School me on .22LR AR-15s

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Rub it in why don't ya...j/k. I won't complain about my CMMG, it has been great. I still would like to run some 1x1 comparisons... I will say that my CMMG will hiccup every once in a while on Federal Bulk( but not the bricks?!?) ,still not sure why. Although it runs like a sewing machine in a Cambodian sweat shop on CCI Blazers.

 

[happygeek]

I've got 2 CMMG uppers, one with irons and one with a Burris 2-7x. They've got almost exactly 17,500 rounds between them and routinely go ~1,000 rounds between malfunctions. I took the scoped upper to Appleseed and it managed to shoot a 214 Rifleman score despite me being the one using it.

I've had to replace a few parts in the 3 1/2 years & 17,500 rounds (firing pins, bolt, receiver plate, barrel collar ... CMMG sells all the parts individually on their website). I got the first upper at a gun store back in 2009, and I think they sold me an old model. I noticed when I bought the second upper online in the fall of 2010 that CMMG had update/improved the bolt design. I bought a whole replacement bolt for the original upper sometime in 2011 and CMMG had updated/improved the bolt again by then.

As others said, I'd highly recommend the stainless steel bolt, receiver plate, & barrel collar option if you do go the CMMG route. Easier to clean and only helps reliability.

 

[justice06rr]

My suggestion: Buy the M&P15-22 now, and then buy a stripped AR lower to slowly build a 5.56/223 Rifle.

This way you will save initially by getting the 15-22 and you can shoot it right away. Then as you build the 223AR you can learn all about the AR15 platform and also be able to shoot on the cheap with the M&P15-22.

Sure the 223AR build may take time, but parts are still available if you're patient and look around. What you don't want to do is to wait and not have a rifle to shoot; time not spent shooting is time wasted IMO.

 

[Dr.Rob]

There are multiple threads on this if you use our search function.

It's certainly not cheap right now to build a .223 or 5.56 rifle with a spare 22 upper. However the uppers are available for sale, the 25 rd magazines have been selling briskly.

I did a lot of shopping around and bought a CMMG dedicated upper last spring to fit my needs. Don't expect 'sterling' accuracy from most 22 uppers, some are ammunition finicky.

Dedicated 22 LR's like from Smith and Colt (which will NOT take a real AR upper) have had pretty good reviews of late. Colt has a proprietary mag that is a lot longer than a stock magazine.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Wow. I got my M&P 15-22 this summer for $379. I had wanted a .22lr AR for a long time, and I just happened to see it by chance. Stopped at some backwoods gun store in north eastern MI with a buddy on our way up to go camping. I was just planning on getting some ammo and look around for a bit. Ended up buying the M&P 15-22 on a whim. I'm glad I got it when I did.

I will say that I have now used the M&P more than any other rifle I own. I generally put a few hundred rounds through it every time I go to the range. It's a fantastic training tool for working M4 handling skills. I've had zero issues with mine. I'm getting pretty close to the 10,000 round mark and I've found the M&P 15-22 to be extremely reliable, useful, and fun.

 

[mf-dif]

The Chiappa .22 AR also features a lower that works with standard uppers. I've seen them list on buds for 400- something.

 

[wcoats]

The Chiappa .22 AR also features a lower that works with standard uppers. I've seen them list on buds for 400- something.

Yeah, I just found one of those online, I would rather have an aluminum lower, but that's hard to do right now I can buy this as a complete rifle( it's a polly lower, but so is the S&W 15 22) And at $400 + $15 shipping + $20 FFL it's $435 out the door and I can go ahead and start having fun with it at the range. And going that option I can put this upper on other AR builds I hope to do down the road as well as having a cheap polly lower that will work with other uppers. I am going to go ahead and order one tomorrow.

 

[flhtcuibyhd]

I saw a 15-22 at Walmart priced at $449 last week. Same price as before the fiasco started.

 

[wcoats]

I went ahead and ordered this, it seems like about the best deal I could find
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/omni-16-22lr-polymer-m4-rifle-omni22.html

Since it's showing as in-stock hopefully it wont' take to long to get it. Then I can start enjoying it at the range I think I'm going to start looking for a mid-length or a full-length rail or hand guards for it and some sights. Any recommendations?

 

[browneu]

I'd wait until the rifle arrives before buying handguards, unless someone chimes in with specific experience of this rifle.



Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rhinoh]

Alright the bug bit me today- walked out of WalMart with the M&P 15-22 for $447 plus tax today! Only mags I can find are the 10 rnd in the 25 rnd size. Ordered those today direct from S&W, nobody else seems to have mags, will pull the pin to make 'em full cap as soon as they arrive.

 

[Girodin]

Since it's showing as in-stock hopefully it wont' take to long to get it.

Guns don't come real fast from PSA in the best of times. I think they quote 15 days to shipping. They super busy right now and their website warns it may be slower. I had an order from them a bit back that seemed to be slow. I placed another non firearm order a while ago, those traditionally ship quicker, but it seems delayed too. In short, I'd prepare my self to be patient.

 

[tallpaul]

I ordered an ar upper from palmetto after the craze and after they were sold out of about everything. right after or just before christmas they listed an upper as available and I ordered one wondering if it would even be full filled- it came yesterday - less than three weeks and likely closer to the two they tell ya.

I also got my cmmg from them a couple years back. I like them

 

[Fishbed77]

I am not sure about the plastic CMMG charging handles. Mine is metal, but that might have changed.

My CMMG .22LR came with the polymer charging handle. It's a non-issue.

The polymer is much thicker than an equivalent aluminum handle (which is the whole reason - to prevent empty brass from somehow working its way into the receiver below thw handle). Also, on a .22LR upper, the handle only gets pulled back about 1.5 inches or so to chamber a round, meaning lateral forces on the handle are much less than for longer cartridges.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Gotcha, mine will rarely get a casing caught in it. Glad to hear this has been addressed. It has happened 3-4 times out of 6k of rounds...but requires a knife to pry it out usually...

 

[justice06rr]

I went ahead and ordered this, it seems like about the best deal I could find
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...le-omni22.html

Since it's showing as in-stock hopefully it wont' take to long to get it. Then I can start enjoying it at the range I think I'm going to start looking for a mid-length or a full-length rail or hand guards for it and some sights. Any recommendations?

I bought the same ATI/Omni complete lower from my lgs a few months back. It will accept any stardard AR upper, although the fitment will be very tight (which is good IMO). A minor issue with the ATI lower is that regular AR mags like Pmags/GI don't fall freely when released; a small issue I don't mind considering the price.

it should work well with 22lr though. I tested mine with a PSA 300Blackout upper and it functioned properly with a larger round.

There are many options for rails/handguards depending on what you want and your budget. Magpul MOE handguards are great if you wanna stay lightweight and within budget.

Congrats on the buy, keep us posted when you get it.

 

[nosmr2]

Can't find a CMMG in stock anywhere online. Guess I'm not the first to look to buy one right now.

 

[Dudemeister]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Colt/Walther/Umarex M4-22. That can usually be had for about $500.

FWIW, Cabelas has the Mossberg Tactical Rimfire for under $300 and it's apparently in stock.

 

[wcoats]

I havn't heard anything good about the Mossberg Tactical. I hadn't looked into the Colt/Walther/Umarex M4-22, about to do some googling

 

[Dudemeister]

To me, short of going the dedicated upper, the Colt M4 is the closest in looks and feel, although the inner guts a completely proprietary.

In the pro's side, it very cool, weighs about the same as the real thing as it's made of metal unlike the S&W/M&P which is polymer so it's very light. When you pick it up it really feels like and M4.

If you live in a state other than CA, you also get the benefit of a threaded barrel, so you can replace the flash hider with other nifty gadgets.

With a bunch of accessories on it it can be made into a pretty facsimile of a M4. There also 4 variants to choose from, from a M16 rifle to the M4 OPS carbine.

The only CONs are the no functioning bolt release (whatever lame brain came up with that idea should be flogged), and a heavy trigger pull (about 8lbs.)

Anyway, I do like mine, and very accurate, at least up to 50 yards, which is all I can test it on, since the local shooting range doesn't allow rimfire on the 100 yard range

 

[wcoats]

To me, short of going the dedicated upper, the Colt M4 is the closest in looks and feel, although the inner guts a completely proprietary.

In the pro's side, it very cool, weighs about the same as the real thing as it's made of metal unlike the S&W/M&P which is polymer so it's very light. When you pick it up it really feels like and M4.

If you live in a state other than CA, you also get the benefit of a threaded barrel, so you can replace the flash hider with other nifty gadgets.

With a bunch of accessories on it it can be made into a pretty facsimile of a M4. There also 4 variants to choose from, from a M16 rifle to the M4 OPS carbine.

The only CONs are the no functioning bolt release (whatever lame brain came up with that idea should be flogged), and a heavy trigger pull (about 8lbs.)

Anyway, I do like mine, and very accurate, at least up to 50 yards, which is all I can test it on, since the local shooting range doesn't allow rimfire on the 100 yard range

Yeah, I like the idea of a dedicated .22 upper.

Why won't your local range allow rimfire on the 100 yard range? The range I used to go to had a 100 yard indoor range that I would shoot my Remington 513T at. This a cheap 4-16 scope and shooting CCI Standard Velocity round, I could have some fun and shoot smaller 5 shot groups than just about anyone shooting a center-fire rifle

 

[Quentin]

I also like my Colt M4 .22lr. I got the basic model at Sportsmans Warehouse a couple years ago for $450. They also had the basic S&W for $400 but I liked the heft and resemblance to the real M4. I've been pleased with it but shooting the S&W, it's good too. With either you have to find the ammo they like.

 

[TennJed]

I havn't heard anything good about the Mossberg Tactical. I hadn't looked into the Colt/Walther/Umarex M4-22, about to do some googling

what have you heard bad about the Mossberg? Are they unreliable, noy accurrate, not good quality? Or all of the above?

 

[BHP FAN]

I got the little ''Colt'' from Big Five just because it was CA legal without a ''bullet button'', but it's really grown on me. I love it as much as my 10/22.

 

[cpt-t]

wcoats: My Son & I have been shooting S&W M&P 15-22`s for several years now and we think they are great. I have been told S&W put match grade barrels in them. I belive that is true. We hunt with them and also use them for the 22 action shoots we are going to. No problems with either rifle. They are super light and we put Red Dot type optics on both of them. They will shoot just about any 22lr ammo we have tried in them.
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