[adam01364]

I was able to get a Jennings 22 for 100 bucks at my LGS.

I like the chrome with wood grip J-22s. Does it have a sliding safety?

 

[adam01364]

@harleyboy65 its a pretty basic pistola. When you say it's a single shot, what happens? Failure to feed? Extract?

 

[adam01364]

Failure to extract is pretty common in these.

First off, try using CCI Mini mags, because for whatever reason, comparable hi-velocity rimfire ammo just doesn't seem to work reliably. (I know, it figgers that a cheap gun would have champagne taste in ammo).

If Mini Mags don't do the trick, take a look at the extractor. Pull it out of the slide, and clean the channel and the spring. The "claw" really needs to have a hook to grab the spent casing and some of extractors were stamped with less than aggressive results. Make certain the spring is clean too. After reassembling the extractor into the slide, reassembly the pistol and look and make sure that the extractor claw isn't riding up onto the barrel collar and moving outward failing to engage the case rim.

The extractor groove in Jennings barrels evolved over time, and not for the better. Barrel #1 is from an early J-22, and #4 is from a later production pistol. Surprise, #1 worked very well, and #4 was from a jam-o-matic.

If necessary, use a small file to carefully and sparingly clean out the right side of the barrel further forward so the extractor can grab the case rim when the slide is closed. The extractor shouldn't move outward excessively when a round is chambered. Use care when doing this, otherwise you'll ruin the barrel. (Been there, done that)

 

[adam01364]

Another thing to look at is to see if the barrel has been peened from dry firing. This can cause the spent cases to hang up upon extraction. There's no fix for this, you need to replace the barrel. While the slide is off the pistol, check to see that unfired rounds slide in and fall out easily.

 

[adam01364]

Your Jennings manual must be a different version than mine. The one I have doesn't appear to make any ammo recommendations whatsoever.

Jimenez Arms did provide a list of recommended ammo for their JA-22, which did include Stingers. Here's what they suggested for the JA-22:

RECOMMENDED TYPES OF AMMO

22LR: 40 gr FMJ (Full metal jacket) / HP (Hollow point)
-CCI Stinger
-CCI Mini mags
-Federal Target Load
-Federal Game Shock
-Winchester Super X
-Ball or Round nose / Brass Casing

FWIW, I never had luck with CCI Stingers, the casings pulled out from the barrel just fine but they always got stuck in the ejection port. I figgered it was due to the casing being a tad longer.

 

[adam01364]

Mine did the same thing, try different Ammo. My first one I had years ago like 40 was a great shooter.

From what I've read and experienced, the earlier J-22s were built better and worked better. When I see one for sale now, I always check the safety: Push up safety? Pass. Sliding safety? I'll give it a look over and if it looks good (and the price is right) I'll take it.

This isn't to say the push up safety models can't be decent l'il shooters, they can be for sure. I just don't have patience to eff around with 'em anymore. I used to have one of every Bryco/Jennings firearms they made; I've whittled it down to where now it's just J-22s and M-38s, oh, yeah plus a mangy ol' stray Model 59.