.22LR Conversion Kits?

[SmokeStack Lightning]

I've been reading about people swapping out parts and converting their M&P 15 to .22LR because of the cost of ammunition.

Anybody do this to their 15 on the forum, here???

I'm curious how they shoot after the conversion and if they run correctly.........

I know some of the kits I have looked at are rather expensive for me, but with the cost of ammunition these days they are probably worth it, ya think????

Would you just buy a M&P 15/22 instead and heck with the conversion??

Some comments I read on different forums the AR owners are complaining about the stupid looking tactical .22LR some of the guys show up with with their non-functioning CH or lack thereof.

I'm just curious what some would think the best move would be, conversion or 15/22.

Thanks guys,
SSL

 

[prairie]

I have both a CMMG dedictated 22 upper, and a 15-22.
If I had to choose, I would keep the upper. It feels and handles the same as as when I have the .223 upper on.
I would not mess with a conversion. I know several people who have had them, then bought a dedicated 22 upper, and the conversion kits are never used again. The conversions, on the average, don't seem to be as accurate or reliable as a dedicated upper.

 

[gunny4053]

I don't have one, but after shooting a friends AR with a conversion kit installed, I am seriously considering one. His was accurate, seemed very reliable, and could be changed back and forth in minutes. For $200 I don't consider it a bad deal. Granted, for a few dollars more I could just buy a .22 caliber model, but the kit can be carried in my bag and swapped when I feel the need.

 

[Ibmikey]

Prairie has the straight scoop, I have a rifle dedicated to .22 LR with a DPMS upper. This unit handles very much like my AR's, size and weight are the same and functions flawlessly, the conversions are a pain and tend to lead the barrel. Like Prairie I have a 15-22 and that is the most fun of anything I have in the pantry, not the same weight but most everything else replicates an AR.

 

[cyphertext]

I also have the dedicated .22lr upper from CMMG (actually purchased as a complete rifle), as well as a M&P 15-22. If you want the .22lr to mimic the AR-15 as far as functions and controls out of the box, the 15-22 is the way to go. My CMMG upper does not hold the bolt open when the magazine is removed, so I have to pull back on the charging handle to load the first round of the magazine, vs. using the ping pong paddle to release the bolt.

The dedicated rifles / uppers will be more accurate than a conversion, due to the barrel having the proper twist for .22lr. For general plinking, the conversions are fine, but if you are trying to hit a 3/4" circle at 25 yards, the barrel can make a difference.

 

[gdawg09]

I have two Target Masters "drop in" conversions. bought to have a spare when they started getting rough to find but have had no issues and not even used the second setup.

I also got lucky and doubled up the Mags, so I have two 26 round mags for each conversion unit (actually, they have a straw inserted to keep limited to 10 rds, but just slide right out if you want to run them @ 26 rds). They are Black Dog mags and fit perfectly.

Unit holds bolt open on last shot and unit is reasonably accurate since I don't shoot it beyond 50 yds. Most of my drills are done inside 25 yards and I put a cheap "red dot" on it that I already sighted for 25 yards and I only use it when the conversion is in place.

I've run Winchester Super X, CCI Mini Mag and Remington Golden Bullets just fine.

Overall great setup and one heck of a lot cheaper.

Let me know if you want to discuss the 2nd unit I have.

 

[sithlord]

Some comments I read on different forums the AR owners are complaining about the stupid looking tactical .22LR some of the guys show up with with their non-functioning CH or lack thereof.

First off, who cares what someone else says on a forum or even at the range.

I've got a 15-22 (MOE version). Awesome rifle, no question. You cannot go wrong with it, even if you decide to convert your .223 later. But, since the 22lr is a dirty round, I would recommend keeping them separate.

The biggest problem with the 15-22 (IMHO) is that the lower isn't the same size as a AR-15 lower. So, some after market goodies like the B.A.D level and grips won't fit perfectly. Also the bolt and charging handle are incompatible.

However, you can drop in any AR-rated trigger, butt stock, rail covers, etc without issue.

HTH...

 

[cyphertext]

Unit holds bolt open on last shot and unit is reasonably accurate since I don't shoot it beyond 50 yds.

Even after you pull the magazine? My CMMG holds the bolt open after last shot, but the bolt catch is built into the magazine, so as soon as you remove the empty magazine, the bolt flies forward. I think these are a similar design.

 

[lagavulin62]

ok so it looks like the dedicated is the way to go, but oh the prices. At least on ARpartsfinder. Does anyone build their own dedicated upper or is it too much trouble?

 

[Ibmikey]

I got my DPMS upper from Midway for $420. Uses Black Dog mags. They (DPMS) make a complete .22 LR but I do not know the cost. Mine is on a Stag lower that I built strictly for the LR with magpul goodies and a Wilson hider..looks and fires super but is still more sophisticated than the 15-22 and not as much fun when lots of empty cases are flying in the air. I do not know of a kit for L.R. where you could assemble your own.

 

[marinofan1383]

just one thought.... why would anyone complain about what gun anyone else shows up to the range with...bunch of losers if you ask me.