K-22 questions

[jmarriott]

Have a guy I work with who has a k-22 that does not group. It does pattern like a shotgun. I shot it from a nice rest just like the one I use for the ruger and browning pistols. He has been frustrated by it for some time. I believe it is a 17-5 meet little gun in better that average condition. I think he got it when a family member pased on.

Without going I to a big long post I did a couple of things with it to try to figure out why it did/would not group. I mRked the chambers and shot rounds out of each one as a group and it did seem to shoot well on even numbered chambers. In fact the second one grouped rather well. It did seem to lock up tight. I slugged it and right where the forcing cone is it seems to be tighter. I did the q tip test of the crown and it seems fine.

So would it be:

A: a timing issue as it seems fire on marked cylinder 2 well. MYbe it is not lining up with the barrel.

B: a tight spot in the forcing cone which I could mAybe lap out.

C: a combination of the two conditions above

D: something else I am overlooking

Second question he really liked my ruger government model ( I would not ever sell that ) but I can get my hands on a ruger standard auto and I think he would trade me straight up. I know that standard would group well. The smith is worth more but if it does not group or would cost me a lot to get to group it would not be a good deal for me. I am not cold enough to sell off something that I know has problems without stating them. So straight up trade a standard or mark II auto for the smith and take a chance. I will ask him if he would sell it outright and what his price would be. I told him at the end of the shooting time I had no real ideas why it would not group. So I left that I had a couple of ideas why it did not as hidden poker cards.

I only have experience with a ruger single six in revolver 22's and it shot ok just did not
Like the single action only and the kind of clunky look of it. I liked the little smith.

Help answers reccomendations ect

[Jack]

The first thing I do when confronted with an 'it won't shoot' firearm is to clean the bejabbers out of it. A good strip down and clean will usually reveal any mechanical problems, and you'll get some feel for bore condition, too - you will feel any bad spots in the bore during cleaning.
That advice is more for center fires, but, it's worthwhile in rimfires, too.
Did you try different brands of ammo?
One other odd ball thing to look for - are the grips loose? If the grips aren't fitted tight (or have dried out), the pistol will group all over as the pistol itself moves within the grips from each shot's recoil - even a 22.
Loose sights can exhibit the same thing.
Seems like you did the obvious checks. . . pretty puzzling.

[twomoons]

I vote with Jack I'll bet the barrel is leaded up. I would really clean the barrel and cylinder and then try it again. If that doesn't work run a slug through the bore and look for tight spots.