So I'm not as active as I should be on here, but I use my 15-22 primarily in speed steel/rimfire challenge competition. I've got mine down to 4lbs 8oz so far without changing the handguard including the OKO 6MOA red dot.

(forgive the howard johnson comforter this was before a recent match after I picked up the red dot from a squad mate)



I think the last thing to really lighten it up would be the barrel, but no one makes an aftermarket barrel that I'm aware of. I spoke with some of the folks at Tactical Solutions this weekend at the Northwest Regional Rimfire Challenge Championship and I would like to try and show them and others like Volquartsen there's demand for it and maybe work to get something going.

Personally I was thinking for myself a 15-22 equivalent of the 10/22 Volquartsen Carbon Fiber like my SW22 Victory has or 10/22 TacSol X-ring or X-ring SBX barrel.

I'd definitely buy a light weight 16" threaded barrel.

Edit: I sent an e-mail to [email protected] asking about the possibility of a light weight barrel for the 15-22 on 8-13-16. Haven't got a response. Feel free to do the same.

Its called a patent.
Came out 2009 so do the math on 20 years.
There is a 14 year forcability iirc.
So nothing will come unless these aftermarket companies want to pay for the rights.
I just dont see enough 15-22s made and wanting aftermarket barrels.

I see tons of 15-22s at the steel competitions, they're starting to get as common as the 10/22. With Smith & Wesson already working directly with some manufacturers like Volquartsen on the SW22 Victory for aftermarket parts I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be willing to work with others, they want people to buy their rifles. Most design patents are for a complete unit or specific parts IIRC. The only patents S&W filed on the 15-22, 1 covers the entire rifle and 2 for the magazines. But that hasn't stopped black dog from making magazines that work with the 15-22, they're just not the same design.

I would like to see an aluminum upper manufactured by s&w. That way we could actually see what the barrels that we already have are capable of. I understand how it would be a pita to manufacture them but until we see one we will never know. Maybe just cast like a little Henry .22. Bought one of those for my dad and he loves it. Way wore accurate than our 15-22s. I know how durable that poly is now working in ag. It has virtually replaced wear items that used to be made of steel. I would still love to see a metal upper for our rifles. I have never built an ar from parts. Is there a way that our 15-22 barrels could be used safely in a build? Jodi?

I know of a place that's working on them. But it's a secret.

__________________
Buy cheap, pay twice.

One that used a (chamber end) threaded 10-22 barrel would be interesting...

I seem to remember you saying this a year and ahalf ago when I got my barrel done.

It takes a LOT of due diligence and engineering + prototyping to get these kinds of things 100% correct.

__________________
Buy cheap, pay twice.

I will help test if you get them working. Maybe my first gen NLA charging handle will work in a well designed aluminum upper

US patents last 20 years from the application date.

S&W has two patents related to the 15-22.

One is for the magazine:

Lightweight, low cost semi-automatic rifle magazine
Patent number: 8356439 Aftermarket companies have run into issues with S&P on that one.

The second US Patent is for a Lightweight, low cost semi-automatic rifle Patent (Patent # 8,141,287)

None of the claims is specifically for a barrel. The barrel is simply a part of the overall rifle and the patent prevent another company to make an exact copy of the entire rifle.

Here are the "claims phrases" from the 8,141,287 patent:

Claims
1. A rifle frame comprising:.....
2. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1,....
3. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 2, ....
4. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 3, ....
5. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1, .....
6. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 5, .....
7. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1,,,,
8. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 7,...
9. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 8,,,
10. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1
11. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1, ...
12. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1,
13. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 12, ...
14. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 1,...
15. A rifle comprising:
16. The rifle as claimed in claim 15,
17. A rifle frame comprising:
18. The rifle frame as claimed in claim 17,

In all cases, the claim involves the entire rifle or the frame. A rifle frame is not the barrel.

Just because a barrel is used in a rifle or frame that is patented doesn't mean the overall patent gives a individual part protection by itself. A specific claim would have to be made, shown to be different from prior art, etc.

There are many patented products in the US that contain small parts that may even be patented by their original manufacturer (for instance integrated circuits in an iPhone.)

The two allowed patents the S&W has on the 15-22 should not prevent an aftermarket barrel only from being made.

No, I am not a patent attorney but my name is on a few US patents. I have spent many hours with patent attorneys and been involved in defending patent infringement cases.