when shooting my spikes st-22, the most typical failure is when a spent casing gets stuck in the top of the bolt / charging handle area: the bolt trying to close wedges the spent casing at the charging handle area / 12 o'clock between the bolt and where the bolt would normally seat.  racking it wont eject it, only pulling takedown pins out and manually removing the spent casing clears this malfunction short of needle nose plyers. My question is will this charging handle fix my problem or is my issue elsewhere? thanks for any advice

http://www.cmmginc.com/product_p/22ba596.htm

This has been a problem with the Spikes bolt.  The CMMG plastic charging handle was designed to eliminate this problem but out of spec feed lips can contribute to this problem.   I had a couple of gen II BDM mags with the inside feed lip to high.  I lowered the feed lip with a file and solved the problem.

You might also try a TAACOM 3 reliability kit.  If the bolt of the ST-22 fits loosely in the upper the presure plug would be a good idea.  T-3 extractors get very good reviews.

I had the exact same problems and more with my ST-22.  The CMMG charging handle could help, along with some suggestions in the tuning guide.  I'm running now with 100% reliability when I swapped out the Spikes bolt for a CMMG bolt(keep the spikes collar).  The TACCOM bolt with the Spikes collar would also produce great results.

I had the same exact problem with a CMMG conversion kit. After clearing many many jams, I found an easier way to clear it. Instead racking the bolt with charging handle, which would just jam the casing even further, stick your finger in the gap and push the bolt back. Now there's nothing holding the casing that's stuck on top, and it'll fall off on its own.

Well mister2cool, before you came on board 2 members did exactly what you are telling
us to do.  One lost most of a finger nail and some flesh and the other had damage to the
side of his finger.  This happens sometimes when the rim gets crimped and the primer ignites.

Never stick your finger in the receiver to clear a malfunction. Shot gun or pull the pins and
if you can't get the bolt free with the CH then use a wooden tool to pry back the bolt.

Ted

Spikes .22 BCG either worked well or didn't work at all.
There was pages of fixes. It's a waste of time in my opinion.

If you don't want to buy a new BCG, at least try a different collar.

Dave N