Jennings J22

BigHank · April 21, 2018, 06:40 PM

I have a safe full of firearms,but this little 22 drives me nuts. Can’t get it to fire more than 2 or 3 rounds before it jams. I use good ammunition,but it don’t care. I think it hates me because I carry a Ruger. Any Ideas.

JMag1 · April 21, 2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHank

I have a safe full of firearms,but this little 22 drives me nuts. Can’t get it to fire more than 2 or 3 rounds before it jams. I use good ammunition,but it don’t care. I think it hates me because I carry a Ruger. Any Ideas.

It can’t help it; it’s a Jennings.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

JERRYS. · April 21, 2018, 06:45 PM

youtube has a few videos of tweaking rough areas of the J22 to make it run smoothly.

lee n. field · April 21, 2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigHank

I have a safe full of firearms,but this little 22 drives me nuts. Can’t get it to fire more than 2 or 3 rounds before it jams. I use good ammunition,but it don’t care. I think it hates me because I carry a Ruger. Any Ideas.

Uhhh, paperweight?

I had one, back in the '90s. One of the worst guns I have owned.

moosemike · April 21, 2018, 07:37 PM

I had one for about 15years. After putting a couple hundred rounds through it was very reliable.

TruthTellers · April 21, 2018, 07:44 PM

Of all the Jennings, the .22 is the only one worth keeping because 1. you won't get anything for it and 2. it will last longer than centerfire models.

Check out youtube, check your recoil spring, and give it a good lube job.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 21, 2018, 08:10 PM

You can get three rounds before it jams? You're doing well.

Bill DeShivs · April 21, 2018, 08:10 PM

The "J" stands for "Junk."
Most semiauto feeding problems are caused by defective magazines.

blchandl2 · April 21, 2018, 09:45 PM

Had one. The only ammo that was remotely reliable was CCI Stingers.

k4swb · April 22, 2018, 09:47 AM

Yep, clean gun and shoot Stingers.

kenny53 · April 22, 2018, 09:59 AM

I watched a you tube video on the that very gun yesterday. The guy got all new springs from Jennings, replaced them all, cleaned the gun and used hot ammo. He got a couple of mags of ammo to fire and then it jammed. I really don't think there is hope for a Jennings. Sorry brother.

Welcome to the forum.

T. O'Heir · April 22, 2018, 11:41 AM

Bryco Arms, Jennings' parent company, declared bankruptcy in 2003. No place to buy springs from.
In any case, anything from Jennings is well known for being junk. Literally made out of a zinc alloy. Zinc alloys are otherwise known as "pot metal". You really would not want a pot made out of a zinc alloy either.
Put it way in the back of your safe where the Ruger can't see it. Or find a deep river.

bn12gg · April 22, 2018, 12:19 PM

I happen to own a pretty little chrome model J22. -- really attractive little Saturday night special. But, it's a jamomatic as well. Some success with CCI mini mags and Stingers.

.02. David.

thickstrings · April 22, 2018, 07:36 PM

Maybe 10 yrs. ago I walked into the local Pawn and the owner says, " Have I got a deal for you" 3 pistols for 75$...A Tanfoglio Giuseppe .25, a Davis p35 in .32, and a Jennings....in.22lr. Seems the local police had confiscated these and were selling them. Well, The Davis worked ok after a clean and oil, it ejects empties back in your face.The Giuseppe had to be cleaned and oiled, lips bent on mag, remove tape on grip and replace, Then would fire a clip. But the Jennings was a mystery. Upon further investigation, I found that The Jiminez company offered warranty work...I called and sent it in and they fixed it, gave me a new barrel and another clip.....free I don't know if they still do. It works ok, with high power .22's. But I still have all 3, Can't say I've fired them since I got them to work. I think its time to take them back to the pawn shop.. http://jimenezarmsinc.com/

blchandl2 · April 22, 2018, 07:50 PM

There are some people who like them. I sold mine to a guy who said he buys every one he can find. I insisted on doing a transfer through a FFL. He gave me a creepy vibe so I wanted a background check on him.

Ibmikey · April 22, 2018, 08:14 PM

Jennings, RG, Bryco and a few other cheapies were the only firearms I didn’t mind cutting up when firearms destruction orders came out. You cannot imagine the smoke colors and burning metal odors that came from those poor quality “firearms”.

thickstrings · April 22, 2018, 08:34 PM

I'd have to agree with the general consensus...They are crap... But, I have 3 pieces of crap......

hdwhit · April 22, 2018, 09:00 PM

Quote:

T. O'Heir wrote:
Literally made out of a zinc alloy.

Correct. And your point? Lots of guns have been made out of zinc alloys over the years. When the material is used consistent with is properties and limitations, there's nothing any more wrong with zinc alloy parts on a firearm than parts made out of wood, plastic or aluminum.

hdwhit · April 22, 2018, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Ibmikey wrote:
Jennings, RG, Bryco and a few other cheapies were the only firearms I didn’t mind cutting up

I have an RG-25 that was old and well-used when I bought it more than 40 years ago. It is the only pistol I own that I have ever had to actually use in self-defense and it did not let me down.

**Spats McGee** · April 23, 2018, 06:14 AM

Nonetheless, welcome to TFL, BigHank!

Fishbed77 · April 23, 2018, 08:57 AM

A reliable Jennings would be missing the point.

It would be like asking a paper bag to be good travel luggage, a Corvette to be a good towing vehicle, or a supermodel to be a good cook.

You can't have it all.

Carmady · April 23, 2018, 05:55 PM

What the Jennings lacks in reliability and stopping power, it more than makes up for with its logo. Especially on a chrome plated specimen.

bn12gg · April 23, 2018, 07:31 PM

Carmady -- Pretty J22 specimen. Mine sports walnut -- I like your faux grips !!

.02. David.

Carmady · April 23, 2018, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Carmady -- Pretty J22 specimen. Mine sports walnut -- I like your faux grips !!

That's not my gun, an online pic I borrowed.

It's kind of funny, in the logo is the gun in his right hand a backup for the sword in his left?

Ibmikey · April 23, 2018, 11:45 PM

Hdwhit, I did not suggest the cheapies will never fire, RG’s have probably taken more than a few lives as they were prevalent with gang members and crimes we investigated. I had a case where the bad guy upon being confronted and unable to flee pulled a Raven from a pocket, put it over his heart and fired. I got the pistol away from him and he fell to the floor....inspection of the “corpse” revealed a half pint of booze in his pocket which broke releasing the whiskey and capturing the .25 slug in the bottom. Soggy but unharmed idiot went to the pokey.

I am very happy your RG saved your bacon but I prefer to have a weapon with a better track record.

April 21, 2018, 06:40 PM	#1
BigHank Junior Member Join Date: April 20, 2018 Location: NC Posts: 3	Jennings J22 I have a safe full of firearms,but this little 22 drives me nuts. Can’t get it to fire more than 2 or 3 rounds before it jams. I use good ammunition,but it don’t care. I think it hates me because I carry a Ruger. Any Ideas.

April 21, 2018, 07:37 PM	#5
moosemike Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2009 Location: Lebanon PA Posts: 535	I had one for about 15years. After putting a couple hundred rounds through it was very reliable. __________________ et cognoscetis veritatem et veritas liberabit vos

April 21, 2018, 07:44 PM	#6
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	Of all the Jennings, the .22 is the only one worth keeping because 1. you won't get anything for it and 2. it will last longer than centerfire models. Check out youtube, check your recoil spring, and give it a good lube job. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

April 21, 2018, 08:10 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The "J" stands for "Junk." Most semiauto feeding problems are caused by defective magazines. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 22, 2018, 09:47 AM	#10
k4swb Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 389	Yep, clean gun and shoot Stingers. __________________ My posts are things I have tried or experienced. You may or may not wish to emulate them so read them with this in mind. Compromise means that both sides give something, but they never give, they just take. I'm The NRA!

April 21, 2018, 06:45 PM	#3
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	youtube has a few videos of tweaking rough areas of the J22 to make it run smoothly.

April 21, 2018, 08:10 PM	#7
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	You can get three rounds before it jams? You're doing well.

April 21, 2018, 09:45 PM	#9
blchandl2 Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: TN Posts: 526	Had one. The only ammo that was remotely reliable was CCI Stingers.

April 22, 2018, 09:59 AM	#11
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	I watched a you tube video on the that very gun yesterday. The guy got all new springs from Jennings, replaced them all, cleaned the gun and used hot ammo. He got a couple of mags of ammo to fire and then it jammed. I really don't think there is hope for a Jennings. Sorry brother. Welcome to the forum.

April 22, 2018, 11:41 AM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Bryco Arms, Jennings' parent company, declared bankruptcy in 2003. No place to buy springs from. In any case, anything from Jennings is well known for being junk. Literally made out of a zinc alloy. Zinc alloys are otherwise known as "pot metal". You really would not want a pot made out of a zinc alloy either. Put it way in the back of your safe where the Ruger can't see it. Or find a deep river. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

April 22, 2018, 12:19 PM	#13
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	I happen to own a pretty little chrome model J22. -- really attractive little Saturday night special. But, it's a jamomatic as well. Some success with CCI mini mags and Stingers. .02. David.

April 22, 2018, 07:36 PM	#14
thickstrings Member Join Date: July 28, 2006 Posts: 57	Maybe 10 yrs. ago I walked into the local Pawn and the owner says, " Have I got a deal for you" 3 pistols for 75$...A Tanfoglio Giuseppe .25, a Davis p35 in .32, and a Jennings....in.22lr. Seems the local police had confiscated these and were selling them. Well, The Davis worked ok after a clean and oil, it ejects empties back in your face.The Giuseppe had to be cleaned and oiled, lips bent on mag, remove tape on grip and replace, Then would fire a clip. But the Jennings was a mystery. Upon further investigation, I found that The Jiminez company offered warranty work...I called and sent it in and they fixed it, gave me a new barrel and another clip.....free I don't know if they still do. It works ok, with high power .22's. But I still have all 3, Can't say I've fired them since I got them to work. I think its time to take them back to the pawn shop.. http://jimenezarmsinc.com/ __________________ In times of universal deceit, those who speak the truth are revolutionaries. Last edited by thickstrings; April 22, 2018 at 07:42 PM.

April 22, 2018, 07:50 PM	#15
blchandl2 Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: TN Posts: 526	There are some people who like them. I sold mine to a guy who said he buys every one he can find. I insisted on doing a transfer through a FFL. He gave me a creepy vibe so I wanted a background check on him.

April 22, 2018, 08:14 PM	#16
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Jennings, RG, Bryco and a few other cheapies were the only firearms I didn’t mind cutting up when firearms destruction orders came out. You cannot imagine the smoke colors and burning metal odors that came from those poor quality “firearms”.

April 22, 2018, 08:34 PM	#17
thickstrings Member Join Date: July 28, 2006 Posts: 57	I'd have to agree with the general consensus...They are crap... But, I have 3 pieces of crap...... __________________ In times of universal deceit, those who speak the truth are revolutionaries.

April 23, 2018, 06:14 AM	#20
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Nonetheless, welcome to TFL, BigHank! __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

April 23, 2018, 08:57 AM	#21
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	A reliable Jennings would be missing the point. It would be like asking a paper bag to be good travel luggage, a Corvette to be a good towing vehicle, or a supermodel to be a good cook. You can't have it all.

April 23, 2018, 07:31 PM	#23
bn12gg Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Winter Park, Florida Posts: 470	Carmady -- Pretty J22 specimen. Mine sports walnut -- I like your faux grips !! .02. David.

April 23, 2018, 11:45 PM	#25
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Hdwhit, I did not suggest the cheapies will never fire, RG’s have probably taken more than a few lives as they were prevalent with gang members and crimes we investigated. I had a case where the bad guy upon being confronted and unable to flee pulled a Raven from a pocket, put it over his heart and fired. I got the pistol away from him and he fell to the floor....inspection of the “corpse” revealed a half pint of booze in his pocket which broke releasing the whiskey and capturing the .25 slug in the bottom. Soggy but unharmed idiot went to the pokey. I am very happy your RG saved your bacon but I prefer to have a weapon with a better track record.