My stupid 15-22 questions.

[Lynn]

I hope you guys wont mind my stupid newbie questions.

I have already searched here and elsewhere for the answers. Maybe I am just not good at searching. I could sure use your help.


1. Does the M&P 15-22 Thompson Center barrel have chrome lining?

2. What do you guys think of Gunzilla cleaner/lube?

3. How long, before some Smith, offers a good extractor upgrade?

4. When will S&W start selling parts for the 15-22? In other words, how long will it be, before we can get backup BCGs and firing pins and extractors?

 

[crghill]

I don't think they'r stupid questions. I hope you get some good answers.

 

[3rd Gen Neal]

What a stupid bunch of questions! (Ive been wondering all of the above myself, I'm stupid too I guess)

 

[crghill]

I've also got a stupid question. Could I replace my stock safety with an ambi-safety? If so, where would I get one?

 

[Lynn]

Thanks you guys.

I wonder if I have become unpopular here. After 45 views only you two good people responded.

crghill,

I think you can install an ambi safety. The 15-22 receiver is slightly wider though, or something like that, and so there is a trick to it. If you search around the web, or ARF.COM I think it was, you can find the how to on it. I will dig around for it later too.

 

[Lynn]

Basics on the ambi selector safety mod for 15-22s.

It's not a step by step how to though. 15-22 Ambi Selector/Safety Mod with pics

Norgon ambi-catch fits 15-22s. Pics in the same thread as above. Buy it at Midway for $94.99.


Hope that helps you guys.

 

[maxicooper]

To answer the no. 3, I would say the new extractor will come in the 15-22 2nd gen.
I'd speculate that, the 2nd gen will come with flash hider, new/improve extractor and improve chamber (throat & polish).

My 2 cents.

 

[Lynn]

Thank you maxicooper. How long you suppose?

 

[Thomas_H]

I've also got a stupid question. Could I replace my stock safety with an ambi-safety? If so, where would I get one?

Standard ambi safety does not fit. The receiver is too wide. The mod listed above is mine. Basicly I took the existing safety selector, trimmed a little off the end, carefully filed a groove in the end to match the lever of a standard ambi safety, drilled and tapped a hole to mount.

I started off by just filing a groove in the end without trimming it down, but the lever sat too far away from the receiver and would not come in contact with the stops. And since the selector is polymer, I was worried that I coud cause some damage by pushing past the limits (strip out the groove I cut). so I took a fine grit sanding block and took about 1/16" off and recut the groove. Works perfectly.

However, if you don't feel like spending the $30 on a ambi selector just for the lever, the existing selector is reversable. I decided to go ahead and do the mod because I wanted an ambi gun, not a left handed one. I'm right handed, left eye dominant, so I shoot rifles and handguns left handed. I practice from both hands and like to keep the manual of arms the same for both hands. My excuse for purchasing the M&P15-22 was to cut down on training costs. The M&P15-22 is the only 22 ar out there that operates exactly the same as the real thing. But I wanted it set up like my regular AR.

My built from scratch Stag lefty.

Safety Selector modification

Installed in M&P15-22

Norgon Ambi-catch

 

[Lynn]

Thanks for bringing here what you posted over at the place I linked to. That should make it easier for people.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I hope you guys wont mind my stupid newbie questions.

I have already searched here and elsewhere for the answers. Maybe I am just not good at searching. I could sure use your help.


1. Does the M&P 15-22 Thompson Center barrel have chrome lining?

2. What do you guys think of Gunzilla cleaner/lube?

3. How long, before some Smith, offers a good extractor upgrade?

4. When will S&W start selling parts for the 15-22? In other words, how long will it be, before we can get backup BCGs and firing pins and extractors?

1. S&W has a "Technical Specs" listing for all their products. For example, the M&P15 is listed as having "Chromed Components: Barrel Bore, Gas Key, Bolt Carrier." The M&P 15-22 does not.

2. Gunzilla's marketing gimmick is eco-freindly. That's fine, but I have never used it. It's been my experience that the more frightening the warning label, the more effective the product That being said, they advertise that their product will not ever evaporate. That might interest me for firearms that I infrequently use, but on .22 weekly shooters I prefer a product like Rem Oil with Teflon that I can put on very light and mostly evaporates.

I use seperate cleaners and lubricants. Same clearners for all firearms (polymer exception). Different firearms require different lubricants, as well as extreme weather conditions... which living in the South isn't an issue.

3, 4. Have you sent an e-mail to S&W? If they can't or won't answer, then no one else can.

 

[Lynn]

1. S&W has a "Technical Specs" listing for all their products. For example, the M&P15 is listed as having "Chromed Components: Barrel Bore, Gas Key, Bolt Carrier." The M&P 15-22 does not.

2. Gunzilla's marketing gimmick is eco-freindly. That's fine, but I have never used it. It's been my experience that the more frightening the warning label, the more effective the product That being said, they advertise that their product will not ever evaporate. That might interest me for firearms that I infrequently use, but on .22 weekly shooters I prefer a product like Rem Oil with Teflon that I can put on very light and mostly evaporates.

I use seperate cleaners and lubricants. Same clearners for all firearms (polymer exception). Different firearms require different lubricants, as well as extreme weather conditions... which living in the South isn't an issue.

3, 4. Have you sent an e-mail to S&W? If they can't or won't answer, then no one else can.

I noticed, that S&W doesn't list, the 15-22 as chrome lined. I just don't assume, that means, they are not. Prolly not though. I would however like to know for sure.

Gunzilla, is supposedly very popular, with US troops in combat. They say, it is extremely effective, and being a one step product that cleans lubes and protects, it is really easy to use and there is less crap to carry.

Troops also, really like it, because it is non toxic. When sometimes, you have to clean your AR several times a day, that is a big plus. Nobody likes irritated skin.

They also like it, because it is non ionizing and wont attract or hold lint, dust, grit etc. The non evaporating part is a real no brainer. In the heat, when it's "hot" and you cannot live with jams or high failure rates, you most definitely want that.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Here's a link where quite a few products, including Gunzilla, are reviewed by users.

Reviews of gun care/maintenance solutions [Archive] - PerfectUnion BBS.

 

[Lynn]

Thanks ChattanoogaPhil.

Looks like M-Pro 7 (aka Hoppe's Elite) are the highest rated CLPs and solvents, with Ballistol a close second for CLP, and Gunzilla comes in third.

I have been using Hoppe's Elite, and it does clean super good. M-Pro 7 is the same thing, made by the same company, and it sells for slightly less.

Apparently Ballistol is also super versatile, even better than WD-40, and so I just have to get some of that.

 

[Lynn]

Lucky me I got the right gal, at S&Ws main number on the phone, and we sort of hit it off. I told her I had already spoken with a very nice young man in customer service, who yet obviously knew nothing about 15-22s. Then I asked her, if she could get me to a real smith, who actually knows our rifle. She completely understood, and she kindly connected me to one of the actual smiths who work with the 15-22. The smith, who shall remain nameless, was a really cool guy. I enjoyed him. He was kind enough to answer all my many questions.

Here are the highlights.

The barrel is stainless 4140 (IIR that number C) chrome steel. No chrome lining either needed or present.

He confirmed for me that mounting scopes, partly on the receiver rail and partly forward of the receiver over the fore grip, is not good for accuracy. I have seen it done, though not here of course.

Spare parts like BCGs, trigger modules, (firing pins and extractors too I think) and flash hiders with set screws, are supposed to become available this December. He said, January is more like it though.

He doesn't know if there will ever be 30 round mags for us. Apparently, marketing has thus far, wanted to keep the "cool factor" of curved AR mags. Straight mags would hold more 22lr and still function well. I asked him, to suggest to marketing, that some of us would like more function over form options.


Now I wonder why, every gunsmith I have ever met in person or spoken with on the phone, are such cool people. That has been my experience anyway.

 

[TxShooter2k9]

Alot of good info, thanks Lynn!!!

 

[maxicooper]

Awesome...

Thank you so much for the great information.

Btw, did he mention anything about 10 rds mag?

 

[Lynn]

You're welcome TxShooter.

I forgot to add something.

I also asked the smith, if I was right, to remove the fore grip end cap. You know, that plastic thing that touches the barrel, which serves no useful purpose other than to un float the barrel. Well, he agreed that removing it, is better than merely OK.

Looks like December, or January, on the 10 rounders maxicooper.

 

[27 Beck]

He doesn't know if there will ever be 30 round mags for us. Apparently, marketing has thus far, wanted to keep the "cool factor" of curved AR mags. Straight mags would hold more 22lr and still function well. I asked him, to suggest to marketing, that some of us would like more function over form options.

Well, longer mags would take on the look of the mags the Colt M4 .22 uses. And the additional length makes them not fit good in tactical cases that have mag pockets. And, longer mags are difficult to shoot when shooting from a bench.

But I am not opposed to more shots in a mag. I would like to have a 50 round drum mag like Black Dog is making for some other rifles.

Take a look at the 50 rounder here.

Drum Videos by Black Dog - AR15.COM

Here is some conversation for the 15-22 and the 50 round drum. If anyone is interested, they should let Kevin at Black Dog Magazine know the demand is there.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=328&t=181409

 

[Lynn]

Well, longer mags would take on the look of the mags the Colt M4 .22 uses. And the additional length makes them not fit good in tactical cases that have mag pockets. And, longer mags are difficult to shoot when shooting from a bench.

But I am not opposed to more shots in a mag. I would like to have a 50 round drum mag like Black Dog is making for some other rifles.

Take a look at the 50 rounder here.

Well, we sure are different in our outlook about this, 27 Beck.

I, for one, am less concerned about looks and cool factor. If the Colt 22 was actually made by Colt, not made of pot metal and it had functional controls, I would probably have bought the Colt 22.

I would like to have larger mag capacity. The curved "cool looking" mags are not very functional for 22 beyond 25 rounds. Straight mags, as are the 10 rounders, function far better for 22 and hold a lot more rounds.

You, should not carry ARs in tactical cases with mags inserted, anyway. Not good practice.

Long mags are not good when shooting from a bench? Then use shorter mags at the bench. Ten round mags should become available soon, and they would be good for that.

High capacity mags are for other things. I do though, think that 50 round drums are, pure "cool factor" kids stuff myself. But that's just me, apparently.