AK: I really hate to say this, but if you really want a good-shooting .22LR, get a 10-22 Deluxe, not a hoked-up attempt at a "black rifle" designed for a 14-year old kid. Later, you can get a sexy bull, fluted barrel for it and it will be a really fun rifle to last you into your 60s.
Ive owned a number of 10-22's over the years, and just recently got rid of the last one, which Ive had since the 80's. They are about the only Rugers I havent had some sort of issue with, and like. All were good shooters. They all outshot the 77/22 I had, that cost about three times as much.
This 15-22 I have now seems to shoot just as well as the 10-22's I had. But thats just based on blasting with it, I havent tried to actually shoot it in any serious manner.
I got the first 15-22 used, for a pretty good deal, and in the long run, Ive actually made out. Got a brand new gun that works, a couple of extra mags, and a nice Nikon 22 BDC scope between the two.
As long as the S&W keeps going like it is now, it'll be fine. Its really not a " hoked-up attempt at a "black rifle" designed for a 14-year old kid", its a pretty close scale AR in 22 that handles and shoots like one. Mossberg gets the honors for your description.
I have a little red dot on mine and its a blast to shoot.
Earlier this year, my son picked up a nice used 10-22 takedown with a bull barrel for a great price from the same place I got the 15-22. Its a nice gun, and its now wearing that Nikon scope. Im not real big on their takedown guns, but his seems to shoot OK.
Ive seen some good deals of late on the 10-22's, both new and used, but I keep passing. Right now, the 15-22 is more along the lines of most of what I have floating around in the bigger calibers, and just keeps things simple. As long as it keeps working.