.22 lr dedicated AR upper

[chuwee81]

Okay folks, got some more questions. I got a cmmg conversion kit and looking to get/ build an upper just for the .22 lr.

Si defense has a stripped upper for 50 bux
tac, innovations has 20" 1:9 stripped heavy barrel for 99 bux with barrel extension installed.
cheap red dot: - local sporting goods store should have it around 10-20 bux.

I don't need a forward assist or dust cover.

Now, the dedicated upper assemblies that are for sale have rifling for .22 lr ranging from 1:14 to 1:15. I am having a hard time looking for a stripped barrel with those twist rate.
BUT seems like enough folks use their standard 1:9 twist with the .22 conversion just fine

So the question is:
1. How does the lighter gr of .22 perform with 1:9 twist. Commercial .22 ammo range from 35-40 gr. I guess this include groups, effective distance, etc.

Thanks

 

[skidooman603]

All I can tell you is I have a Compass Lake Engineering upper and it is AWESOME! The most accurate and slick functioning little upper I've ever tried. Merry Christmas

 

[RUT]

>>All I can tell you is I have a Compass Lake Engineering upper and it is AWESOME! <<

For the price I would certainly hope so!

 

[skidooman603]

Can't put a price on a good time...Plus they hold value EXTREMLEY well..If you could ever find a used one to buy. Most folks don't want to ever part with it once they own it

 

[mljdeckard]

It's not just the twist, it's the CALIBER. .22 lr bullets are .221" or .222" in diameter. AR barrels are .224". How much this matters to you is up in the air. If you want it for close range tactical practice, it's no big deal, but if you are shooting out to 100 yards hoping to actually get some accuracy, and you are bothering to build your own, you will want the right barrel.

FOR ME, I'm just going to buy a dedicated upper, it's not worth it for me to piece it together when it's not as standardized as building a regular AR upper.

 

[nulfisin]

I took a different route. Smith & Wesson's M&P 15 has a 22 LR model. It's accurate, light, and tons of fun to shoot. More money than a conversion kit, but not much more than a dedicated upper. I didn't like the idea of using the "wrong" barrel, so the choice was between a dedicated upper and the S&W. I'm pleased.

 

[skidooman603]

Hate to beat a dead horse but the CLE will shoot circles around the Colts and "other" complete rifles...Plus the advantage of having exact same trigger as your everyday AR. We use our RRA lowers for NRA HP in the summer, 30 sec swap of White Oak .223 to Compass Lake .22LR and you have exact same feel to shoot one hole groups all winter. They are a 1:16 twist by the way. IMHO You will spend a couple hundred extra over the Colt or the S&W but there ya have the advantages. Now I will get off my soapbox.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

dont know about that. I just got a smith a few weeks ago and ive got 2000 rounds through it. It hasnt missed a beat and i still havent cleaned or oiled it. Its been shot just the way it came out of the box. With ammo it likes ive shot 5 shot groups into a 1/2 inch at 50 yards using a scope and will no doubt do better when i get working on the trigger. I payed 450 bucks for it new. the trigger is a bit stiff but it looks to me like a standard ar setup and will be easy to fix when i get the time. Another thing i really like about this little smith is because its polymer its about 2 lbs lighter then an ar making the weight much more like what a 22 ought to be. I dont need a 9 lb 22. In the case of the smith it even field strips the same way a standard ar does. Not wanting to start a big conflict but i really like this little gun.

 

[bigalexe]

NOT ATTEMPTING A THREADJACK... But I don't think this is worthy of its own thread.

Can someone tell me straightforward: Does a .223/5.56 Lower half fit (with minimal modification) onto a .22LR dedicated upper, and a .308 dedicated Upper? Alternately just link me to an easy to understand table that has compatibility of uppers and lowers listed.

 

[skidooman603]

Ha Ha Loyd Thats what makes the world go around Brother!! It really does depend on what ya want. I wanted a set up to most closely mimic my HighPower rifle which this does ( weighs 10lb 4 oz by the way ) and using the same lower I compete with means trigger time on the exact same trigger. The Smith are FINE rifles, didn't mean to seem as if I were putting it down. I have pulled the trigger on a couple of the Walther made Colt's and wasn't overly impressed. Merry Christmas Brothers

 

[skidooman603]

Big Al..Can't speak to the .308 lowers but all of my uppers switch perfectly to my RRA NM Lower. Hope that helps

 

[bigalexe]

TY for the answer, the reason I ask is because I see Colt .22lr models priced down around $500 which is feasible for me to purchase atm, but with the ultimate goal being a .223 or .308 rifle down the road I don't wanna get something and then have to buy another whole new rifle.

I hate being in college.

 

[Brimic]

All I can tell you is I have a Compass Lake Engineering upper and it is AWESOME!

If I ever get a .22 upper, it will be one of these. Pricey, yes, but so is the difference between .22 match ammo and .223 match ammo for practice.

 

[skidooman603]

Big Al..I can tell you that with the Walther made Colt .22 LR you CANT switch to a different upper with those.