.22 caliber AR

[zonfather]

ECPR has changed my view on .22LR. Cheap ammo and you still get the fun of live firing. Might have to pick up a .22 AR at the next 1500. Thoughts? Anyone have any pics or suggestions for good .22 ARs?

 

[jrainw]

I have a spikes conversion that has worked great, the only dedicated 22lr AR upper I have is a Razorback belt fed, but it is not a cheap 22lr to shoot, the 200 round belts don't last very long

 

[zonfather]

I have a spikes conversion that has worked great, the only dedicated 22lr AR upper I have is a Razorback belt fed, but it is not a cheap 22lr to shoot, the 200 round belts don't last very long

That sounds like it's a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[melensdad]

I don't like the dedicated 22lr AR guns but I do like dedicated 22lr uppers. Using a 22lr upper allows you to train with your gun, the same trigger, same weight, same configuration, but using cheap ammo.

 

[zonfather]

I don't like the dedicated 22lr AR guns but I do like dedicated 22lr uppers. Using a 22lr upper allows you to train with your gun, the same trigger, same weight, same configuration, but using cheap ammo.

That's a very good point. Never thought of it like that.

 

[ISHOOTHST'S]

S&W 15-22! Gets my vote. Having owned one for over a year & no malfunctions makes it a keeper!

 

[Amattern]

S&W 15-22! Gets my vote.

+1 for the M&P 15-22

 

[zonfather]

+1 for the M&P 15-22

Definitely going to look into this.

 

[38special]

I got the 15-22 and never looked back. LOVE it!

Here's my review: https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo..._review_smith_and_wesson_m_and_p_15_22_a.html

 

[efd1295]

+1 for the M&P 15-22

+2 for the S&W. I have a blast with mine. In fact every time I got to the range, my buddy always used to ask to shoot it. Now he has his own. Best $400 I spent in a long time. Very reliable. I can put just about any .22lr ammo through it without any problems.

 

[Quad]

I got a really good deal on a Mossberg Tactical .22 a while back. I figured why not, and I haven't been disappointed. Never had a jam, the mag feeds great, and is pretty accurate.

 

[Brown]

+3 on the S&W 15-22. bought my wife one and she LOVES it. take it to the range every trip and use it also. adjustable stock,quad rail, what is not to like?

 

[dagibson1507]

Love my spikes st22 upper. Getting hard to find though. Hear good things about cmmg uppers and they have a real bho.

 

[sdragsdale]

+4 be sure not to get the California edition though.. you might as well have the suppressor on it

 

[zonfather]

+3 on the S&W 15-22. bought my wife one and she LOVES it. take it to the range every trip and use it also. adjustable stock,quad rail, what is not to like?

I was thinking the same thing. The .22 upper and use your lower is a good argument too.

 

[hischj]

BIG +5 on the S&W M&P 15-22. I absolutely love this gun. One of my favorite purchases in the last year or so.

P.S. I know the front sight is backwards. I flipped it around once I noticed.

 

[venenoindy]

+10 S&W 15-22 I took my brother's kids to the range and they had so much fun that I gave it to them, so got an other because my son (5 yrs old) make me promise him that we could take it to the range every time he comes with me . Not to mention the second hasn't had any malfunctions at all.

 

[melensdad]

OK folks, break down the advantages and disadvantages for the OP and see what you come up with. Please add to the lists below to make this more complete as I'm sure I've missed several points.

For clarity, please highlight shortcomings of each system in RED type and benefits of each system in GREEN type.

Let us presume they are all "fun to shoot"



Dedicated Upper: Mounts on your AR15
Costs can run from $300 to $600 varies by configuration
Easily configured for silencer
Lets you use your actual trigger to get to know your pull and reset
Lets you use your actual gun, swing weight, optics (allows for exact configuration match to your primary gun)
Typically very accurate
Requires dedicated optic or you to switch your optics from your 5.56 upper.



Chamber Conversion Kit: Fits inside your current 223 or 5.56 upper converting it to 22lr
Lets you use your actual trigger to get to know your pull and reset
Lets you use your actual gun, swing weight, balance, etc
Lets you use your existing optic
Lets you spend more $$$ on accessories and full power ammo
Inexpensive: Costs run from $120 used to about $200
Some brands are known to be finicky with ammo feeding
Not quite as accurate as a dedicated 22lr barrel
Optics while the same, may not shoot to point of aim beyond modest ranges




Dedicated 22lr AR: S&W 22lr or similar dedicated rifle
About $425 to $500 depending on configuration.
Uses a different trigger system.
Trigger reset and pull is different than your main weapon
May not have the same swing weight, configuration, balance, etc
Cannot be altered to take other calibers.
Requires dedicated optic or you to switch your optics from your 5.56 upper.

 

[sgreen3]

They are alot of fun. You can shoot for hours on 20bucks. Get ya one and enjoy!

 

[revsaxon]

A major plus to a separate weapon is when you go shooting with others they can use your 22 while you blast away with you <larger caliber>. Plus since your not taking it apart to switch, less chance of lost parts.

A downside to using a caliber conversion kit is 22 is VERY messy ammo, and can foul up a 5.56 gas system like nothing else.

I have the Colt M4 (uramex knock-off) 22 and I love it. I fully admit i got lucky though as mine runs well, ran well out of the box, eats all ammo I throw at it. If I had to do it again, I would have bought the spikes upper back when they still sold them.