Thinking about buying a New S&W MP 15-22

They’re nice. like everything though they’ve zoomed up in price.

I used some when I trained with Jerry and Kay Michulek. So if they’re using them for their training sessions they must be reliable enough to handle the use for lots of classes.

FYI what they did was cool. Start us with the 10-22 then go to a completion setup M&P

Personally I thought about getting one but I’m not thrilled with all the plastic. And the mags take a bit to get good at loading. The mag issue is a 22 not an M&P issue. The plastic though seemed a little cheap.

I’d say if you’re just plinking go with the 15-22 as you’ll like it.
If you were training for 3 Gun then build a real 22 AR.

I've got one with the upgraded magpul furniture. Topped it with a scope, and we have a blast with them! Get some of the 25 round magazines and a McFadden loader and go to town! I find them solid shooters, and very accurate. I've had no problems with any ammo that a cleaning didn't solve, and we've shot some pretty crappy ammo. Mine likes Federal Automatch a lot.

I have one for several years now, it will eat anything that goes bang. As accurate as any factory 22 rifle. you also don't have the issues with mags like the 10-22 does, and they are easy to clean. I put a red dot on mine and shoot steel challenge and rimfire challenge with it. Only thing if you want to swap out the trigger the pins are different than an ar.

I bought one a couple months ago to feed my inner 14-year-old. I stuck on a Magpul buttstock and swapped out the sights for a low-mag scope; otherwise it's as-purchased since I like the A2 grip. Found a couple of spare 10-round mags online without effort, and I also sourced a discreet take-down case for transport.



I suppose I'm approaching a $700 total investment with my higher retail price plus accessories, no buyer's remorse so far.

I haven't shot it a lot yet, just a couple boxes to zero the scope. No malfs so far using a couple different ammo brands (CCI and Remington Golden Bullet). Mags are easy to load once you get used to the technique.

One aspect I prefer on the 15-22 over my 10-22s is the ease of removing and replacing the bolt assembly for cleaning. I'm something of a fanatic about keeping actions free of fouling and getting to the bolt on a 10-22 is one chore that gets old quickly!

Also, JoeBob Outfitters and Grabagun seem to have the best prices on magazine from the ones I've purchased.

The M&P15-22 is probably top of the heap when it comes to fun and function (fairly accurate and very reliable!), as far as .22LR ARs go.

Get the "Performance Center" version, with the 18" barrel.

One funny thing that comes to mind when I use my rifle is that the red dot sight costs more than the rifle itself :lol:

I know they had some headspacing issues around two years ago (?), which they did address...

You do need to clean it every 200 to 500 rounds or so, the soot can slow cycling noticeably - if you notice these kinds of things.

https://gunstuff.tv/product/smith-w...tor-stock-black-hogue-rubber-grip-right-hand/

Here.

I bought one recently. Apparently it was assembled right at quitting time on Friday afternoon or the very first one done Monday morning by an employee that had a very long and boozy weekend. Reliable it ain't. It does pretty good with CCI mini-mags. Otherwise it's pretty frustrating.

Ive been eyeing up and fighting off the urge for one of the "pistol" versions of late. I have one of the rifle versions, and while that was a bit of a cluster, once it was straightened out, its been a lot of fun.

The prices have definitely shot up, and around here, they are going for $500-$550 or so. $399 is a great price.


If you buy used, you need to know what you're looking at. They had a recall on them for a spell, and the first gun I bought, which was used, was one of those guns, and it was a royal PITA. Apparently, they had some QC issues and the bolts weren't right. Mine would rarely cycle more than a round or two, and when it decided it would, it would often fire in bursts.

S&W finally made it right after three trips back to them, and replaced it with a new gun the last time back. The new gun has been fine, and a lot of fun to shoot I put a small $100 red dot on it, and its been a favorite of pretty much everyone when we bring it along.

I had one. Never had an issue with it. The AR novelty wore off though. I like more traditional rifles. I zeroed in a AR 15 this week for someone. Had some fun with it after getting the scope zeroed. But i'll stick with my .223 bolt action rifle.

I've put thousands of rounds through mine. It is a very fun and cheap shooter. The only issues are extraction problems when it gets dirty. Keep it clean and you really enjoy it.

you also don't have the issues with mags like the 10-22 does,

Click to expand...

Never heard of anyone having mag issues with a 10-22.

I had a Smith 15-22 for a while. It worked as advertised. Mine never jammed and it looked cool. If I wanted a 22 that looked like an AR the Smith would be the one I'd recommend. But at the end of the day my 10/22's did everything better. More accurate, just as reliable, with readily available 5 round up to 25 round magazines.

The Ruger costs less and has tons of aftermarket options. For me it was the better option I have several real AR's and having a 22 that looked like one just wasn't that important to me.

wmgeorge said:

My real AR's are long gone and saw a review on one of those MP15-22's. I really don't need but it looks like fun, but how reliable they are they? I'd buy a nice used one, late model IF I could find one. I see Sportsman's Warehouse has the plain sight model on Sale for $399.95

Click to expand...

What does not needing one have to do with anything?

I have a couple SW 1522s and really enjoy shooting them. No reloading, no brass to police and for shooting soda cans they're perfect.

Doubleeh:
A friend has the same experience with his 15-22.

He can only use CCI Minimags for reliable function.
Otherwise the cases won’t extract correctly.

Note: The same problem was common with my M&P .22 handgun (standard size)) and newish Ruger IV.
The solution was based on a bit of reading.
Recoil springs were shortened by 1/2” in one gun, 1/3” in the other.

Functions are now practically 100 percent, and the main problem ammo was any Federal 'bulk' .22.

Maybe some 15-22s can use the weaker brands of ammo if a recoil spring is gradually shortened a specific amount?

Ignition Override said:

Doubleeh:
A friend has the same experience with his 15-22.

He can only use CCI Minimags for reliable function.
Otherwise the cases won’t extract correctly.

Note: The same problem was common with my M&P .22 handgun (standard size)) and newish Ruger IV.
The solution was based on a bit of reading.
Recoil springs were shortened by 1/2” in one gun, 1/3” in the other.

Functions are now practically 100 percent.

Maybe some 15-22s can use the weaker brands of ammo if a recoil spring is gradually shortened a specific amount?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Min had exraction issues right off the bat but it was an easy fix. I simply installed the extractor, pin, and spring that was missing. Now it extracts great----when it will fire. Like I stated mini-mags work pretty well. Switching to Aquila it goes " click" when the trigger is pulled about as much as it goes "bang". For example out of a 10 round string 6 fired and 4 didn't. There was no firing pin mark at all on the cases. It is as bad or even worse with other ammo of the same general grade. I did another change and am off to the range in just a few minutes to see if it helps or hurts. I bought this thing for a plinker for the grandkids and I so don't plan to shoot more expensive ammo in it.

I’m a fan of mine. Had some teething issues early on and would not fire with a Geissele trigger installed, so I dropped the factory trigger back in it. It acted like the Geissele spring was too weak. Doesn’t really seem right, but it’s been nearly 100% reliable since swapping back to the factory trigger.

wmgeorge said:

I really don't need but it looks like fun, but how reliable they are they?

Click to expand...

Bush Pilot said:

What does not needing one have to do with anything?

Click to expand...

Whut be meaning this word, "need?"

This be 'Muricaaah!

Th' land of want und have!!!

I have one that I shoot the absolute heck out of. My biggest complaint is that loading the mags can be a pain, and you need to make sure the first round is ramping/pointing up at a diagonal or it won't feed and all of the rounds below it are also out of allinement due to the rims.