15-22 Opinions

[GypsmJim]

Probably the wrong forum to ask this (being a S&W forum) but I'll ask anyway. I have a dozen or so S&W revolvers and appreciate the quality. Just need some info on the long guns.

A year ago I bought a brand XXX Tactical 22 mainly because of price. I'm used to hitting golf balls at 50 yards - well this piecocrap can't hit a basketball at 15 yards. And that's an improvement since it came back from the factory repair shop the second time. I admit I didn't research well enough - didn't know it was foreign made. But the icing on the cake was when i found that the service center was in a mexican border town, manned by people with a poor command of the English language. Anyway, I digress.

I just got rid of that thing and am now looking for a replacement. I admit I haven't read thru all of the threads on this forum. My question is......what is the general concensus regarding the 15-22, regarding functional performance and accuracy? Any latent problems? If I'm going to spend double what the XXX cost I want to be sure I'm getting my money's worth.

TIA for any and all comments.

[dahur]

So far I'm not real happy with mine. I didn't know it apparently doesn't like Winchester 36g hollow points, and maybe I can attribute the FTF, and FTE's to that. We'll see. However the out of battery detonation concerns me. I have it packaged up and am waiting for the shipping label to get here, so I can send it back to S&W. If I have the same luck others have had getting theirs repaired, I will be very happy. When it was shooting right, (which was most of the time), it was fun. I've only shot maybe 300 or so rounds through it, and I wasn't expecting any hiccups like this. I'm cautiously optimistic.

[ironfist1]

I'm afraid to even shoot mine. Check out all the fff, ffe's and firing out of battery's. Youtube has vids on it, I linked them on a thread here somewhere. Sorry I can't be more positive but this is my consensus. Once word gets around their resale value will probably plummett as well.

[dentkiller]

mine loves CCI mini mags. not one problem.

[JM4151]

I have had mine for almost 11 months. I have fired over 5,000 rounds out of it. I bought 12 twenty five round magazines, I load them up while I am watching TV and don't have to reload much when I go to the range. It likes CCI std vel ammo the best followed by the bulk packed Federal. Remington ammo is junk, dirty and the priming mixture doesn't always get comppletely around the rim, causing misfires. I have a red dot scope on mine and at 50 yards its extremely accurite. A great gun and one of my favorites!
John Murphy

[Majorlk]

I've only had mine for three weeks, but there hasn't been a bobble of any kind in over 1k of Federal Champions. I have had several .22s over the years and currently have a Ruger 10/22 and a 77/22. My 15-22 is at least as accurate as any other .22 I have had except the 77/22 (it has been glass bedded and accurized). I have no problem with keeping 10 rounds in less than 1.5" at 50 yards from a rest using a scope.

[Low_Down]

I lost count of rounds on mine, I just shoot till I can go anymore. I'd buy a dozen more if I could. It's hard to beat what this gun offers.

[06x]

I've put well over 2500 rounds through mine with mostly problems that can be attributed to the .22LR ammunition, and only had a handful of those.

Only had a few (I'd say less than 10) fail to feeds. I'd say the cartridges that fail to fire are the ammo (mostly Winchester Bulk, but had awesome results with the M22 ammo and Federal Bulk). I don't know that I've ever had a cartridge that fired FTE. Never had an out of battery discharge. I've had a fairly low amount of malfunctions (stove pipe, double feed, etc.) for the amount of rounds I've put through the 15-22.

As far as accuracy, there are more accurate .22's out there, I suppose, but I have no complaints about the 15-22. I was getting consistent 1.5" to 2" at 100 yrds with a scope. Switched to a non-magnified red dot, and do most of my shooting inside 65 yrds now, still happy with the accuracy.

I also like the fact that this rifle functions almost identically to a "real" AR-15, as far as the charge handle, safety, bolt catch, and magazine release. Another high point is the 15-22 excepts most Ar accessories (triggers, pistol grips, butt stocks, and anything that mounts to a 1913 rail) .

Overall, I'm very happy with the 15-22 rifle, and would recommend it to anyone.

[ironfist1]

Originally Posted by RunninKurt

Lol so you haven't had any issues with yours, but because of YouTube videos, you are hesitant to shoot?

I had alot of FFF & FFE's. I have a documented history on these threads of range reports. I mention video's to the OP for proof of it happening because that's about the best evidence you can have. Seeing is believing.

[Dead eye 22]

I find mine to be extremely reliable and very accurate. As with any two piece stocked rifle, and I suppose more so with a polymer one, consistently positioning your supporting hand at the same location is important for consistent accuracy. Mine serves me very well popping squirrels. At 50 yds. I get 3 shot groups around 1/2 inch, sometimes less.
Their were some issues with the rifles at first, but S&W made some changes and the probs. seem to be a thing of the past.

[InfiniteMotors]

The 15-22 comes with an instruction manual. There is a list of "do not use" ammo in this book.

Many of the complaints you're hearing about were caused by using "do not use" ammo.

Follow those simple guidelines and enjoy a well made machine.



For the record this is the first thread with irritating responses I've read on this forum.

[tacticaledge]

I looked at gsg, colt, some austrian thing and the mossberg after research the smith was more customisable and shot very nicely out of the box very pleased.....

[tacticaledge]

Ive had mine 3 weeks and have put 2000 rounds though it and only had 4 ftf with remington ammo (had some left over ) will not ever use it again...ever, no probs with federal bulk pack and cci ammo. Its fun to shoot and accurate I knocked out the center of my target @ 50 yards no prob with a ****** $35.00 halographic great gun gonna buy the .223 version m&p 15

[pb803]

I've put 2000 + rounds thru mine since Christmas without 1 problem. CCI Blazers are great...!

[BillyJack2012]

Love the Barrett Jackson turn that this thread is taking. After a lot of research, I picked up my 15-22 2 days after Christmas. I probably have about 700 rounds through it. It's not as accurate as my son's single shot Savage but that could just be me trying to get used to the iron sights. My groups are getting better and this is my first AR style gun. Also, I don't own anything that's as accurate as the Savage and continue to be amazed everytime it's shot.

The 15-22 has been extremely reliable so far and I absolutely love it. My only regret is that I didn't get the MOE version. Fold down sights out of the box would have been really nice. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing and would buy another one in a heart beat.

[Sleddog30]

It's possible you got a lemon. It can happen. Send it back and have the factory look at it.

My 15-22 has had no issues except feeding from a very dirty magazine. I cleaned the mag and no more issues.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Gentlemen,

The OP asked for opinions about the rifle, not your opinion about other S&W Forum members.

I've deleted and edited some posts here. Some over the line, some not, as well as the Barrett Jackson theme (nice reference, BillyJack ). Let's try to get back on track.

[C-Fish]

I have owned my MOE version for 16 months now. Had a dedicated .22lr top end for the AR15 prior.

+5000 rounds, not one issue.

Accuracy is on par with other semi auto .22lr rifles, if not better.

This is not a silhouette gun. It is a fast moving, lightweight, ammo eating fun gun...

I use it for steel competition and plinking. Just sold off my 10-22 as it was not getting used...

[CrazyFingers]

I bought my 15-22 in October 2010, first range trip 10-9-2010. It had problems with stovepipes, so I sent it to S&W in mid November 2010 and got it back about 3 weeks later. Since then it has functioned normally and has a round count of 8869, with the occasional (1 round in 300-400) failure to fire. This is with a good primer strike and equates to 1 bad round out of a box of 550 Federal bulk, which I think is completely acceptable for bulk .22.
The 15-22 is NOT a target rifle. If you want a 100m tack driver, you will be disappointed with this rifle.
The 15-22 is NOT a Delta Force Marine Corps SEAL Team machine gun for killing Al Qaeda Taliban zombies. If you need a defensive firearm, you will be sorely under-served by this rifle.
If you want a fun range toy/small game rifle that follows the AR-15 manual of arms very closely, this is the rifle for you.

As with all things, know what you're buying and why before you lay your money down.

[pb803]

Ok Phil.......geeeez...you must be a Clemson fan....we were just having a 'lil fun.

to GypsmJim.....on the accuracy.....

I put an inexpensive TruGlo red dot sight on mine...($39). I didn't expect too much from it..but...I am highly impressed with it. I have not even used the iron sights by themselves. After sighting in the reddot, my wife and a friends 12 year old grand daughter, (who had never shot a rifle of any kind)....were shooting clays and pieces of clays at 75 and 100 yds.

Right out of the box, I changed and added a few things.
First of all, I didn't like the stock handgrip and replaced it with a Hogue grip....much better, also, I added a foregrip / tripod (Sportsmans Guide), and the Truglo Reddot.

This little gun is very accurate, and if you were going to purchase a 22 cal in an AR frame, of any kind, you would be hard pressed to find a better one.

[Anchor]

I have a Performance Center model and an MOE. Never a problem with either. Usually stick with CCI but occasionaly run some other stuff through them. Don't believe I've ever had a problem. Great firearms from a good company and a barrel of fun.

[wolverine]

Morning Jim

I have a later serial number S&W 15-22. The accuracy on mine has been pretty poor in my estimation. Hitting a golf ball at 50 yards with mine is not a given. (I could probably get about 3 hits out of 10 rounds fired off a solid bag rest using decent ammo)

I sent it back for accuracy repair & it came back with a new barrel, new bolt, & new trigger parts. Accuracy is just a bit better but still not any better than 4-5 moa.

The good part is it just about jam proof using anything except ultra slow sub-sonics.

No feeding issues, no stove pipes, no partial chambering. (in fact flawless operation except for the occasional dud .22 round)

To me the S&W is just great for throwing lots of lead down range & it will put a lot of the bullets near your aim point (just not all of them).

I have made a few new friends at my local shooting range that shoot the 15-22 & as far as I can tell theirs shoots about like mine does at 50 yards. OK off-hand but not very precise at bag rested precision shooting.

I also have a CMMG dedicated 22 built on a real AR/M4 platform & while it still isn't a 1moa shooter at 50 yards it shoots 1/2 the group size my 15-22 does at 50 yards.

I guess after owning a standard 15-22 if I was looking to buy another S&W 15-22 it would definitely be the performance center one but even then it would have to be a real good shooter to beat my CMMG dedicated M4 22.

[J22LR1der]

I did alot of research b4 picking up a tactical .22 & I am so happy I chose this S&W. I wanted GsG just for Barrel look but my friend has it and I hate it. I hAvent had any major problems except when trying different ammo. cCi all the way.

I don't know why people still attempt using Remington ????

[gotfish]

Very, very happy with mine. It eats almost anything I've fed it, including the infamous Golden Bullets, and is more accurate than I am. I have a relatively long scope on it and often shoot from the ground with a bipod, and on a calm day it's pretty amazing. Expecting more from it is probably pressing the limits of the ammo as much as the rifle itself. I doubt there's another rifle out there, in this price bracket, that's anywhere near as accurate, customizable, and flat out addicting to shoot as the 15-22.

[RunninKurt]

Originally Posted by ironfist1

I had alot of FFF & FFE's. I have a documented history on these threads of range reports. I mention video's to the OP for proof of it happening because that's about the best evidence you can have. Seeing is believing.

my bad, didnt know you had a history, my offer still stands

[Just another 22 shooter]

The good:
This gun is FUN FUN FUN to shoot. Load up all tthe mags (I have 6) and head to the field for an afternoon of fun entrainment.
The bad:
not real accurate. Shooting off hand most of the time, it doesn't make that much difference, but shooting over bags, my box stock 10-22 does better in the accuracy dept. floating the barrelof the 1522 helps. but when I bought mine, S&W was touting the "match grade" barrel on the 1522... a real disappointment to me.
The ugly:
My gun has been back to S&W twice. Once for just being almost totally dysfunctional( right after I bought it) and the second time (last summer) for firing out of battery and sending the extractor into orbit. Both times it was fixed and returned in a timely manner, but the last time it came back, the document they send with it that is suppose to tell me what they did to it was blank. It shoots and functions fine now, but every time I take it out , I kinda hold my breath. I guess I got one of "the lemons". If I could recover all the money I have in it, I would, but that ain't going to happen, so I'll just put up with it, I guess.

[GypsmJim]

Hummm.....got me thinking now!!!

Thanks for all the good comments. I guess I'm a little gunshy right now (no pun intended). I've been shooting and collecting for 50 years or so and have never had to send a rifle back for repairs.....until now.

Out of the box, the lemon I just got rid of shot 10" groups at 25 yards. The first factory service involved cleaning the gun and adjusting the stock (??) It came back shooting 10" groups. The second fix involved a barrel replacement and now it shoots 4" groups at 25 yards.

I have 90 year old .22s that do better. I don't think I'm being too picky, but I think it should at least print a 2" group. Even though they offered to look at it again, its just not worth the hassle.

The few negative comments have me antsy to say the least. The positive ones were good, and I expected a negative or 2, but not that many. I won't buy a used one, that's for sure. Sounds like the newer ones are improved. I just don't want a repeat of the 4 month endeavor back and forth to the UPS store like I just had.

I don't mind spending $500 for a wheelgun. I guess I would have expected more from a plastic .22 that cost that much.

Thanks again.

[wolverine]

Evening Jim

From my personal experience & what I have seen from the 15-22 shooters at my local shooting range you won't get 2" 50 yard groups from a standard S&W 15-22 (even shooting premium ammo)

Just call the S&W tec line & tell them you have a 15-22 that shoots larger groups than you think it should & the answer you will get back is they don't guarantee the accuracy on the 15-22.

I guess I should have expected that as it has a plastic lower receiver with no metal reinforcement & has a short metal bushing to hold the barrel in the all-plastic upper. The for-end is wimpy plastic & not very well stabilized but contacts the barrel for front stabilization. Even the rails are plastic that like the upper & lower receiver expand & contract considerably more than metal ones do.

Perfectly fun little toy but definitely not a precision accuracy instrument.

For the money they cost personally I think they should shoot better but they seem to sell like hot cakes so what do I know.

If you are looking for a bit better 22 accuracy in the AR platform maybe look into the CMMG. For about the same money (depending on where you buy it from & transfer fees) they seem to have a pretty decent accuracy history (for a 22 AR type anyhow) & the lower is a real AR/M4 so you can toss about any 223/5.56 upper on it & shoot fast & far.

[THEolfart]

I have an early model, right out of the box I had some ejection problem, tweaked the ejector rod per the instructions on this site and the video and it has worked perfectly for me using CCI mini's both HP and 40 gr. round nose, also Wally Mart Federal bulk pack. I never have a mis-feed and can't remember the last time I had any extraction/ejection problem.
I looked at improving the accuracy, for an optic I got an NcStar 2-7x32scope, found the POI would change depending on where/how I held or supported the foregrip. Took the muzzle brake off, pulled off the foregrip endcap, Dremel-sanded the hole in the cap for the barrel larger so as to effectively "free-float" it. The POI doesn't change now and on 3X, with these tired old eyes and bench-resting or with the bipod, I can consistently whack 10 out of 10 paint balls on golf tees pegged on a sawbuck at 100 feet. I'm very happy with it.

[RustyToy]

I have had my m&p 1522 for over a year no. I have over 3000 with no problems. It shoots so well I get a little board with it. No, it was a great choice for range fun and I like that I can take it to the indoor ranges with no fuss. Living in california you can get the "eye" for pulling out a black rifle. Once I let a few people fire this plinker everyone wants one.

[InfiniteMotors]

Just returned from the range. Shot the cheapest dirtiest ammo I could find ($1.87 Remington) just to see how low she could go. Not a single hiccup and accuracy was very impressive. Took turns with a buddy firing off 10 rounds as quick as we could too, just asking for a failure of some kind. Smooth all night! Great fun.

[silver78]

I have owned two 15-22s. A regular one and a PC model. I bought the regular model in 2010 after the blue spring models were released and then purchased the PC model about two months ago.

The regular model worked perfectly - that's why I bought the PC model. The PC model also functioned flawlessly BUT it does not meet my accuracy expectations. The PC model is a little better than the regular model but the accuracy improvement is not enough to justify the premium price. I sold the regular model and still have the PC model.

Based on what I know today I would not have bought the PC model. So my recomendation is to simply buy the base model and enjoy it with the understanding that it's a blaster - not a tiny groups model.

Other info FYI - In addition to Winchester and Federal bulk ammo which functioned flawlessly, I used two brands of ammo from the "do not use" list in the owners manual. They both functioned just fine.

[Unit505]

My 15-22 is one of the most reliable firearms I've ever owned. After catching hell from my wife for buying a $500 plastic .22 rifle, I could only pray that this gun shoots well enough to justify the money spent. 20 years ago, I was shooting expert with every small arms weapon the Army could throw at me with iron sights. My eagle eyes and steady hands are not what they used to be, but give me a shooting bag and a scope and I can put the 15-22 on target and have a blast all day long. On last range visit with this little gem, the range officer stopped and asked me what I was shooting at. He said there's not a hole in your 50 or 100 yard targets. I asked him to look through the spotting scope at the target sitting on the 200 yard berm and he was astounded. No grouping to speak of, but plenty of holes that would hold off any bad guy at that distance. The wind was dead calm, so I had the advantage. I sighted in a new 4-16 x 40mm scope at 100 yards three weeks ago on a very wind day and and had no problem filling an 8" circle full of holes. I was very pleased until my 17 year old son took over. He managed to eat the bulls eye out at 100 yards with the same wind. Kinda sucks getting shown up by my 17 year old with just a "First Gun" shooters certificate and a hunter's safety course to call training. I've had 2 dud rounds from a 10 year old box of Remington bulk, but once they were gone, the Federal 550's took over and not one single bad round or failure to feed from many boxes. I've shot 300 rounds of blazer bulk and a few mini mags and stingers as well as 100 rounds of Remington sub sonics and still no issues. I've never gotten past a couple hundred rounds of ammo with my Marlins, Ruger 10-22's or Stevens without some kind of jamming or cycling issues. If I had to depend on a .22 for my life, it would be the 15-22!

[InfiniteMotors]

Another 200-300 rounds tonight, mixed ammo, still flawless.

[GypsmJim]

Ok, I knew this would happen! Those darn gunshows...

Before I posted this thread I checked local gun shop pricing.

When I got to the show (2 counties away) I met a nice old gun dealer who beat the local price by 60 bucks. The dumb think followed me home - It wasn't my doing (at least that's what I'll tell the wife when she gets home)

So, couple of questions now...

1. Mine is a compliant model (I'm in NY) and the stock is pinned. Looks like If I drill out the pin that's all I have to do since the adjusting bar is intact. Will it work then?

2. The 10 round mag does not have a loading assist button. Is that somewthing I can add?

3. The SN is DWH 2xxx. Anybody know when it was manufactured?

Thanks again to all.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

LOL!

Welcome to the disorder, Jim.

[pb803]

way to go Jim......
take it out tomorrow and break her in....I really believe you are going to love it.

btw......had mine....oops....my wife's...out today and put another 250 rounds of Blazer bulk through it with zero problems.