M&P 15-22 Results, Post 'em here. I got Mine!!

[TxShooter2k9]

Did you get it yet?

yes, started a new thread, they replaced the magazine and the Extractor, ran 35rds through it without a problem so far.

 

[jarhead1991]

Shooting both the Colt M4-22 and the S&W M&P 15-22

I currently have both the Colt M4-22 and the S&W M&P 15-22… I have learned that there are Pro's & Con's to each –

Colt M4-22 –
· PRO - Extremely accurate, almost surprisingly accurate… I think that the tensioned barrel may be a big contributor to the way it shoots;
· PRO - All metal construction, weight closely proximate the weight of a regular AR;
· PRO - Very reliable once you get 100-200 rounds through it… until 300-400 rounds when it begins getting sluggish (which brings back to how to clean it);
· PRO – Very fun to shoot;
· CON - Colt went to tremendous lengths to ensure that it "looked" like an M4… but, they also went to tremendous lengths to ensure that the "look" was purely cosmetic;
· CON - Non-functional "bolt hold open" part will fall out upon opening the upper/lower (giving you a very small piece to keep track of during cleaning… it serves no purpose other than cosmetics;
· CON - From what I understand, Colt politically wanted to ensure that every possible part could not interchange with anything on a real AR-15… I understand wanting to ensure that a .223 AR upper could not mate to the M4-22 lower; but, there is no reason to use a different grip fitting, stock fitting, rail fitting, muzzle suppressor, trigger group parts that are all entirely unique only to the M4-22;
· CON - By design, it is not supposed to be taken apart for cleaning beyond opening the upper/lower sections (manual specifically states not to remove bolt group, etc… following this, you can run a bore snake though the barrel – but it is virtually impossible to actually clean after firing;
· CON - As you would expect from a Walther (German) design, it functions well any is a tremendously engineered design… it also seems to have many more parts (mostly tiny parts) than necessary. It reminds me of the firearms designed by Pederson prior to WWII for our military… many engineers commented that he was adapt at making 10 parts in the design, where a single part would work just as well (kind of like a tube fed .22 that has a fixed pin that locks the mag tube into position with a simple twist slot… he would design a spring loaded locking lever that was overly complicated and prone to breakage – though a brilliant design);
· CON - IF you decide to properly clean the M4-22, you must remove the muzzle suppressor and carefully pull out the barrel from the barrel sleeve with the bolt action assembly in one piece (otherwise, tiny spring loaded parts will fly… making reassembly very complicated – which is why they don't want it taken apart for cleaning);
· CON - The bolt does not remain open when the magazine is empty;
· CON - In order to open the upper/lower receiver's for cleaning, the take-down pin requires a hammer & punch to make it budge… extremely tight fit that seems to be part of the design;
· CON - To move the safety from "safe" to "fire", you must rotate it 180 degrees (on an M-16 that would be the full-auto position)… again, this is likely a way to ensure that parts do not interchange with anything AR related;
· CON - At least in my rifle (I have 6 magazines), the magazines do not lock smoothly into position… you must give them repeated "tap & pull" maneuvers before it will remain locked in position;
· CON - Front sight assembly is a standard AR triangle configuration… looks very "true" to the AR platform, but requires a higher optic mount to clear the front sight post;
· CON - Standard configuration comes with non-standard handguards (you cannot replace them with standard AR handguards or rails;
· CON - Trigger pull in the 9-10 # range, no way to make adjustments;
· CON – The length of the standard magazine is ridiculously long… very difficult to fire from a bench (just a tad longer than a 40-round AR magazine).


S&W M&P 15-22 –
· PRO – Very light, actually feels very solid in good comparison to the Colt M4-22;
· PRO – Functioning bolt hold-open on last round;
· PRO – Trigger group parts interchange with standard AR trigger parts… you can easily upgrade the trigger group if desired;
· PRO – Bolt assembly easily removed just like a regular AR bolt… cleaning is incredibly easy;
· PRO – Removable front sight assembly allows use of a lower optic if you choose;
· PRO – Standard configuration comes with Picatinny rail handguard;
· PRO – Magazines lock into position smoothly;
· PRO – Trigger pull in the 6-8# range… trigger parts/springs are interchangeable with standard AR parts;
· PRO – Safety functions with a 90-degree rotation… same as standard AR;
· PRO – All polymer upper/lower… but feels very solid (adjustable stock tube is one solid piece with the lower receiver… Colt is 2 piece removable, but since it does not accept an AR tube there is no benefit in it being removable);
· PRO – Very straight forward design with minimal parts… it wasn't meant to be a .223 AR, so it doesn't try to be one – but it is a very good design that is a lot of fun to shoot;

These are only my personal observations and I'm sure that others may have different experiences or opinions… I just thought that some readers may find it beneficial for input from someone that owns/shoots both.

I think that the S&W is very superior to the Colt for it's intended purpose… mine has been reliable, fun to shoot, accurate and easy to clean. I have multiple full-size AR's and both mimic fairly closely to their function and work well for training and practice.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Great info, from alot ive read online, most people do prefer the S&W over the Colt, and the majority that have the colt, and then get the S&W, end up getting rid of the socalled 'Colt' branded gun.

 

[27 Beck]

I currently have both the Colt M4-22 and the S&W M&P 15-22… I have learned that there are Pro's & Con's to each –

Colt M4-22 –
· PRO - Extremely accurate, almost surprisingly accurate… I think that the tensioned barrel may be a big contributor to the way it shoots;
· PRO - All metal construction, weight closely proximate the weight of a regular AR;
· PRO - Very reliable once you get 100-200 rounds through it… until 300-400 rounds when it begins getting sluggish (which brings back to how to clean it);
· PRO – Very fun to shoot;
· CON - Colt went to tremendous lengths to ensure that it "looked" like an M4… but, they also went to tremendous lengths to ensure that the "look" was purely cosmetic;
· CON - Non-functional "bolt hold open" part will fall out upon opening the upper/lower (giving you a very small piece to keep track of during cleaning… it serves no purpose other than cosmetics;
· CON - From what I understand, Colt politically wanted to ensure that every possible part could not interchange with anything on a real AR-15… I understand wanting to ensure that a .223 AR upper could not mate to the M4-22 lower; but, there is no reason to use a different grip fitting, stock fitting, rail fitting, muzzle suppressor, trigger group parts that are all entirely unique only to the M4-22;
· CON - By design, it is not supposed to be taken apart for cleaning beyond opening the upper/lower sections (manual specifically states not to remove bolt group, etc… following this, you can run a bore snake though the barrel – but it is virtually impossible to actually clean after firing;
· CON - As you would expect from a Walther (German) design, it functions well any is a tremendously engineered design… it also seems to have many more parts (mostly tiny parts) than necessary. It reminds me of the firearms designed by Pederson prior to WWII for our military… many engineers commented that he was adapt at making 10 parts in the design, where a single part would work just as well (kind of like a tube fed .22 that has a fixed pin that locks the mag tube into position with a simple twist slot… he would design a spring loaded locking lever that was overly complicated and prone to breakage – though a brilliant design);
· CON - IF you decide to properly clean the M4-22, you must remove the muzzle suppressor and carefully pull out the barrel from the barrel sleeve with the bolt action assembly in one piece (otherwise, tiny spring loaded parts will fly… making reassembly very complicated – which is why they don't want it taken apart for cleaning);
· CON - The bolt does not remain open when the magazine is empty;
· CON - In order to open the upper/lower receiver's for cleaning, the take-down pin requires a hammer & punch to make it budge… extremely tight fit that seems to be part of the design;
· CON - To move the safety from "safe" to "fire", you must rotate it 180 degrees (on an M-16 that would be the full-auto position)… again, this is likely a way to ensure that parts do not interchange with anything AR related;
· CON - At least in my rifle (I have 6 magazines), the magazines do not lock smoothly into position… you must give them repeated "tap & pull" maneuvers before it will remain locked in position;
· CON - Front sight assembly is a standard AR triangle configuration… looks very "true" to the AR platform, but requires a higher optic mount to clear the front sight post;
· CON - Standard configuration comes with non-standard handguards (you cannot replace them with standard AR handguards or rails;
· CON - Trigger pull in the 9-10 # range, no way to make adjustments;
· CON – The length of the standard magazine is ridiculously long… very difficult to fire from a bench (just a tad longer than a 40-round AR magazine).


S&W M&P 15-22 –
· PRO – Very light, actually feels very solid in good comparison to the Colt M4-22;
· PRO – Functioning bolt hold-open on last round;
· PRO – Trigger group parts interchange with standard AR trigger parts… you can easily upgrade the trigger group if desired;
· PRO – Bolt assembly easily removed just like a regular AR bolt… cleaning is incredibly easy;
· PRO – Removable front sight assembly allows use of a lower optic if you choose;
· PRO – Standard configuration comes with Picatinny rail handguard;
· PRO – Magazines lock into position smoothly;
· PRO – Trigger pull in the 6-8# range… trigger parts/springs are interchangeable with standard AR parts;
· PRO – Safety functions with a 90-degree rotation… same as standard AR;
· PRO – All polymer upper/lower… but feels very solid (adjustable stock tube is one solid piece with the lower receiver… Colt is 2 piece removable, but since it does not accept an AR tube there is no benefit in it being removable);
· PRO – Very straight forward design with minimal parts… it wasn't meant to be a .223 AR, so it doesn't try to be one – but it is a very good design that is a lot of fun to shoot;

These are only my personal observations and I'm sure that others may have different experiences or opinions… I just thought that some readers may find it beneficial for input from someone that owns/shoots both.

I think that the S&W is very superior to the Colt for it's intended purpose… mine has been reliable, fun to shoot, accurate and easy to clean. I have multiple full-size AR's and both mimic fairly closely to their function and work well for training and practice.

Great info, from alot ive read online, most people do prefer the S&W over the Colt, and the majority that have the colt, and then get the S&W, end up getting rid of the socalled 'Colt' branded gun.

Great writeup jarhead.
Another con for the Colt is the price of extra magazines. Seem to sell in the mid $30.00 range.

Pro for the S&W is the low cost $20.00 range for extra magazines.
Con for the S&W is the issue of some of the guns breaking the extractor. My 15-22 is currently at SAW for the replacement of the second broken extractor. First extractor was replaced by the selling dealer.

As TxShooter posted, several have started out with the Colt and have found them new homes to purchase the S&W 15-22. I am one of those ex Colt owners. Even though my 15-22 has broken twice, (I did not keep the Colt long enough to have any problems) I have no regrets in my current S&W purchase.

 

[hubie.40]

Re: Operator error?

Not operator error, unfortunately for me. Another range visit with the same results...ugh. Will be shipping to S&W next week. TxShooter2k9, let me know how it does on your second range visit, as 75 rounds is not enough to give me a "warm fuzzy." Thanks all. Matt

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Not operator error, unfortunately for me. Another range visit with the same results...ugh. Will be shipping to S&W next week. TxShooter2k9, let me know how it does on your second range visit, as 75 rounds is not enough to give me a "warm fuzzy." Thanks all. Matt

Will do Matt, it rained all day today, so didnt get to take the gun out and shoot. Will tomorrow though. Josh

 

[TxShooter2k9]

how many would give you the warm fuzzy feeling exactly, lol.

 

[hubie.40]

Read some of the others' posts...200 would be better. I am unhappy. I was SOOOOOO hoping that it was my fault (improper loading of the magazines). I just hope that it is fixed and returned prior to my next range visit (60 miles from home). Thanks.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

totally agree with ya there Hubie, i felt the same way, when mine was faulty right of the box. I didnt want to send it off, but im glad i did, should run great when you get it back, i wouldnt think it would take to long to get it back.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

well, i just went out to the back yard with the gun, and 2 mags, to sight in the gun, i had a mag full of the Federal, and a mag with several old Remington crap bullets i had for years, tried the remicraps first, and it shot the first one, then click..people where right, remingtons are no good in this gun for sure, so took that mag out, put in the mag with 25 Federal bulk pack ammo in it, no problems at all. I'll stick with the Federal and Winchester Superx ammo fron now on. so about 100rds so far, without issue.

 

[hubie.40]

You know, I was raised in Springfield, Ma. Didn't leave until joining the Navy and going to boot camp in Jan. 1987. Still have family there, but love living in Ga. Gun laws are waaaaaay more lax, as well. Just visit County Courthouse, pay $47 and wait a few (8?) weeks for your concealed-carry permit...priceless.
Thinking about a sling, but unsure what is needed to attach it to the buffer tube (?). Seems silly to pay $20 or more for a "single point sling adapter." I'd rather fabricate one at work...
Thanks for update. I also own a Walther P22, MP9 JG, and (my CCW gun) a MP40c with CTC laser grip...l8r.

 

[hopperb]

I now have approximately 1,000 rounds through my M&P 22 and it has gotten better with each trip to the range.

My issues all seem to stem from Remington Thunderbolt ammo and since I stopped using that and started using Federal I have had no failures to eject and only 2 issues of the bolt catching an empty casing during ejection.

On Saturday I fired another 400 rounds of Federal at 25 yards (longest distance available at the time) and had no trouble even firing at a fast rate tearing the center out of four targets.

I also have a GSG5 and while I like that rifle I love this S&W just due to it's ease of cleaning, and that it feels almost exactly like my M&P15T from trigger pull to safety operation.

Bill

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Great to hear Bill, i love my 15-22 aswell, cant wait to get out and shoot it again.

 

[jmkash]

Sling option

Thinking about a sling, but unsure what is needed to attach it to the buffer tube (?). Seems silly to pay $20 or more for a "single point sling adapter." I'd rather fabricate one at work...

This is my sling set up.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Just took the gun out to try a mag full of Winchester Wildcats that i got when i first got the gun, all was flawless but 1, put it back in when the mag was empty and it shot it fine. So im up to about 125rds i think. This byfar is my favorite gun i have!!!

 

[marvan]

Sent mine off a couple of weeks ago to S&W because of the broken feed ramp. Got it back today. They said it was fixed and udated to newest specs. I went to the range and shot a little over 300 rounds. Perfect, majority was federal bulk pack with a mag of CCI minimags and a mag of winchester wildcats. No jams, no hiccups just a lot fun. Plus they sent me 2 extra mags. I'll take it out this weekend and run a few hundred more rounds through it and hopefully it will keep up.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Big congrads on getting your gun back, im happy you can have some fun now, Im having alot of fun too. Its awesome that S&W sends some extra mags back with them. They just gave me 1 extra, but thats better than nothing. I couldnt be happier.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Just shot another 50rds with 1rd that didnt load right, but i probally didnt put in the mag good. But i sighted in my new Barska 3-9x42 scope. Then had some fun.

 

[maxfuzz]

Picked up my 15-22 Thursday at 3:30pm after waiting the 10 days (cooling off). Put 50 rounds through it, had a few fte and ftf then it exploded with parts coming out. At 4:30 I had a broken gun. Called S&W for a return lable, they didn't seem to be overly concerned. So I guess I'll be without this peice of **** for a month. I can't believe some of you that have had problems are not extremely upset. What kind of quality control do they have? Beside over paying,$625.00 with taxes and fees, I expected little more. I'm sorry to rant and rave. I'm glad to hear some of you didn't get a lemmon.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

wow, sorry to hear that.