AR-15 in 22 LR

GaryS

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I have had a lot of fun shooting 22 LR.

I enjoy shooting my Ruger Mark II, P938-22, and a couple of 10/22s.

Would like to get an AR-15 style 22 LR to have fun with. I like crisp light triggers and accurate firearms.

Trying to figure out the BEST value, lowest price, most accurate AR-15 style 22 LR I can find. I recognize that those three goals could be three different rifles.

Have thought about a 22 LR conversion for an existing AR-15 but have concerns about the 22 LR causing accuracy issues when I switch back to 223 Remington or 5.56 NATO ammo.

Starting this thread to educate myself and find out what others have experienced.

The research I have done sounds like the CMMG AR-15 Bravo Conversion is the best conversion out there and the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Sport may be the best complete rifle.

Whatever route I go, I will more than likely end up with three magazines of 25-rounds or more.

Note: I have an AR-15 stripped lower sitting in my safe and could build up a 22 LR AR or one of the other rifle calibers or even a PCC with that lower. My goal is an inexpensive fun to shoot AR style rifle that is shot often at 50-yards or less.
 
No experience with conversion kits, but after researching I recall coming to conclusion that best to avoid and go with dedicated upper.


Why go with whole new gun? You want expensive trigger and all the fixens in a lower, well, just get an upper for one you already have then.

I have a Tactical Solutions Kestral 9 inch and works very reliably. Use as my primary trainer for defense and close engagement drills.
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For what it's worth the Appleseed Project will not allow a M&P 15-22, due to some safety defect that S&W doesn't admit exists...
 
For what it's worth the Appleseed Project will not allow a M&P 15-22, due to some safety defect that S&W doesn't admit exists...
It exists! I have seen one that had to have the bolt replaced. They sent the gauge to test the ones that come through my shop. LOL
 
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No experience with conversion kits, but after researching I recall coming to conclusion that best to avoid and go with dedicated upper.


Why go with whole new gun? You want expensive trigger and all the fixens in a lower, well, just get an upper for one you already have then.

I have a Tactical Solutions Kestral 9 inch and works very reliably. Use as my primary trainer for defense and close engagement drills.
View attachment 189685


Curious what the OAL of that setup is with the brace removed?
 
Curious what the OAL of that setup is with the brace removed?

26". That Spikes tactical (Barking Spider) was the longest muzzle devise I could find and no one makes 12inch barrel 22lr :) Not easy finding a 3.5 inch end, which I needed since 22lr chamber actually sets back a bit--official measurements use dowel through barrel until hits breech face

Since moving to NC, it has been made into a pistol from its former unclassified 'firearm' state (removed VFG) unpinned compensator.
 
26". That Spikes tactical (Barking Spider) was the longest muzzle devise I could find and no one makes 12inch barrel 22lr :) Not easy finding a 3.5 inch end, which I needed since 22lr chamber actually sets back a bit--official measurements use dowel through barrel until hits breech face

Since moving to NC, it has been made into a pistol from its former unclassified 'firearm' state (removed VFG) unpinned compensator.

Color me impressed! Someone who gets it!
 
26". That Spikes tactical (Barking Spider) was the longest muzzle devise I could find and no one makes 12inch barrel 22lr :) Not easy finding a 3.5 inch end, which I needed since 22lr chamber actually sets back a bit--official measurements use dowel through barrel until hits breech face

Since moving to NC, it has been made into a pistol from its former unclassified 'firearm' state (removed VFG) unpinned compensator.
So the VFG is now gone? That’s why I was asking...with that absurd decision about them being an AOW due to new measuring standard. (Realizing the comp doesn’t count if it’s not perm attached)
 
Color me impressed! Someone who gets it!
I couldn’t have an “assault pistol” back in liberal f&$) land, so one needs to get into the weeds.

there are some online retailers on my black list because they kept canceling my orders. I’m email and call “no what you’re not understanding is that you are PREVENTING me from making this legal. If you don’t sell me XYZ, then I won’t be in compliance” lol. This was a tricky assembly because of the logistics and non-popular items/features. I was actually VERY surprised by the small # of 22lr upper makers. As a result, things got pricey quick too.
 
So the VFG is now gone? That’s why I was asking...with that absurd decision about them being an AOW due to new measuring standard. (Realizing the comp doesn’t count if it’s not perm attached)

yeah, I sensed your discretion. Much appreciated. But was all done compliant so can openly discuss. But yes, No longer sports a VFG. I’d rather keep my muzzle options open. That barking spider is actually a really good linear comp with back pressure cone thing inside, so I plan on putting it on a centerfire at some point to get use out of it. Deserves to be appreciated for more than just its length and girth, instead of the victim of a shallow society :)

I was dealing with dynamics of state law as well, which defined a pistol as anything with barrel less than 12in, and anything that’s a pistol accepting detachable magazine outside of the stock as an assault pistol. My quagmire was to meet that “not a pistol” so I could then get into the unclassified no mans land since rifles are obviously assault class.


I’m fairly certain std pistol tube + milspec AR15 receiver + 11.5 in centerfire barrel = 26 inch OAL (which can make for easy recipe in making an “other” not to be confused w/ AOW)...my head hurts
 
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I really like the Smith & Wesson 15-22 but now if I were to buy one I’d be looking at the new Tippmann Arms M4-22. They are kinda hard to come by right now but for just under $500 you get an aluminum upper and lower along with a rifle 95% compatible with regular AR parts. They supposedly available in a couple carbine and pistol setups but supply is limited while word of mouth as pushed demand.
 
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I just went down this road myself, I settled on building one up as I had an aero stripped upper and lower sitting around. Added upper parts from the spare parts bin, a CMMG barrel and dedicated bolt assembly, Boonie Packer better mag adapter to run MP15-22 mags, A borebuddy .22 Ar reliability kit (this includes a plastic back wall filler plug that rest against your standard buffer and spring and a plastic filler to insert into the bottom side of your charging handle to prevent spent cases from getting up in there), An Aero Atlas 7” rail I got from @Gnash.Hyena! And it’s finally starting to come together. It’s the perfect length to tuck my Thunderbeast 22S-1 under. Here it is picture of it on my MK18 sbr registered lower just to see how it would feel...
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Anyone know who makes a trigger upgrade for a 15-22?

I asked myself that question a few hours ago and did a DuckDuckGo search.

It sounds like the 15-minute AR-15 trigger job will work on the S&W 15-22 for most people. I have done this to several 5.56 ARs that a friend of mine owns about 10-years ago. Spoke with him last month and he is still using them and likes the trigger.

Others have reported that any mil spec trigger will work in the S&W 15-22.

IF I buy a S&W 15-22, I may take the LaRue MBT-2S trigger that I have in one of my ARs and try it. That will tell me if a mil spec trigger will work.
 
I asked myself that question a few hours ago and did a DuckDuckGo search.

It sounds like the 15-minute AR-15 trigger job will work on the S&W 15-22 for most people. I have done this to several 5.56 ARs that a friend of mine owns about 10-years ago. Spoke with him last mon th and he is still using them and likes the trigger.

Others have reported that any mil spec trigger will work in the S&W 15-22.

IF I buy a S&W 15-22, I may take the LaRue MBT-2S trigger that I have in one of my ARs and try it. That will tell me if a mil spec trigger will work.

Thank you, I have a Milspec from a lower grade AR left over when I installed an MTB-2s.

That presents an interesting scenario, although I may just buy another Larue. I'm quite fond of the 15-22.

If you buy a used one S&W will send the bolt inspection gauge for free!
 
Thank you, I have a Milspec from a lower grade AR left over when I installed an MTB-2s.

That presents an interesting scenario, although I may just buy another Larue. I'm quite fond of the 15-22.

If you buy a used one S&W will send the bolt inspection gauge for free!

My local mom & pop "toy" store has a new one on the shelf and at a good price that I am willing to pay. Have been unable to find a better price online that what they quoted me.
 
I just went down this road myself, I settled on building one up as I had an aero stripped upper and lower sitting around. Added upper parts from the spare parts bin, a CMMG barrel and dedicated bolt assembly, Boonie Packer better mag adapter to run MP15-22 mags, A borebuddy .22 Ar reliability kit (this includes a plastic back wall filler plug that rest against your standard buffer and spring and a plastic filler to insert into the bottom side of your charging handle to prevent spent cases from getting up in there), An Aero Atlas 7” rail I got from @Gnash.Hyena! And it’s finally starting to come together. It’s the perfect length to tuck my Thunderbeast 22S-1 under. Here it is picture of it on my MK18 sbr registered lower just to see how it would feel...
View attachment 190082
View attachment 190083
That's looking great man! I'm glad it's coming together so well, and equally glad I could help the build along! That rail is going to be perfect for the kids. Nice and easy on the hands with how tightly it wraps around the barrel. :D
 
Anyone know who makes a trigger upgrade for a 15-22?
Whatever you do, don't try to install a Timney drop-in trigger in one, lol. Tightening down the set screws that press against the floor of the lower receiver do bad things when that receiver is made of plastic. XD I didn't even think about it until the damage was done. Oops!

That said, I swapped mine out for a trigger whose brand I don't know, but was clearly polished in some way and it works amazingly. I got it from Dave at Black Rifle Works, who threw it in another gun he'd made for me for free. I'm debating putting a Geissele Three Gun trigger in the 15-22, but the no-name one is already so good I don't know if there's really much of a point in it.
 
I used to have a 15-22, and I had an ALG QMS trigger in it. I have them in a couple of ARs. $49 at Primary Arms; I have gotten them for ~$40 on sale, usually $45.

Wow, quite affordable too!

Is it a worthwhile upgrade?

I guess you must if you have it in several.

Thank you sir!
 
Wow, quite affordable too!

Is it a worthwhile upgrade?

I guess you must if you have it in several.

Thank you sir!

$49.33 shipped right now. Use code SAVE12 at PrimaryArms. They usually ship super fast even on the cheapest shipping method.
 
Wow, quite affordable too!

Is it a worthwhile upgrade?

I guess you must if you have it in several.

Thank you sir!
Yes, I think so. Especially replacing "typical" mil-spec triggers from who-knows-who-made-them lower parts kits. Pull weights for me have been between 6 and 6.5 pounds and very smooth, with not much takeup and a pretty clean break. I've never had one fail to work - the sear geometry is not mucked with compared to standard AR triggers. (Just looked - ) I see that BCM has them for $46.

My 15-22 had a pretty crappy trigger pull out of the box. I don't remember how much it was though.

I do have two SSA-E triggers, but those are a LOT more, and even then I waited until pretty heavy sales to pick those up. But they are in more distance/varmint ARs with optics.
 
I'm diving into the hole and collecting components to build a dedicated AR .22lr using the cmmg bolt and barrel along with the boonie packer style S&W15-22 mag adapter. In looking at the cmmg dedicated bolt it appears, at least to me that a barrel collar is included and connected to the bolt in the below photo, is this correct? Save me from ordering an extra collar if it is already included with the bolt.

@Tim

22BA487-1.jpg
 
I'm diving into the hole and collecting components to build a dedicated AR .22lr using the cmmg bolt and barrel along with the boonie packer style S&W15-22 mag adapter. In looking at the cmmg dedicated bolt it appears, at least to me that a barrel collar is included and connected to the bolt in the below photo, is this correct? Save me from ordering an extra collar if it is already included with the bolt.

@Tim

View attachment 208222

Yes, collar was included.
 
I have a 15-22 and just bought a cmmg conversion. My 15-22 is a great gun, never fails. Reason I bought the conversion is my son is now using the 15-22 and the 15-22 is light in weight. I wanted to train with my AR at its weight or close to it.

I ran the conversion the other day and it ran flawless.

Now I want a conversion for my G17.
 
I have a 15-22 and just bought a cmmg conversion. My 15-22 is a great gun, never fails. Reason I bought the conversion is my son is now using the 15-22 and the 15-22 is light in weight. I wanted to train with my AR at its weight or close to it.
Just as info in case you didn’t know, or hadn’t thought about it. You can fill the buffer tube and/or the pistol grip (if you have one with a storage compartment) with stuff to add weight.

I originally did this with mine. Coins in the buffer tube and a baggie of fishing weights in the grip, trying to simulate the weight.
 
Its pretty close, the cmmg mags are weighted. Im sure not as much as a mag of 223 but it helps.

Its funny, you shoot the 22 through the conversion and its Pew Pew Pew .......then I ran some 223 through boom boom boom....the old guys on the range next to me wanted to know what cannon I started firing.
 
I went both the M&P 15-22 and the AR22 route but find myself shooting the AR22 significantly more. The mag adapter for the 15-22 mags is great.
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Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk
 
M&P 15-22, binary trigger, suppressor, Holosun green dot.....
Ohhhhh yessssss!!![emoji41]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The mag adapter for the 15-22 mags is great.


If you bought the Boonie Packer/Redi-mag adapter, you ain't joking. Best gun money I've spent in a long long time.
 
If you bought the Boonie Packer/Redi-mag adapter, you ain't joking. Best gun money I've spent in a long long time.

Their 2pt sling is pretty awesome too....very happy with it so far.
 
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