Jon651
Member
Got my new M&P 15-22 last week and finally made it to the range. Suffice to say, my very first impression is it's probably the most fun I've had in a while! I chose the 15-22 because I have a pacemaker and was warned a while back about anything with a significant recoil resting on my shoulder (don't want to break a wire, which has happened to me in the past for different reasons...) so I had been sticking to pistols for the last 20 years. My friend recently purchased one and I threw caution to the wind and tried it out and was hooked immediately, not only from the aspect of the nearly non-existent recoil but just from the sheer fun-factor.
The model I got is the basic "Sport" with flip-up sights (no optics). It was difficult enough to find almost ANY model in stock ANYWHERE and I snagged this one at Bass Pro online in the approximately 23 seconds it was listed as available on their web page. When I got it home I combed through the manual and watched a few YouTube vids so I was able to strip it down, clean off the protectant and lube it up without any difficulties. This is my first AR-style weapon and is probably one of the simplest firearms I own to field strip and reassemble.
I loaded the very first magazine with cheap Thunderbolt ammo (not very much selection or availability in the ammunition department here lately), went to the range and sent a target down to the 50' mark just to see what would happen. I made no adjustments to anything other then extending the stock, slow-fired an entire magazine downrange - and could barely see a thing on the paper. I reeled it back in and only then did I notice that I had, on my first attempt with no adjustments and no practice, kept a nice 2" group dead center. That started my afternoon of fun, except now I figured out I also need new glasses...
I spent around 200 rounds and loved every moment of it.
A few down sides perhaps:
1. For some odd reason I can only get 23 rounds into the factory 25-round mags (I bought 2 extras for a total of 3 mags, all S&W). The 24th round can be pushed in but won't seat properly, and there is no room for a 25th at all. It might be because the springs are still tight so I'll leave them loaded for a few days just to see if anything changes; and
2. On average I had 1-2 FTE's with every magazine. For now I'm writing this off as a combination of a brand-new gun, possibly not enough lube, and cheap ammo so I will keep an eye on this issue over time.
Yes, I will be adding a few items over time. I decided that I have to have a better stock so that will be first, and then possibly a bipod if I can find one I like. Overall, this was an EXCELLENT purchase!
The model I got is the basic "Sport" with flip-up sights (no optics). It was difficult enough to find almost ANY model in stock ANYWHERE and I snagged this one at Bass Pro online in the approximately 23 seconds it was listed as available on their web page. When I got it home I combed through the manual and watched a few YouTube vids so I was able to strip it down, clean off the protectant and lube it up without any difficulties. This is my first AR-style weapon and is probably one of the simplest firearms I own to field strip and reassemble.
I loaded the very first magazine with cheap Thunderbolt ammo (not very much selection or availability in the ammunition department here lately), went to the range and sent a target down to the 50' mark just to see what would happen. I made no adjustments to anything other then extending the stock, slow-fired an entire magazine downrange - and could barely see a thing on the paper. I reeled it back in and only then did I notice that I had, on my first attempt with no adjustments and no practice, kept a nice 2" group dead center. That started my afternoon of fun, except now I figured out I also need new glasses...
I spent around 200 rounds and loved every moment of it.
A few down sides perhaps:
1. For some odd reason I can only get 23 rounds into the factory 25-round mags (I bought 2 extras for a total of 3 mags, all S&W). The 24th round can be pushed in but won't seat properly, and there is no room for a 25th at all. It might be because the springs are still tight so I'll leave them loaded for a few days just to see if anything changes; and
2. On average I had 1-2 FTE's with every magazine. For now I'm writing this off as a combination of a brand-new gun, possibly not enough lube, and cheap ammo so I will keep an eye on this issue over time.
Yes, I will be adding a few items over time. I decided that I have to have a better stock so that will be first, and then possibly a bipod if I can find one I like. Overall, this was an EXCELLENT purchase!
