AR .22 vs .....

[deerhunter61]

Guys,

I just wondering about all of the AR .22s I'm seeing everywhere. They look to be pretty expensive compared to a lot of other .22s and I am wondering about their performance. Target? Plinking? Hunting? For those who have bout one what purpose did you purchase it for? Are they as accurate as say the CZ 452?

 

[jmorris]

I got one just because you can't have one of everything if you don't have one.

They cost less than an Anschutz or Walther, about as accurate as a stock 10/22.

The sights are so high above the bore, that POA/POI at very close targets through 50 yds or so is more of an issue than any other .22 as far as hold over/under. No big deal for plinking, target shooting but less than ideal for hunting.

There are a lot of other .22's that would be higher on my list but they do look "cool" so kids always seem to pick it first and if they are having fun, so am I.

 

[Fiv3r]

I think the great irony of the .22AR is that they are usually purchased for affordable low cost plinking/training as .22 is a fraction of the cost of .223, but there currently is nothing to feed them on the shelves making .223 more affordable to shoot than .22 by default

My buddy's dad has one. His wife got it for him for his birthday. He tricked it out with a bunch of bells and whistles, but I think he likes the fact that he can shoot it out on his brother's property much easier than a .556. They are fun little plinkers.

I don't have much use for one as I like .22 repeaters like the Marlins or handguns like my Ruger MKIII. For no more than I get to shoot, I don't mind ponying up a little bit extra for cheap .223 out of my AR. But I wouldn't turn down a nice .22 AR if it were given to me

 

[Sav .250]

They all shoot 22`s. Just on/in a different platform.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

The S&W is very nice. The fact that it is compact, and very light make's it fun. Though as mentioned earlier if you want to hunt with it, a red dot, or 2x7 rimfire scope will be an advantage.

If you buy one, you will have to try out a lot of different brands to find it's preferred load.

 

[Quentin]

I have the Colt/Walther Tactical .22lr, my friend has the M&P15-22. Both work well and are lots of fun. Sure they cost more than a 10/22 but you'll probably be glad you got the little AR anyway.

 

[wally]

We've a Spikes Tactical dedicated .22lr AR upper and a CMMG .22lr AR pistol I've made into a SBR. With the Black Dog 25 round mags both are far more reliable than our three 10/22 rifles unless you confine the 10/22 to using the 10 round rotary mags. The Ruger BX mags are better that the others available for the 10/22, but still not as reliable as the Black Dog mags in our AR22 guns.

Our SIG522 uses the same Black Dog mags and is as reliable as the ARs.

Our stock 10/22 were about the same accuracy as the AR22 or SIG 522, but with aftermarket barrels there is no contest as the 10/22 can shoot dime sized groups at 50 yards.

Basically if you prioritize accuracy the 10/22 would be the way to go, but if you prefer high capacity plinking fun, the AR22 or SIG 522 with the Black Dog mags will be better.

 

[gotigers]

I've a Marlin mod 60, i've owned the CMMG conversion kit in my AR and have shot many of the dedicated 22 uppers.

1. AR conversion kits: I did not like using a conversion kit in my AR because of how dirty it made it and all of the build up in the gas system. It was a jammomatic and was less than accurate because of the differences in an AR bore vs 22lr Bore.

2. Dedicated uppers are fine. Lots of options to choose from. Some are compitable, some not. I am not a fan of CMMG quality and customer service. The dedicated uppers on an AR lower are heavy. My kid didnt like the weight.

3. 22 AR clones: There are a few complete 22 AR clones; Ruger, Sig, Mossberg and S&W. I went with the S&W15-22. It is very light. My kid can handle it easily. It is very accurate. It is as accurate as my Mod 60. I've never shot a CZ or target 22, so i cant compare the 15-22 to those. Off a bag i can shoot big jagged holes 5 shot groups are 25 yards. < 1" - 5 shot groups at 50. Once i shot it out to 200 yards. Once i got my hold over, i hit 12" 10 time in a row. Not bad for a 22 on a windy day. The 15-22, is one of the most fun guns i've owned. After a year and thousands of rounds, i have not had 1 single issue. I cannot remember a failure to feed/fire/eject. I like the ergonomics, action and mags of the 15-22 much better than the Ruger 10/22s.

Edit: I like the 10/22s, but to get them shooting a dime sized group, you will need to spend a few hundred dollars; barrel, stock, etc. Dollar for dollar you end up around the same money as an AR clone. Nothing wrong with that. I think they are very cool. The 10/22 is a much more customizable platform. But the AR clones are ready to go as is. The 10/22 can be more accurate if you take the time. Different flavors.

 

[gotigers]

I put a weaver classic 1-3x on my 15-22. Squirrels don't have a chance. This combo is one heck of a squirrel rig. Also, it is a similar set up to my 3 gun rig. It lets me practice with the much cheaper ammo. I am still finding cheap 22 ammo, so i am saving money.

 

[Warp]

I have a S&W M&P 15-22.

I bought it to practice/train with while saving money on ammunition, as well as for introducing new/young shooters. The controls and ergonomics are identical to an 'AR15'

It's plenty accurate for all practical purposes.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got an m&p and yes it cost more then a 1022 or most other .22s. Was it worth it? Sure was to me. Everytime i take one of my grandkids shooting they insist on taking that .22. The smiles on there faces have made it proably the best purchase ive made.

 

[Bushpilot]

The S&W M&P 15-22 is a pretty good rifle. They are reliable and shoot well although the line of sight is pretty high above the bore compared to a "standard" 22. They are not as accurate as a CZ 452....

 

[Fishbed77]

Here is my CMMG Sierra dedicated .22LR upper on a PSA lower. Unlike the S&W M&P15-22 or Colt/Umarex 22, this is a true AR-15 (not a polymer or potmetal clone) chambered in .22LR, and as such, parts are interchangeable with other AR-15s. The upper and lower receivers are both spec AR-15 parts. Install a 5.56mm barrel, BCG and gas tube, and lose the shell deflector, and you have an AR like any other.

It has proven to be remarkably accurate and very reliable. In fact, it's more reliable than my Ruger 10/22. Not counting the optic, it's unloaded weight is only about a pound more than a stock 10/22, so that is a small tradeoff in my my for the flexibility and ergonomics of an AR, as well as the fun factor.

 

[fragout]

I have to wrap it all up simply to personal preference.

Folks that love AR's might see the love for one.

Folks that dont might like to set up a 10-22 as a trainer rifle for an M1 Carbine, M1A, etc........

While the option to set up a 10-22 as an AR trainer is there, it is also obvious that the AR craze has produced a marketable product in the 22lr AR types.

With the unavailability of reasonably priced 22lr as of late, I have since utilized the majority of my shooting time with my favorite centerfire types.

Nothin beats the real thing for training IMO...

 

[Warp]

I have to wrap it all up simply to personal preference.

Folks that love AR's might see the love for one.

Folks that dont might like to set up a 10-22 as a trainer rifle for an M1 Carbine, M1A, etc........

While the option to set up a 10-22 as an AR trainer is there, it is also obvious that the AR craze has produced a marketable product in the 22lr AR types.

With the unavailability of reasonably priced 22lr as of late, I have since utilized the majority of my shooting time with my favorite centerfire types.

Nothin beats the real thing for training IMO...

As long as you can afford it, and it doesn't wear or fatigue you too much before the end of the day, then yes, absolutely.

 

[B!ngo]

I've a Marlin mod 60, i've owned the CMMG conversion kit in my AR and have shot many of the dedicated 22 uppers.

1. AR conversion kits: I did not like using a conversion kit in my AR because of how dirty it made it and all of the build up in the gas system. It was a jammomatic and was less than accurate because of the differences in an AR bore vs 22lr Bore.

2. Dedicated uppers are fine. Lots of options to choose from. Some are compitable, some not. I am not a fan of CMMG quality and customer service. The dedicated uppers on an AR lower are heavy. My kid didnt like the weight.

3. 22 AR clones: There are a few complete 22 AR clones; Ruger, Sig, Mossberg and S&W. I went with the S&W15-22. It is very light. My kid can handle it easily. It is very accurate. It is as accurate as my Mod 60. I've never shot a CZ or target 22, so i cant compare the 15-22 to those. Off a bag i can shoot big jagged holes 5 shot groups are 25 yards. < 1" - 5 shot groups at 50. Once i shot it out to 200 yards. Once i got my hold over, i hit 12" 10 time in a row. Not bad for a 22 on a windy day. The 15-22, is one of the most fun guns i've owned. After a year and thousands of rounds, i have not had 1 single issue. I cannot remember a failure to feed/fire/eject. I like the ergonomics, action and mags of the 15-22 much better than the Ruger 10/22s.

Edit: I like the 10/22s, but to get them shooting a dime sized group, you will need to spend a few hundred dollars; barrel, stock, etc. Dollar for dollar you end up around the same money as an AR clone. Nothing wrong with that. I think they are very cool. The 10/22 is a much more customizable platform. But the AR clones are ready to go as is. The 10/22 can be more accurate if you take the time. Different flavors.

I just finished assembling a dedicated .22 AR rifle. My constraints are that it has to be a left-handed design so it consists of:
1. New Frontier lower. I purchased it complete for $100 some time back and thought it would be just right for a .22
2. A CMMG 16" left handed upper chambered in .22LR
3. A Nikon M-223 optic.
4. Various and sundry other parts - mostly 10 round (here in CA) magazines and such.
I haven't made it to the range yet but would like to hear from someone who has a similar build (left handed is not required but I'd be interested in anyone who has done a LH build). Would like to hear what I should expect re accuracy and failure rate with such a rig so I can judge whether mine is within the average or not.
I was going to go with a factory .22LR but wanted the option of using some of the components with other parts/calibers.
Thx,
B

 

[kimberkid]

I like 22's but I never saw the need for an AR in 22LR because I've reloading for about as long as I've been shooting, which allows me to plink with match grade ammo ... Unlike shooting a match 22 rifle, match 22LR ammo is much more than it cost to reload 223.

Now my SiG-522 SBR, RPK-22, SCAR-22 ... that's a different story

 

[WinThePennant]

I looked into it, but I can't justify the cost when Ruger makes a perfectly good 10/22. I recently purchased a Ruger 11113, and it is mahvelous.

Price: $315.

 

[gotigers]

I paid $450ish for my 15-22 at a local gun show last year. It doesn't need any mods. It is ready to go. I like 10/22's but the 10/22 carbine needs a new barrel and stock to be as accurate as a 15-22.

They are both good guns. Different strokes and all that.

 

[WinThePennant]

Every 10/22 I've ever shot has been an absolute tack driver. And, outrageously reliable.

 

[basicblur]

Well, "everyone" said the 15-22 was the one to have, so I got lazy and didn't do my research. I brought one home a few weeks ago, and after going over it, I began to wonder, looking at the way it was constructed? Next time at the shop, I picked up a Colt (made by Walther) and started comparing 'em - ended up bringing it home 5 days after the 15-22! :banghead:

Haven't shot either one yet - still waiting on parts to trickle in before I carry 'em to the range and give 'em a workout - looks like all my parts may be in / installed by next weekend?

Anywho...I guess the 15-22 is the one to have if you want one that functions as closely to a regular AR as possible, but the Colt looks like it's constructed (externally) more closely to a true AR than the 15-22, and the Colt is all metal.
The trigger on the 15-22 seems to be as in a regular AR - the trigger etc in the Colt is a whole 'nother ball game.
I also hear folks complained about Colts being finicky with ammo, but mine can be tuned to your favorite load. From what I understand, the early Colts could not be?

Dunno what I'm going to do with two of the darn things - I may play with 'em a while and keep the one I like the least? I may also have a few folks / kids that I may have the opportunity to let them shoot, so I may just end up keeping both?

Still learning as much as I can before I actually get 'em to the range next week?

 

[Quentin]

Well, "everyone" said the 15-22 was the one to have, so I got lazy and didn't do my research. I brought one home a few weeks ago, and after going over it, I began to wonder, looking at the way it was constructed? Next time at the shop, I picked up a Colt (made by Walther) and started comparing 'em - ended up bringing it home 5 days after the 15-22! :banghead:

Haven't shot either one yet - still waiting on parts to trickle in before I carry 'em to the range and give 'em a workout - looks like all my parts may be in / installed by next weekend?

Anywho...I guess the 15-22 is the one to have if you want one that functions as closely to a regular AR as possible, but the Colt looks like it's constructed (externally) more closely to a true AR than the 15-22, and the Colt is all metal.
The trigger on the 15-22 seems to be as in a regular AR - the trigger etc in the Colt is a whole 'nother ball game.
I also hear folks complained about Colts being finicky with ammo, but mine can be tuned to your favorite load. From what I understand, the early Colts could not be?

Dunno what I'm going to do with two of the darn things - I may play with 'em a while and keep the one I like the least? I may also have a few folks / kids that I may have the opportunity to let them shoot, so I may just end up keeping both?

Still learning as much as I can before I actually get 'em to the range next week?

BB, I think you'll like both. I compared the Colt and M&P15-22 side by side a couple years ago and chose the Colt. My buddy got the S&W. we've taken them out together many times and both are good shooters. I hope you start a new thread with your observations later. My experience is that both .22s function very well with Federal and Winchester value packs and jam a lot with Remington Golden Bullet.

I think your comparisons are right on. The Colt looks and feels more like a real M4 while internally the S&W functions more like one. The Colt trigger is nothing like an AR's but mine actually has a good feel to it. Mine is an older one but does have the screw adjustment for standard and high velocity ammo. Being older the dust cover won't stay closed and the selector is 180 degrees instead of 90. Your new one probably has fixes to those annoyances.

Anyway, my buddy and I like both and are happy with the one we got. We agree the Colt gets a lot of unfair criticism. Will be curious what you think of yours. One advantage to the Colt, its mag holds 30-31 vs. 25 for the 15-22.

 

[basicblur]

My experience is that both .22s function very well with Federal and Winchester value packs and jam a lot with Remington Golden Bullet.

I basically stock only two types of 22LR - Federal when I want to go cheap (which is as much as possible), and MiniMags for quality and breaking in.
I did a poll in here years ago to see which cheap 22LR ammo folks had the most luck with - Federal won by a large margin, which seems to reflect what little personal testing I've done with different brands.

Will be curious what you think of yours.

Don't laff, but I mounted an EOTech EXPS2-0 on the Smith (since it's the lightweight) - got a Trijicon SRS UPS is supposed to deliver today - it's going on the Colt.
OK, laff a little... :banghead:
Everybody has to have their 'dumb' moment - I think mine was buying the SRS!
Botach Tactical had / has it for $200 off, but that's still too darn much money to spend just for a red dot, and especially to mount on a 22!

I've got a box of goodies I'm going to play with on both of 'em to see how I like 'em for the big ARs. Got a couple of Magpul forward grips / hand assists, a Midwest Industries drop in rail for the Colt, etc. Darn if I didn't catch myself eyeing a Leupold at the local shop the other day...
At least with an AR you can move the stuff that's too expensive for the gun to other ARs down the road.

One advantage to the Colt, its mag holds 30-31 vs. 25 for the 15-22.

Yeah, but darn that sucker's long! The local shop found me a couple of 10 and 25 rounders for a decent price.

 

[basicblur]

Anyway, my buddy and I like both and are happy with the one we got.

Good to hear! I've been eyeing the Smith for almost 2? years - just never quite got around to buying, and with all the panic buying going on lately, kinda lost interest because there was never one on the rack to play with.

The AR drought ended two months or so ago at the local shop, so he finally had some on the rack I could fondl...er, play with.

BTW, I got the 15-22 MOE version.

 

[Quentin]

Yeah the 30rd Colt mag is long. I got a couple 20 rounders which look better but now have five 30 rounders because they're light and you get ten extra rounds for the same cost (of mag).

Don't see any problem trying out high quality optics on the tactical .22s. But I now have a cheap NC Star on mine since the low recoil doesn't knock it off zero. Actually I use the supplied carry handle quite a bit.