Durability question.

[th3gr3g]

Hello, from the Long Island of New York.

I've been trying to decide if this is the right gun for me, it would be the first I've shot/owned one so many things come into play. I pondered most of it and still think this would be the right purchase for me..

This question that I have isn't really holding me back it is more curiousness then anything. So lets set up a little story I am backpacking through the woods and have a harness holding my M&P 15-22 to my chest. For whatever reason I pick up pace like a fool and start running then because I am going down hill I bust my ass and fall down and roll a little bit. Now lets pretend there is no sight but the stock one and just the sling and a magazine in the gun with no round in the chamber because i'm smart. I brush myself off and what does my $500 gun look like?

 

[Hotcoley]

Well, I can't say anything like that has happened to me before but, the 15-22 seems pretty durable to me. If you are so worried, maybe you should consider a handgun. Just curious, what made you choose this as your first gun?

 

[Dragon88]

This is not a good first gun. You are better off with a 4" barreled handgun (if your laws allow it) in a caliber you are comfortable with. For fun at the range, self defense, carry conceal, even hunting if you choose an appropriate caliber, it would serve you much better.

As for a 15-22, it is a plastic gun. It would not look 100% if it took a tumble down a mountain, though it would likely still be functional.

 

[th3gr3g]

Yea like I said many things were considered, pistol was one but I don't feel like getting permitted to get one. Also I wouldn't be able to do long range shooting unless I put a bi pod on the pistol? Hahah.

But my other option would be to go with a more expensive metal ar-15 style. I chose this because I feel it fits me and what I want to do with it; hunting small game, outdoor range, can you ski shoot with a .22LR I have no idea. Oh yeah and cheap is up there on the list also.

But you Dragon88 think it will still be functional, what is the most damage you've seen one take?

Like from watching videos those pins that hold the upper and lower receiver together are plastic? Eh my bad Polymer. With a good amount of force I can see that bending to a point that it will snap. That would help the barrel from not bending I guess.

 

[MattO.]

Like from watching videos those pins that hold the upper and lower receiver together are plastic? Eh my bad Polymer. With a good amount of force I can see that bending to a point that it will snap. That would help the barrel from not bending I guess.

The takedown pins are metal, not polymer or plastic. The rifle is plenty durable and very solid.

 

[th3gr3g]

How do they function with getting dirt in them? I'd imagine they'd need a quick field strip to get the grit out or would it just clear itself after a few shots?

 

[WildWildWest]

If your looking for a durable 22lr, you may want to look into a Ruger 10/22, very reliable and not alot of parts which will make it durable incase you call down that hill and will be cheaper than a 15-22 unless your looking for the AR platform. No skeet shooting with a .22lr, but you may look into a .410 shotgun or a 20 gauge as alternatives to a .22.

 

[Dragon88]

But you Dragon88 think it will still be functional, what is the most damage you've seen one take?

I've never seen one take a spill as you described so I can't really answer. I will say that I have seen guns take a gentle hit that broke something major like sights, and guns take a fall which made me cringe, expecting it to be in pieces when it was picked up, and it was like nothing ever happened. Really depends on the situation.

I like the recommendation of a Ruger 10/22. I understand your desire for a rifle vs. pistol based on your laws. But the 15-22 is a AR 15 trainer in my eyes, maybe a good second or third gun but not first. I think people should start off with a basic bolt or semi-auto 22 if they want to go that route. You will have lots of fun with a 10/22 and it will do everything you want it for. Plus the aftermarket parts available for a 10/22 are ample, where as a lot of the "tactical" upgrades for ARs and 15-22s are more pricey and geared toward coolness factor instead of basic shooting skills.

 

[stantheman86]

If you're looking for a semi-auto .22, get a Ruger 10/22, better a nice older one but the new poly stock ones are fine too.

I have had my 10/22 for over 20 years now and it's my "beat around" gun for around my property. It has fired thousands and thousands of rounds, has killed countless groundhogs (just killed one yesterday with it) and I can't remember how many times I've steel wooled a fine layer of rust off of it. I think I cleaned it back in '98. It has never failed to put the little .22 pills where I need them.

The 10/22's are bomb-proof, if you fell down a rocky slope you would come out of it less functional than that rifle would. My dream gun is a 9mm version of the 10/22, but I may settle for the 10/17 in .17 HMR.

 

[brent701]

How do they function with getting dirt in them? I'd imagine they'd need a quick field strip to get the grit out or would it just clear itself after a few shots?

all i can add to that is I did around 1200 rounds through mine with 10-15MPH winds in the desert. got home the whole lower half was covered in dirt/sand and it fired fine while we were out there. this rifle has not let me done. It fires awesome it loves taking ammo and throwing it at targets.

 

[Scuds03]

I think it is plenty durable. Polymer has come a long way. If you are hiking a lightweight gun is your friend and the 15-22 is pretty light.

 

[TurboniumOxide]

The main thing that you have to worry about is the bear at the bottom of the hill.

But seriously, I would worry more about getting the barrel obstructed by getting jammed into the dirt which would happen with a wide variety of rifles.

In this scenario, I would also wonder about the durability of the magazine getting torqued, and dirt in it.

 

[MnCowboy96]

Your going to break an arm, leg, or neck before you break this rifle. The beauty is it mostly Mil-spec so replacing something that might be damaged wouldn't be as big of deal.
The only time your going to have serious issues is like Turbo said is anything to obstruct the barrel.

If your that worried about falling down a hill I would suggest a good helmet and a red man suit. jk

 

[Scuds03]

Find some condoms in taktical black to put over the barrel and ur dirt problem is soved.

 

[chuck s]

Where on Long Island can you do this?

Why are you considering strapping a .22LR to your chest and running thru a forest? Are there beer cans or paper targets scattered through out the area that you can just shoot at? Only reason to carry a .22LR I can think of.

-- Chuck

 

[th3gr3g]

Thank you all for the comments.
As for the Ruger i'm really not looking for something of that style, but I hear your points.

Dragon88 you said its a AR-15 trainer.. that is one way of looking at it. I see it as AR-15 is such a good platform that they are just adapting it to different sizes.

brent701 that is great to hear! So why is it so picky with certain types of ammo then?

Scuds03 the Ruger only weights a extra two pounds more then the M&P (according to google). But yeah if a 'plastic' gun weighs close to a bomb proof Ruger that weight must translate into durability. But polymer is a new material for sure, I like to think newer is better.

MnCowboy96 I hope your right because my medical insurance is better then my gun insurance Lol.

chuck s Honestly I know of no where on Long Island where such actions can be done without someone calling SWAT on you. There are a lot of beer cans in the woods around here you musta visited here before. I was referring to if I were upstate off the island in the mountains on some of New Yorks hunting grounds.

 

[brent701]

brent701 that is great to hear! So why is it so picky with certain types of ammo then?
.

Some ammo works better than others in different guns
Like when I raced sport bikes. Some tires worked better on my bike on one track than the other track.

I have used a few CCI's and they worked out very well. I mostly use Federal due to the cost and I can find it anywhere. I haven't had problems with those.. I have noticed one thing though. I was looking at a box of ammo a friend had for his 22. the bullets looked funny as in someone had a pair of vise grips on them . it looked funny. I shot a few of those and had a few FTE's and FTF's. Stuck my federals back in and didn't have any problems


I haven't had any abnormal problem with my gun as of now and I have around 2500 rounds through it. another 1,000 is going through it tomorrow

 

[Tang777]

As for the Ruger i'm really not looking for something of that style, but I hear your points.

My buddy has a 10/22 with a "tactical rifle" look. It's got the pistol grip and stock. He swapped the barrel and the receiver parts out and basically dropped it into a new stock with a pistol grip. It was a kit of some kind. So if the ordinary look isn't for you, you could go that route. I'm sure google will help you find pictures or more info.

edit: my buddy says its a archangel kit.