What is your view on AR/AK style rifles in .22 rimfire caliber?

[Hokkmike]

Picked up an HK 416D .22 in AR style. I like it because it is all aluminum, not plastic. But I don't know if that is a problem. My initial two reservations were the non-functioning "look alike parts" and the small removable barrel. (which I will not remove)

I was able to get it with a 20 and 30 round magazine and have a free brick of .22 HV ammo coming.

I will shoot it a bit before deciding whether to add accessories.

I saw a front handle (post type) that also projects a bipod when you need it. THAT might be something worth looking at.

Any comments you may have on this topic are appreciate.

 

[mudstud]

Picked up an HK 416D .22 in AR style. I like it because it is all aluminum, not plastic. But I don't know if that is a problem. My initial two reservations were the non-functioning "look alike parts" and the small removable barrel. (which I will not remove)

I was able to get it with a 20 and 30 round magazine and have a free brick of .22 HV ammo coming.

I will shoot it a bit before deciding whether to add accessories.

I saw a front handle (post type) that also projects a bipod when you need it. THAT might be something worth looking at.

Any comments you may have on this topic are appreciate.

I've got a S&W Performance Center .22, and my grandkids have a ball shooting it! Fun little plinkers IMHO.

 

[shoobe01]

I personally don't get the point. By the time we're at .22, it's a rifle range. I might as well shoot 5.56. Or 9mm for less noise/cost.

For much better range safety when needed, and better simulation of the controls, there are gas operated airsoft guns that work better. For NO range safety issues, get a SIRT bolt for your AR and watch the hits.

Also some value in UTM bolts, but it's on a real gun again so needs scrupulous safety practice or you may dump a 5.56 round through the wall. I like them only on dedicated ranges.

I saw a front handle (post type) that also projects a bipod when you need it. THAT might be something worth looking at.

"post type" is called a VFG. Vertical Front Grip.

You saw a GripPod (or knockoff). They are... okay. I sorta hate them, but some like them. Tippy. Very high and non-adjustable command height. Heavy. Loud! They sproing out then rattle. So: you can see why the Army and Marines buy them

 

[d2wing]

I don't have one but for some it is cheap practice or the ability to use rimfire ammo when .223 is not needed. Some may think it is more fun to shoot a look alike of a centerfire weapon. Or it may be to save the cost and room of a second rifle. It is not my cup of tea but I have no objection to it.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got a M&P15-22:



Great for kids, cheap to shoot, makes a decent little trainer for the AR15. Like any other PCC it doesn't screw up steel targets up close. I used to use a .22LR insert for the same type practice, still have it, but got tired of cleaning my AR afterwards.

The M&P15-22 has a last round hold open, so the manual of arms is the same as a normal AR. It even takes the same FCGs.

 

[Texas10mm]

Both of my AR 15 rifles are .22 caliber.

Caliber is the diameter of the bullet. Both a .22 lr and a .223 use a .22 caliber bullet.

It might seem like I'm nitpicking but there's a difference between cartridge and caliber.

 

[kcofohio]

Both of my AR 15 rifles are .22 caliber.

Caliber is the diameter of the bullet. Both a .22 lr and a .223 use a .22 caliber bullet.

It might seem like I'm nitpicking but there's a difference between cartridge and caliber.

You said what I was thinking. So if you was nitpicking, I was in my head too! But I didn't nitpick, since it was in my head. So does that mean you wasn't nitpicking?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The early Italian made Mitchell Arms AK-22s are high quality lookalikes that handle and operate much like a real AK, but the later Philippines produced versions are pretty shady.

 

[bassjam]

I have a SIG 522, I actually purchased it before I even owned an AR15 and I have no intention on getting rid of it, it's such a fun gun to plink with. I got my daughter a M&P 15-22 last spring, and I've found it's a super fun gun too. I didn't like the idea at first of a polymer lower/upper, but it's so light it makes up for it.

 

[Hokkmike]

Both of my AR 15 rifles are .22 caliber.

Caliber is the diameter of the bullet. Both a .22 lr and a .223 use a .22 caliber bullet.

It might seem like I'm nitpicking but there's a difference between cartridge and caliber.

I get you what you are saying.

 

[Hokkmike]

The early Italian made Mitchell Arms AK-22s are high quality lookalikes that handle and operate much like a real AK, but the later Philippines produced versions are pretty shady.

Had experience with a GSG Ak .22 rimfire. Was NOT impressed with its workmanship.

 

[Casefull]

I think they are silly as the high sight to barrel ratio makes them hard to use for close up shots at critters where most of my 22 use occurs. If you shoot paper only then go for it. BTW I Have one that do not use.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have a Sig 522 and a HK 416D both are great shooters and cost a lot less to shoot then an AR in 5.56. My kids and their friends loved shooting them due to the fact that they had very little recoil. My older son dropped one of the mags for the 416D and broke the feed lips. The mag is trash now.

 

[Llama Bob]

I've never seen any .22 AR run right over any reasonable round count. I've never seen a .22 AK to have an opinion, but it seems sort of a ridiculous idea.

Basically, I'd look at other dedicated .22 actions like the 10/22.

 

[FL-NC]

There were numerous 22's in the 70's and 80's that looked like military weapons, such as M1 carbine, M16/Ar-15, AK, and so on. Most of them seemed to be of questionable quality, and there was often issues obtaining things like spare mags, repair parts, etc. It seems like there are other new ones out now that look like MP40's and other milsurp weapons. Don't know if they are any good. From my observations, the ones made by S&W that resemble the AR are pretty decent- I know people who have had them for years and put brick after brick of ammo through them. I have been tempted to buy one and configure it like my AR for training on basic drills, in order to save $ training vs burning through so much 223.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

They are fun until you shoot a more accurate, better feeding, better fitting rifle.

 

[rskent]

Just like any other AR, you can put as much as you want into it.

I don’t want to add up what I have into my CMMG. But unlike some 22’s, it’s very reliable if I keep it halfway clean. I fits me great, it’s an AR. It’s not wonderfully accurate, a little under 2” at a hundred with CCI standard velocity.
The next step up with it, is to have Keystone make me a new barrel. I mostly use it for offhand practice, so I have been putting it off. It would also mean putting another $500 in a rifle that I have to much into already.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Had experience with a GSG Ak .22 rimfire. Was NOT impressed with its workmanship.

Ya, all of the GSG/Umarex zinc wonders are iffy, especially as regards to feeding and corrosion.

Oh, nearly forgot about my Armi Jager AP74- made by the same folks as the Italian Mitchell AK22.
Was a very well made and accurate M16 lookalike with same manual of arms and takedown procedure. It did need to be kept somewhat clean, but no more so than most rimfires.

Believe it or not, they actually made them in .32ACP as well!

 

[Choctaw]

I don’t shoot paper with a .22. I would rather watch paint dry. A .22 to me is simply a fun gun. I have Marlins, Rugers and a S&W AR 15-22. They all function well and kill cans. Some of you guys take yourselves a bit too seriously. Kill a can every now and then.

 

[GAF]

I bought the Colt that is made by Walther. It is accurate enough and I have had no problems for the two years I have owned it.
Now you can buy a DPMS AR 15 for about the same price as my Colt .22 AR. I bought it mostly because it says Colt on the receiver.

 

[Browning]

The thought behind .22LR's that look like AR's and AK's seem to be two-fold.
1) They look cool. That's fun for kids.
2) That they're inexpensive analogs to train on at short distance that mimic .223/5.56 and x39 carbines. Many are 1:1 in terms of size and if you're trying to build muscle memory in regards to the controls it apparently works. At one time carbine trainers were offering .22 only courses because of ammo costs and availability (think 2008 and 2012).

1000 rds of .22LR costs far less than 1000 rds of .223 Remington. Most people have much of it stocked up.

Personally I've always gone with Ruger 10/22's bought in the 80's and 90's, but I get the basic idea.

Either it works for you or it doesn't.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

The ones made in the Philippines, Armscor M1600 and Armscor AK22, are dressed up versions of the Squires Bingham Model 20 that tried to compete against the Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 70. There too many differences between the M1600 and a true AR-15 and the AK22 and a true Kalashnikov to get me enthused.

My son has a Colt .22 LR ("M4gery" I call it) which is a fun plinker with the right ammo.

Post #18: .22 LR Armi Jager AP74 was the rifle carried by the SWAT team in the original George Romero "Dawn of the Dead" 1978 -- that alone might raise my curiosity.

 

[mdThanatos]

I have several rimfire rifles, they are fun and addicting, especially since ammo is plentiful again. I recently picked up one of the S&W M&P 15-22 packages and find it to be just as fun as my other rimfire rifles.

 

[cdb1]

I’d like to have a CZ 512 Tactical .22 Mag.



I’m not a plinker, don’t know what niche it would fill and already have a CZ 512 .22 Mag, but I still wouldn’t mind having a 512 Tactical.

 

[Armored farmer]

I'm a relative newcomer to the AR world. I wouldn't hesitate to get a .22lr on the AR platform if I didn't already have a decent .22lr.
The fact is, I never understood why the .22lr conversion kit for ARs isn't wildly popular.