M&P 15-22 vs dedicated .22LR AR-15

[MaroTanaka]

But, it also seems as you've made up your mind (or at least real close to it)...and just want me to agree with you, which I'm not going to do.

I think by now I pretty much have, thanks for the help everyone.

 

[trebor127]

Rob all i can say is Bonkers

keith

 

[MaroTanaka]

Once you pull the trigger every other rabbit around WILL be gone including the one you aimed at if your trying to shoot too far out...NOT because of the sound of the round but because of the BOLT SLAP as the action cycles the next round in.

If you want to "Hunt" or as it is better known for FAC apps "Pest Control" then go for a dedicated and more accurate rifle "CZ or Similar" 1 shot, 1 click = 1 dead bunny and others still looking round all confused, which is what I use, CZ first, as the Pest Control and Range shooting was my reason to buy, then came the Smith for the more fun side with a Mil type look and feel.

By hunting, I more mean plinking on private land and also getting a squirrel here and there; I mostly intend to use it on private land for the zero range you can have, since there's no restrictions on how much you can use the zero range.

As for AR swap outs, or Conversion Kits or Dedicated Upper, something to consider. A .223/5.56 will cost min of £1100 for straight pull then the conversion kit is another "200 - 300 "EMRR " prices for a BASIC rig with no frills, and you will need to be able to have slots for both calibres on the variation otherwise you cant buy both. Plus sights Mags etc etc.

If you want a dedicated "Metal" .22 AR type rifle, then go for a Spikes or a Bradley Arms, both are "Metal" look good and "just like the real thing" however having seen both in "action" on a range they function no better than these little "Plastic" rifles and cost almost twice as much!!!

From the place I'm buying from, a .22 AR is £1100, a straight pull AR is £1600 and a straight pull upper is £1100. As I said I've pretty much made my mind up about going for a real .22 AR and then a .223 upper since it would only cost £100 more than a 15-22 and a full straight pull rifle and I couldn't repair a 15-22 as easily as a real AR.

If you want to buy a Smith £750 for MOE approx, Plus optics mags sound mod......

The £1100 for the rifle I'm looking at includes a full compliment of Magpul AFG and MOE furniture beside the handguard, which I want left plain.

CZ with SAK Sound MOD and Hawke Mid Range Mil Dot approx £500-550 if you buy new, there are also tons of used rigs out there for accurate pest control at a fraction of the cost.

It's not just for pest control though, it's for pretty much anything I want to shoot. I doubt a CZ would hold up too well in a practical rifle competition or speed shooting.

Thanks for your input.

 

[GhostMutt]

"Price isn't much of a problem"

Hehe then why are you on a 15-22 forum...i'd have already put in a call to LanTac.

 

[MaroTanaka]

"Price isn't much of a problem"

Hehe then why are you on a 15-22 forum...i'd have already put in a call to LanTac.

I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be wasting my money

 

[GhostMutt]

I can't recall seeing any LanTac rifles for sale second hand, if you are serious enough about shooting comps and are willing to put in the work to become a better marksman then surely having the best equipment from a highly respected company, is uppermost on your priorities.
I know where my money would go

 

[wbear]

FWIW...coming from somebody with a dozen or so ARs of various calibers (22LR, 5.7x28, 9mm, 5.56, 6.8, 300BLK and 50 Beowulf), over half of which are SBRs. And I'm counting my 15-22 as an AR. I don't swap uppers, I build dedicated rifles so that there are no compromises made. I build each one exactly as I want it.

That being said, I'd buy another couple dozen 15-22s before I bought a 22 conversion kit, and probably a half-dozen before even a dedicated 22 build...especially based on the prices you're giving.

The 15-22 does exactly what it's supposed to, every time it's supposed to do it. And that's even been true for mine, which has been cut down to a 4.5" barrel. It's not a metal AR...but my plastic handguns have worked just fine for years.

The ability to upgrade your 15-22 to some standard AR parts is a bonus. I started with the MOE version, so I've done nothing but the SBR conversion (had the barrel cut down, then shortened the factory handguard with a band saw). One of the major strong points of the 15-22 is the magazine design and function, and especially the reliability. Most of the same controls minus the FA, but I've never had to use the FA on any of my ARs.

I agree 100%. After I got my first 15-22 I sold my conversion kit and never looked back. To me it was a no brainer.

 

[trebor127]

OP if your only paying £1100 for a dedicated .22,then i can

see it only being basic entry level rifle.......to get that rifle

up to a decent level with optics etc then its going to be

nearer 3K.......Lantac are ok,Wayne at NWC makes up the

Spikes. but remember Spikes no longer make the ST22

due to poor quality control of their bolts several years ago....

Bradley Arms are good if you dont mind the long months wait

for a .22



Genuine Eotech from Viking at £1300





So OP if money is not a problem,then £600 for the super

reliable 15-22 is neither here or there..........but be warned

carrying around on your "hunt" an all metal AR type rifle fully

loaded with optics is no light weight matter

Keith

 

[capx28]

No expert at all here and I looked into this as well before i bought my 15-22. I do want and plan to get a "real AR" . the deciding factor for me was the fact that when i did step up to a real ar it would save me some cash BUT, I would lose a rifle (the .22) I know you can swithc back and forth between the two but that wasnt something i would want to be doing. I would rather have the 15-22 and an AR than have an AR i could turn into an 22. and back again. MORE GUNS IS BETTER Durability really is a NON issue in my opinion. Plus if you have friends you can take both guns out. Get the .22 and save a bit more for a real AR. I would give you my two cents but my opinon is only worth 1 Good luck!

 

[MaroTanaka]

OP if your only paying £1100 for a dedicated .22,then i can
see it only being basic entry level rifle.......to get that rifle
up to a decent level with optics etc then its going to be
nearer 3K.......Lantac are ok,Wayne at NWC makes up the
Spikes. but remember Spikes no longer make the ST22
due to poor quality control of their bolts several years ago....
Bradley Arms are good if you dont mind the long months wait
for a .22
Genuine Eotech from Viking at £1300
So OP if money is not a problem,then £600 for the super
reliable 15-22 is neither here or there..........but be warned
carrying around on your "hunt" an all metal AR type rifle fully
loaded with optics is no light weight matter
Keith

I'm just talking about the rifle in this thread, not optics, and I'm getting it with a 2 point sling to mitigate weight issues. When I get a .223 upper and start shooting at longer ranges I might consider investing in a CNC trigger group or other things to improve accuracy, but for now it will be fine.

No expert at all here and I looked into this as well before i bought my 15-22. I do want and plan to get a "real AR" . the deciding factor for me was the fact that when i did step up to a real ar it would save me some cash BUT, I would lose a rifle (the .22) I know you can swithc back and forth between the two but that wasnt something i would want to be doing. I would rather have the 15-22 and an AR than have an AR i could turn into an 22. and back again. MORE GUNS IS BETTER Durability really is a NON issue in my opinion. Plus if you have friends you can take both guns out. Get the .22 and save a bit more for a real AR. I would give you my two cents but my opinon is only worth 1 Good luck!

I'm not going to be using the .22 at the same time as the .223, and changing an upper doesn't exactly take much effort, so the 'upside' of having 2 rifles is a null point in my book. Friends I shoot with have their own rifles and shotguns, and if they wanted a go we would swap guns for a while.