S&W M&P 15-22 or Sig 522

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bigswing5454

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I'm looking to get a .22 rifle and have narrowed it down to two choices: the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 or the Sig 522. I'm looking for a rifle that is easy to clean and maintain, is durable and accurate. on top of that I want a rifle that can have accessories easily added to it, I want a vertical fore grip, a bi-pod, and an ACOG scope or something similar in magnification.

I'm looking for more than the one opinion of the guy behind the counter at my local store. So of these two, which one better fits my criteria? Or is there a different type that you believe fulfills my needs even better.
 
There were four deciding factors that pushed me to go with the Sig 552 over the M&P15-22.

The first being the fact that I already had a Sig 556 and I thought a Sig 522 would make a good companion to it. Granted I have an AR-15 so owning an AR in .22 would make sense as well, but not enough to overrule the other three deciding factors in my decision making process.

The second reason I went with the 522 is that after holding both of them at the shop I liked the construction of the of the 522 better. The 15-22 felt very toy-like because both the upper and lower are plastic. The 522 has a metal upper on a plastic lower and just felt a lot more solid than the 15-22 and I liked the added weight. While the 522 still feels like a toy compared to the 556 it feels less toy-like than the 15-22 did.

The third factor in my decision was that I have heard lots of positive reviews on the 522, the general consensus is that people who own them really like them.

The final factor that pushed me to actually walking out with the 522 was the price, for $299 I just couldn't resist the temptation.

Here's mine.....
Sig522-1.gif
 
The S&W is a decent rifle for the money but due to its mostly polymer construction it just feels too light and cheap to me. IMHO, the Sig is a much better gun.
 
Would you say your 522 is reliable, that is it can fire plenty of rounds without being cleaned, and how easy to clean is it? I've had limited experience with fire arms and I would prefer a gun that is easy to disassemble and clean. What kind of rounds have you found to work best with your gun?
 
I like my mp1522 very much. It is one of the newer, post fix ones btw. The sights are nice and the controls are almost the same as a regular Ar15. Trigger is good enough too. Mine has been totally reliable so far, provided I have the mags loaded correctly. I have probably put about 600 federal bulk pack rounds through it. Another plus for me was the factory threaded barrel.

As to it being light weight, yep, it is. I dont really see this as a problem, but for some it may be. The heft of a centerfire carbine is just not there. I just remember that this is not a centerfire carbine...

I havent gotten to shoot the SIG, but I did handle it. It felt nice, but I went with the SW since it runs almost just like my full size rifle. I think you would like either one. .22 Ar is a blast and really good practice.
 
I have the 15-22 and it has been flawless. I also have one of the post fix models. Ive never had a problem with the mag loading, I just load it normally. I also have not had a problem with it being picky with ammo but I do mostly use the Federal bulk packs.

I would however love to handle the 522 some day
 
Of your two choices I'd go with the M&P15-22 since it's functions much like an AR and I can't warm up to the SIG. When I was buying a few months ago I narrowed it down to the M&P15-22 and Colt/Walther M4 .22LR then chose the Colt. Never regretted it but the S&Ws I've fired are great rifles and I know I'd be happy with one. The Colt weighs 6 pounds just like a real M4 and that swayed me since the 15-22 was so light and felt cheap. It has been very reliable with Federal Value Pack 36gr as is the 15-22. They both hate Remington Golden Bullet. Whatever you get you'll find it likes some ammo and hates others. The Smith is easier to clean and maintain but you might take a second look at the Colt while you're handling rifles...
 
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Both are great guns but as far as simplicity the operation and cleaning will be very easy to a new shooter.

I would however strongly advise you to leave the colt alone, it is a very proprietary design and many things on it are not funtioning and many parts cannot be replaced with aftermarket upgrades. The sig and colt are also much heavier than the 15-22, but the colt really feels like a cheap hunk of metal.
 
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I went with the Sig 522 and am ridiculously glad I did. I have never, ever, had the first malfunction, either firearm related or ammo related. It runs and runs and runs. Feels solid, tucks into your shoulder nicely, optics mount lower on it, takes standard Ar type .22 mags such as Black Dog, Black Dog also makes a 50 round drum that functions flawlessly with the Sig, loads of fun. S&W has a proprietary mag, stupid stupid decision on S&W's part. The Sig is just as much as the S&W, maybe cheaper in some outlets and vice-versa.

Whatever you get you'll find it likes some ammo and hates others.
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Maybe with a S&W or Colt, not true of my Sig 522. It eats Remington, Federal, CCI, Aguila, Wolf match, whatever... I wouldn't hesitate to load the mag with a different brand of bullet every round, it WILL NOT fail. 1500 rounds, 3 cleanings, pulled the FP, cleaned it and oiled it lightly as well as the FP channel and life is good! I got the SWAT model with the quad rail and it's simply a dream. I'm sure the S&W is a fine firearm, but I would put my Sig against it round for round ANY day. NutnFancy has a slick 45 minute review of the Sig 522 on youtube, check it out, he actually comments on the Sig vs the S&W.
 
The only thing bad about the 522 is the flimsy, wobbling, floppy, shaky folding stock
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Mine is no worse that the run of the mill factory M4-gery stock.

My wife really like it, and I really like that it takes the same mags as my Spike's Tactical dedicated .22lr AR upper.
 
Ruger 10/22 or Marlin Model 60. I dont buy in to all this tactical .22 stuff.
conversion kits are the only exception. I get to try the New one out for dad's ar tomorrow. but my 60 will be better.
 
Both are great guns but as far as simplicity the operation and cleaning will be very easy to a new shooter.

I would however strongly advise you to leave the colt alone, it is a very proprietary design and many things on it are not funtioning and many parts cannot be replaced with aftermarket upgrades. The sig and colt are also much heavier than the 15-22, but the colt really feels like a cheap hunk of metal.
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All three of these rifles are proprietary, Unforgiven. Not one of them is that close to their 5.56 siblings, you can't put a real centerfire upper on these lowers though the S&W lower does at least use a standard AR FCG. If you want something less proprietary buy a real AR lower then put on a dedicated .22 upper.

As far as the Colt, do you own one? If not you might want to try one out as it's nothing like you said - it feels solid not cheap. As far as non-functioning parts, well the external BHO is for show but an internal one still does the job. The forward assist and ejection port cover also are for show but at least they are there unlike the S&W and SIG. The Colt does look like an M4.
 
The only thing bad about the 522 is the flimsy, wobbling, floppy, shaky folding stock, if you can live with that, your good to go with a 522
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Not my experience at all either. Mine locks up pretty tight, no more slop than my 6920.
 
Would you say your 522 is reliable, that is it can fire plenty of rounds without being cleaned, and how easy to clean is it? I've had limited experience with fire arms and I would prefer a gun that is easy to disassemble and clean. What kind of rounds have you found to work best with your gun?
Click to expand...

The 522 is extremely easy to clean, I can take it apart in seconds. So far I've only taken it out once and I put 550 rounds of Rem Golden Bullet HP through it in about an hour. The gun ran like a champ but there were a few times when a round didn't go off and I had eject it but that was probably a result of the ammo and not the gun and that only happened a couple times.

The only real problem I encountered was that I was short on mags, having only one mag for this gun is not enough!
 
I have a 556 and it's great. Handled the 552 and it felt very similar and well made. The M&P15-22 is a good rifle BUT as others have mentioned it feels toy-like because it is almost entirely polymer. (Plus, I don't like the AR platform.)

I would suggest you look at the GSG-5 Carbine as well. IMHO the best of all the lookalike .22 rifles.
 
Quentin said:
All three of these rifles are proprietary, Unforgiven. Not one of them is that close to their 5.56 siblings, you can't put a real centerfire upper on these lowers though the S&W lower does at least use a standard AR FCG. If you want something less proprietary buy a real AR lower then put on a dedicated .22 upper.

As far as the Colt, do you own one? If not you might want to try one out as it's nothing like you said - it feels solid not cheap. As far as non-functioning parts, well the external BHO is for show but an internal one still does the job. The forward assist and ejection port cover also are for show but at least they are there unlike the S&W and SIG. The Colt does look like an M4.
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I am happy you like yours so much and more power to ya'. IMHO (and in my hands), it feels like a cheap, low quality rifle. I think it is subpar in quality, reliability, design and function. I do have trigger time behind it and that is where I founded my opinions, as I am sure you did as well. I will say again that it is a step below the two other rifles and recommend them both over it highly. YMMV :)
 
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The only thing bad about the 522 is the flimsy, wobbling, floppy, shaky folding stock

Mine is no worse that the run of the mill factory M4-gery stock.
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If you find that there is a loose fit at the folding joint all you need to do is take a narrow piece of tread tap and stick it to the one horizontal section of flat plastic on the receiver side and any wobble from that cause will be fixed.
 
In looking around on the internet, it seems like it is harder to get the accessories I want for the Sig 522, they are a bi-pod or fore-grip, for those of you that own the Sig, let me know if that's true or false.
 
You can put a bipod on anything. Far as I know, the new 522's come with a set of forend rails for attaching whatever accessories you desire. If not, they are available.
 
The Sig 522 felt cheap to me. Especially when the little piece that the stock snaps on to when folded came out of the frame when I unfolded the stock. The lack of sights was also a consideration. I have had very few issues with my S&W 15-22 and the early issues were ammo related. I am happy with the purchase.
 
I shot both the 522 and the 15-22 and I bought a 15-22, I just liked it better. Both shot fine, but the lack of sights on the 522 kind of annoyed me, and I got a free folding foregrip tossed into the deal for $325.
 
The Sig 522 felt cheap to me. Especially when the little piece that the stock snaps on to when folded came out of the frame when I unfolded the stock.
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That's a common problem with both the 522 and 556 because the folding stocks are the same on both. Mine hasn't had that problem yet but I hear it's an easy fix if it does happen.

I will add that as much as I love the 522 I can't rule out the possibility of owning a 15-22 as well some day. I think having a Sig 522, GSG-5 and S&W 15-22 would make a fun little group of guns to have for those days when you feel like having a cheap day at the range.
 
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