I am really interested in some info on these, but can't really find anything solid. It looks like the Colt is made by Walther, and the S&W is actually made by S&W, but can anyone confirm that? Are there any reviews available yet? Who has good info on these guns??? Thanks in advance for any info or assistance!

I bought the Colt version of these(I snapped, couldn't wait on the S&W), took it back next day to return. Misfires, nofires, jammed, couldn't empty a 30 round clip without a problem. Made in Germay same company as the GS5.
JUNK.
I'm waiting for the S&W

A project engineer spoke at SWCA meeting last week and stated the S&W AR15/22 is in development and hopes to release this fall

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

I'm not defending the Colt, but I wondered if you could answer a couple of questions? Did you try several brands of ammo, especially since .22 can be so picky? Did you try to adjust the bolt travel (I read that the Colt offered this option)? I saw a video review where Remington ammo wouldn't even chamber successfully, but Federal worked without issue, so they might be particularly ammo sensitive. What did you think of the build quality of the gun?

yes, I did try different .22 brands. Federal was not one of them. No I did not adjust bolt speed/pressure. I figured that using different brands both high velocity and standard velocity one of them should have functioned successfully. The outer construction is metal(S&W is not) but the internal metal didn't appear to be. Appeared to be cheaper, softer, or not typical of a quality 22. My idea of a quality 22(I paid $550.) #1 gun functions properly with all 22 brands, including Remingtons #2 has a certain degree of accuracy( I agree some brands will be better than others) Umarem builds this gun for Colt. I will wait on the S&W's. After I returned my gun to the dealer, on the way out, I passed a fellow that bought his the same day I did. He was also returning his. So that is 2 of us that agree. I know better than to buy the first ones out, and I need to look closer before I buy. I was just to excited to buy, thinking Colt and $550. equalled fun and no problems. Live and learn, that my 2cents.

I'm glad to hear that you tried a couple of brands. I really can't wait to get one of these rifles, and I like the looks of the Colt M4 best, but if there are issues with them it is certainly better to know ahead of time.

I have a Colt M4 22, and they are made by Walther and imported by Umarex. I broke mine in using CCI MiniMags and had to slow the bolt speed down by turning the adjustment 1 full turn. Since then the gun functions flawlessly using Federal 510 which I recently bought 10K rounds of. The carbine is a lot of fun to shoot and is surprisingly accurate. I have no regrets about buying it and every friend who shot mine bought one. All of them are happy with the gun. I think the main selling point of the Colt is that it looks like an M4 carbine, more so than the S&W. It will be interesting to see how the M&P22 stacks up.

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At least it is now shown on the website:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...02&isFirearm=Y

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but you may want to consider a dedicated .22lr upper receiver for an AR-15. I looked at the colt model. What really turned me off is that the lower receiver is not interchangeable w/ a standard 5.56mm upper receiver. Many company's offer dedicated .22lr uppers.

There is quite a discussion on the Colt Forum about the new .22. It also includes some owner range reports:

New Colt M4 in .22 - ColtForum

I bought on the Colt's and I think it is Junk too. I have tried all sorts of ammo. It will jam and misfire. I have put over 700 rounds through it and it has never went through a whole mag without a problem.

Why would I spend $500-600 on half of a rifle when I could buy a whole one for $450-500?

I already have an AR15 and may want to shoot it while someone else is shooting the .22 version. if I got the dedicated upper, I'd have to get the lower as well and would end up spending around $1000 for the setup when I can get one of these for $500

Of course, I'm going to wait a bit and see what the actual reviews for the M&P turn out to be

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So many toys, so little funding!

Any sign of the M&P 15-22 in stores yet?

Roy Jinks advised that Salesmens samples shipped today and retail stores should have orders within the next few weeks.

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Don Mundell

According to Guns & Ammo TV they are shipping now and should be in the stores anyday. They did a great episode on it, the M&P-22 looks like a great rifle.

I posted this on another thread, and then noticed that this one, too, so I cut and pasted it to share:

I was at my local pusher's store today, and held one of the new S&W .22 AR's. It had the tactical rails, and was pretty nice. I actually bought one of the new 'Colt' (made by Walther in Germany...) "M4" .22s a couple of months ago, and I love it.

To me, I like the Colt better, as it has a metal (alloy) upper and lower, compared to the S&W's composite construction. I also like that the Colt just looked/felt more like a real AR, including having a flashider and forward assist. The Smith did not have either feature. Even though the Colt's forward assist is non-functional, at least it looks functional... I did like that the Smith's slide release lever was functional vs. the Colt's that is just on there for looks.

I also liked the Smith's barrel, compared to the Colt's. The Colt barrel is a sleeved arrangement, and the Smith looked like it was regular/full metal barrel. This being said, the Smith did feel very light, but I assume that's because of the amount of composite construction... Even with the 'sleeved' barrel on the Colt, I don't think it really matters because it's a .22; plus it shoots very accurately, and lot's of fun! My Colt definitely did not function well with Remington Thunderbolts, but did not miss a beat with other .22 ammo that I had on hand. I have not tried this yet, but you can also adjust the bolt spring tension to 'dial-in' different types of ammo. I'm sure the Smith .22 is also big fun, too.

So, long story short, the Smith was nice, but for me, I'm happy to have the Colt. BTW, I own a real S&W M&P 15, and Colt ARs, and I like both, but the Colt's are tops on that list, too... These .22s are definitely not full-on versions of the real thing, but I don't think they're 'junk,' either. In my opinion it's worth the $$, others may disagree, but I think it's a fun ride for under $600...

Hope this helps for those of you considering one of these new AR .22s. I have not seen the new Sig .22 version; anyone else seen one yet...?

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NRA Life Member

I stopped by one of the local shops on my way home from work this afternoon. They had received ONE of the M&P 15 22's...and I, of course, bought it.

The first thing I noticed when it was handed to me was, it weighs a couple of pounds less than a real M4. Overall, the quality seems to be typical S&W...as in good.

I'm wondering how long the wait will be for spare mags???

Now, if I can just find the time this weekend to go shoot it...

I have been playing with both the Colt and the S&W a bit.
Reviews here:
Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22, AR-15 Style .22 Long Rifle Semi-Automatic Carbine

and here:
Colt’s New .22 Long Rifle M-4 Carbine

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Jeff Quinn

I don't understand why it would matter if it is interchangeable? I thought that is the purpose of buying a complete rifle.

Most quality dedicated uppers I have seen will cost you at least $200 more than this rifle, but what do you gain?

After buying my S&W 15-22, I will be selling myCiener kit and extra 30rd BlackDog mags. That way my CD M4LE stays only for what it was meant to do.

Like was mentioned before...where can we get spare mags???

Jeff Quinn - I love your articles. Very informative and a fair report on what you are shooting. Thanks!

I was about to buy a Colt model but the safety required a full 180º turn to activate and deactivate.

My intention on purchasing one of these, like many here, is to get lots of face time with the AR but without liberating my wallet of all it's cash.

Because I train with heavy safety use on my carbines, this was a deal breaker.

The SW MP22's safety has the standard 90º turn to activate and deactivate.

That's why I'm waiting.

BTW, my GSG-5 has been performing flawlessly. I haven't had a lick of problems. I'm not sure why it was ripped in an earlier reply.

Jimmy

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I bought a Spikes Tactical .22 upper last summer. I’ve been quite happy with it. It was around $500 at the time, they’re more now. I eventually bought a dedicated lower for it too.

I don’t know a ton about them, but both the Colt and S&W are definitely lesser quality than the Spikes. Tactical Solutions is another high end option.

I tried a Ceiner conversion first, it would not run for me. I have big hate for Ceiner, they are absolutely unreachable on the phone.

Spikes has a good customer service reputation.

Magazine availability and quality would be a consideration for me too. Black Dog mags for the Spikes are of good quality and readily available.

I have something less than $800 in my dedicated 22. That’s a lot of money for sure. The equivalent of only 2000 rounds of 223/556 ammo though.

I spent some time on arfcom gathering info before I purchased my spikes. I’m willing to spend more money for better products. I’m still not sure my purchase was worth it. Ruger 10-22’s rock!

Emory

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Hard To Kill

I just don't get manufacturers NOT having a supply of spare mags for new model guns! For heaven's sake...you don't have to a be a marketing genius to know that people who buy the guns are going to also buy spare mags!

I just picked up my M&P 15-22 and I can't wait to shoot it. I got the very first one that came in to any dealer in a 50 mile radius, so I can't even ask anyone else how they like theirs.