.22 AR type rifle

[Fishbed77]

+1 for a dedicated upper

THIS. ^^^

My CMMG Sierra .22LR dedicated upper (on a PSA lower) has been fantastic. It's reliable, fun, and as accurate than any stock semi-auto .22LR I've ever fired. It handles and feels like an AR-15, because it is an AR-15, as opposed to being a plastic or potmetal copy.

 

[CraigC]

The S&W M&P 15-22 is the clear winner in terms of AR pattern .22lr rifles.

Hardly. The S&W is all plastic and feels like a toy. The controls are in the right place but it's too light for a proper trainer. IMHO, there are no "clear winners", only different choices that appeal to different shooters for different reasons. I would prefer a CMMG or Spike's dedicated upper on a real AR lower.

 

[happygeek]

Hardly. The S&W is all plastic and feels like a toy. The controls are in the right place but it's too light for a proper trainer. IMHO, there are no "clear winners", only different choices that appeal to different shooters for different reasons. I would prefer a CMMG or Spike's dedicated upper on a real AR lower.

+1

 

[Warp]

Hardly. The S&W is all plastic and feels like a toy. The controls are in the right place but it's too light for a proper trainer. IMHO, there are no "clear winners", only different choices that appeal to different shooters for different reasons. I would prefer a CMMG or Spike's dedicated upper on a real AR lower.

Too light to be a proper trainer?

Are you basing that on "feels like a toy", or is there some reason for a minimum weight that a rifle must hit before it is eligible to be 'a proper trainer'?

The way I see it a lighter rifle allows longer use without excess fatigue, and allows more shooters to use the rifle without it being too heavy for them, especially after using it for awhile. When women and youth use my rifles, light is good.

 

[bullseyebob47]

i say get the s&w 15-22. very reliable with cheap bulk ammo. imo its a great gun for fun, shtf, or someone like granny for hd. yes, its that reliable.

my sig 522 is also super reliable but with a better trigger, its ugly and heavier.

i love my ruger 10/22 but its not as reliable as those two. malfunctions are usually easy to clear though. maybe its super reliable with cci ammo?

checkout how deadly a .22lr can be from this guy at 300 yards! i only wish he made a 100 yard shot with a .22lr round nose:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DzLQGv-w5M

 

[CraigC]

Are you basing that on "feels like a toy", or is there some reason for a minimum weight that a rifle must hit before it is eligible to be 'a proper trainer'?

By definition a trainer should be as close to its centerfire counterpart as possible. The 15-22 looks like an AR, has controls like an AR but it doesn't necessarily feel like an AR. IMHO, it is too light for anything but plinking. Yes, you need some weight to be able to shoot a rifle accurately. I know you think it's the best thing since sliced bread but not everybody agrees.

 

[Warp]

By definition a trainer should be as close to its centerfire counterpart as possible. The 15-22 looks like an AR, has controls like an AR but it doesn't necessarily feel like an AR. IMHO, it is too light for anything but plinking. Yes, you need some weight to be able to shoot a rifle accurately. I know you think it's the best thing since sliced bread but not everybody agrees.

What do you mean?

Are you unable to shoot a 15-22 accurately because it is too light?

 

[Coyote3855]

I have a S&W 15-22 and a Ruger 10-22 takedown. I like them both, but prefer my Remington/Browning Patent Speedmaster for plinking, or my restored Remington 572. If I were the OP and could have only one .22 LR, I would opt for a standard 10-22. With the optional 25 round magazine, it may be suitable for "urban ops" whatever that is, and can be extensively modified with after market mods for eye appeal or tacticool factors. If the OP is looking for a trainer for a future AR .223, then the 15-22 seems a logical choice.

 

[cpt-t]

FinnComm: You asked about groups at 50m for our S&W 10-22`s. I would guess they would be between a quarter, 50cent peice. My Son talked me into puting a red dot on mine and I have really got to where I like that sight. And with it I can bounce golf ball`s with out much problems out pasted 50 Yds. I know it is lite and (( Feels like a Toy )), but I am getting old now turned 70 a while back and lite in good for me now. I can carry my S&W 10-22 with out any thought of weight and the OAL of the little rifle is great. I wish You were where I could let You shoot one of our S&W 10-22`s and I think You would be suprised and impressed. It kind of reminds me of when they took our M14`s away and gave us the M16`s. Got where we liked that little rifle and we could hump two to three times the amount of ammo. And that let me tell You (( WAS A GOOD THING )). I hope You get to shoot a S&W 10-22, I think You will be impressed.
ken

 

[strambo]

I just completed a .22 AR build for the kids (and me). I had the assembled lower and it was allowing aluminum mags to wobble causing malfunctions. I had a stripped upper w/o M4 feed ramps. I realized making those parts into a .22 would make both those issue moot. I went with CMMG for the barrel and bolt. Haven't shot it yet, it is going under the tree.

 

[CraigC]

Are you unable to shoot a 15-22 accurately because it is too light?

I wouldn't buy a 15-22 because it's too light, feels cheap and a real AR wouldn't cost any more. If you don't understand that a rifle can be too light to shoot accurately, then feel free to ignore me.

 

[Warp]

I wouldn't buy a 15-22 because it's too light, feels cheap and a real AR wouldn't cost any more. If you don't understand that a rifle can be too light to shoot accurately, then feel free to ignore me.

There's nothing wrong with spreading a little knowledge and experience. No, I don't understand how or why a 15-22 is too light to shoot accurately. Help me out here, please.

 

[FinnComm]

Thanks for the reply Ken

FinnComm: You asked about groups at 50m for our S&W 10-22`s.

Yup, I asked what groups you were getting from your 15-22/CZ452, as you said they were both shooting the same:

The S&W 15-22 has a match barrel I am told and I think that is right. Ours will shoot right with our CZ 452 Trainers and that is saying something

I had to Google quarter and 50 cent pieces , but it looks like somewhere between 25mm and 30mm. That's ok for a semi-auto .22, but I think you could get quite a bit better out of your CZ452, if you ever wanted to. Generally SK Standard Plus (available in the states as Wolf? I think), works well in every CZ452/453 I've seen, mostly punching a small ragged hole.

Have fun shooting, I hope I'm still pulling the trigger at 70

 

[B!ngo]

+1 for a dedicated upper, start with a plastic real AR lower to keep the cost down, buy a real 5.56 upper when you can.

It's a LOT cheaper to buy a 10/22

So I took this route, for both flexibility and quality.
I had the opportunity to purchase a New Frontier poly lower at a very appealing price (even though I have a few untouched stripped lowers) and then purchased a CMMG Revo upper chambered in .22LR (and left handed) to build me a dedicated .22AR. Snapped the two together and it was like they were made for each other (which in a way they are). Put on a Vortex SPARC red dot and I was good to go.
This enabled me to maintain the flexibility of subsequently mixing in a different (300 or 6.5) upper or just keep it this way.
Seems like a dedicated .22LR AR is really the best. Versus the M&P it's a 'real' AR which allows full parts and upper/lower swapping and it has the feel and weight of the 'real thing' which allows it to be the perfect low-cost training rifle. Finally it feels like a quality piece. Some would say that the poly lower ruins the experience. I would strongly disagree but one could always go with a metal lower and punt having to deal with the poly decision. I think it's pretty tough stuff (break a lot of Glock's lately) but to minimize risk by using the poly as a