22lr conversion kit through a 1-9"

[EraserXIV]

I'm deciding between getting either a dedicated 22lr upper with 1-16" or just a 22lr conversion kit for a 1-9" twist.

I've heard people say that the conversion kit isn't as accurate because the bore size and twist are not ideal for 22lr. However, most of these people were talking about 1-7" twist. Would a 1-9" be more acceptable?

Also, I like the idea of still being able to fire .223 out of my upper by just changing the bolt assembly, but if the accuracy of 22lr suffers greatly I'm not sure if it's worth it. With the way .223 prices are going, I'm not sure if I'll be firing much .223 anyway... I might just use only 22lr. The only time the .223 might be needed is for self-defense, but I hope that will never be necessary.

Any ideas of which route I should take?

 

[ArmedBear]

I have never regretted getting my dedicated upper. It's accurate, reliable, and it stays sighted in. A conversion kit will most likely have a different POI than .223, so it's not as easy as swapping the bolt.

Just don't fall for the tacticool guys who tell you that you have to buy the most expensive dedicated .22 upper you can find, and wait 6 months for it. They're not appreciably different, at least in any way that will impact their performance, appearance, or longevity whatsoever. Mine was $475 and it's flawless.

 

[cbrgator]

It depends on what kind of performance you truly desire and require. I have the Ciener kit for my AR and I think it's great. Is it a tackdriver? No. But it's accurate enough for me to enjoy. I take it to a 25yd indoor range and from a standing position shooting very rapidly I can hit a very high (90%) of the rounds within the size of a softball. I've never shot it from a rest to actually measure groups. I love it.

 

[EraserXIV]

hmm did you get yours at model1sales? that's what i'm thinking about purchasing

 

[ArmedBear]

Yes. Works great, as long as it has a little oil on it.

MUCH more reliable than most .22LR semi rifles, and even though .22 is dirty as hell, the extra volume in the upper receiver allows for a lot of fouling. I can put a few bricks through it, if I put a drop or two of CLP on the bolt every brick. The bolt doesn't ride on the surface of the receiver like it does in a 10/22, Marlin 60, etc.

 

[Nhsport]

In theory the 1/9 should be a horrible match for the rim fire but in real life with a bit of messing about it actually works pretty good.
Try a bunch of different ammo and you will see some fairly wide ranges of accuracy, I generally only use the bulk stuff for "blasting" and have other selected boxed brands when accuracy is more importaint to me.
After your unit is slick and broken in it will likely function with standard velocity ammo and this is one of the keys to better accuracy.
I drool over the dedicated rim fire uppers and may yet bite the bullet but I do love the flexibility of the drop ins

 

[EraserXIV]

if you could start over with your first AR build, would you have just bought a dedicated 22lr upper instead of a normal 223 upper? i mean, shooting 22lr is MUCH cheaper nowadays, and many people say it's just as fun, if not more fun, than shooting 223. basically what i'm asking is if you're only using your rifle for plinking/target practice, maybe 22lr is a better decision than 223?

it's not to say that i wouldn't consider buying a 223 upper down the line, but should a 22lr be my first priority? would it be a better investment?

 

[hossdaniels]

I bought the 223 ar first, because I already have 3 22's and a 17hmr. I'm still thinking about picking up a ciener kit. Sounds like fun if its works decent. If you dont have a closet full of 22's, and just want to plink with it, maybe 22 first isn't a bad idea.

The whole reason I got an ar was to have a rifle that had affordable ammo(I know, I know, but my other rifle is $2 a shot for decent groups) to practice with out to 400 yds. 22's no good for that.

 

[ArmedBear]

if you could start over with your first AR build, would you have just bought a dedicated 22lr upper instead of a normal 223 upper? i mean, shooting 22lr is MUCH cheaper nowadays, and many people say it's just as fun, if not more fun, than shooting 223. basically what i'm asking is if you're only using your rifle for plinking/target practice, maybe 22lr is a better decision than 223?

I've shot my .22 upper numerous times at 100 yards, and it works great. You just have to dial up the rear sight to different points. 100 yards is about the 4 on an A2 rear sight with a 16" barrel, sighted in to shoot at 25/50 yards at the 3. (.22 hits about the same exact spot at 25 and 50, with the sight over the barrel like that). That means you have plenty of headroom for bullet drop past 100.

For target practice and fun shooting, unless you have easy access to over-200-yard shooting, or you shoot Tannerite, I consider the .223 to be a waste of money these days.

OTOH as a practical gun, a competition rifle, etc., the .22LR AR is lacking, of course.

 

[railroader]

I have the ciener conversion. It does not shoot to the same point of aim as 223 out of the rifle. I have a card I keep with the conversion unit that has how many clicks to adjust the sight for 22 ammo. This way I can go back and forth. As for accuracy the best I can do is about 1" at 25yds from a rest. This is with winchester dynapoints. I do all my shooting with it mainly at 50yds or less because the groups open up. It's fun for plinking and is very reliable. My rifle is a 1 in 9. Mark