M&P 15 22 cal reliability and accuracy ?

rebs081

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I have a S&W Sport and love it, so I am thinking I may want to buy a S&W ar in 22 cal.
How reliable and accurate are they ?
 
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My experience has been great. I have the Performance Center model and after a few thousand rounds not a single hiccup. Some members here have over 10,000 rounds. Accuracy wise I'm happy with mine, granted its not as accurate as a 10/22 but its not intended for precision shooting.
Here's mine at 50 yards using a bipod and scope.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1352294368.923795.jpg
 
I found my 15-22 to be very reliable once I worked out the ammo. Mine doesn't like Federal Bulk. But I have found other value bulk ammo that does work reliably. It seems they all have different personalities.
I have only had mine for about a month and a half, but I can reliably hit 2" steel targets at 50 yards using iron sights. By spring I think I will have become proficient with iron and will acquire a scope to take it out to 100+ yards.
 
The key to accuracy with the 15-22 (really most .22s) is to match the ammo to the firearm. Try at least 100 rounds each of several brands to see what your particular 15-22 likes best. And fire at least 10 rounds before you try for accuracy to get your barrel "acclimated" to the new ammo.

With a decent scope, 2.5-3.0 MOA from the bench is not uncommon. The 15-22 is NOT a bullseye match gun and was never meant to be.
 
I've been breaking mine in on the "easy" side so to speak. Getting it plenty warm and keeping that temp. I "watch" the AR temp while I'm shooting my handguns. I shoot at an old dump now and then that works great. I'm to the point of "don't grab the barrel". So far,it's shooting about everything I've been feeding it. Minor FTF FTE's are ammo related. Seems to be getting better as I get more ammo through it. Held back on freefloating the barrel until I feel it's broke in well. I'm hitting what I'm aiming at. And VERY happy with it. I'd buy it again if I had it to do over.
 
my experience with the 15-22 has also been excellent. But I agree with the others, try a number of different brands. So far CCI Tactical and Winchester X-pert works well. Next range trip I'll try a couple hundred rounds of Winchester M-22. All rounds have been 40gr.

Good luck with your decision but I think you will like the 15-22.
 
Mine seems to shoot any ammo I try without a problem. I shot some 12 year old Rem Golden last night and didn't have a single problem. Since I bought my 15-22 my Tactical Ruger 10-22 hasn't been used. I am planning to try a S&W M&P 15 Sport next.
 
I second the opinions given especially about how they seem to have different personalities when it comes to ammo. Mine loves CCI Mini Mags and feeds on Federal Bulk just fine. It does not like Remington Golden Bullet or white box Winchester. I also like to load 4X1 ball to tracer just for nostalgia and find that the tracer has some problems with being powerful enough to cycle the action properly sometimes. It is also very dirty ammo; but the sight of those red streaks in the dark is amazing! I shoot my 15-22 then pick up my Henry lever-gun and it's like using a time machine! But both of them are fine rifles and a joy to shoot.
 
You should be fine for plinking. I use federal 550 for general fun but I have found other ammo shoots a little more accurately such as federal lightning.

Here are a couple targets lightning vs bulk using iron sights.
Top is lightning

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2012-11-04_14-40-54_698.jpg
 
Reliable 15-22

There are several of us at the gun club that use the 15-22 for 2 gun competition. We have found that the Blazer works very well, and the Federal bulk doesn't in the rifle, but does in our hand guns.We are able to hit clay birds out at 50 yards without any problem. And do we have a lot of fun with them.
 
No points of discontent hereabouts either.

I have over 5,000 rounds though mine, which my wife calls hers as she
likes firing it that much, and the only ammo it doesn't feast upon is the
Federal bulk, and it gets a little queasy on anything less than 40 grainers.

The 15-22 out to 100 yards, and the 22A for 25 or less. Two great tastes
that taste great together!

:D
 
Now for the fly in the soup....I have had to send mine back twice to S&W. And I'm going to be sending it back again...out of battery firing, extractor blown into eternity, AND a bullet stuck in the barrel. I guess I have the one in a hundred thousand that is the lemon. With all the problems that I have with the 1522, I would not discourage you from getting one. When it's running good, it is a fun, fun 22 to shoot.
 
I bought the Performance Center 15-22 for my son to shoot and I use it more than he does. It is fun, accurate, and reliable. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a .22. The Ruger 10-22 hasn't been fired since we got the S&W.
 
I have had the MP 15-22 for a couple of years. I haven't used my match Ruger 10-22 since I got it. Liked it so much I got an MP 15 Sport this year. The look and feel of the two rifles are pretty much the same. Main difference is $.03 per round vs $.40 which is quite a difference if you are just shooting paper or cans. Since I got the MP 15 Sport my Mini 14 has seen very little action. The only Problem I have encountered with either rifle is a walking hammer pin on the MP 15 Sport that was easily fixed by two drops of locktite. S&W sent me two new notched hammer pins that I have yet to use.
Both rifles are great and complement each other. Neither is match quality, but more than accurrate for my needs.
 
You will never regret purchasing a 15-22. They are the most fun and versatile .22 made. And, if you like to dress them up, well there is no end to accessories. Accuracy? very very good, but they are sometimes ammo sensitive. Mine actually likes Federal bulk quite well, Remington not at all. Now my M&P22 doesn't like the Feds, but Wildcats work very well. Guns seem to have personalities as do the the shooters. I found that my .22 ammo budget increased substantially when I got the 15-22, much to my pleasure. They once said of the revered Henry, you load it on Sunday and shoot all week. The 15-22? Load it on Sunday and shoot all month. A word of caution, if you get the 15-22 you may forget you own the Sport. Good shooting.
 
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