New 15-22 owner here. I've read tons of threads and seen nearly every gun in the photo thread. Almost to the point of paralysis by analysis, I haven't done anything to mine yet beyond ordering a Volq extractor.

It's a bit overwhelming to see everyone's builds, but it sure makes me want all of them. This forum is such a great resource though. Highly impressed.

I realize this is probably a very broad question, but let's open Pandora's box.

What are the essential accessories, upgrades, and mods that you have or wish you could do if you had another blank canvas?

Scopes, dots, dots+magnifiers, triggers, stocks, bipods, etc. Pros/cons of each. Everything is fair game.

Appreciate it and thanks again!

Welcome to the Forum.
IMHO the first essential is that you become familiar with what you have just purchased. First, clean it thoroughly (very important first step here), then take it to the range and put 500 rounds through it. Then, maybe you will have a feeling for what you wish to do with it, if anything at all. Why dig a money pit without any idea where to start digging?

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NRA Endowment Member

Great advice. Like anyone else, I'm always giddy when I get a new toy, so I'll definitely put it through its paces.

Appreciate it!

You and I share that (along with many others). I have spent a lot of unnecessary money spiffing and tricking things that really didn't need or deserve tricked and spiffed. Best of luck with your new acquisition!

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NRA Endowment Member

I wouldn't even mess with the VQ extractor unless you are having FTExtract issues. Upgrade the trigger however you choose to. Factory triggers suck. Optics....I like a 1-4/1-6 with a illuminated dot. Best of both worlds, especially on a 15-22. Other than that, everything else is as you need/want it.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Best to first determine the main purpose for the gun. Casual plinker, training gun, specific type of competition?? That will go a long way in determining how you'll want to set it up.

Most guns differ from one another. Essential? No.

Disassemble to your comfort level, clean, lube properly, fire extensively while maintaining and learning weapon.

"Upgrade" as you see fit.

Check out the 1522 Picture thread. It will give you some ideas of what other people think is "essential" and empty your wallet very quickly.
M&P 15-22 Picture Thread

I second this advice. Just clean and shoot it before you figure out what, if any, modifications you want. I bought a VQ extractor based on threads here but never put it in because I never had any extraction issues. It has been 8 years and my 15-22 has functioned flawlessly just as the factory designed it to.
Shoot and enjoy!! And welcome to the forum!

The only "upgrade" to mine was a couple of cases of .22's. And when those run out I'll get more. Trigger time is way more important than add-on doodads.

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S&W Accumulator

Troy Landry has a great idea ...take the rifle to the range , no accessories , no modifications and no upgrades ...and ... Just Choot it !
Take all the money you were gonna spend on gadgets and do-dah's , buy ammo and learn to shoot accurately .

You can't fix something if it works ! Choot It !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Essential? Maybe “good” optics, a trigger and some extra mags but other than that, loading up an AR with bells and whistles that you will never need or use is just wasting money. Save the money and put it toward a suppressor!

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S&W factory revolver armorer

Appreciate all the input... plenty of ideas, all of them good. Never thought about a suppressor though! Must be whisper quiet.

I've actually put quite a bit of trigger time in already, need to restock on ammo now

A trigger replacement and more magazines (Good Luck!) seem the logical initial choices. Mine already came with a S&W RED/GREEN Dot sight that has worked fine so far. One can easily go wild when adding optic$: if you can actually wear one out shooting your 15-22, so much the better when it is time to replace/upgrade.

Cheers & Enjoy!

P.S. If you do get a drop-in trigger, be sure to spring for the CORRECT size anti-walk trigger pins: there are a couple choices that work well.

Do some research before buying a new trigger. Not all drop-ins will be reliable in a rimfire. Surprisingly it takes a harder strike to set off a rimfire than a center fire and not all triggers are up to it. I know for sure that CMC, Timney., and Hyperfire are OK, many others probably but those I am sure of.
I bought an adapter nut from Tacticool and put metal free float hand guards on my 15-22’s. Makes them feel more like their big brothers.

Do whatever makes you happy. If you like 'tricking out' your firearms (I know I do, even if it's only for S&G's ), the AR platforms, including the 15-22, will easily deplete your bank account. Plan on working some O.T.! lol

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

It will work fine as it comes out of the box. Clean and lube the action and chamber. Leave barrel alone. Things to possibly eventually replace might be sights, either better iron or perhaps some sort of red dot. It will accept some of the various AR target triggers. I added anti-walk pins when I upgraded to a Rise Armament one.

I just came across this from JoeBobOutfitters.com - The Rise Armaments Rave 140 drop-in trigger with the flat trigger face (RA-140F) is on sale for $89.95 with free shipping.

Rise Armament AR15/AR10 3.5lb Flat Trigger w/ Anti Walk Pins

Yes, the M&P15-22 will use replacement drop-in cassette triggers for the AR-15. This trigger comes with anti-walk pins but they will be just slightly too short because the M&P15-22 has a thicker sidewall on the lower as it is made of composite and not alloy. You can use the original trigger pins if you want, or you can search for anti-walk trigger pins specifically for the M&P15-22.

I use this trigger (but with the round face, not the flat) in both my M&P15-22 and my regular AR-15 and love it. It has a 3.5-pound pull and screamingly short reset. I realize that triggers are very personal on AR-platform rifles, but this one gives you a lot of benefits at a very reasonable price. In fact, this price is just over $10 less than what I purchased my last RA-140 trigger for, so this is a great deal.

If a trigger upgrade is on your list, then this one is a great value.

The RA-140 trigger group will work just fine in the 15-22 including the supplied anti-walk pins with no problem. I know because I have the exact trigger in my 15-22. Great TG for the price.

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS