15-22 Metal

[copper06]

Did the search a few ways, nothing.

Checked the classifieds, nothing.

Interested in a 15-22 but I've read reports that it feels "kiddish" being all polymer/plastic. Are there companies out there that exactly match pieces so we can switch out the plastic for metal over time?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CPTBeaker]

- No, there are no companies which make a replacement aluminum upper or lower receiver.

- I've owned a 15-22 for around two years now and I own an AR-15, and have carried an M-16/M-4 for many years. The 15-22 does not feel "kiddish". It's lighter than an AR, but the ergonomics, and fully functional(and AR matching/equivalent) controls make the 15-22 the closest approximation .22cal (to a standard, center fire AR) you can buy, without putting a .22 cal upper on a standard AR lower.

Several companies are now making center fire ARs with polymer/carbon fiber uppers & lowers, the most notable is Bushmaster. I wouldn't discount any polymer frame AR just because it's plastic. I've seen several engineering tests where the polymer lower exceeds the capabilities and durability of a standard aluminum lower. (this test is not applicable to the 15-22 lower). If I can find the video link I'll post it. It's very interesting and eyeopening.

Get the 15-22, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Hayden]

The 2 things I know of is the Rail/hand guard and the Charging Handle. Tactacool has parts to adapt a regular AR Rail and If I remember right a Metal charging handle. Im sure others will chime in here but the 15-22 is a dedicated 22 firearm. If your thinking of swapping the upper and lower for metal, it wont work.

Hayden.

 

[rraisley]

YES, the 15-22 is waaay too light. That's why we have to add a sturdy scope mount, 1+ pound scope, double-mag mount, flashlight, laser, red-dot, bipod, front grip, sling and mount and a few other do-dads. After that, the weight seems just about, uh, perfect! lol!

 

[Bat Guano]

Yes, it's light; but not so much so that it "matters". I run drills with mine all the time and believe me the muscle memory and skills carry over nicely to the 5.56 carbine. If you have time to dwell on the " differences" you're A: going too slow; and B: thinking about the wrong things...

Admittedly I'd like it if my 15-22 was an exact duplicate of my 16" light carbine and optic--but it's plenty close enough. Not to mention that if I'm shooting .22LR I'm not buying quite as much in the way of 5.56 components, picking up brass, cleaning, and my loaded ammo lasts longer. More economical, too.

Best thing to come along since the metallic cartridge. Get one, everybody.

 

[OliRage]

wouldn't you want it to be lighter since you'll be shooting ten times as many rounds through it?

 

[tracksol]

wouldn't you want it to be lighter since you'll be shooting ten times as many rounds through it?

If used as a trainer for an AR15, you'd want it to be as close to the same weight as possible. This way the AR15 won't seem heavier when it's time to use it.

 

[OliRage]

If used as a trainer for an AR15, you'd want it to be as close to the same weight as possible. This way the AR15 won't seem heavier when it's time to use it.

Well why not just train with the AR. nothing is as close as the real thing.

just convert the ar to a .22

 

[copper06]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't own one yet, the question was for down the road long term thinking as budgets are tight and I will only allow myself one weapon like this.

Being ex-Air Force and a Security Specialist that's all we carried was the M-16's and larger weapons; 203 grenade launchers, M-60 machine guns, etc.. Was just wanting to make sure the 15-22 is all its been advertised as being, that is a nice 22lr shooter in an AR platform that functions entirely like an AR vs. some of the other ones we all know exist out there. Durability was the one worry I had due to the polymer but I believe I mistook the "plastic" where it's really polymer. Your replies have helped reassure me to that end.

Saving my pennies for a 15-22 as we speak.

Another question you guys and gals can help me with is Accuracy of these. Obviously the 22lr won't go out to the ranges we were used to with the 223 cartridges with our M16's, but are you all happy with your groups at say 100yards?

Thanks again in advance!

 

[GMC man]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't own one yet, the question was for down the road long term thinking as budgets are tight and I will only allow myself one weapon like this.

Being ex-Air Force and a Security Specialist that's all we carried was the M-16's and larger weapons; 203 grenade launchers, M-60 machine guns, etc.. Was just wanting to make sure the 15-22 is all its been advertised as being, that is a nice 22lr shooter in an AR platform that functions entirely like an AR vs. some of the other ones we all know exist out there. Durability was the one worry I had due to the polymer but I believe I mistook the "plastic" where it's really polymer. Your replies have helped reassure me to that end.

Saving my pennies for a 15-22 as we speak.

Another question you guys and gals can help me with is Accuracy of these. Obviously the 22lr won't go out to the ranges we were used to with the 223 cartridges with our M16's, but are you all happy with your groups at say 100yards?

Thanks again in advance!

I love my 15-22 and I only shoot at 100 yards and its good and minus large wind gusts accurate but that still depends on the ammo, CCI mini-mags are the best I have found so far but a tad expensive for 22 @ .09 a round

 

[copper06]

Taken from an article about 15-22 accuracy; S&W M&P15-22 Accuracy Testing - 1

Agree? Disagree?

 

[shawnr5]

I love my 15-22 and I only shoot at 100 yards and its good and minus large wind gusts accurate but that still depends on the ammo, CCI mini-mags are the best I have found so far but a tad expensive for 22 @ .09 a round

I have been running the Mini-mags in my Buckmark, but not my 15-22, yet. They are $6.98 a box at Walmart. .07 a round.

 

[GMC man]

My wally world is almost always out so I have to get them elsewhere.

 

[team sidewinder]

Taken from an article about 15-22 accuracy; S&W M&P15-22 Accuracy Testing - 1

Agree? Disagree?

Agree 100% or that is pretty much what I have found also. I really expected it to be a better gopher gun than it is. But all said it looks like a real AR, is fun to shoot and sure gives the gophers a chance. Seeing how many confirmed gopher kills ( that is ones that don't make it back to their hole where they might expire later ) in a row without a miss is great fun with my Rem. bolt .22 but does get boring if they don't have a chance.

 

[CPTBeaker]

Accuracy reports for the 15-22 vary greatly.

I've worked with mine quite a bit.

First fluff & buff on the FCG (wasn't happy with that), changed the hammer/trigger springs with JP reduced power springs (wasn't happy with that), and finally replaced the FCG with a CMC 3.5# drop-in FCG (VERY happy with that!).

I also spent a lot of time with a lot of different ammo, trying different brands, velocities, and bullet weights until I found the one that produced the best accuracy - most consistently.

It's probably just a coincidence or just in my mind, but I installed this hideous compensator I picked up at a gun show for $12 on and I swear it shoots tighter groups with it on vs. the standard A2 flash hider.

Lastly, I put a quality optic (one with a parallax adjustment) on it (Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x).

I know the rifle is far from stock configuration, but I can consistently get 1/2 to 3/4" groups at 50yds and 1.5" groups at 100yds.

Not everyone is willing to 'tinker' as much as I did or install quality components costing as much as the rifle itself to get something they are happy with. I did, and I'm now more than happy with this rifle and will put it up against any 10/22 or comparable range bolt action rifle within a reasonable price range.

Unless you get VERY lucky and get an exceptional 15-22 with an above average stock FCG, your skills are far above the average shooter, and you pick just the right ammo right off the bat, you are unlikely to get 'tack driver' performance from this rifle out of the box.

The stock AR platform was designed to hit the center mass of man sized targets ranging from 50m to 400m and was never designed to produce competition sized groups from soldiers. Many folks buy the 15-22 or a stock AR and expect more from them than they were ever designed to produce. The triggers and sectional design of the AR platform are at odds with pin-point performance.

 

[CPTBeaker]

Check out the torture test videos on this polymer AR lower. I know it's not a 15-22 lower, but just a cool commentary of the use of polymer lower receivers in general. I'd be interested to see how the 15-22 polymer compares to aluminum in a torture test.

New Frontier Armory Model LW-15 Lightweight Polymer AR-15 Lower

 

[tacticool22]

copper06 I was in the Air Force and a Security Specialist also. Carried all the same firearms and had much too much fun. The 15-22 is s o close to the M-4 it's not even funny. It's actually more futuristic than the M-16 I carried. My carry handle didn't come off, had to adjust sights with a bullet tip. Triangular hand guard, 3 prong FH and no forward assist. But it did have full auto, so all those other details didn't matter.
The 60 is a pig
The 203 is a blast
You can't carry any of the other heavy weapons.
Just FYI. Polymer is plastic. Certain plastics outperform metal by a huge margin in the right application. The 15-22 has all the moving parts that contact each other and take the wear made out of steel. The polymer is just a carrier to hold the steel in the correct position.