On Youtube Nutnfancy does a great review of the 15-22. His favorite model is the MOE. He talks about the MOE having a match grade barrel and the earlier 15-22's having lighter or tapered barrels.

So what's the deal on 15-22 barrels? The 15-22 is going to be my next weapons purchase and I'm kind of leaning toward the MOE version because of bang for the buck. Time I upgrade a standard threaded barrel model it would cost as much or more than the MOE. That is unless I find a lightly used threaded barrel model on the cheap. Then I would do the sight, stock and swivel upgrades.

Pretty sure the MOE has the same barrel as the normal model. There is a different model which is called the Performance Center Model and is labled Performance Center just under where the shells are ejected. It's a "Laney" chamber and differs from a standard chamber and can't use longer shells like CCI Stingers.

there is no match grade barrel per say.. not sure why he would say that. it is definately alot cheaper buying the MOE than buying all the parts individually and adding them on (roughly $150+ retail from magpul)

S&W has it right in their literature and web page that the barrels are a "Match Grade Precision Barrel" #10 on their list of features. The barrels are the same on all the rifles, except for some are threaded and others are not.
From the S&W Web site
1. 6 Position Collapsible Stock
2. Functioning Charging Handle
3. Adjustable Rear and Front Sights
4. Two-Position Receiver Mounted Safety Selector
5. Cartridge Case Deflector
6. Bolt Catch
7. Recessed Magazine Release Button
8. High Strength Polymer Magazine
9. Light Weight, High Strength Polymer Quad Rail Handguard
10. Match Grade Precision Barrel.
The only Performance center rifles on the S&W site are the M&P 15.
I can't find Performance Center below the ejection port on either Performance Center rifle.
Can't find a reference to a "Laney" chamber either. Not even on google.

All 15-22's have the same barrel. Only difference is some come threaded with a FH and some don't.

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Air Assault!

If I had it to do over, I would definitely get the MOE version, even if the barrels are the same. The magpul accessories would cost a lot more than you'd pay and I definitely like the feel of the MOE stock over the standard stock. Plus the flash suppressor makes it look cooler.

yeah i know, i wish the MOE version was out when i bought mine, woulda went after that one instead. oh well, i did get one HELLUVA deal on mine, so i feel pretty good about it.

Can anybody give their input if I can just unsrew the flash hider in my MOE and put a barrel shroud on it? Or do I have to keep the flash hider to comply with the 16" barrel rule? Thanks for any input...

You will be fine as the barrel itself is 16" so you can take off the flash hider. Just when doing it you might want to use a barrel vise since the gun is polymer.

Chad