m&p 15-22 metal upper and maybe 80% lower and otherparts

slim433 · Mar 1, 2015

Hello thank you for reading this.I was a truck mechanic for 20 plus years and I now am disabled.I love the 15-22 and I want to make mine better. What I would like to know is if any of you would be along to buy parts to improve your as well. I already have a metal lathe and I am thinking of getting a milling machine but that cost is high and if I am only going to do my mp 15-22 I can do it without one. But if others might like some of these parts I will make the jump. Not asking for anyone to say they will buy some thing just if this is anything they been thinking of or looking for.

Thank. You
Slim

AR-Getsome · Mar 1, 2015

I'll be the first to say no. I bought myself and my wife the 15-22, and we both love it. I have bought a few Nick knacks for it, Lotsa ammo and plenty of magazines. We have also bought ourselves AR-15's. Although they closely resemble each other, I have no ambition to make my $400 15-22 into a $1200 15-22. I find the rifle to be as accurate as I need it to be for what I do with it. If you are wanting a competition target grade rifle, you would have to do a lot more than just making an 80% lower or upper. What are you wanting to improve on the 15-22?

Muss Muggins · Mar 1, 2015

Mine is already a tack driver, and I've made a much too significant contribution to the Magpul owner's children's college fund. Like the previous poster, what part would you mill to improve the 15-22?

Can't say I won't until I hear what it is. Can't think of anything myself.

RedNeck Jim · Mar 1, 2015

This ain't the first time someone has had this thought... and won't be the last I'm sure. Also won't be the last time the thought is shut down.

Yes, the 15-22 is not all metal... it is made out of polymer. That does not mean the design is defective or needing of improvement. The only time I have ever hear of a damaged 15-22 upper is when someone abuses it by putting it in a vise and not the barrel. Just because the 15-22 looks mostly like an AR & shares many of the parts/attachments, doesn't mean it is an AR or need the strength of one. Just set a 22lr next to .223 (or bigger) and compare. A 22lr just doesn't have enough oomph to require a metal upper.

Now this is America and folks love to tinker. Look at the photo thread & you will be amazed. Heck the other day I saw where someone wrapped theirs in carbon fiber. Why, I have no idea but so what? Point is, if you wish to build an all metal 15-22... go for it. Just keep in mind it is not "needed" and you will not find enough others to make the venture profitable.

68sixspeed · Mar 1, 2015

Also there are some good options already for true ar15 based all metal uppers like cmmg, tactical solutions, and dpms etc. there is even an adapter to allow the use of 15-22 mags in an ar15 lower with the some uppers. What I'm getting at is by the time you made the custom parts and made them available, the cost would likely be as much as the other 22 uppers and you would still have s&w's barrel which isn't exactly the most accurate thing in the world.

I love the 15-22, own a regular and performance center model, but I'm always searching for accuracy and have a dpms upper which is the next project to test. That upper was only $350 for reference.

dullh · Mar 1, 2015

We're spending too much time trying to improve what we have to enjoy what we have.

I would not be interested in any thing like this - my biggest pleasure comes from making empties out of unfired ammo.

slim433 · Mar 1, 2015

I didn't do anything to be put down on from u all asked a question. AMD the reason I want this is the rifle as give in it with the plastic upper and lower. And I have the tools and means to make what I want so I was just asking if anyone else would like this as well. I also can make the other stuff seen around like barrel wrench and free floating forearm. Or latch. And just making and adding the aluminum upper will take at give from the rifle.

RedNeck Jim · Mar 1, 2015

slim433 said:
I didn't do anything to be put down on from u all asked a question. AMD the reason I want this is the rifle as give in it with the plastic upper and lower. And I have the tools and means to make what I want so I was just asking if anyone else would like this as well. I also can make the other stuff seen around like barrel wrench and free floating forearm. Or latch. And just making and adding the aluminum upper will take at give from the rifle.

Slim, I don't see where anyone put YOU down. What people have put down is your idea... on which you requested input.

slim433 · Mar 1, 2015

And for the cost it isn't all that bad . billet pieces in the size needed can be had for 30 bucks each and I am disabled so time is all I have. I can do milling on my grizzly g0602 and make he parts. I am sorry I didn't mean to upset any of u. My rifle is a very accurate rifle as I can hit a 8 nch steel plate at 200 yards all day. But my kids seem to hold hard and if u watch u can see it twist and move at times. And I believe that an upper in aluminum would change that.

RedNeck Jim · Mar 1, 2015

slim433 said:
But my kids seem to hold hard and if u watch u can see it twist and move at times. And I believe that an upper in aluminum would change that.

What are you seeing twist & move... the upper or the free float handguard? I'm having a hard time imagining anyone flexing the upper or lower, especially just by holding it firm.

slim433 · Mar 2, 2015

The forearm isn't free floating on a mp 15 22 . The movement is between the upper and the lower.the forearm on a mp 15 22 is mounted behind the barrel nut

sithlord · Mar 2, 2015

slim433 said:
The forearm isn't free floating on a mp 15 22 . The movement is between the upper and the lower.the forearm on a mp 15 22 is mounted behind the barrel nut

By what definition? The handguard (which I'm assuming you are referring to as the forearm) is free floating. It never touches the barrel, at least not in mine (MOE version). The end cap on the handguard doesn't really do much (and you can take it off).

Is there some slop between the upper and lower? Perhaps. BUT, given that the sights are on the upper, it shouldn't impact accuracy or operation.

Even my M&P15, mil spec upper and lowers have a little bit of play. Doesn't affect accuracy. Perhaps you have a loose barrel nut.

Perhaps some pics would help. We aren't trying to rail on you - just trying to understand what problem you are trying to address.

Majorlk · Mar 2, 2015

slim433 said:
My rifle is a very accurate rifle as I can hit a 8 nch steel plate at 200 yards all day.

If you do a search on the subject, you'll find several threads already exist giving the various pros, cons and problems with your idea. It's not new, by a long shot and has pretty much previously been beaten to death.

Basically, it sounds great in theory, but that's all. If you want to do something one-off for your own use, that's fine, but you'll find essentially zero interest in it from others.

This is one of those cases of a solution in search of an, essentially, non-existant problem.

FWIW, keeping on an 8-inch target at 200 years isn't all that accurate. Not bad shooting for the typical 15-22, though.

68sixspeed · Mar 2, 2015

If you have the tools and the time and want to try it, hey, go for it and I'd love to see the pics when it's done, I was just commenting that I don't think it is marketable because of the other AR based aluminum options that are reasonably priced. I have the tools (cnc shop) but not the time and until better barrels are available I think the gains will be minimal. But the personal satisfaction could be priceless. I love doing things people say can't or shouldn't be done.

best of luck if you give it a try.

dullh · Mar 2, 2015

slim433 said:
The forearm isn't free floating on a mp 15 22 . The movement is between the upper and the lower.the forearm on a mp 15 22 is mounted behind the barrel nut

What you are calling the "forearm" is the handguard.

Do you even understand the definition of "free floating"?

Did you know, that free-floating handguards have to be attached somewhere, and in most, if not all applications, a "free floating" handguard attaches to the upper receiver with...wait for it...the barrel nut?

What "free float" means is no portion of the handguard makes physical contact with the barrel, except where they attach at the receiver...

photoracer · Mar 12, 2015

All true but the handguard in the 15-22 does not attach like the handuard in an AR-15. In the 15-22 the handguard is actually attached like a washer on the barrel nut so to speak and its polymer is conpressed by the barrel nut. On the AR the handguard is attached to the fully compressed barrel nut by bolting or clamping to it but does not attach under the actual tension of the barrel nut between it and the barrel. Tests have shown that putting pressure on the handguard of the 15-22 will change the POI slightly because that affects the barrel and barrel nut relationship. Which is why Tacticool22's adapter to add an AR handguard gets the handguard itself out of the equation of induced stress between the barrel and barrel nut of the 15-22. Does not mean it can eliminate all induced stress but it is much harder to affect the POI when you have his adapters on plus a stiffer AR handguard. Still won't match the accuracy of a full on AR-22 but it comes closer. And the 15-22 still retains its reliability.

bui501 · Jan 17, 2025

slim433 said:
And for the cost it isn't all that bad . billet pieces in the size needed can be had for 30 bucks each and I am disabled so time is all I have. I can do milling on my grizzly g0602 and make he parts. I am sorry I didn't mean to upset any of u. My rifle is a very accurate rifle as I can hit a 8 nch steel plate at 200 yards all day. But my kids seem to hold hard and if u watch u can see it twist and move at times. And I believe that an upper in aluminum would change that.

Slim,
I didn't get into .22 and get my M&P 15-22 until a few months ago, so I'm sorry that I'm responding to this very old post, but darn it if I am not wishing for something more substantial than a polymer upper and lower for the thing.. My M&P 15-22 is fun as heck, but I just want to be able to make it even more fun by running things that would be more suitable with aluminum receivers. For example, I know that some folks have reported being able to use a Franklin binary trigger in their 15-22, but Franklin doesn't recommend it because of the polymer construction. I just want something made of more durable materials for more fun options (including a binary or whatever the next ATF Director allows).

m&p 15-22 metal upper and maybe 80% lower and otherparts

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