didn't have enough time to cure. I cleaned off the area and applied new JB Weld, and will be letting it cure for well over 24 hours before I try again.

However, for the brief time that it held up, rounds fed perfectly! I have a feeling that once this new application has cured, I will once again have a fully functional rifle. I will update once I get a chance to shoot it agian.

 

[dhuze]

Did you etch the surface at all? if you are just laying JB Weld onto a surface it isn't going to adhere very well.

 

[soam]

Did you etch the surface at all? if you are just laying JB Weld onto a surface it isn't going to adhere very well.

I didn't, although the surface seemed pretty rough to begin with (bare metal, pretty scratched up). Another problem I realized was that I didn't clean the surface the first time, so there was probably some combination of powder residue and cleaner/lube on the surface. That probably contributed to the lack of adhesion. And like I said before, I only waited 6 hours before testing, so it wasn't even cured properly. This time I scrubbed it with soap and water (don't have any acetone in the house) and dried it off thoroughly with cleaning patches before applying the JB Weld. I'm also not going to get a chance to try it again until at least Monday of next week, so it will be thoroughly cured.

 

[Dirtypacman]

Jeez not shooting again till Monday? I think I will get some range time in on Saturday locally if the weather cooperates.
Hope it holds this time for you.

 

[appraiser]

you could always have some material added (welded) to that area and file it down

 

[soam]

you could always have some material added (welded) to that area and file it down

Hmm, if the JB Weld doesn't hold up this time, I might just go ahead and do that. I'll need to find someone with access to welding equipment.

Jeez not shooting again till Monday? I think I will get some range time in on Saturday locally if the weather cooperates.
Hope it holds this time for you.

Yeah, I'm down on the cape this weekend for family birthday festivities (mine was yesterday, dad's is tomorrow) so no range time for me.

 

[Dirtypacman]

Yeah, I'm down on the cape this weekend for family birthday festivities (mine was yesterday, dad's is tomorrow) so no range time for me.

Cool man, have fun down the cape and enjoy the time with the family.

 

[ARV]

you could always have some material added (welded) to that area and file it down

Doesn't welding aluminum weaken it?

 

[RugerSlinger]

you could always have some material added (welded) to that area and file it down

Doesn't welding aluminum weaken it?

not if done properly.

 

[nheric]

check out dura fix i repaired a broken air pump bracket for an rx7 with the stuff in the past it is an aluminum type welding rod that works at a low temp and it holds up great