.22 Conversion Kit for AR

[skipjackrc4]

I've seen the .22 conversion kits, and they seem like a neat idea. I'd really like to be able to buy 1000 rounds for $30 instead of $400. That said, does the .22 cause the same wear on the barrel that .223 does? I could see going through 3000 rounds of .22 pretty quickly. If this is the case, I may rethink buying the kit and just get a Marlin.

 

[mbogo]

Lead bullets will cause no appreciable barrel wear, even to an unlined bore.

The concern is with lead accumulating in the gas system, and with the possibility of lead buildup in the bore, then firing a .223 round.

mbogo

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I have a Ruger 10/22 that I fitted with a fugly Choate pistol grip stock and XS Sight Systems ghost ring sights. I prefer it to a .22 LR AR conversion kit. It handles well and is amazingly accurate.

I have Aimpoint red dot optics on my M4s. When I want to use the 10/22 to work on my red dot skills I remove the ghost ring sight, install a Power Custom Weaver base, and then mount a cheap BSA red dot scope. The setup works very well for me. When I'm done training I re-install the ghost ring sight, which always installs perfectly zeroed without any adjustment. (btw I don't do this very often as I prefer iron sights to optics.)

I prefer a Butler Creek 10 rd magazine to the Ruger rotary magazine - the factory mag can't keep up with rapid fire after it becomes dirty. I've never had as much as a hiccup with a Butler Creek 10 rd mag. It functions as fast as I can press the trigger.

I also have a couple of Tactical Innovations 25 rd magazines that I found work best when loaded with about 20 rounds max. (The magazine is too sluggish for reliable rapid fire (double tap) operation when loaded with more than 20 rounds). As I said above, I prefer the Butler Creek 10 round magazines for the best reliability.

Finally I use a Butler Creek 10/22 magazine loader, which makes charging magazines a snap.

Good luck!

 

[Sky]

I have two CMMG chrome .22lr conversion kits which between them I have shot approx 4000 bulk federal ammo in different ARs.

I was told when you shoot 22lr through your AR when finished just place your BCG back in the AR and fire a couple of 223/5.56 and any fouling that you can't or don't clean will be blown out of your gas tube etc etc.

Some gas blocks leak when a rifle is new causing different problems with timing and short stroking.

CMMG 22lr and a few mags will cause a carbon build up around the barrel and gas port sealing it. That's a good thing! Many simple Problems can be fixed with a simple solution.

Remember the manufactures that say it takes around 150 rounds to break in AR for especially those that mount the gas block on a bare barrel? One of the reasons for the break in is sealing the gas port besides all the other stuff that needs to seat and settle in. Personal opinion.

There will be those who might call this BS but I have actually seen this work.

A real AR guy would probably take the gas block off and using a finely honed gizmo fix the leak to some finely dialed in micrometer specification.

Many of the more expensive ARs only have the gas block attached after the barrel is finished and treated. Why they all don't is stupid in my humble opinion. Usually a better seal out of the box but obviously not a big deal for after a few rounds they all seal themselves if they are going to.

All the above is just personal experience and maybe some of the guys (2) I have told to do this at the range (when they were having problems) were just lucky and the weapon would have fixed itself without the Dirty 22lr rounds out of my mags with my ammo!!!.

 

[gidaeon]

If you get a .22 conversion kit for your ar I highly recommend getting a stainless or nickel plated one. $150 sales are frequently available on these. I've seen\heard other folks have more frequent issues with the the non-stainless and it only saves 20odd bucks.

I have run 700odd rounds through a stainless CMMG kit in a 1:9 16" ar in the last 2 months. Mine does not extract unfired rounds if you get ammo dud, but it has been flawless in feeding & extraction otherwise.(new kits might fix this?) You loose group consistency as everyone says, but I have had days where 1" at 25yd. w/ bulk winchester with stock iron sights was going well IF you do your part or use bags\bench. I've gotten repeated 5 shot 3/4" groups a few occasions but other times larger groups too I couldn't shrink. When done using rimfire, I change bolt back every and fire a couple .223 to clear gas tube after 300-400 rounds. 2c.. It works for me..

All that said, if you get a sale and rebate on marlin (like say 795) they can be found for just about 100 and are capable of much tighter groups. I have multiple marlin rimfires and think they are a lot of rifle for the money and cheaper than a conversion kit.

If I had to choose, I'd let the conversion kit go first before my old marlins. Concerning barrel wear I'm not a firearms engineer I don't know. I think its a non-issue. I do know if I only use .223 I will never wear it out though and I want my guns to see use!