Anything wrong with the .22LR kit for the AR?

[IMtheNRA]

For $150, I think the "Atchisson Conversion" kit would add a lot of fun to an AR rifle.

Has anyone experienced any problems with this conversion such as excessive leading, poor accuracy, or ammo incompatibility in a 16 or 20-inch AR?

What about the difference in POI between the .22LR and the .223? Is there enough adjustment potential in the sights to use the .22 at 25 to 100 yards?

What was your experience with this conversion?

 

[Coronach]

Are you psychic? I was just thinking of asking the same thing.

Anyone?

Mike

 

[IMtheNRA]

Hey, if I were psychic, I would not have had to ask, right?

By the way, check the date on the milk in the fridge. It's going bad.....

 

[.45FMJoe]

I too would like to know. Wilson Combat sells it for like 139 or something. I'd really be interested.

 

[Steve Smith]

Poor accuracy and gunking up of the gas system are often sited as problems with the kits. If you want top notch accuracy, check into a complete upper by Derrick Martin of Accuracy Speaks or by Compass Lake. I have the CLE one and it will hang with the Anshutz' at the Olympic Training Center. Of course this is 8 times the cost of the "kit" you're asking about.

 

[Bacchus]

I've read reports over at the AR15 forums about how dirty they are. But I don't have any experience with them. Be sure to factor in the cost/availability of additional mags when you consider the unit.

 

[SDC]

I HAVE heard that leading can be a problem, especially in the 1:9 and 1:7 barrels; if you're going to shoot 22 LRs, make sure you clean the bore well, otherwise you might end up with a ringed barrel.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Causes of some of the problems are clear - - -

- - -Others not so evident.

Use of the dirtiest, cheapest, ammo will certainly lead to more rapid fouling. Winchester Wildcat and the Russian green case ammo come to mind. Higher quality ammo allows a LOT more shooting before things gum up. In any case, an occasional disassembly and through cleaning is indicated.

Two friends have the kits and we've had fun with them. Accuracy at 100 yards is sufficient for plinking at the steel animal silhouettes, but groups on paper with a scope were a little disapointing. The cause became clear when the differences in bore size for 5.56 mm and .22 LR were brought out. The .22 LR is a touch undersize for the normal AR bore. This is the main reason for the idea of "Dedicated Upper For Rimfire Use." But there is plenty of fun to be had without such. Face it, this is a plinking proposition for the most part.

As to the question about sight adjustment? I really don't know if there's enough range of adjustment. My scope is set for 55 gr. .223 SP, and I didn't care to change it for the rim fire--Just held over at 100, and was able to get god hits.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Coronach]

Anyone know how far the POI diverges from .223 out to 50 yards?

Also, how dirty are we talking? Assuming that one uses decent jacketed .22LR ammo... Anything that is so invasive that is so hard to clean that things are still gummed up, post cleaning and using .223?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[geekWithA.45]

For starters, you MUST clean before resuming shooting with .223. The problem is gunk accumulation in the chamber and forcing cone, which could potentially lead to an over pressure kaboom.

Gunk in the gas system isn't really a problem, the first round of .223 takes care of that. What you get is a lot of .22 grit in the upper & lower, which is simply annoying.


Accuracy isn't reliable. One day, I'm getting 1/2 groups, the next day they're all over the map.

As for sighting in, on my Dissipator, shots tend to land 2 inches left, and 2 inches down from where point of aim.


For me, since accuracy is dubious, I have more fun shooting fast, and since my converter came with 10 rd Klinton Klips, I find I spend more time loading than shooting.