Hi guys (and gals),

I've been looking at getting a .22 semi auto for a while now and have settled on the 15-22. Before I pull the trigger (see what I did there!) I need a bit of advice on which model to go for.

Here in jolly ol' England they are not cheap and I'm wondering which one to go for?
Is the MOE worth the extra money? ($1120 vs $960 for the 'TB' model!!! *@!* this country by the way).

Now, to add the MOE bits to the TB would cost more than the price differance but would I be better putting that money towards something else (red dot, extra mags, etc) or will I just end up upgrading the standard grip/sights/stock anyway?

Any advise would be welcome.

My next one will be the MOE version, if that helps you make a choice. I figure why not get it with the parts I would put on it anyway.

Thanks Shinny,

So you think you'd buy the MOE parts anyway? That's the way I'm leaning at the mo too.

Thanks for the reply!

Did not know you could have them in England. What exactly are.the gun laws there? Are you required to have a pinned stock, only 10 round magazine, or barrel without a flash hider?

Hi Five-0

Here it is your right to own a shotgun (as many as you like in fact) unless you have been to prison or have mental health issues (from depression upwards). (maximum of 3 shots. more than 3 is classified as a firearm - see below) Barrel must be 24"+. You can buy an unlimited amount of ammo.

You can have a rifle (firearm) but you need to demonstrate a 'need' for it and a suitable place to use it. This could include being a member of a target shooting club, vermin control, etc. The police have to approve the land you'll be shooting on for that calibre. So if you have a 5 acre plot you will probably be granted a .22 but not a .308 for example as it could out-shoot the land. Minimum length of the gun is 24" with at least a 12" barrel (iirc)

Also, you can't just walk into Walmart and buy a gun even when you have a licence. You have to have an empty 'slot' for that type and calibre of gun on your licence. Your licence also states how much ammo you can buy and how much you can own.

Also. No full auto and (with very rare exceptions) no pistols.

The main problem is having to jump through so many hoops and paperwork and the cost of the guns compared to other countries.

What is the cost of ammo, particularly .22 LR?

Go moe, you won't regret it.

Approx $8-12 per 100 rounds of .22LR depending on brand/quality.
$250+ per 1000 12g shells.
$65+ per 50 rounds of .223.
$30 per 20 rounds of 30-06.
~$40 per 20 rounds of .308.

Hope that gives you a very rough idea.

(Please note, I'm very new to shooting and not an expert)

Thanks Spyder!

I got the more basic model, as I live in Connecticut. We have more strict requirements than most other states. We cannot have collapsible stocks, they must be pinned to prevent collapse. We cannot have flash hiders or threaded barrels.
The only MOE stuff that I would like to get is the MBUS when I get a scope. I really like the stock S&W hand guard and the M4 style stock. For me the question would be what is the added cost to swap in the MBUS. It it were less than the difference in the rifles, I would just do that.
And if you know you are getting one either way, order a bunch of spare mags now! I have 5 all together and would like more.

Thanks for the input Taco. I'm leaning towards the MOE for that reason.

I went for the MOE and then sold the MOE sights for $75 and put a scope on it.. Here the $75 was just about the difference in price for the MOE, so I got what I wanted for about the same as the non-moe.. Ron

If you want the MOE stuff then I would get that version.

I didn't want the MOE stuff so I bought the standard model and added the parts I wanted.



How much does a Magpul STR or ACS stock cost over there?

I bought the MOE. Paid the extra money and smiled all the way home. If you're asking the question, then there really is no question!

It's a fun gun. Make it look fun too. You'll forget the extra money, but if you don't get it you'll always wish you did.

Munster

__________________
GO NAVY!

Yea... If you gotta go through all that trouble get the Moe... Sounds like that's what you really want... You don't want to regret it... Good Luck on your decision...

Thanks for the help guys. Hope to be able to post pics of a shinny new 15-22 MOE very soon!

Gopher, STR/ACS cost a little over $200 here.

Hi Tommy, is that a question? Go MOE!

I wouldn't hesitate to get the MOE version, the magpul goodies are all nice especially the mbus sights (better for adding optics) and stock, oh and the integrated sling mount that often gets overlooked.

It is interesting to know about the gun laws in other countries. I guess even Californians have it better than people in other countries. Although, I've never seen guns in Walmarts around here.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

MOE Has has Magpul sights, stock, and grip. The Moe also
has an ambi single point sling attachment built into the lower receiver.
I favor the MOE also so beside the 15-22 I also have a S&W M&P MOE 5.56, and a SIG M400-Enhanced-OD MOE equipt 5.56.
I find the difference in price will not buy you the Magpul addons. Unless you buy the cheap Chinese parts (I know they are cheap because I bought some without knowing) You will be happy with whichever you get.

Thanks for all the replies!

I am happy with my MOE.

Stock - I like the stock WAY better than what came on my .223/5.56 version.

BUIS - Not as cool as real irons, but I just keep them folded under a scope for backup anyway. They were good enough that I picked up Magpul gen2 version for backup on my 5.56. One thing that blows is you need a tool to adjust the elevation post.

Grip - I was not digging the grip and replaced it with a Hogue, which was cheap and is awesome!

Rail guards - Were nice enough, but I replaced with snap on panels that feel a little nicer. They did, however, add weight and bulk, which I like, but some would not.

One thing I messed up on - I got the FDE version and was loving the look, but after switching to a black grip, black rail covers, and picking up mostly black mags, I am left with only the stock and BUIS being FDE, and the rest all black, which looks slightly silly. If I could go back, I would have just bought the gun in all black.

Overall, even with replacing some of the MOE parts, it was well worth it.

Hi Tommy,

Fellow UK shooter here!

When I went for my 15-22 last year, I got the standard model and added Magpul bits myself. This was due to the low availability of 15-22's at the time, and because I had pretty specific ideas on what Magpul parts I wanted to add (CTR stock rather than the MOE, and a MOE+ grip, in Foliage Green rather than black or Dark Earth).

If you're happy with the MOE spec parts, then I'd say go for that - from personal experience I would certainly want to swap out the stock pistol grip for *any* form of MOE, and the MBUS are a must if you're looking to add a red dot or scope down the line. I do like the extra locking of the CTR stock (and now prefer the STR which I have on my 9mm carbine!), but the MOE would definitely be a welcome upgrade to the standard S&W stock - and there are always airsofters about who you can sell any bits to (as *proper* Magpul and not the usual PTS stuff found over here!) if you decide to upgrade

Thanks again everyone. I think it needs to be a nice, black MOE. I've got my dealer searching for a good price. Your advice has been a great help!

Quick update. I went to pick up an MOE today...and came away with a Performance Centre model instead! More money but the better quality more than justified it for me. Now I CAN'T WAIT to get down to the range and try it out. It came with a 10 round mag so I picked up a spare 25 round too! Right now I've got a big grin on my face!!!

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the club. Remember to read your manual about ammo type, as per "THE M&P15-22 PERFORMANCE CENTER MODEL RIFLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A .22 LONG RIFLE LANEY SEMI-AUTOMATCH CHAMBER WHICH DOES NOT ACCOMMODATE CCI®.22 LONG RIFLE STINGER® BRAND AMMUNITION."

I know this is a dunb NOOB question, but what does MOE stand for. I need a glossary of all these acronyms! I have been around hunting guns all my life but just started getting interested in the Tactical side.

MagPul Original Equipment. It means the rifle comes with several items from MagPul, rather than stock S&W.

Don't fret, I've been shooting for 40+ years and have had to learn a whole new vocabulary, too.

Magpul Original Equipment.

The MOE version comes with Magpul sights, a Magpul stock and IIRC a Magpul pistol grip.

Damnit MajotLk! Give a guy a chance!

Incidently the Magpul gear an MOE comes with is around $150 worth of stuff. So if the price is more than $150 more it isn't worth getting. Buy the parts yourself.

KBK

15-22 MOE also has single point sling attchment point on both sides of the lower receiver.

That's what you get for being several time zones away.

Yea I know that girn you're talking about... I even get it when I buy ammo sometimes...

Thanks! I'm learning.

I'm new to shooting in general and there are a hell of a lot of acronyms to learn! Maybe we should start a list somewhere? 15-22 specific and general shooting?

There's lists all over the Internet. Google is your friend.

True. But the interwebz is full of people who don't know what they're talking about but act like they do. It would be nice to have something from a more 'trusted' source.

This is what I've used in the past:
The Firing Line Forums - FAQ: Web Acronyms / Firearms Terms

Imagine that, doesn't trust the Internet but trusts an Internet-based forum.

I'm aware of the irony!

I'm also a UK shooter, picked up my MOE today, no thought involved for th elooks alone it's worth the extra £100!

I think the nicest part of the MOE parts is the carbine length hand guards, which don't come on the 15-22. If it were me, I'd probably buy a regular 15-22 and convert it over to take the MOE hand guards and decide which other parts I like better. In my case I prefer Hogue grips to anything Magpul offers, and for stocks, the ACS locks down tight, the MOE isn't as nice of a stock.

My reason for liking the MOE best is the flip-down sights. I even ended up putting a set of them on my non-MOE 15-22.

I agree with most of this. But the MOE rifle still has the quad rail. I would buy the base model and convert it with the exact custom parts I want.
If you want to put on standard MAGPUL carbine length hand guards, you need a kit for that.
Handguard Accessories : Tacticool22, Tactical .22 Rifle Parts and Accessories

__________________
Buy cheap, pay twice.

My 15-22 is a standard flash hider model (or at least was) and Magpul FDE parts were acquired one after another until I had a Magpul edition sans QD sling attachment. Today I ordered a MOE again in FDE just to put in the corner in case I break the first one. I also shoot a DPMS .22 LR upper on a Stag lower that is ammo sensitive, my 15-22. Will gobble anything.
I am happy to hear that shooting is not dead in England and a few 15-22 rifles will give the owners a lot of joy.

A half hour with some RIT dye and you could turn those parts black like the rest of the gun.......

Correct the MOE edition still has the regular polymer quad rail. What I was getting at is that I don't really like quad rails. I prefer regular 2 piece hand guards and I really prefer the 2 piece MOE hand guard (though I still like the traditional M4 hand guards as well).

How much 22 long rifle ammo can you own?

Of course, in sunny CA the MOE version is not "compliant".

Have you considered the Ruger 10/22 ? It's a great rifle, with tons of aftermarket stuff. If you want a military type rifle, check out the slide fire sit - You can have a totally military type rifle that will rip out a 30 round mag almost as fast as real NFA full auto - and a lot easier to deal out double and triple taps. Better yet, you don't need a ATF stamp, or the $200.00 for the stamp (tax, really)

I don't like the quad rails either. That's why I came up with a way to put a free float hand guard, then the 2 piece hand guards on these rifles.
With the complete kit you can put any 2 piece hand guards you want on your rifle. Including the old Viet Nam era triangle ones.

A Ruger 10/22??? Wrong forum.

__________________
Buy cheap, pay twice.

Exactly and thanks to you I've been the owner of a Carbine Handguard 15-22 for how many years now? Thumbs Up to Tacticool22

First post on the 15-22 forum and you are pushing the 10/22?

Not cool.