Multiple AR-15 Build

[Vincent1966]

Hello,

I ordered an AR-15 Lower a while back and now I am starting to contemplate building it. I originally wanted one in .223/556 until I went to a range where they shoot AR15s but with 22LR bolts and mags. I know its easy enough to change out parts and go from .223 to 22LR, but I read somewhere that even though it works, the 22LR round might not be good on the barrel. That being said, I am thinking about getting an additional lower and going with a dedicated 22LR upper complete with magazines.

The original lower would still be used to accommodate a .223/555 upper and setup for plinking/competition.

I'd like to get some comments and suggestions.

Thanks,

MC

 

[Fishbed77]

Here's a link to my experience with the CMMG WASP .22LR dedicated upper.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=668410&highlight=cmmg+wasp

It has been a fantastic product and I strongly recommend it. Very accurate and reliable so far.

 

[CraigC]

A dedicated upper like the CMMG or Spike's will work a lot better than any of the conversion units. The CMMG is particularly affordable as well.

 

[Fishbed77]

The CMMG is particularly affordable as well.

Indeed - the CMMG dedicated upper is only about $200 more than what you would spend for the conversion kit. It's well worth the money.

 

[303 hunter]

Unless you just WANT another lower,the same one would work with both uppers. I use the same lower for my 6.8spc and 5.56 uppers.

 

[Vincent1966]

Unless you just WANT another lower,the same one would work with both uppers.

Of course I do! Heck, I am trying to justify (at least in my mind) a 3rd lower! I do want a dedicated 22LR and .223/556 because I would use each one for different purposes.

Fishbed77, very nice!

Has anyone heard or know anything about Chiappa? I see where they make 22lr uppers and complete rifles.

MC

 

[justice06rr]

My other suggestion is to buy a separate complete AR in 22lr like the M&P15-22. That way your other lowers can be used to build other AR's

 

[helotaxi]

I wouldn't waste a good AR lower on a dedicated .22LR rifle, especially when there are so many good .22LR specific AR pattern rifles out there like the M&P and the Sig.

 

[cfullgraf]

A dedicated 22LR upper with a 22LR barrel would probably be more accurate than a conversion kit in a center fire barrel.

I prefer to have complete guns as opposed to having to swap out barrels. I have several Contender barrels that never get used because I will not take the time to swap out the barrels. If i is a complete gun, I am more likely to get it out.

My 22LR AR was assembled before the current crop of 22LRs came on the market. I have a lower dedicated to it. I can always use the lower somewhere else if I just have to have a different upper. But for that to happen, lowers would have to be non-exisitent and I must use a new zombie dispatching cartridge.

The 22LR AR pattern style rifles might be less expensive than a 22LR upper. But, if you want an A2 style 22LR rifle, then you will need to build an upper.

 

[CraigC]

I wouldn't waste a good AR lower on a dedicated .22LR rifle, especially when there are so many good .22LR specific AR pattern rifles out there like the M&P and the Sig.

You wouldn't "waste" a good lower on the upper that will probably get shot the most, 10:1 where I'm standing??? SIG's are not AR's and would not suffice as a trainer. The M&P is an AR but it also weighs 4lbs and is 99% plastic.

 

[Fishbed77]

I wouldn't waste a good AR lower on a dedicated .22LR rifle, especially when there are so many good .22LR specific AR pattern rifles out there like the M&P and the Sig.

That comment makes no sense at all.

All it takes to switch uppers is pulling two pins. If you can't handle that, you probably should not be handling firearms. No extra lower is necessary.

Also, how am I "wasting" an AR lower on a firearm I'm now shooting about 5 times as much as I shoot it's 5.56mm counterpart? The ultimate goal is to have fun shooting, while building up the skill. Doesn't sound like a "waste" to me. If it sounds like a "waste" to you, you are probably in the wrong hobby.

The M&P15-22 leaves a bit to be desired in my opinion. It's not as accurate as a dedicated CMMP upper in my experience, nor is it as durable. I'm also not a fan of the plastic reciever. A dedicated .22LR AR-15 better simulates the weight and feel of a centerfire AR-15. That said, I've now assembled an additional lower, so that I have a fully dedicated .22LR AR-15. All totalled up, I have only about $120 more into this rifle than I would have into a M&P15-22. Worth every penny, as it's a much higher-qualily piece.

Also, the SIG 522 is not an "AR pattern rifle."

 

[helotaxi]

Different strokes I guess. My ARs are centerfire and actually get shot a lot more than my .22s I also keep complete rifles around, not one lower and a bunch of uppers. I've built 5 of my 8 uppers and 6 of my 8 lowers from parts, pretty sure I can manage swapping uppers, but I choose not to.

Training mechanics is training mechanics. Ergonomics are much more important than weight for that. The only benefit I could see to using the same lower on a .22LR trainer as a "real" rifle would be to practice with the exact trigger as your duty weapon, assuming that you upgraded it to something other than a mil-spec lump and weren't willing to do the same for your trainer.

 

[TonyAngel]

I agree with going to Smith 15-22 route. For the cost of the .22 upper, you can get the whole rifle.

I have a Smith 15-22 and do like it for what it is. It is more than acceptably accurate, mags are cheap and work well and I like the fact that it's plastic (polymer). Yes, it's lighter than a standard AR, but the controls are the same.

 

[Fishbed77]

Make up your mind.

First you said, "I wouldn't waste a good AR lower on a dedicated .22LR rifle"...

...but then you said, "I also keep complete rifles around, not one lower and a bunch of uppers."

Anyway, to each his own. Moral of the story is that an AR-15 in .22LR is a lot of fun and a useful training too.

 

[Fishbed77]

I agree with going to Smith 15-22 route. For the cost of the .22 upper, you can get the whole rifle.

CMMG WASP .22LR upper = $360 in-store @ PSA ($399 MSRP)

S&W M&P15-22 = $460 @ Bud's (cheapest price I could find online - does not include transfer fees, etc.) ($519 MSRP)

No doubt that a full-on .22LR AR-15 costs more than a S&W M&P15-22. As mentioned before, the premium was about $120 for me.

Worth every penny.

 

[helotaxi]

Make up your mind.

First you said, "I wouldn't waste a good AR lower on a dedicated .22LR rifle"...

...but then you said, "I also keep complete rifles around, not one lower and a bunch of uppers."

My mind's made up and my statements are congruent. I wouldn't waste a full-on AR lower on a .22LR upper and I don't keep more uppers around than lowers. What does that mean? It means I don't have a .22LR AR and if I did it would be a dedicated .22LR AR, like the M&P, not a CMMG or the like upper on a normal AR lower.

 

[Vincent1966]

Thanks everyone,

I guess the phrase "to each his own" is appropriate here. The great part about this forum is that I am learning lots of new things here but hopefully I can bring a little something to the discussion too.

I would rather a dedicated 22LR AR at this point. It is a better fit for what I plan to do with it. Trainer role aside, the first 22LR AR that I shot was a "real homemade" AR with a 22LR bolt and mag replacement. I liked the look and feel of that one, including the weight of the AR. I had an M&P 15-22 in my possession for a short time but was not a fan of it. I took it to the range and it shot great. However, I miss the weight and "metal" feel of the first AR that I shot.

I tried to like the M&P 15-22 AR but it just wasn't for me. As far as price is concerned, here in this part of TX, there is always a gun show that I can get to (in less than 1 hour) every week. At one of the last gun shows I attended, new M&P 15-22s were selling on average for about $400.00. Used ones were about $350.00 on average. So out here, I could acquire an M&P for a very good price, especially if used, but I still would not have that "feel" that I want. What really brought it home for me was when this local gun store had a sale on a Mossberg AR-22. From the picture, it was AR15 "looking" at an even nicer price price than the M&P. I went there to take a look at it and if you think the M&P was "plasticky"... Here is a link showing both M&P and Mossberg field stripped. Question: Would you consider the Mossberg AR22 a "true" AR?

http://www.romeotangobravo.net/2011/06/s-m-15-22-vs-mossberg-ar-22-first.html

Once again, I appreciate the comments and advice.

MC - I'll creep up on a piece of meat!

 

[Fishbed77]

Helotaxi, your loss.

Meatcreeper, I've heard nothing good about the Mossberg AR22. It's just their Model 702 (which is not a very good rifle) in a plastic shell.

 

[helotaxi]

Helotaxi, your loss.

Don't feel like I've lost a thing.