CMMG .22 dedicated upper. Any experience?

Trying to decide on a dedicated .22lr upper. According to the interweb CMMG and Nordic components seem to be on the top at a similar price point.

My intentions are to use my SBR lower along with a can.

Does anyone have either of these uppers? ion so id appreciate some feedback and pictures.

Thanks in advance.

I have the CMMG dedicated bolt with a 9”PSA .22lr barrel and the S&W 15-22 mag block. Suppressed, SBR. So, not a direct answer, but their bolt has been 100% reliable.

I have the same, Cmmg bolt kit with 3 magazines. Takes less than one minute to change over.
When I spoke to Cmmg about this conversion kit it's for 556.
I would like to have a cmmg barrel at the correct twist for 22.

Edg890 said:

Trying to decide on a dedicated .22lr upper. According to the interweb CMMG and Nordic components seem to be on the top at a similar price point.

My intentions are to use my SBR lower along with a can.

Does anyone have either of these uppers? ion so id appreciate some feedback and pictures.

Thanks in advance.

UPPER GROUP, BANSHEE, Mk4, .22LR, 9" | CMMG - AR 15 and AR 10 Builds and Parts

Whether you’re looking to finish up your next .22 LR build or have a dedicated .22 upper for some cheap plinking,

cmmg.com

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I'm looking into the same thing for my SBR lower. $540+ for a 22lr upper keeps me from pulling the trigger.

Tim said:

I have the CMMG dedicated bolt with a 9”PSA .22lr barrel and the S&W 15-22 mag block. Suppressed, SBR. So, not a direct answer, but their bolt has been 100% reliable.

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Tim I wasn't aware PSA made the22 barrel Is it 1/16 twist.? Is the barrel drilled for gas?

no experience with the 22lr but the two CMMG rifles I have are pretty tough to beat. They make a great product.

Get Off My Lawn said:

I'm looking into the same thing for my SBR lower. $540+ for a 22lr upper keeps me from pulling the trigger.

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I paid 189.00 plus nc tax 2 years ago for my kit with 3 magazines.
Bought a upper and lower deal and parts so far and planned a 16" barrel from cmmg.

@2ASteve correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’re talking about the 22 conversion that allows you to use 22lr in a .223/5.56 rifle. CMMG also makes dedicated .22lr bolts, barrels, and complete rifles.

I’ve had both and the dedicated bolts tend to be more reliable than the conversions, partly because of how dirty .22lr gets and the conversion’s chamber adapter.

2ASteve said:

Tim I wasn't aware PSA made the22 barrel Is it 1/16 twist.? Is the barrel drilled for gas?

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It might be a BA barrel. No, it’s a dedicated .22lr barrel so it is not drilled.

The mag adapter is from Redi-Mag.

I went ahead and built one for the kid to shoot and I wanted all the function of all the normal AR controls. Uses a better mags adapter for the mp 15-22 mags. Cmmg barrel and bolt is all that’s really different. Super easy, super fun.

I have a CMMG Quebec (the dedicated .22) and love it. I have never had an issue with it.

Jerzsubbie said:

@2ASteve correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’re talking about the 22 conversion that allows you to use 22lr in a .223/5.56 rifle. CMMG also makes dedicated .22lr bolts, barrels, and complete rifles.

I’ve had both and the dedicated bolts tend to be more reliable than the conversions, partly because of how dirty .22lr gets and the conversion’s chamber adapter.

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Yes I have the conversion kit and the cmmg parts I bought separately for a upper. The bolts are the same you just change out the barrel insert. I also bought the forward assist part.
The barrel is all I really need to complete a upper at this point.
Cmmg raised the price a good bit when the barrels came back in stock.
If I find Tim's barrel at PSA is still available and a 1/16 twist I may go that was depending on stock, Price etc.
I now have stocked up on 22lr 40 cchp.😁
I actually gave a couple hundred rounds to my neighbor who just bought a 22lr Henry and couldn't find any ammo locally.

2ASteve said:

I have the same, Cmmg bolt kit with 3 magazines. Takes less than one minute to change over.
When I spoke to Cmmg about this conversion kit it's for 556.
I would like to have a cmmg barrel at the correct twist for 22.

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I believe their new uppers have the correct twist rate.

Jerzsubbie said:

@2ASteve correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’re talking about the 22 conversion that allows you to use 22lr in a .223/5.56 rifle. CMMG also makes dedicated .22lr bolts, barrels, and complete rifles.

I’ve had both and the dedicated bolts tend to be more reliable than the conversions, partly because of how dirty .22lr gets and the conversion’s chamber adapter.

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Yes a complete dedicated .22 upper for my AR lower

Traceround said:

I went ahead and built one for the kid to shoot and I wanted all the function of all the normal AR controls. Uses a better mags adapter for the mp 15-22 mags. Cmmg barrel and bolt is all that’s really different. Super easy, super fun.

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So they make a M&P mag conversion kit?

that would be ideal.

2ASteve said:

I paid 189.00 plus nc tax 2 years ago for my kit with 3 magazines.
Bought a upper and lower deal and parts so far and planned a 16" barrel from cmmg.

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For sub $200? Where did you score that from CMMG?
What’s in the kit?

BLACKWATER in Wilmington, NC Don't remember the exact date kit came packaged with3 magazines. Since then I have bought direct from Cmmg for other parts.

Edg890 said:

I believe their new uppers have the correct twist rate.

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The 16.1" Bull Barrel shows a 1/7 twist.
I have a call in to see if it's a mis print etc
I went to check stock again today and saw that once it loaded I to the cart.

Fred said:

I have both a .22 bolt conversion and a dedicated upper from CMMG.

The firing pin is not in line with the traditional AR15 firing pin. The CMMGs broke firing pins every range trip until I went to a standard AR15 trigger. None of the match triggers I had at the time would work.

The conversion involves shooting .22 down a .223 barrel and is inaccurate, but works fine for steel at close range.

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Techs at Cmmg told me the conversion is for 556 only and the shipped paperwork states it also.
As for my trigger group I have had no issues breaking parts.
" A Friend" has the fancy fast debatable trigger and after adding the weight bar it ran and runs flawless if you can afford/find enough 22s.
I'm looking for a more stable barrel and plinking.
I agree it needs a dedicated 22 barrel with the correct twist. But that's my opinion and what I hope to achieve long term.
Cmmg 16.1 Bull barrel 1'16 twist.

I’ve got a CMMG bolt conversion kit and bought one of their 4.5” threaded 22LR 1:16 twist barrels to make a dedicated upper for use with a SBR lower. Dedicated as a suppressor host with that barrel length obviously, but it makes all ammo subsonic. I think that's a positive thing if you have a suppressor and aren't trying to mimic your fighting rifle setup.

Paired it with an aero precision no forward assist upper and handguard years ago when times were good. Probably cheaper to buy it built from CMMG now.
I’ll try to scare up a few pics, but it’s been flawless for me. Shot it with federal bulk packs, CCI std vel., terrible Remington thunderbolts and others. No problems with any of them.

Edit, could only find one low res pic..

Thanks for sharing. Nice rig.

All reports suggest, CMMG has come a L-O-N-G way in their QC and attention to detail this past decade.

I used a Tactical Solutions dedicated upper, when I built my AR.22 twelve years ago. They've since gotten out of that business, but CMMG keeps on plugging!

Thanks for all the feedback gents!

Fred said:

The conversion involves shooting .22 down a .223 barrel and is inaccurate, but works fine for steel at close range.

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This is my experience too. If you want todevelope muscle memory with your AR while shooting .22 it is fine. I can reliably hit steel out to about 75 yards with mine, but that's about it. If you want any kind of precision you need the dedicated upper.

Tim said:

I have the CMMG dedicated bolt with a 9”PSA .22lr barrel and the S&W 15-22 mag block. Suppressed, SBR. So, not a direct answer, but their bolt has been 100% reliable.

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how can i word this without getting in trouble
i've tried putting my cmmg bolt in rifles with suppressors. and every time it's a crapshoot between spent brass not extracting, or the gun using ammo a little faster than I meant for it to.
no problem without the suppressor. it's my go to back yard gun. I can my steel targets from 50yd no problem.

The War Wagon said:

All reports suggest, CMMG has come a L-O-N-G way in their QC and attention to detail this past decade.

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hrm, that may be my problem...

That’s a very go

Fred said:

Also, having to move your optic zero between your 5.56 zero and your .22 zero, or whatever your best guess at a zero is with a 12+moa gun, risks losing the zero or forgetting what state it's in. I just shoot the dedicated upper now.

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That’s a good point in regards to the zeroing of the optic. That never crossed my mind.

Edg890 said:

So they make a M&P mag conversion kit?

that would be ideal.

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Yes sir!

I've got a CMMG .22LR upper for my AR, and it runs great, shoots quite well. My only problem is magazines, I haven't been able to find any new ones that work with it. So I have just the two I bought it with (used, still in MD, 4-5 years ago for maybe $200) but for range toy plinking that's fine.

10/10 would recommend!

I highly recommend the dedicated CMMG 22lr upper. I picked mine up either late 2019 or early 2020 and have not had an issue with it. I did get the better mag adapter to use m&p 15-22 mags in it which I also recommend. I really only shoot CCI mini mag and federal which have worked well but I cannot attest to other brands of ammo.

InertOrd13 said:

I highly recommend the dedicated CMMG 22lr upper. I picked mine up either late 2019 or early 2020 and have not had an issue with it. I did get the better mag adapter to use m&p 15-22 mags in it which I also recommend. I really only shoot CCI mini mag and federal which have worked well but I cannot attest to other brands of ammo.

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That's the second or third time I've seen this mag adapter mentioned - are those generally available? Might be a good investment.

For my CMMG upper, I shoot mostly Federal (automatch) and CCI (standard and stinger), haven't had any problems with those at all. I've run some bulk Winchester and I think some Remington through it too though, and it had very few problems (few enough that I don't remember any at all).

I like your setup there, by the way. Looks like fun and easy handling!

General question here, because I'm looking into an AR type .22lr also.

What's the advantage of going with a dedicated CMMG upper VS simply buying a M&P 15-22?

Not being facetious, but genuinely curious as to the pros & cons of each.

InertOrd13 said:

I highly recommend the dedicated CMMG 22lr upper. I picked mine up either late 2019 or early 2020 and have not had an issue with it. I did get the better mag adapter to use m&p 15-22 mags in it which I also recommend. I really only shoot CCI mini mag and federal which have worked well but I cannot attest to other brands of ammo.
View attachment 370043

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That's a great looking setup! I see so many cheap, plasticky, AR.22 builds that I wouldn't use as a doorstop. This makes ME stand up & salute!

papa_smurf said:

General question here, because I'm looking into an AR type .22lr also.

What's the advantage of going with a dedicated CMMG upper VS simply buying a M&P 15-22?

Not being facetious, but genuinely curious as to the pros & cons of each.

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If you’re buying a 16” barrel CMMG upper I’d say the 15-22 is a better idea. But most of them in here have been on pistol or SBR lowers with short barrels so that’s not really as easy with the 15-22. One SBR stamp or one pistol lower and multiple uppers vs paying to SBR a 15-22 or finding the pistol 15-22 and stock adaptors.
I also have upgraded triggers and ambi safeties in my lowers so I get to use those if I have a 22 upper versus a 15-22.

papa_smurf said:

General question here, because I'm looking into an AR type .22lr also.

What's the advantage of going with a dedicated CMMG upper VS simply buying a M&P 15-22?

Not being facetious, but genuinely curious as to the pros & cons of each.

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Handle a dedicated AR.22 some time. It feels like the REAL deal, and you can set it up accordingly. I use mine as an economical way to train, and it's set up in similar fashion to my HD 5.56 rifle

TacSol upper on mine




My HD (go-to) AR, for comparison



The plasticky feel of the M&P turned me off from the first time I touched it. That, and it had more ripples in the plastic, than a C3 Corvette left in the Las Vegas sun for 20 years. 😳

And finally... if it all hits the fan, you have another FULL lower ready to go, if one of your 5.56 AR's craps the bed.

I haven't handled an M&P15-22, so I didn't realize they weren't so similar to the real deal. Also, the point of SBR'ing a standard multi lower and being able to have a 9" or 12" .22lr upper for it is a good benefit. I was thinking about SBR'ing one of my multi lowers anyway.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.

i've long been wanting to pick up a dedicated barrel/bolt in the 8-10" range, but they are a lot more expensive, when even in stock, than i want. I've just been sticking to my bolt replacement, but it is DIRTY

Hadoken said:

If you’re buying a 16” barrel CMMG upper I’d say the 15-22 is a better idea. But most of them in here have been on pistol or SBR lowers with short barrels so that’s not really as easy with the 15-22. One SBR stamp or one pistol lower and multiple uppers vs paying to SBR a 15-22 or finding the pistol 15-22 and stock adaptors.
I also have upgraded triggers and ambi safeties in my lowers so I get to use those if I have a 22 upper versus a 15-22.

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I have a CMC trigger and Strike Industries ambi safety selectors in my 15-22 rifle and they work flawlessly

Bocephus said:

I have a CMC trigger and Strike Industries ambi safety selectors in my 15-22 rifle and they work flawlessly

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I wasn't sure how compatibility of AR triggers/stocks/etc worked in the 15-22, good to know they're compatible. My personal reasoning was more I wouldn't have to buy another Geissele for the 15-22, just use a lower I already had one in.

Hadoken said:

I wasn't sure how compatibility of AR triggers/stocks/etc worked in the 15-22, good to know they're compatible. My personal reasoning was more I wouldn't have to buy another Geissele for the 15-22, just use a lower I already had one in.

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Valid reason to go dedicated upper, for sure. I went 15-22 mainly so my daughters and new shooters could learn on it without making my lower filthy (especially with how many rounds go through it at a typical outing).

Since the lower on a 15-22 is polymer, you do have to get slightly longer screws for the trigger but they are readily available. Mine is almost an exact replica of how I have my ARs set up, so it makes training cheap.

Bocephus said:

Valid reason to go dedicated upper, for sure. I went 15-22 mainly so my daughters and new shooters could learn on it without making my lower filthy (especially with how many rounds go through it at a typical outing).

Since the lower on a 15-22 is polymer, you do have to get slightly longer screws for the trigger but they are readily available. Mine is almost an exact replica of how I have my ARs set up, so it makes training cheap.

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You're right about the dirt and filth, especially suppressed. I find myself not using my SBR lower with nice trigger often with the .22 upper because of that. Instead I use a pistol lower that I don't have a serious purpose for, which means I don't have the Geissele trigger anyway.