.22 AR conversion: Why is Ciener the only game in town?

[Average Guy]

I've been looking for a .22 conversion for my AR and it looks like Ciener is the only game in town (besides DPMS and the ADCO V-22), but there are a bunch of forum threads talking about how Ciener is not exactly a conscientious businessman (to be kind) and is backordered into the thousands of units and won't answer phone calls. So what this means in real-world terms is that there are no new .22lr AR conversions to be had.

I'm glad I found this out now, because I was going to order a unit directly from Ciener via mail. Not now. I'd consider ordering from Brownells and waiting...forever...but I don't care to reward Ciener. A dedicated .22lr AR is a possibility, but expensive and impractical.

Can anyone explain why no other manufacturers have stepped up to fill the void? Is it a patent issue? Seems like somebody's missing out on a lot of sales.

 

[Soybomb]

Spikes tactical is going to have their own version with improvments over the ciener kit out in 4-6 weeks according to an email I got from their sales department. Mark Larue has half hinted that he may be coming out with one too. Supposedly model 1 sales is also testing one. It sounds like we'll be swamped in 22 options by summer.

 

[Navy joe]

http://www.kuehlprecisionfirearms.com/ Looks like he doesn't offer much now due to low sales, but his are supposed to be the good stuff. Dedicated barrel rather than utilizing the AR barrel. If you find a used one...

 

[kBob]

Why did Colt stop offering their blisted pack .22 conversions with the short ten round magazine? ANyone seen one of late?

In ROTC at Florida State long ago we used units that were borrowed from a Reserve outfit that were appearently CoBray products as they came in a fitted plastic case with the COBray insignia on them. What was that, were did they go?

Will Ceneirs function with the Agiula SSS 60 grain .22LRs?

What sort of accuracy should one expect from any of the devices from a
1-7" twist HBAR?

Not the first time I have asked but maybe ths time.....

-Bob Hollingsworth

 

[Caimlas]

You'd think that .22 conversions would be commonplace, if not for the purpose of plinking, then for the military to use for training. Since most engagements occur under 100 yards, I'd think having a .22lr AR upper (otherwise identical) would be ideal (and much, much cheaper) for the purposes of general weapon familiarization and the initial training of green recruits (many of which having never shot). Heck, .22LR is so cheap that they could give each recruit a whole 550rd pack where they'd normally get 1 magazine. "Here's your day's ammo. Don't come back in until you shoot out the black part of the target (at 25yds)". :-D