Friends,

Has anyone put an aftermarket barrel on a 15-22? I've been a little spoiled by all the good "match" barrels available for the 10-22. Of course I understand that it won't be a job I can do at home like a 10-22.

Not that the factory barrel isn't fine, I just envision a 20" set up like a target AR.

Thanks,

Dan

Well rumor has it that the 15-22 has a "match" barrel. I don't know the source of the rumor but I've read several times here and on RFC that the barrel is from Thomson/Center and has a match chamber. I'm sure that after-market manufacturers are tooling up as we speak to build a myriad of 15-22 specific accessories. As of today I don't know of any specific to the 15-22 but, word is that there's a company working on mags all ready.

I believe that rumor comes from:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...ectionId=10002

I can say the stock barrel isn't junk tho.
Ive shot several 1" and sub 1" groups at 50 yards with subsonic ammo, And subsonic ammo only.
Im still working for better and more consistency with just ammo. As i don't feel modding a semi auto gun like this is worth investing alot into for accuracy.
Yet anyhow, Since there isnt much of an after market.
But once one builds up, And it will it may be feasible.

well if s&w will ever offer spair parts ill tell you what a kimber match barrel will do.. ive done got it turned and chambered i need the barrel extention to complete it.. and then ill know if it makes any difference...

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

Yes, I believe that the barrels are match grade also.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Paracordwraps

Yes I agree that the 15-22 is very accurate. As far as referring to the s&w marketing to confirm a "match" barrel not too sure. I've seen too many a **** box advertised as having a match barrel to just go by that. No knocks on Smith. If someone would get all engenirical and measure the chamber in relation to other match grade rifles then maybe we'd have some good evidence.

too too sick! What spares do you need?

Actually, I'm not so much concerned with a "better" barrel (sorry - 'match' was misleading, but that seems to be the marketing term of art for aftermarket 10-22 barrels). I would really like to hear though if anyone has replaced the barrel on a 15-22 and how it worked out. I am thinking of a 20" barrel to set the rifle up in the AR 'rifle' configuration as opposed to the stock 'carbine' configuration.

Thanks for all the replies!

You said it was a rumor that it had a match barrel, I pointed you to where the rumor stated. That's all!

im guessing its called a barrel extention its what the feed ramp and ejector are made on too

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

Well i have no doubts if its possible you will be the first person to put an after market barrel on a 15/22 before anyone else can even get started.

Im not the most familiar with the 10/22 other than the fact it has such a great after market you can build one from scratch without the Ruger name on anything.
That can go a long way in making a semi auto alot more reliable. But still its not a bolt action.
In order to turn this gun into a gun close to the accuracy of a bolt action you will need more than just a barrel swap.

Im gonna be honest, You can buy a $200 Savage MKII off the shelf for $200 and it be more accurate than the 15/22 and even possibly after a barrel swap also.

I don't have Belt-Feds tools and know how so i have to be more resourceful and look at the most improvement for the cost ratio's and the over all end cost and effectiveness.
And there is no way i can make a 15/22 more accurate than a $200 bolt action unless i paid almost twice what a 15/22 costs, When it becomes possible of course.

Ive been giving this much thought so this thread is timely for me as im getting into accuracy shooting since my longer range outdoor range opened in the spring.
My Savage 93BTV17 .17HMR runs circles around my 15/22 at 50 yards, But the 15/22 hangs in there with good subsonic ammo.
That says alot since that ammo not being the most expensive is still getting close to price as the .17HMR ammo.

So even if you do put all that money in upgrades into a 15/22 you will still need expensive ammo. At a minimum $7-$20 for a box of 50 to hang with the other (Accuracy) bolt actions.

I have 3 "play" guns since i don't hunt so i cant call them work guns yet, But i do want to try some tree rat hunting this fall.
2 of the guns are .22lr which is my 15/22 and a Ruger MKIII 22/44 thats all tricked out also.
While i love shooting them, A $200 bolt action will beat them at the 50 yard line without breaking a sweat.

I don't like the idea of owning to many "play" guns, But i love the ones i have and i don't think i can sell one to replace it with a bolt action, So i may have to add another gun soon.
But then i run into the problem of owning so many guns i cant shoot them all and it just sits unused and i don't like that.

Sorry for rambling here, But i just wanted to share my thoughts on making the 15/22 more accurate and its pro's and con's.

Accuracy lies in the shooter. I just keep on practicing. How are you shooting your gun bench or off hand? I've never claimed to be a great shot and am getting used to shooting rifle off hand again with the 15-22. My last best effort was 25 rounds inside a 2.5 inch circle at 50 ft off hand with a red dot. If I do my part I can see that the 10x ring is starting to wormhole but, I can also see where my form is breaking down and the shots land well... everywhere else. I know a lot of you guys have been doing this longer than I have. What kind of results are you getting? I'll be happy when I can make a single ragged hole at 50 feet and I know the gun can do it.

Ill also add accuracy lies in how the gun is rested when shot. Pretty much what you said. I don't use a "Bench Rest" per-se i rest my gun on the top of my ammo box and shoot like that.
Altho i see nothing wrong with guys who use FULL bench rests and all they do is line it up and squeeze the trigger.
My issue with that is the only time ill ever use that is at the range and ill never know how to shoot my gun in ANY other situation when needed. You can almost always find something to rest the front of the gun off of for a more steady shot.
I like to shoot similar to real world conditions.
I never shoot my 1911 i carry for CCW off a rest, Its always 2 handed in a weaver stance. My shotgun is the same way as its for HD.


Shooting 2 handed in a standing position im only good enough with a pistol in defensive situations at less than 25' if i had to be honest and im talking about a .45acp 1911 not a .22lr tho.

Ive found red dots do much better than scopes when shooting off hand as the scope amplifies any movement. But i do ok still at 50' with a .22lr pistol and id guess 2" groups.

Im no great shot, Id even go as far as saying a novice despite my age.
But i can shoot decently, And so far i cant out shoot the 15/22 with good subsonic ammo yet either.
With a full bench rest i could, but who couldn't?
I like to shoot similar to real world conditions.

I will say i would like a bench rest tho just to see how accurate my guns really can be, But i cant say id use it constantly as it takes all the work and skill out of shooting.

I'm good out to 30' with my Beretta, two handed, I was practicing double tapping last week and was still able to keep both shots within 2" at 30'. I tend to shoot my 15-22 on the bipod and at 50' I can keep them in a 1" group through the scope. Off hand, if I take the bipod off I'm not too bad (the bipod just makes it too front heavy then I start to shake) with the bipod off at 50 I can still keep them tight, maybe not 1" tight...

well my plan isnt to have a 15/22 that will out shoot my target rifles i just wanted another barrel so i could send the atf another 200 dollars

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

If your that eager, Just cut your barrel and re-crown it and send in the cash.
Or wait for the pistol version and swap uppers.
With the collapsible stock on the pistol upper that would be an awesome looking weapon.

No can do a collapsible stock or a foregrip on a pistol length barrel that would be considered an SBR or an AOW.

im not doing a sbr.. friend

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

I was implying it would be a SBR as to why he needed the stamp.
So if thats not the goal, What is? Full Auto?
I hear those are fun!

I hit the range with some really good subsonic ammo today Aguila Match Rifle subsonic 40gr and Wolf Match Extra and i still cant get consistency i want.
Looks like ill be buying a .22lr Bolt action to supplement my fun guns.

full auto would be illegal for me to own.. john could do that because he is a weapons manuf. but i just want an integrally suppressed 15-22.. and i need a spair barrel so i can do that... then ill have to do a form 1 and await approval.. but should be fun once its done

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor