22lr Conversion Kit
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JaPes
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Oddly enough, I've had the chance to try out a CMMG drop in kit on a friend's rifle a few weeks ago. Now I have trigger time on three different .22lr AR systems. In order of preference:
1. S&W M&P 15-22. A dedicated .22lr in an AR-15 form factor. Nothing beats a dedicated .22lr rifle.
2. A complete .22lr upper mated to a standard AR-15 lower. Not bad at all. It was nice to practice with the full weight and the same trigger group as my center fire.
3. A drop in CMMG kit. It worked, just not optimally. The 1:9 rifling of the the AR-15 5.56 barrel isn't intended for a 36 grain .22lr. No issues with fouling. Just pop back in the AR-15 BCG and run a mag down to blow out any crud that may have gone into the gas system.
1. S&W M&P 15-22. A dedicated .22lr in an AR-15 form factor. Nothing beats a dedicated .22lr rifle.
2. A complete .22lr upper mated to a standard AR-15 lower. Not bad at all. It was nice to practice with the full weight and the same trigger group as my center fire.
3. A drop in CMMG kit. It worked, just not optimally. The 1:9 rifling of the the AR-15 5.56 barrel isn't intended for a 36 grain .22lr. No issues with fouling. Just pop back in the AR-15 BCG and run a mag down to blow out any crud that may have gone into the gas system.
I agree with the above. After a lot of consideration, I bought the DPMS .22 upper. The primary consideration for buying a complete upper rather than a conversion was the 1:16" barrel that comes on the uppers. I bought DPMS because of the good feedback on the unit and I was able to get a birthday deal from Midway.
cyphertext
US Veteran
I have the CMMG Quebec A, which is a dedicated .22 upper on a CMMG multi cal lower. We also purchased a M&P 15-22 for my son. With that said, JaPes' assessment above is spot on.
I actually prefer my CMMG rifle to the S&W now, but that is only after purchasing the Better-Mag kit that allows me to use S&W 15-22 magazines in my rifle. These are easier to find, easier to load, and sometimes cheaper too. The Better-Mag also provides the last shot bolt hold open feature, which the 15-22 has straight out of the box.
Now that the CMMG functions like an AR, I prefer it due to the weight. However, it cost more than the 15-22 as well.
If you don't want a dedicated upper due to cost, then I would go with the CMMG kit and a better-mag adapter. It should function as well as mine, just not be as accurate due to the barrel twist rate.
I actually prefer my CMMG rifle to the S&W now, but that is only after purchasing the Better-Mag kit that allows me to use S&W 15-22 magazines in my rifle. These are easier to find, easier to load, and sometimes cheaper too. The Better-Mag also provides the last shot bolt hold open feature, which the 15-22 has straight out of the box.
Now that the CMMG functions like an AR, I prefer it due to the weight. However, it cost more than the 15-22 as well.
If you don't want a dedicated upper due to cost, then I would go with the CMMG kit and a better-mag adapter. It should function as well as mine, just not be as accurate due to the barrel twist rate.
ChattanoogaPhil
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I think a dedicated upper is the way to go if you have some money invested in your lower.... If not, I think a 1522 is a good way to go. Thumbs down to conversion kits. Wrong rifling, tend to be finicky and make a dirty mess of your AR.
I agree with the dedicated upper..I have a friend that had a birthday...his wife had me order a 1522 and when it came in she asked me if I could shoot it to see if everything was ok so she could give it to him...So I went and shot it...It shot well but wasn`t very accurate compared to my ruger 1022`s...
Now I know many here like them and I`m not trashing them but they just feel to plastic, light to me...I`ve owned AR15`s for a long time...If you want accuracy... then a dedicated upper or go to a different platform completely..
Now I know many here like them and I`m not trashing them but they just feel to plastic, light to me...I`ve owned AR15`s for a long time...If you want accuracy... then a dedicated upper or go to a different platform completely..
Thank you for your input! It has opened my eyes up to an new way of thinking. I have a dedicated ruger 10/22 and love it and am looking to own an AR15 5.56.... I started narrowing it down to an S&W M&P15T and figured an drop in conversion kit for practice?
So should I go with??
S&W M&P15T and a 22lr upper or a build a lower and upper?
Is S&W M&P15T a good unit?
So should I go with??
S&W M&P15T and a 22lr upper or a build a lower and upper?
Is S&W M&P15T a good unit?
cyphertext
US Veteran
If you went from buying a M&P 15T to the thought of building an upper and lower all from our discussion on preference of a dedicated .22lr upper over a drop in conversion kit, I'm not so sure we helped! 
The M&P 15T is a solid choice. If I were looking at the M&P line today, I would probably go with it or the VTAC II.
Not sure what your budget is, but you could also get the M&P 15 Sport. There is about $300 difference in cost between it and the 15T, which would be quite a bit against a dedicated .22lr upper.
When you start to look at dedicated uppers, think about the magazines they use and the cost. Ask if the upper has the last shot bolt hold open feature. If the manufacturer replies that it does hold the bolt back, ask if the bolt stays back when the magazine is removed. Basically, read the reviews and get an upper that is both reliable and full featured. If you have questions on the CMMG, I'll share my experience, both good and bad. I love the thing now, but that was not always the case. I'm sure BE Mike will share about the DPMS unit.
The M&P 15T is a solid choice. If I were looking at the M&P line today, I would probably go with it or the VTAC II.
Not sure what your budget is, but you could also get the M&P 15 Sport. There is about $300 difference in cost between it and the 15T, which would be quite a bit against a dedicated .22lr upper.
When you start to look at dedicated uppers, think about the magazines they use and the cost. Ask if the upper has the last shot bolt hold open feature. If the manufacturer replies that it does hold the bolt back, ask if the bolt stays back when the magazine is removed. Basically, read the reviews and get an upper that is both reliable and full featured. If you have questions on the CMMG, I'll share my experience, both good and bad. I love the thing now, but that was not always the case. I'm sure BE Mike will share about the DPMS unit.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Wasn't it the 15t we were talking about recently that was outfitted with a UTG rail and MBUS? If so, is the value there? When the 15t came with a Troy rail and sights that made sense to dish out the extra coin, but to pay a premium for UTG parts and MBUS... 
I can't speak to the quality of the UTG rail on the 15t, but UTG has a reputation of dime store accessories, and Troy has reputation of higher end products.
I can't speak to the quality of the UTG rail on the 15t, but UTG has a reputation of dime store accessories, and Troy has reputation of higher end products.
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cyphertext
US Veteran
Wasn't it the 15t we were talking about recently that was outfitted with a UTG rail and MBUS? If so, is the value there? When the 15t came with a Troy rail and sights that made sense to dish out the extra coin, but to pay a significant amount more to have UTG parts and MBUS...
It was Phil. I think it is kind of a mixed bag. I like the barrel and I like the fact that it is free floated. The UTG rail may be heavier than others, but I don't believe it is less stable than others. It isn't any worse than my plastic, non-heat shielded hand guards on my Sport.
Yes, I like this set up of the 15T over the Sport. however I like the 15MOE but not the Rail on it. so if I am going to add all the MOE furniture I should just build right???
The DPMS unit uses Black Dog mags. It is well-built aluminum and steel. I find it to be very accurate and so far it is 100% reliable with different brands of ammo, from high to standard velocity. The bolt does not stay open for the last shot. I've heard very good things about the CMMG unit.If you went from buying a M&P 15T to the thought of building an upper and lower all from our discussion on preference of a dedicated .22lr upper over a drop in conversion kit, I'm not so sure we helped!
The M&P 15T is a solid choice. If I were looking at the M&P line today, I would probably go with it or the VTAC II.
Not sure what your budget is, but you could also get the M&P 15 Sport. There is about $300 difference in cost between it and the 15T, which would be quite a bit against a dedicated .22lr upper.
When you start to look at dedicated uppers, think about the magazines they use and the cost. Ask if the upper has the last shot bolt hold open feature. If the manufacturer replies that it does hold the bolt back, ask if the bolt stays back when the magazine is removed. Basically, read the reviews and get an upper that is both reliable and full featured. If you have questions on the CMMG, I'll share my experience, both good and bad. I love the thing now, but that was not always the case. I'm sure BE Mike will share about the DPMS unit.
I've been wanting a .22 upper but the prices for quality units are lofty. The CMMG is around $500 (with mags etc) and the Spikes is almost $700. I don't want plastic (Chiappa and American Tactical etc) $239 @ CDNN. I guess I can wait till my 10-22 wears out. Joe
cyphertext
US Veteran
Huh? I'm confused. The MOE does not have a rail, it has the MOE hand guard. Are you saying that you like the 15T, but you want a MOE grip and stock?
Personally, I would forget about building for the first one. I would buy a basic carbine and shoot it, then shoot it some more. If you don't have time behind the trigger, you don't know what you want.
What type of shooting are you going to be doing? Are you going to run and gun with a red dot, where fast target acquisition is the name of the game and a hit on target is a hit? Or are you going to sit at a bench with a high powered optic and try to make one little hole on a target over 100 yards out? The answers to these types of questions dictate what model is best to start with.
cyphertext
US Veteran
If that is the type of shooting you will do, then you would eventually free float the barrel. The 15T also comes with the 1:8 twist, 5R rifled barrel. The 5R rifling is said by some to offer you an advantage in accuracy. Looks good on paper anyway.
I wouldn't build just because you want MOE furniture... again, start basic and change from there. You may decide that you would rather have a SOPMOD stock over the MOE because of the cheekrest or storage on the stock. Or, you may put a piece of velcro on the buffer tube to tighten the M4 standard stock and decide that it works fine. There is always time to dress it up, once you know what you want and why.
So, my opinion, go with the 15T, spend the extra on mags, ammo, and a quality optic. Go shoot a case through it, then decide what changes to make. With long distance shooting as your goal, I would bet that a upgraded trigger would take precedence over a Magpul stock after a case of ammo through the rifle.
ETA: Or, if budget allows.... jump in deep with both feet and get the VTAC II !
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Thanks, it does help to here it from someone else to know my thought and reasoning in to this is in line. I would have gone with the .22 conversion kit but I'm convinced the upper is the way to go. thanks for all the input that has been given. 
sgtsandman
US Veteran
From my experience with conversion kits in military M16s, they work but not overly well. Getting a dedicated upper would be better if money is an issue but buying a dedicated 22LR would rifle would be better.
