Colt M4 Ops .22 LR VS Ruger 10/22

[cvillanueva]

Hello all. I'm new to owning rifles and handguns. I bought my daughter a Cricket so that she can have something to take the range when I'm shooting my Beretta 92a1f. I was amazed at how accurate and inexpensive it was to shoot. Now I want a .22 for myself.

A sales clerk told me to look at the Ruger 10/22. He said I can always "trick" it out eventually. Then I saw someone at the range with a Colt M4 .22. We talked about it. Not really sure which one I'd like to pick up. I will use this only for plinking. Not hunting or vermin control. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[matrem]

My BILs Colt .22 seems to be every bit as reliable, and probably slightly more accurate than my "bone stock" 10/22. If the 10/22 price doubled to that of the Colt, I'd expect the Ruger to look just as "cool".

Seriously, I'm guessing you'd be happy with either.

 

[matrem]

Since nobody else is chiming in, I'll add this as well.
The Colt "M4 Ops" also has more " breakable" plastic on it as well, as BIL & I would both attest to.

 

[holdencm9]

Get the 10/22.

When your daughter outgrows the cricket, introduce her to semi-auto joy.

When you outgrow the 10/22, then trick it out. Tapco stock, red dot sight, bipod, banana mags galore, whatever floats your boat. It's the gun that keeps on giving

If your daughter wants to use it again, putting the original stock back on takes about 5 minutes.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

I would recommend the Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 over the Colt. My Colt came with a canted front sight and I also had to tighten a spring down to get it to shoot reliably.
The S&W is made in the USA and gets better reviews than the Colt. The Colt feels more like a real AR15, but it is not actually manufactured by Colt.

 

[Volt]

I own a 10/22 and a ruger charger (pistol style 10/22 with 10in barrel). I used to own the Colt M4 22lr.

Comparing the 10/22 and the m4, they both ran the ammo I purchased just fine (assorted cci and federal bulk). The 10/22 was a little bit more accurate stock, and quite a bit more accurate after dropping a custom trigger group into it. I liked both, but unless you are using the m4 22lr as a practice rifle counterpart to an actual AR15 I would go with the 10/22.

However, if you plan on eventually moving your daughter to an AR15, the Colt would be a fantastic choice as she will be experienced with the platform. I can't comment on the SW MP15-22, never owned or shot one, but they do seem quite popular.

Edit:
Umarex is an airsoft company, but as far as I am aware they have no part in the manufacturing process.
from wikipedia:
Umarex USA entered the tactical rimfire market in 2009 with the importation of Walther-made Colt M4 and M16 .22 LR guns.

 

[ifit]

had one when they first came out, but since sold it a while back to fund a center fire. now i want another one and would not hesitate to buy another colt, they weight feels more like a real ar15, my friends s&w felt so light and cheap, as a matter of fact that day we were shooting it the extractor fell out. but tell ya what the m4 is pretty darn accurate and hella fun, some range results when i had the rifle

 

[Pfletch83]

From what I've seen from the Colt 22 I'm glad I went with the M&P 15-22.

It was an earlier model, and the early models did have problems but after it was repaired and sent back it hasn't had and issues.

Some of the early Colt-22's had malfunction issues as well, plus the take down for cleaning of the colt seemed like too much of a p.i.t.a. (unless they have changed things)

Not so with the S&W,two pins and the upper and lower are apart the bolt and charging handle are removed much like the centerfire rifle it was modeled after.

Same manual of arms (sans forward assist) as the AR...

To each their own.

 

[cvillanueva]

Thanks for all the input and advice. After more research, I am now leaning strongly towards the S&W. The 90 degree safe to fire, bolt release, and take down similarities to an M4 sold me. Heading to a gunshow tomorrow to look for it. Thanks again everyone.

Update: I purchased the S&W M&P 1522 last night for $560. Also bought an extra mag for $20 flat.

 

[benzy2]

I like both the Colt and S&W options over a 10/22 designed to look like an AR. The 10/22 does a lot well, but I've had nothing but problems from mags that hold more than 10 rounds. If you want the blaster with each mag holding 25+ rounds, the 10/22 is not the rifle I'd go with. I'm sure some have mags that work, but I haven't found them. The S&W 15-22 mags cost right at $20 and work great. I've got 5 that all feed absolutely perfect.

I feel the controls on the 15-22 are more accurate than the Colt if that is important. Quite honestly, my 15-22 is one of if not the single most fun firearm I own. All of the .22lr AR options have ups and downs. I went S&W and couldn't be happier. I'm sure though others that picked a different option have had just as much fun.

 

[CraigC]

Ruger and Tactical Innovations 25rd magazines work perfectly. At least, the six magazines I've used through five different 10/22's are like that. IMHO, the Ruger is a better rifle and can be whatever you want it to be......except an AR trainer. The controls are completely different and I think that is the most important aspect of a training rifle. You just ain't gonna learn how to run an AR with a 10/22. If you don't need it to emulate an AR in that regard, they are worth considering. Tons of aftermarket parts, easy to work on and easy to make them whatever you want them to be.

Lots of fun too!