first time gun owner with m&p 15-22, should have gone with .223 instead?

A

ARGH

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2013
Messages
95
Reaction score
32
Location
Chicagoland
last week i went to purchase my first revolver (38 special) for simple home defense and impulse buy got a hold of me. i asked for a fun .22 rifle that looked cool and by chance they had the m&p 15-22 MOE in stock so i grabbed that as well.

i was also lucky enough to find bulk ammo and extra 25 round mags for the m&p so i took 4k rounds of winchester m22 40 grain, about 1k rounds of cci mini mag 36 grain, and 6 extra 25 round mags.

the weapons are for home defense and gun range. i do not hunt or anything like that. my question is if i should sell the m&p & mags since it is still new and never fired or registered and go with the m&p 15 .223?

i (obviously) read the forums alot and all that and the majority of remarks of the .22 version are; "for kids, for children, for killing mice". well i cannot help but feel sort of be-littled by these statements because i expect to stop a home intruder (yes, even if that means the bad guy is high on pcp and bath salts) with this rifle.

so after doing some more intenet searching i stumbled accross this youtube video of a guy shooting the .22 cci velictor from 300 yards and penetrating roast meat about 5 inches thick and wrapped multiple times in demin.

.22LR LETHALITY - 300 Yard Ballistics Test - YouTube

so that settled my buyers remorse about the rimfire and that i do not really have to go .223 to take someone out if the need arises...that the rimfire with cci velocitor will shred any intruder regardless of his size or mental state charging at me.

i would still like your opinions. i know everyone would like to try and justify their purchase (it's human nature) but i would like to avoid the, "you're not a man without a .223" and similar comments.

i fully understand how the .223 travels at much greater velocity and that it's tip is pointy (piercing-style), but i do not plan on firing on targets in vehicles or engaging an assasin-like bulglar that is wearing a bullet-proof vest.

basically, i guess, the entire post can be summarized in a simple question (assumining the youtube video is correct)...in home defense range, the m&p 15-22 will shred a target just as well as the m&p 15?

so far i have had more fun deciding on what extras to put on this gun. i have ordered a pelican case, magpul foregrip, and deciding on a red dot or not since the magpul sights are already an upgrade. i don't understand this feeling as i initially thought the fun would be at the range firing it?:D

thanks for reading!
 
Register to hide this ad
I dunno... but a real man for me is someone who is willing to stand between his family and danger. The tool he uses to do it is less the issue overall.

Honestly, I'd be surprised if anyone told you "You're not a man without a 223."

That said, the stopping power of a 223 is the amount of powder behind the round. A .22 LR will penetrate the skin of an attacker, and hurt, but, by most accounts, it doesn't have the simple stopping power to incapacitate an attacker (especially one who is high on something and feeling no pain). The 223s greater velocity can impart more kinetic energy into a target, and (even though the projectile is similar sized) that is one of the main sources for damage from a gunshot wound comes from.

Your weapon main effectiveness will be determined by its looks (honestly most attackers won't know that its not a more deadly version of a tactical rifle) so the intimidation factor is high (Honestly, the best way to end an encounter is for no shots to be fired at all.)

Now all of that said, you seem to enjoy the rifle, and you're having fun "pimping your gun". 22s are fun to take to the range too (I like them anyway) so why does it matter what a bunch of people you never met on the internet have to say about it? You're enjoying your purchase, have fun with it!
 
If I might chime in, I used to own a 15/22, it was my first gun just as it is yours. It was also the first gun I ever shot, it will always have a special place in my heart :P. I had it for about 5 months and absolutely loved it, I get 4.5" groups at 100 yards and it was very acceptable for me. I sold it because I needed fast money to buy a Rock River Arms AR-15 (purchased 4 months ago) because I started to noticed the availability of AR's going out of stock. I was purchasing it with the mindset of later getting a 22 conversion bolt, still getting that .22 AR capability like my old 15-22. So now I have my AR-15 with a CMMG India, and despite a lot of accounts of inaccuracy, gas port build up, and jamming, I have had no such issues, I actually get the exact same 4.5" groups at 100 yards as the 15-22.

Obviously, most people here chose to get a dedicated .22 AR rather than a conversion bolt or dedicated upper, but I just like having all of my optics and accessories as well as the same trigger and being able to shoot 2 different cartridges. The 15-22 is an excellent first gun, I would suggest keeping it and buying an AR hopefully when they become more available and when prices drop. I would suggest keeping a mag of CCI Velocitors for home defence.
 
Well 25 rounds dumped on a attacker with the accuracy of the 15-22 is going to stop anyone unless they are wearing juggernaut armor:) plus 22 is cheap and easily available. I like the guys who show up at the range and setup their rifle for 30 mins and shoot 2 mags pack up and leave, while I'm dumping mags for 3 to 4 hours. You will get way more range time and have way more fun.
 
There are as many opinions about home defense as there are devices. I like my Glock and a shotgun. I have a RRA ATH 223 and it is in the safe waiting for range trips. Not my choice for home defense.

With that being said, it is more important that you are highly skilled with your weapon of choice. And that you know how to handle it safely.

As for the 22, that is a whole lot of cheap fun. I have more rounds through mine than any other gun. And I take my grandson to the range and he loves to shoot it as well.

Doesn't really sound like you are strapped for cash, and that gun will be hard to find very quickly. I am pretty sure that the value will not go down. Enjoy!
 
As things stand im just gonna say this. You could outfit your whole family with 15 22s for what 1 223 is going for right now. I own both and and to be honest, the 15 22 would be one of the last 5 guns to leave my possession.

Sent from my SCH-R760 using Tapatalk 2
 
My understanding is that you bought the 15-22 and a .38?

If so I would use the .38 as the primary home defense. I have read more articles than I could site, most agree that the .223 was not designed to immediately incapacitate someone. It was designed to take them out of the fight and 1 or 2 more people caring for them. 3 out of the fight rather than 1. The pointed nose of the bullet allows it to pass through more efficiently. The .38 with a blunt nose or hollow point will do much more damage and convey more energy into the mass it strikes.
I only have my 15-22 at this point. I would like to get an AR when funds and availability allow. For now I would not hesitate to use it to defend myself as it is better than a bat or flashlight.
I bought my 15-22 for a fun cheap rifle to shoot to gain experience with firearms. I have already gone through several thousand rounds since July. And my next purchase will be a .22 pistol that I also would not hesitate to use to defend myself. It sounds like you are enjoying your purchase so far.
 
One of the best things about the Internet is you can find a forum where the majority of opinions agree with yours no matter which side of the argument you choose.

Just quit reading those that disagree and things will be just fine.

I would offer this advice. No matter which weapon you choose, it's value in practical or defensive situations is substantially reduced if you don't practice good techniques, shoot it regularly, and know both you and your firearm are ready.

The .22 is inexpensive to practice with, and you cant substitute bigger bullets for lots of practice combined with some expert instruction.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
+1 for the 15-22. They are such fun to shoot and if you compare the costs of ammo? Well, let's just say you are going to put a lot more rounds downrange with a .22.
Enjoy
 
beat_dead_horse2.jpg
 
The M&P 15-22 would not be my first choice for home defense, or even my second, but neither is my AR. You will get more range time with the .22lr due to cost over any other round. If you are just starting out, more range time should be your primary focus.
 
You have heard many opinions here and I feel the same way.

The .38 should be the first use for HD. It should stop the incident. The M&P 15-22 is a great range gun. It could work for HD if needed. I think you will have more fun and get more practice with the 15-22 then you would with the .223. The prices have run wild there and ammo too, my suggestion stay with the 15-22 practice, practice and practice, you can afford to do that with the .22LR ammo.

If you want more you can always add the .223 if you can find one but the prices right now are crazy.

I think after you shoot it at the range you will find it is a keeper.
 
Keep the 1522. Like some have already said, you have plenty of other options for home defense. Pistols and shotguns work great. My 1522 is my favorite gun because I can use it more than my ar15 due to ammo costs. I think the ar15 craze will die down in 4 to 6 months. Who knows what will happen long term, but buying an ar15 now is crazy. When prices go down get one if you can afford it. If you cannot afford the whole rifle get a stripped lower. I would wait until the price goes back to below $150 though. A few months ago I was able to get some for about $100 each.
 
OP: "i know everyone would like to try and justify their purchase (it's human nature) but i would like to avoid the, "you're not a man without a .223" and similar comments".

OP: After reading your post, it sounds to me that you are not an avid shooter. The only remorse I have is I should of bought the one priced at $469.99 or $499.99 instead of $529.99 :eek: Don't get me wrong, I've had it before on other purchases like spending $700 on a nitro rc truck (whoops)... However, I bought my MOE b/c I love to shoot! It's fun, it's challenging, and it's cheap! I also love shooting my Xd9 and my .380 (LCP not so much) and after spending $65 for 100ct each of fmj, I was in buyers remorse... :)

I personally think you bought the wrong gun for home defense and can think of many others well under $500 that will do a fantastic job, but to each his own. My advice is if YOU don't enjoy shooting or don't have any friends that enjoy shooting, sell it and get into something YOU enjoy!
 
reason i did not get a shotgun or larger caliber revolver was because of the decible levels blowing my familys' ear drums out. with the 12 gauge going off, it would probably shatter all the windows as well. plus i would not trust my wife handling their recoil.

reason i posted the video was to present some proof and have something everyone can work with. it seems like everyone is ignoring the video. if the balistic can penetrate through 5 inches of roast beef wrapped in multiple layers of denim at 900 feet, can it not fully penetrate a human's flesh and bone at 9 feet in home defense??? i would expect it does, even if the target was a 400 pound nfl linemen comming at you.

so if the video is factual evidence of such a ballistic, then why would you want a .223 over the .22 in home defense?
 
As someone mentioned, I wouldn't use a .223 for home defense either. For me, that's the job of a pistol and/or shotgun, but to each their own.

I'd vote that you keep the .22 and shoot the hell out of it. No matter what happens, .22 ammo should be the cheapest of any round to shoot and shooting the M&P .22 is about as most fun as you can have with your clothes on.

You can add to your collection later on, and who knows, you may be glad that you didn't get a .223 if the prices don't come back down on the ammunition.
 
TacoDaTugBoat said:
I only have my 15-22 at this point.

. For now I would not hesitate to use it to defend myself as it is better than a bat or flashlight.
.
Click to expand...

it is this kind of quote that i do not fully understand. it appears to be the mentality of so many forum posters about the killing power of the 22. it just sounds like you are just barely favoring the 22 over a bat.

i cannot help but think that maybe the shooter does not feel man enough that he is not handling a more powerfull weapon.

i am trying to understand where the additional penetration power would be needed in home defense situations, assuming the cci velocitor is already shredding the target.
 
JMHO the way I'm thinking right now I'm not selling or getting rid of anything I have. In the O P situation my suggestion is to keep what you have & add to it, if you want an AR now is probably not a good time to buy price wise but who knows what tomorrow brings, get what you can.
 
ARGH said:
i cannot help but think that maybe the shooter does not feel man enough that he is not handling a more powerfull weapon.
Click to expand...
It sounds like "the shooter" might be you. Just saying.


ARGH said:
i am trying to understand where the additional penetration power would be needed in home defense situations, assuming the cci velocitor is already shredding the target.
Click to expand...

It's not about penetration power, it's about stopping power.

I didn't see any shredded beef in that video. I saw some holes in a small half frozen roast.
 
I wouldn't worry what anyone else thinks about your baby AR. Take it to the range and have fun w/ it. Enjoy the fact that you can send 1000 rounds down range in an afternoon for >$50. I've had mine for a little over a month and have lost count of total rounds fired after 5000 in the first 3.5 weeks. If you're not concerned w/ ranges over ~100 yards, there doesn't seem to be much you can't do w/ an M&P 15-22 that you can w/ an M&P 15 from a target shooting/plinking perspective.

As far as HD goes, I'll mainly echo others, rely on your .38 w/ +P ammo if your revolver will handle them and maybe pick up a shotgun if you have concerns, keep them clean and in good working condition, and get a lot of practice and training w/ them. Personally, my go to gun in an HD scenario is going to be my G17 w/ tritium sights and a TLR-2s loaded w/ Cirtical Duty, not my 15-22 or 22/45. In a pinch either of the .22LRs should be lethal over time, but from everything that I've read they don't produce nearly the same temporary cavity and hydrostatic shock and subsequent "stopping power" that a 9mm/.40/.45 defensive round will. Even if I had picked up a .223 or .308 AR or battle rifle (and I still might in the future assuming they are still available and not going to require a 2nd mortgage), I think I'd still be sticking w/ the pistol or picking up a shotgun for HD and shooting the 15-22 and 22/45 a heck of a lot more than the more "manly" calibers.
 
I was shooting my 15-22 MOE at the range yesterday, and the fellow next to me, who had a no-stock assault-type shotgun, an SKS Russian military rifle, a Ruger 9mm, a Sig Sauer 1911 .45, and a Walther PKsomething 380, asked what I was shooting. When I told him, he said he had one at home too, but mine looked much cooler with the various accessories I'd added. And I'm almost 70 years old, so I didn't feel like I wasn't a man (also shooting my Colt SAA and Sig Sauer P260).

As others have said, use the .38 for home defense (although you really should have gotten a .357 magnum instead), keep the 15-22 for fun (as you say, you're already having fun thinking of accessories, and let me tell you, it's even more fun to shoot). Only reason to get a .223 is if you feel the "need" or want to shoot longer distances.
 
Dagooch said:
Well 25 rounds dumped on a attacker with the accuracy of the 15-22 is going to stop anyone unless they are wearing juggernaut armor:) plus 22 is cheap and easily available. I like the guys who show up at the range and setup their rifle for 30 mins and shoot 2 mags pack up and leave, while I'm dumping mags for 3 to 4 hours. You will get way more range time and have way more fun.
Click to expand...

Except someone on meth/crack. I certainly would not want to take one round of .22, but it is not what I would want for home SD.

For a end-times patrol the perimeter-type SHTF situ, it's hard to beat an AR or AK... they have just proven themselves. But for normal home defense, I would recommend a good short barrel shotgun and a decent-size pistol (preferrably with night sights) that you can shoot accurately in 9mm or larger.

OP, your 15-22 is is a great rifle, and will be a GREAT training tool for your future AR purchase ;)
 
ARGH said:
it is this kind of quote that i do not fully understand. it appears to be the mentality of so many forum posters about the killing power of the 22. it just sounds like you are just barely favoring the 22 over a bat.

i cannot help but think that maybe the shooter does not feel man enough that he is not handling a more powerfull weapon.

i am trying to understand where the additional penetration power would be needed in home defense situations, assuming the cci velocitor is already shredding the target.
Click to expand...


It's the fact that 10" of penetration is around what is needed to feel confident with a good JHP round. That's FBI stats, not mine. Add drugs, a leather or denim coat and other clothing, and that .22 might just penetrate an inch or less. Also, the size of the hole matters as well. A good caliber mushrooming JHP will cause tons more trauma and blood loss, thus stopping the threat. And that's your main objective - not to just slow him down.

Not to sound negative, but it's like entering a bass tournament with a cane pole. You can fish, but........ :)
 
All the members here are trying to do is give you feedback from their point of view. The .22 is a good weapon, it just has it's drawbacks compared to other calibers. It all comes down to what YOU are comfortable with defending your family. Only you can make that choice.

If I owned nothing else but a .22 then that would be what I would use for HD.
 
As others have said, .22lr makes a small hole. To stop an attacker, you need a large hole...something that will make critical organs cease to function. Notice that the .22lr is not a recommended cartridge for deer or larger animals.

Another point to consider is rimfire ammo is not as reliable as centerfire. Many times you will get a misfire from rimfire ammo. Put it back in the chamber where the firing pin will strike a different area and it often will shoot. Do you want that as your home defense ammo?

As far as the noise and recoil of the shotgun, you can get reduced recoil rounds, or go with a 20 gauge. It will be loud, but it is not going to "blow out the windows". Your wife can handle a shotgun with proper instruction, probably better than the .38.
 
Shooting a piece of roast beef is entirely different then shooting something alive with muscle and bone, That being said stop worrying about the .22 cal M&P its a nice gun take it to the range shoot it, enjoy it with you wife and keep it handy and safely secured at home incase you need it. Any gun you are competent handling and proficient shooting will suffice. Enjoy your purchase
 
As for the statement of a 22 over a bat, yes that is accurate. Think of it this way, would you rather confront an intruder with your fist or a bat? We are not saying your choice is flawed. If the first weapon readily available to me is my 22, you can bet I will use it!
Also your not taking into account that by the time that 22 round hit the roast beef, it had lost ALOT of it's velocity. So yea it penetrated "X" amount of inches, but with the loss of velocity it failed to expand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Which adaptor for the Green Viridian on the M and P 22 mag and 5.7
Replies
0
Views
152
Law-dog
L
C
Range Report from my new M&P 15-22
Replies
1
Views
184
Mercury
Mercury
CaliMiller
Hey hey, I’m Cali
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
snubbyfan
snubbyfan
three50seven
M&P 22 Magnum - An Answer to Nobody's Question?
Replies
22
Views
3K
scottr
S
S
What's this piece that fell out of my M&P 15-22?
Replies
8
Views
2K
tenntucker
tenntucker

Latest posts

Back
Top