ruger lcp II 22 slide locks back when mag isn't empty

3642 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by PappyD, 2 mo ago

kurth83

Discussion Starter · Aug 8, 2021

My LCP II 22 has been troublesome from the beginning, but I am not giving up on it, because I really like the idea of the gun, especially as a cheap trainer for my LCP Max.

It has been plagued by FTF (or so I thought)..

I sent it back to Ruger, and they replaced the barrel and sent it back.

The gun has about 500 rds through it so far.

I only use CCI minimag 40gr, the best I can get. Of my 22's, all of which have minor issues (leading me to have low expectations for 22's in general), this one stands out as worse than the rest. It sometimes can go 30 rounds without a problem (which apparently it did at Ruger before they sent it back), but more commonly fails at least once per mag.

The problem remained after I got it back, this time I attempted to diagnose what actually went wrong (I should have done it the first time, I just called it failure to feed). Turns out what is actually going on is the slide is locking like it would on an empty mag, except the mag isn't empty. I have three mags, it doesn't seem to be mag related. And that is the only common failure mode. So this could be a great 22 if I can get this problem fixed.

I checked my grip, my thumbs are nowhere near the slide lock button. I have seen others with large hands (mine are small), that believe they accidentally hit the slide lock in youtube demos. Based on my experience I think this may not be the case. Rather some of these guns spontaneously slide lock when they shouldn't.

So any ideas on what could cause this? If it's something I can fix I will, otherwise it goes back again.

Thinking about it a little bit, I wasn't aware the slide lock lever can engage during a normal firing cycle. So I looked and I see a little lever that the mag follower has to hit to push the slide lock up, so it depends on the mag follower spring being stronger than the slide lock spring that pushes down. And the spring that pushes down apparently isn't strong enough to hold it down during a slide cycle. This is all theory though. Do you think I could just remove the spring and stretch it a bit maybe?

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856AF

· #2 · Jan 9, 2022

kurth83,

I have experienced that same troubles with my LCPII .22. I have worked out all kinks except the most recent problem of the slide locking back during firing. I've got no solution as of yet, I am still working on it. I do think the spring that holds the release may be the culprit. Have you tried your fix yet?

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kurth83

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 9, 2022

I never tried the fix, when I gripped the pistol more firmly the problem went away. I have been using the gun for rapid fire practice and it never locks open there. Some pistols are more vulnerable to a limp grip, seems to be the issue here. I do believe a stronger spring there would help though. Vulnerability to limp wrist is ok for a range gun, but not for a carry gun because you need to be able to shoot in unusual ways like one-handed and so on. My LCP Max never jams. So it's my goto gun.

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Denny4kids

· #4 · Jan 10, 2022

You might simply call Ruger and tell them you think your slide lock spring is weak and they might just send you a new one. Then you can try to open the old one a bit to try your theory. You didn't lie to Ruger and you will have a replacement spring in hand if your theory fails. Den

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LMB

· #5 · Jan 13, 2022

I have owned and currently own many small pocket pistols. IMHO 99% of problems is bad grip. YOU may think your thumbs are out of the way, but with some firearms the slightest touch to the slide is enough to screw up the momentum and cause a failure. You do not even know you are doing it. I had people watch me and video my shooting and sure enough, that was a problem. Re train, problem solved. I have an LCPII .22 and it works fine. I have tested several brands of ammo without issue. I use a Hogue grip on mine and it helps holding the firearm properly immensely! I also use the Hogue grip on my Glock 42's and the improvement is noticeable. I have had S&W Bodyguards, Glocks, Ruger LCP's, Kel Tec, SIG 230,Beretta 84, Colt pocket pistol etc etc etc. My EDC now is (2) Glock 42's with Premium Hornady ammo. Both pistols have Hogue grips, extended slide drop/release and night sights. One pistol also has a Streamlight TLR6 Light/laser for evening use, which works perfectly & does not compromise being able to carry easily & discreetly. I carry these in a Bianchi flat slide on my strong side. My LCPII goes with me when I appendix carry because it has a safety. Firearms without a safety IMHO are not nearly as useful as ones that have one. Why? Because if you do not like the safety, don't use it! Simple. But when you need one, its there. If you do not think they are useful, its because you have never been i a situation where some one had a ND and almost died from it. There is no sound reason to not have one on your firearm if it is offered. It gives you options & options are always good. Enjoy, and shoot safely.

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sensorman

· #6 · 11 mo ago

kurth83 said:
My LCP II 22 has been troublesome from the beginning, but I am not giving up on it, because I really like the idea of the gun, especially as a cheap trainer for my LCP Max.

It has been plagued by FTF (or so I thought)..

I sent it back to Ruger, and they replaced the barrel and sent it back.

The gun has about 500 rds through it so far.

I only use CCI minimag 40gr, the best I can get. Of my 22's, all of which have minor issues (leading me to have low expectations for 22's in general), this one stands out as worse than the rest. It sometimes can go 30 rounds without a problem (which apparently it did at Ruger before they sent it back), but more commonly fails at least once per mag.

The problem remained after I got it back, this time I attempted to diagnose what actually went wrong (I should have done it the first time, I just called it failure to feed). Turns out what is actually going on is the slide is locking like it would on an empty mag, except the mag isn't empty. I have three mags, it doesn't seem to be mag related. And that is the only common failure mode. So this could be a great 22 if I can get this problem fixed.

I checked my grip, my thumbs are nowhere near the slide lock button. I have seen others with large hands (mine are small), that believe they accidentally hit the slide lock in youtube demos. Based on my experience I think this may not be the case. Rather some of these guns spontaneously slide lock when they shouldn't.

So any ideas on what could cause this? If it's something I can fix I will, otherwise it goes back again.

Thinking about it a little bit, I wasn't aware the slide lock lever can engage during a normal firing cycle. So I looked and I see a little lever that the mag follower has to hit to push the slide lock up, so it depends on the mag follower spring being stronger than the slide lock spring that pushes down. And the spring that pushes down apparently isn't strong enough to hold it down during a slide cycle. This is all theory though. Do you think I could just remove the spring and stretch it a bit maybe?

Holding your right thumb higher on grip ( I think they call this a thumb forward grip) basically up against the slide release will solve the problem of slide locking back. It will also defeat the mag MT lock back. There are aftermarket triggers that you can install that require the lock back to be removed, this will also solve the problem. If the gun doesn't fly out of your hands or does not end up pointing nowhere you aimed its not "limp wrist"

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PappyD

· #7 · 2 mo ago

kurth83 said:
My LCP II 22 has been troublesome from the beginning, but I am not giving up on it, because I really like the idea of the gun, especially as a cheap trainer for my LCP Max.

It has been plagued by FTF (or so I thought)..

I sent it back to Ruger, and they replaced the barrel and sent it back.

The gun has about 500 rds through it so far.

I only use CCI minimag 40gr, the best I can get. Of my 22's, all of which have minor issues (leading me to have low expectations for 22's in general), this one stands out as worse than the rest. It sometimes can go 30 rounds without a problem (which apparently it did at Ruger before they sent it back), but more commonly fails at least once per mag.

The problem remained after I got it back, this time I attempted to diagnose what actually went wrong (I should have done it the first time, I just called it failure to feed). Turns out what is actually going on is the slide is locking like it would on an empty mag, except the mag isn't empty. I have three mags, it doesn't seem to be mag related. And that is the only common failure mode. So this could be a great 22 if I can get this problem fixed.

I checked my grip, my thumbs are nowhere near the slide lock button. I have seen others with large hands (mine are small), that believe they accidentally hit the slide lock in youtube demos. Based on my experience I think this may not be the case. Rather some of these guns spontaneously slide lock when they shouldn't.

So any ideas on what could cause this? If it's something I can fix I will, otherwise it goes back again.

Thinking about it a little bit, I wasn't aware the slide lock lever can engage during a normal firing cycle. So I looked and I see a little lever that the mag follower has to hit to push the slide lock up, so it depends on the mag follower spring being stronger than the slide lock spring that pushes down. And the spring that pushes down apparently isn't strong enough to hold it down during a slide cycle. This is all theory though. Do you think I could just remove the spring and stretch it a bit maybe?

I see this is an older post but what I can add might help others that are searching for answers on the "slide lock when NOT empty" issue.

If you take the top slide off and then insert an empty magazine you can see how the follower engages the slide lock AFTER the last round is fired. On my LCP II 22 I could insert a full (or semi-full) magazine and sometimes the 22 round would hit the slide lock just enough to cause it to engage. I think since the 22 rounds are not perfectly vertical in the magazine there can be the possible engagement of the slide lock when there are still rounds remaining.

My solution (found on another forum) was to take a small pointy Dremel bit and CAREFULLY take off a little bit of the slide lock. I maybe took off 1/32d. It helped me to use a black sharpie to put a tiny black mark as a guide. ALWAYS be careful to not take off too much. I have probably 400 rounds or so through the gun with NO MORE LOCKBACKS. Very pleased with the result!

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