M&P 15-22 bent buffer tube

[imadethis]

Just picked up a brand new M&P 15-22 performance center and took it out to the range on Sunday. We were having tons of fun, and then one of my buddies was up shooting, and another buddy notices the rear buffer tube looked bent. We kept shooting and finished off the day with smiles all around.

Now I'm wondering what to do. Well, I figure either this is the way it's supposed to be, or a manufacturer defect. Anybody else run into this?

[G21Shooter]

I would contact S&W customer service as soon as possible.

My .02 cents is that is NOT normal, and you should demand a new gun!

[rimfired]

Just picked up a brand new M&P 15-22 performance center and took it out to the range on Sunday. We were having tons of fun, and then one of my buddies was up shooting, and another buddy notices the rear buffer tube looked bent. We kept shooting and finished off the day with smiles all around.

Now I'm wondering what to do. Well, I figure either this is the way it's supposed to be, or a manufacturer defect. Anybody else run into this?

It's not normal, but if it doesn't affect function and if it doesn't bug you than no need to send it in. There is no buffer tube as it's not needed for a .22, so I would imagine that there would be no affect on performance. That being said, you did pay extra for a PC version so that's not cool at all. S&W customer service is great, but the only bump in the road I see is that the defect is on the lower and that's where the serial # is so you'd have to DROS all over again if they replace it. Try to get some free 10rd mags out of it either way though . Here's a pic of mine, as you can see it's straight as it should be.

[SonofWWIIDI]

It's not normal, but if it doesn't affect function and if it doesn't bug you than no need to send it in. There is no buffer tube as it's not needed for a .22, so I would imagine that there would be no affect on performance. That being said, you did pay extra for a PC version so that's not cool at all. S&W customer service is great, but the only bump in the road I see is that the defect is on the lower and that's where the serial # is so you'd have to DROS all over again if they replace it. Try to get some free 10rd mags out of it either way though . Here's a pic of mine, as you can see it's straight as it should be.

This was my first thought when I saw your pic. Tube doesn't look bent, looks angled. Could be a defective lower. You should definitely contact customer service and at the very least send them that pic to look at, and get a paper trail started in case something goes awry in the future.

They may say to send it back. And yes, that would be somewhat of a pain in the a** because to replace it means new paperwork. But if that happens, you should request that they cover any additional costs that may be involved at your local FFL.

[Biigg50]

The Smith & Wesson 15-22 does not actually have a buffer tube. It's only purpose is to hold the stock. And it's actually made of plastic. All molded with the lower receiver. You could probably heat it up with the hairdryer or heat gun and straighten it out.

[imadethis]

It's not normal, but if it doesn't affect function and if it doesn't bug you than no need to send it in. There is no buffer tube as it's not needed for a .22, so I would imagine that there would be no affect on performance. That being said, you did pay extra for a PC version so that's not cool at all. S&W customer service is great, but the only bump in the road I see is that the defect is on the lower and that's where the serial # is so you'd have to DROS all over again if they replace it. Try to get some free 10rd mags out of it either way though . Here's a pic of mine, as you can see it's straight as it should be.

Thank you for the picture--yours looks lined up proper. I'll send S&W an email with a pic.

[imadethis]

Update



tl;dr Received the rifle back from S&W. No changes were made, so the tube is still bent. I will call them tomorrow.

[The Mad Mule]

It looks depressed.

[devster55]

That sucks

[donw]

tl;dr Received the rifle back from S&W. No changes were made, so the tube is still bent. I will call them tomorrow.

get names/employee id, etc...

i've dealt with S&W cust service and had excellent results it seems like they dropped the ball on this one.

i, personally, would NOT do anything to correct the tube myself; or, at least until AFTER the issue has been resolved.

there may be an issue that you fired it BEFORE contacting S&W cust to resolve the matter.

i suspect that S&W will make it good.

[Intimid8tor]

The angle of the dangle.....

Oh, wait, thats the wrong thing.

Give it a viagra?

Bummer that you are having issues. I have one and the faux buffer tube is straight as can be.

Good luck.

[imadethis]

To update, my rifle has been with S&W for over 3 months, and I'm still waiting on a replacement. They're saying it's due to demand that it's been difficult to get supply, but I figure it's due to incompetence that's making the process so long.

[Zartan]

Shouldering it too hard

[SocomM4]

It's the bent at the receiver not the tube, looks like there is a gap .

[Dwight K. Schrute]

To update, my rifle has been with S&W for over 3 months, and I'm still waiting on a replacement. They're saying it's due to demand that it's been difficult to get supply, but I figure it's due to incompetence that's making the process so long.

Ouch. That's a long time. Hope they throw in some mags or some.