Back from Knob Creek With a New Toy. DPMS .22 AR15 Upper.

[cslinger]

Well there have been some inquiries about .22 uppers by myself and a few others as of late and we have all been given good info on products ranging in price from a few hundred up to a grand.

Well at Knob Creek this weekend I found exactly what I wanted. A .22LR upper for our AR15s that is not a flattop and has normal AR15 sights and carrying handle. Basically an A2 .22 upper.

The upper is made by DPMS and comes with 1 magazine. I bought one extra for $20.

I was surprised because I could not find any uppers on DPMS sight that were not the flattop so finding one set up like an M4 with A2 sights was very pleasantly surprising.

So how's it work?

Well I put both Mini Mags and Federal Bulk Pack 550 through it today and was extremely happy with it. It balked on two mini mags but ran like a charm with everything else. It went through the Federal bulk pack ammo like a dream. Once I got a feel for the sights and weight it seemed to shoot very accurately but I was only at an indoor range. Both magazines worked very well and were easy to load.

All in all it is exactly what I wanted and is probably the most fun .22 rifle I have ever used.

The Upper with conversion bolt and one magazine was $459. Maybe not the best deal but on par with other dedicated uppers and quite a bit cheaper than some of them that I have researched.

Anyway for anybody looking for a .22 upper for their AR15 that just wants a decent plinker I give the DPMS unit two thumbs up.

Chris.

Here are some pictures.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/064058-big.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/img/064057-big.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/img/064055-big.JPG

 

[ACP230]

Shoot any groups to check accuracy?
I have been thinking about one of these, but don't want to buy one if accuracy isn't good.

 

[cslinger]

No sighting in or groups yet as I was only able to go to the indoor range to check function.

I hope to get to the outdoor range sometime in the near future to see how it groups for me.

Chris

 

[plateshooter]

I don't have the one cslinger has, but I have the flat top bull barrel version.
I have a 10X scope on it and from a bench with Wolf MT ammo, it will keep 5 shots in a 1/2" black dot at 25 yds. I can keep them in the center of a 1" paster at 50 yds if there is no wind and it is a day when I can see well. I found the one I have is as accurate as my Remington 541T target rifle. Some one who could really shoot well could probably do much better.

 

[varoadking]

Very kewl...

...I "need" one of those...

Anyone know where one of these can be bought online?

TIA

 

[cslinger]

Ok I managed to get out to the outdoor range.....

Now let me preface by saying that I am a plinker. I am not a precision shooter. Therefore my skill is almost always the limiting factor in my shooting.

It was a sunny day, 75 degrees with a bit of wind blowing. The upper was 100% reliable with both Federal 550 bulk pack and Remington thunderbolts. One of the Remingtons did fail to fire but it must have been a dud since the primer was impacted nicely.

I am extremely happy with this little addition. I have had more fun shooting this .22 upper then just about any other firearm in recent memory.

The first two targets were shot from a rest at 25 yards. The third was a 50 yard target shot both from rest and off hand and the fourth from a rest at 100 yards. After cropping the picture the 100 yard picture looks too good. You cannot see all the shots low and to the right of the target while I was trying to get a feel for things.

All shots were done using A2 open iron sights.

25 yards rest.

25 yards rest.

50 yards rest and offhand.

100 yards rest.

Well I hope that helps everybody.

Chris

 

[plateshooter]

varoadking:
I purchased my Bull Barrel version from Brownell's. I didnt see the A2 version on their website. You could probably call and they could get you one. I got mine for $356 delivered to my door with a C&R discount.

 

[teppo-shu]

Slinger,

what brand is your lower? any probs w/ assembly or fit?

 

[cslinger]

Both of our lowers are Bushmasters. No problems what-so-ever. Just like slapping another .223 upper on. Pins are tight, not much play but typical are upper to lower play and no problems loosening while shooting.

Basically it works. I would assume things to work just fine with Armalite or RRA and of course DPMS lowers too.

To be honest I am quite surprised at this upper and conversion. I was expecting problems, malfunctions etc. and so far it is nothing but good ole' cheap reliable fun. Heck the recoil of the blowback operation is even almost .223 like well getting there anyway.

Money well spent I think.

Chris

 

[varoadking]

I didnt see the A2 version on their website

They emailed me back today saying they are in stock and ready for immediate delivery. I have a post-ban Colt M4 and hope there is no fitment problem, 'casue I plan to have one heading my way tomorrow...

 

[BryanP]

Very cool. I wouldn't mind having one of those myself one day. Like you all I've seen are flattops. It's good to know that an A2 version exists. Thanks for the review.

 

[cslinger]

I don't know much about the Colts but don't they use a different front or rear pin so that only Colt uppers can be used?

Might want to double check with DPMS or Colt to see if it would fit.

 

[BryanP]

I haven't checked it myself, but from what I've read Colt made a lot of lowers and uppers that have a larger-than-standard front takedown pin. The idea was to keep people from using M16 parts with their civilian parts. Supposedly there are adapters that will let you get by this problem.

 

[varoadking]

Well, spoke with DPMS today...

...and they told me to check my lower to see if the auto sear area on my Colt was blocked (unmilled). If so, their system would not work on my lower.

It is. No DPMS for me...:banghead:

Gonna check into CZ and Kuehl...

 

[TechBrute]

I don't know much about the Colts but don't they use a different front or rear pin so that only Colt uppers can be used?

There are adapter pins so that you can use Colt lowers with normal uppers, and vice versa. They are between $2 and $5. I have a Colt SP1 with the large front hole. It requires 2 screwdrivers to swap uppers, but I have DPMS and RRA uppers that I use with it. Why Colt went that direction is beyond me, but so is most of what Colt does.

 

[cslinger]

Just one more update on functioning. I have now had the upper out at least 4 times and it simply functions like a dream whether I am using slow aimed fire or rapid fun fire. Whether rested or off hand.

Both magazines I have work fine and they are easy to load. So anyway I think I feel safe in saying that it is a reliable conversion.

Varoadking. If you can get an adaptor, I highly recommend one.

I also saw an add in one of my American Rifleman magazines for a 20 inch .22 caliber upper with A2 sights from DPMS. So it looks like they are making quite a few variations but not showing them on their web site.


Chris