M&P 15-22 or Ruger 10/22?

[photoracer]

The M&P22 is just too much plastic for me. Feels like a BB gun. What does it do that the 10/22 doesn't? And factory 25 round mags are now available for the 10/22 for about 30 bucks.

I don't know what part of PA you are in but try going to a PA Steel match at one of the clubs that run that series. See how many shooters are using what rifle in the rifle division and see how they are both for speed, accuracy, and reliability.
Most at the top will be shooting AR15-22s.

 

[Majorlk]

I have both rifles, the 10/22 since the mid 80s, and my 10/22 has never been anything close to a rapid-fire rifle. Slow and deliberate shooting, yes. It is more accurate than the 15-22, I will admit.

It sits in the vault most of the time now.

 

[CB43FAN]

I am going to teach my kid to rebuild a carburetor and how to change the needle on a 45 rpm record player so that when they drive a modern car or use an mp3 player, they will have the skills needed just in case.

Times have changed, kids have changed. What worked for you and us 20-50 years ago may no longer apply guys. If they learn on a 15-22, that is what they will use. All of the same safety and discipline skills still apply, you just have to change YOUR thinking and get with the times. If you force them to do something they don't want to do, they may give up. You used a bolt action .22 because that was what was available then. If they had 15-22 30 years ago, your dad would have been teaching you with that.

All that being said, I like the 15-22 for the cool factor and it is a blast, but I also like the 10/22 as well. Yes, the 10/22 will probably last longer as my dad has one that is as old as I am, but who's to say that with proper care, the 15-22 won't be the same. If you like modern and tactical look, with a real ease of maintenance, go with the 15-22, if you want rock solid old school, proven reputation and like the style, go with the 10/22. Both are equally accurate for the casual shooter and equally deadly and dangerous.

 

[roadkill45]

you can spend a lot of money on a 10-22, they are like barbie dolls, just like you can on AR's. I have 3, one stock, one take down, and one that i went crazy with an now is not really a 10/22 but a Barracuda stock, all VQ guts, TacSol barrel, cans, i could go on and on but from what was a $200 gun has turned into a $1200 gun. Would i do this with a 15-22? No, aside from the EOtech optics i have on it and the suppressor it is stock except for yellow springs. I would get a 10-22 first, then go from there. quality hi caps are now avail that are pretty jam free.
I love the 15-22 and it has taken many jackrabbits here in the desert, but the 10-22 will out shoot it any day of the week.

 

[bustedmp]

I went to an indoor 22 range with my brother in law a few days ago to watch their weekly indoor shoot, and half of the rifle shooters had 15-22's. I saw only 2 rugers there. I was rather impressed by the accuracy the 15-22 was capable of in the correct hands. While they weren't precision bolt action accurate, still good enough for small game accurate. Most guys I talked to that had them said they prefer the 15-22 over the 10/22 they own. I did talk to the 2 10/22 shooters, and they love their ruger hands down. It is as divided as the ford vs checy debate.

 

[DesertFox]

On a recent trip to the range, 2 15-22s and a 10/22LVT went head to head with my wife at the trigger. I was curious to see what her feedback was. While she was doing great with the 15-22, she commented on how the 10/22LVT was hitting exactly where she was aiming, repeatedly. This in spite of the fact that there isn't a lick of pink on the entire gun.

Now, all three were wearing different optics. All three were sighted in by a guy resembling myself. The 10/22LVT has a factory target trigger and a bipod. Terrible control of variables.

My analysis? If I did not have 4 10/22 and 3 15-22, I would advise picking up the 15-22 model that has the majority of what you want (Magpul, PC, color, etc.) and picking up something other than the base model 10/22 that comes with a target trigger and beefier barrel. Let the 15-22 fill that low end plinker niche - then go for a 10/22 Target, Tactical, LVT, etc. if tack driving is the intent.

I was drooling all over a 10/22 International stainless the other day... That and an OD 15-22 and I swear... I won't get any more... Until something else comes out...

 

[kbm6893]

mimic the operation of a real ar? save you >$10 on mags?

Since the weight and the recoil of a 15/22 is totally different than a real AR, I don't see it as much of a trainer. I guess it helps, but not as much as people like to say. The 15/22 looks like fun and I'm not against getting one, but owning a 10/22 that puts rounds through the same whole all day, it's pretty far down on my list.

 

[bustedmp]

If all I wanted was a 22 that will put 5 under a dime, I've already got it. I really don't need a 10/22 in my house, I have a very accurate and reliable semi auto 22. I also have a very good shooting bolt action 22, but I don't have the fun factor a 15-22 brings. I am glad my son decided he wants a bolt action so he can use it to hunt with me, but I know sooner or later he is going to want something a little more fun to shoot at the range with me. He does have a good time when we both go to the range and I don't take any of my auto loaders along. When I take them along and he sees I am having more fun than him, he gets frustrated. The problem he has as I said before, he doesn't like his single shot right handed kids 22 anymore.

 

[Majorlk]

If all I wanted was a 22 that will put 5 under a dime, I've already got it. I really don't need a 10/22 in my house, I have a very accurate and reliable semi auto 22. I also have a very good shooting bolt action 22, but I don't have the fun factor a 15-22 brings. I am glad my son decided he wants a bolt action so he can use it to hunt with me, but I know sooner or later he is going to want something a little more fun to shoot at the range with me. He does have a good time when we both go to the range and I don't take any of my auto loaders along. When I take them along and he sees I am having more fun than him, he gets frustrated. The problem he has as I said before, he doesn't like his single shot right handed kids 22 anymore.

My grandson is almost nine and he "outgrew" his Cricket in less than six months. He'll be getting his own 15-22 for Christmas. That way I can have mine back full time.

 

[hangnoose]

15-22 vs 1022

I'm certainly no longer physically a kid. both are dam fine guns but if forced to choose one it would be the bolt 7722 all weather. I'm sure it will outlast the other 2 by generations.

 

[Kayback]

There is nothing fundamentally different in shooting a 15-22 and a Cricket/10/22 whatever. The principals remain the same.

You can control the ammo count just as easily on the 15-22 by either loading the mag with a single round, or simply standing where you can grab the gun if they do something silly.

Breathing, trigger control, sight picture all remains the same. If you trust them enough to load the Cricket themselves for each shot, why not allow them to shoot a mag fed? Less breaking your grip....

KBK

 

[hangnoose]

APEARANCES

I'm always getting asked to take people shooting, adults and or kids. Often they are anti gun types but interested in trying it. If I plan on using a single shot, bolt, or regular semi auto, NO PROBLEM. if the gun is black, plastic or in any way looks like an evil "ASSAULT WEAPON" they change their minds. SO if MOM appears to be a nervous Nellie, I fall back on single shots and advance as tolerated. a little off topic but something to be considered, if you plan on using it as a teaching gun.

 

[Straightshooter2]

I have two 10-22s and two 15-22s. Well, ok the pink/platinum 15-22 belongs to my wife. Like others have said, the 10-22 might be a little more accurate out of the box although my 15-22 with the right ammo and a Trijicon Reflex will easily shoot a ragged hole about 1" across at 25 yards. Again like other posters have said, when people shoot that 15-22, they generally have a "that was fun" grin on their face.

I have to say though that Ruger's customer service was outstanding. I bought the 10-22 Tactical and two of the holes for mounting the sight base were stripped, either from the factory or in the supply chain. Ruger sent me a shipping label no questions asked and, after examining the rifle, called me to ask for my FFL's address so they could ship a replacement the next time they did a run of the Tacticals. Total time from shipment back to receiving the replacement was about 3 weeks.

You said the 15-22 is set up the way he wants it so that's what I would go with. My 10 and 8 year old grandchildren love my 15-22 a lot more than any of my other .22s, probably because of the coolness factor.

CW