22LR AR-15 style rifle

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nharms5

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I know how much people hate those "this vs that" threads... but I've got questions about some of the newer 22LR products on the market. I love to shoot my DPMS 5.56, but even if I get reloads I am running about $30 or more per 100. I'd love to get into a 22LR with similar ergonomics. But, I don't know enough about the quality of these rifles to narrow my selection. I've been looking at the following:
S&W M&P 1522
Sig Sauer 522
Mossberg Tac-22
UMAREX Colt M4 22LR
UMAREX HK 416 22LR

I've seen a few dedicated 22lr uppers I like as well (but they tend to be a little more expensive). I know the 22lr uppers are probably of decent quality, but does anyone know if any of the rifles on my list are worth getting? What about feeding issues (I know some auto-loading 22lr weapons have issues with hollow points and or those subsonic shells that launch a 60 grain bullet from a short case). Cleaning? (ARs are fairly easy to clean up, what about these rim-fire doppelgangers, are they equally as easy to tear down and clean up?) Mags? (I don't know why I'd NEED to have more than one mag... but then again it is always nice to know there are options. I know you can buy new ones, I curious if one or more of these rifles have an aftermarket variety and if these are better/not as good as the stock mags).
Thanks for your info:
Nate
 
Well I wanted an M4 style which narrowed it down to the S&W M&P15-22 and Colt/Walther/Umarex M4 22LR. I bought the Colt mainly because of looks, it looks just like a real M4 until you examine closely. It's made of metal so the weight is the same too, about 6 pounds.

The polymer S&W is very light and at first appears flimsy but actually is plenty strong. It also is easier to break down and clean and the trigger group is much more like an AR. Internally it's much more like an AR but externally the Colt looks more realistic, though many unnecessary things don't function normally (like the forward assist, dust cover which wants to stay open and external bolt catch - there is an internal bolt catch). The S&W solves that problem by not having the unnecessary items, even a flash hider.

Both are fine rifles once you find the ammo they like. Both hate Remington Golden Bullet but do well with Federal value pack 550 36gr high velocity. Both are accurate and reliable. Both are a good choice and unlike a .22lr upper you get a complete rifle, though not a true AR.

The magazines for both are very good and easy to load. Proprietary though.

I'm very happy with the Colt and would choose it again. Honestly though, most people are going with the S&W, partially because it's cheaper. I got the Colt on sale for $459 but have seen the S&W for $399 (for the basic versions of both).
 
Isn't CMMG making a complete 22lr and individual uppers?

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cat=177

CMMG .22 LR series firearms have the following standard features.


•Carbon steel barrel
•.22 LR chamber
•1/16 twist
•WASP coated barrel, including The chamber and bore
•A1 Flash hider installed
•M4 Single heat shield Handguard
•Forged M4 upper receiver is T marked
•Forged lower receivers are RDIAS/RLL compatible
•Mil-spec fire control group with .154 diameter Pins
•Mil-spec .250 diameter take-down pins
Complete rifles include One 25 round magazine with last shot bolt hold open follower. Each barrel is individually magnetic particle tested. Barrels are engraved "CMMG WASP .22LR 1/16". Each firearm is test fired before shipping. Firearm specific features are listed with the individual item.
 
You can pick up a Smith WITH SIGHTS for $420 and use the $200 to practice.

The Smith is utterly reliable. Mine started to stove pipe when dirty - I bent the ejector to center, now it is 100% when caked with crud.

The Smith is LIGHT. Some people criticize this because it does not feel like an M4. But it is light enough to give a 'pop', make the muzzle jump a bit and give you some sense of 'recoil'. A .22 LR which weighs the same as an M4 will NOT do this.

The plastic won't show wear - period. (Unlike even a quality M4).

It comes with a rail, so if you DO have one on your M4 you may be able to set it up the same way.

The MOE version is a bargain for what you get.

It functions in all ways like a real M4. You can swap out trigger parts.

It is very accurate with good ammo.
 
Get a Chiappa upper and throw it on your own lower. that way, you have a metal lower and the poly upper.

As I understand it, Chiappa makes the guns for S&W, so you can buy the same upper they use and toss it on your own lower. I did this and I love it. It looks and feels just like my M4... just cheaper to shoot.

Oh, the flash hider is not threaded on like in a normal gun, so you cannot use a can on it.
 
If you already have a DPMS lower, get a dedicated Spikes tactical .22 upper for about $500. Mine has been very reliable with Federal Bulk. The bolts are nickle plated and very easy to clean. I clean it about every 500 rounds and it is 99% reliable. I might get 1 or two failures every 500 rounds, which for a .22, I can accept.
 
I have the S&W M&P 15-22, the SIG 522 and the GAS-5.

IMO the S&W is the best.

Since the operation of the Smith is exactly like my AR rifles the Smith paid for itself in two months in .223 ammo savings.
 
I would reconsider your reloading choices. If you are just looking for blasting ammo, pulled military bullets run $5-$7/hundred. Primers are about $3/hundred. Powder, if bought in an 8lb jug using a mild/average load would run about $6-$7/100 rounds. This is assuming you already have brass to use. Even if you have to buy brass, using each case 10 times drops the cost almost to nothing.

Now, for the .22lr options, I would go with the Smith personally. I've seen one, though didn't get to shoot it myself, do real well. Looked like a ton of fun and dirt cheap ammo. If you want more bang though, revisit where you get components for .223.
 
Go with the S&W M&P-15/22 MOE over the Colt/Umarex/Walther M4 .22LR & H&K/Umarex/Walther HK416 .22LR.

The S&W M&P-15/22 has better reliability than the Umarex offerings.


S&W M&P-15/22 MOE = MSRP $499.
811035.jpg
 
Sig 522 all the way, the S&W feels like a toy gun to me. The Sig also comes with sights now and at the same price point, I paid $390 for mine. The Sig has the right amount of heft, has functioned flawlessly for over 1300 rounds, CCI, Remington, Federal, Aguila, not the first hiccup. I looked at the S&W, I'm sure it's a fine rifle and I'll likely own one eventually, but if I were to only choose one, the Sig all day every day.
 
I got my SIG522 for $300 at a gun show. Best bang per buck and takes the same mags as the AR .22lr conversion kits (Ceiner, CMMG, etc) or a dedicated .22lr upper for when you want the same trigger on your plinker as on the real gun.
 
I'd go Smith. The Umarex is made of pot metal. I'll take polymer over pot metal any day of the week. The big upside to the smith is that the lower accepts standard AR parts, as in you can drop a very nice trigger into the Smith. Mine's running a JP trigger.
 
So based on popular response, I've narrowed it to S&W M&P 1522 and/or a dedicated upper. I still have two questions though:

1) Has anyone used the new Mossberg Tac-22 at all? (that was the only one to have no response either positive or negative)

2) I've seen a couple of dedicated lowers in my price range (some at auction some new), of these which has the best reliability, ease of use, all the questions I've mentioned before when addressing complete rifles:
a) Blackthorne
b) Spikes
c) CMMG
d) Tactical Solutions
e) Olympic Arms
f) any other company that seems to make a 22lr upper

Thanks again,
Nate
 
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