Difference between CMMG .22 Upper + AR-15 Lower or just a 15-22?

[davekeller]

I've read online some people saying to get a CMMG .22 complete upper and then an AR-15 lower instead of getting a 15-22. Their reasoning behind it was that I could just get a 5.56 or whatever upper I wanted and then switch it out from .22 to whatever upper I want.

Would you still recommend getting a 15-22 or going down this router of getting a complete lower with the CMMG .22 upper?

I've found the CMMG .22 upper for $385 and some complete lowers w/o butt stock for $200. Which costs a bit more than the 15-22 but I would have a lower to use later.

What are your thoughts? What are the advantages and disadvantages? You guys seem like the best to ask about this!

Thanks!

 

[Jswiney9]

depends on if you want a dedicated 22 or a true AR platform to change out uppers at a later date.

A lot of people get the 15-22 for the cool factor or the close to the real thing ergonomics of the Big Brother for training purposes.

With the Lower and 22 upper route you can always buy another upper and have a hunting rifle, plink in another caliber, defense weapon.

 

[cyphertext]

If you go the CMMG route, in all honesty, you will probably end up with another complete rifle vs. just buying another upper. I did, and most others do too. I bought the CMMG Quebec-A, complete rifle with dedicated .22lr upper and mil-spec lower, with the intention of just buying a 5.56 upper later. When later came, I didn't want to switch uppers back and forth, so I bought a complete rifle. (M&P 15 Sport)

I purchased a M&P 15-22 for my son, so I can give you a run down of the two side by side. The S&W functions more like an AR-15 right out of the box. With the S&W, the bolt locks back after the last shot and stays locked back when you remove the magazine. Put a new magazine in, slap the bolt release paddle and you are back to firing. The CMMG does not function in this manner straight out of the box. They have another kit, the bolt hold actuator kit, that you have to purchase if you want the rifle to function this way. Otherwise, the bolt releases forward when the magazine is released and you have to pull the charging handle when you insert a new magazine to load a round into the chamber.

Also, the CMMG magazines require filing to fit. I do not like this, especially when I purchased a complete rifle with magazine.

The CMMG weighs in like a true AR. This matters to some for a training rifle and doesn't matter to others. The CMMG may have a slight edge in accuracy, at least between the two samples that we have.