MP1522 making me want to go center fire

[fastsw]

I am really having fun with my mp1522. So much, that now I am thinking of getting one in 223. Researching a bit, there are a ton of options with the AR platform (which would be similar feel as the mp1522), and also with the mini-14 platform (which seems to be a simpler gas design). I am looking for something with simple breakdown similar to the mp1522, yet without breaking the bank as these seem to be very expensive. I would use it for target at 100 yards, that can shoot the cheaper steel case ammo.
Can anyone point me in the direction of some good forums for a newbie in 223? Thanks!

 

[UpstateNY]

If you're going to upgrade to a centerfire, go with a 5.56 NATO. It can fire .223 as well, but gives you the option to fire the 5.56 ammo as well. If you go strictly with a .223, you can then only fire those rounds. However, I believe the .223 Wylde chamber can fire both as well.

 

[Dano]

I am really having fun with my mp1522. So much, that now I am thinking of getting one in 223. Researching a bit, there are a ton of options with the AR platform (which would be similar feel as the mp1522), and also with the mini-14 platform (which seems to be a simpler gas design). I am looking for something with simple breakdown similar to the mp1522, yet without breaking the bank as these seem to be very expensive. I would use it for target at 100 yards, that can shoot the cheaper steel case ammo.
Can anyone point me in the direction of some good forums for a newbie in 223? Thanks!

I'm leaning that way too but not in .223. Seen that POS
in Nam get to many good soldiers killed. .308 or 7.62x39
is what I'll go for if I do it. Only trouble is I can get 3 or 4
SKS's for the price of one AR and with the 20 round TAPCO
mags it's a great weapon. (I have one and 6 mags for it)
So, unless I run into the deal of a lifetime on an AR in .308,
I probably won't be getting one either.
Dano

 

[Bat Guano]

It will pay you to do your homework. There are almost as many lies told about ARs as there are about sex.

This is a start from the m4 Carbine website: Posting links to other forms isn't allowed . phil

Which takes you to: M4 CHART

I first got acquainted with them in 1966...they are not the same as they were then for a lot of reasons. Had, and sold a commercial Colt CAR-15 in the 80s. Replaced it in 2006 with a non-top-tier Bushmaster which, after a couple of mods, I am satisfied with. If I had it to do over I might spring for a Colt, S&W, or other top rated carbine, but this one runs just fine and suits me. Other than the pricey optic, I put in a match trigger, beefed up the extractor and buffer, did some staking/restaking, and pull regular maintenance on it. It runs as well as my M1s and M1A which are very good indeed.

What you wind up with will probably reflect the money and effort you put into it. No free lunch.

Good luck.

 

[rakusi]

My 15-22 is definitely acting as a gateway gun for me. After having it for a while, I've decided I'm going to get a "real" AR. Personally, I'm just going to build mine. What I have planned out will be well under the cost of many off-the-shelf ARs (well, when it reaches the point where it can be fired. Extras are going to make the price skyrocket) and should perform as well (if not better) than many of them.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

It's already happened to me. Got the 15-22 in December and had a buddy tell me in May that he was getting divorced and had to liquidate some stuff. He had a Bushmaster that filled my want ,so it now sits in my gunsafe. Both of my ARs are fun, but the 15-22 gets used alot more. Hopefully I'll score a coyote or two with the Bushmaster this winter.

 

[chuck s]

The M4 Carbine on top is pushing 20 years old and still runs like a top. You'll notice neither carbine has been "accessorized" to death.

It's a slippery slope with accessories that leads to this.

-- Chuck

 

[Fr1endlyF1re]

Not sure if its okay to plug other web sites but AR15.com is great for all things tactical.

 

[Dobie]

This is a start from the m4 Carbine website: [.

This.....

 

[Brett248Vista]

Chuck,

Come on man! That's last photo IS lightly accessorized

 

[jackinil]

I had one in .223 first. Cost of shooting it made me want to try one in .22lr.

 

[fastsw]

Yes, definitely will not be able to fire the 5.56 NATO as much as the 22lr!! The AR world definitely looks complex, will have to read all of these great links, thanks! And I thought all I had to do was pick up a Bushmaster and be done. I see also that Ruger has mini-14 that seems a bit less complex, but then I won't have same feel as the MP1522.

 

[Scuds03]

I own an AR and an AK. Both have the same jam rate which has been none. The m16 has been upgraded since when it was giving troops problems in Nam.

Some of the changes that all modern m16's / AR-15's have from the older notorious jammers are:

Probably the biggest: When the weapon was introduced in Nam they kept using stockpiled old ball gunpowder left over from WWI and WWII to load up the ammo. It was very dirty and made higher chamber pressures than the weapon was spec'd for. Now the proper powder is used.

Others are:
Chrome plated chambers
Forward assisted bolt
Heavier barrel to prevent warping from overheating

But still like any gun, if you take care of it it will take care of you.

 

[arizona98tj]

The AR world definitely looks complex, will have to read all of these great links, thanks!

Not sure why you think an AR-15 is complex. The M&P 15-22 has the same manual of arms as the M&P 15. They break down for cleaning in virtually the same fashion. I believe you are over thinking the step up to an AR-15.

That being said, I had this M&P 15 before I picked up my M&P 15-22. I like them both but this one is more fun (I do not equate fun with cost of ammo). This one will be going with me to a 4 day practical rifle course at Front Sight in a couple of weeks. Everything on it has a purpose for the course....slings are mandatory on long guns, the ACOG is because these old eyes don't see that well out to 200 yards, the SureFire II red dot optic is for close in work (0 to 15 yards), and the GripPod is used for 100 and 200 yards (because I don't like using a 30 round mag as a monopod when shooting prone). So there you have it....everything on the rifle has a specific purpose. Note there are no flashlights, lasers, bayonets, or Swiss Army knives!

I splurged a little bit on a few other things because I could. I put a Bill Springfield trigger in it which I really enjoy. After I save a few more pennies, I'll do the same for my other AR as well as the 15-22. I put a Troy hand guard on it and the Vltor E-Mod stock was installed just a few days ago. Had it to the range today....it was a worthwhile investment. Feels more like an A2 stock as far as a cheek weld is concerned but yet one can easily adjust length of pull.

 

[Catskinner]

I would stay away from any steel case rounds. They are sealed with a laquar that when gets hot tends to melt and jam. Also steel cases do not have the natural lubricant of brass. Stick to USA made ammo because you cannot be sure if the cheap Wolfe brand have corrosive primers and down the road you may want to reload your brass. Just my two cents

 

[Emoto]

Early M-16s in Indochina suffered from a number of maladies including incorrect cleaning instructions that ended ended badly for some of our finest. This was not the caliber's fault. Taking the long view, one sees that 5.56 has been our main battle rifle round for longer than any other. It works fine.

Having owned a few AR's over the years, I recommend taking a good look at Stag Arms. I love my Stag lefty carbine. It shoots as well as my Colt HBAR and was more reasonably priced.

 

[arizona98tj]

I would stay away from any steel case rounds. They are sealed with a laquar that when gets hot tends to melt and jam. Also steel cases do not have the natural lubricant of brass. Stick to USA made ammo because you cannot be sure if the cheap Wolfe brand have corrosive primers and down the road you may want to reload your brass. Just my two cents

I haven't seen those cheap lacquared steel cases for quite some time now. In fact, none of the Wolf, Tula, or Herter's ammo (all steel cased) that I have sitting in my "cheap ammo" pile has lacquered cases. So your statement seems to be a little misleading to the new folks.

I won't argue the comment about the brass....but then again, I don't have steel cases sticking in my AR-15 either so it becomes a moot point from where I stand.

Do you have evidence to back up your statement regarding your comment that Wolf has been using corrosive primers in their cartridges even though the boxes state otherwise? And these would be the same Wolf primers that many reloaders are using in their brass cartridges?

Yes, reloading brass is a good thing. I've been doing it for 30 some years. However, right now, I can purchase steel case .223 from Cabela's (catch it on sale with a discount coupon in hand) for less than I can reload my own brass (cost of powder, primers, and bullets). For my practice sessions, I don't need 1 MOA hits on the target.

 

[Scuds03]

I think one of the biggest things that sucks about steel cases vs brass is because brass is softer, the neck expands and seals nicely against the chamber wall. Steel does not seal as well in my experience. If you look at a spent steel case vs a spent brass case you can see alot more black up the side of the case where the GSR got by on the steel.

 

[SPARC]

I was the exact opposite as the original poster. I started out with ARs and after collecting 6 of them, I broke down and bought the 15-22 for my wife to use. It's a great gun and she loves it. I'm in the process of building her very first AR and she can't wait for the remaining parts to come in.

I don't own one of the M&P 15 rifles, mainly because I always build my own...but they are nice rifles, especially with the pricing on them dropping a little.

Here's a quick rundown of my AR sickness, including pictures from my latest build.

1. BCM 16" Mid-length
2. Noveske 10.5" SBR
3. Alexander Arms 24" 6.5 Grendel
4. Spike's Tactical 16" 6.8 SPC
5. BCM MK 12 Mod 2X
6. DD 14.5" Mid-Length

My favorite right now is the DD 14.5" middy. It shoots like a dream and the recoil is non-existent. Here's a few pictures of it in case anyone is wondering.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I bought a bunch of Wolf lacquered steel case in the prior century and have put thousands through my Bushmaster with zero issues. See the excessive primer and bullet sealant drippings on both ends of the case in the pic below.... but the ammo has always worked well.

It's my understanding that a great deal of the issue regarding stuck cases is the result of carbon build-up in the chamber from a poor seal with steel case. I don't shoot brass after using much Wolf cuz most of the stuck cases I have seen are brass after shooting steel. Considering all the primer and bullet sealant goop on this old Wolf ammo I don't leave a round in a hot chamber to cook. I usually shoot no more than 200rds during a range visit. YMMV