Once you add a few things to it, it will feel much more substantial. Add a red dot or small scope, better stock, maybe some rail covers, vertical grip, etc. Try and keep it balanced (not too much on one end or the other as it is a very well balanced gun out of the box). I know when mine is stripped down to just the bare rifle, it does feel very light weight. That can be a good thing in not tiring you on longer shooting sessions, etc. But like you know, it contributes to the cheap from lightweight feel. You will find that it is anything but cheap in how it performs and holds up.
It is also a dream to break down and maintain. Field stripping is easier on this rifle then just about anything else in 22lr. Pull a pin and you have access to all bolt parts and trigger group and barrel/breach and chamber. Very simple to work on with no special tools needed.
They (15-22's) seem to be holding up incredibly well for everyone. Always going to some exceptions as with anything manufactured. But I have yet to read about anything major happening that knowledgeable shooters have come across. By that I mean non shooter related failures. Example having a sqib round lodge in the barrel and firing another behind it. That can happen in any semi auto firearm, not just the 15-22. If you are not paying attention, then the results can be bad. Not saying the 15-22 is prone to this to scare you. Just giving an example of issues that have happened. You can find examples of that problem with revolvers, bolt action rifles, and any other type of firearm. And if the shooter wasn't paying attention and fires a follow up shot without clearing the lodged round, then serious damage to the gun and sometimes the shooter is the result. My point is there are examples of this happening and people jump online and bark "my gun is a ***, look what it did, it is junk and the company sucks...blah blah blah"! When it was the shooters fault, not the weapon.
Anyways rant over. Just be safe and have some fun with your 15-22. You will love it once you use it. I love mine dearly. Capacity, weight (low weight is good in my eyes), controls to match a 556 AR, looks, customize able to no end. So much to like about the 15-22. The only time I do not like it as much is if I go to the range with it and shoot it "after" my 556 AR. If I shoot it first it is great. But shooting .22lr after 556 takes some of the excitement out of it. Just give it a whirl and you will see. Don't be surprised if many people want to try it at the range as well. Never go without someone wanting to check it out.
Enjoy your 15-22!
idk maybe someone can chime in and make me feel better about it lol
If its the plastic feeling of the gun, and if you still want a .22 AR, Colt makes a version that is aluminum. It's about $100 more than the 15-22 but it may resolve the "insignificant" feelings you are having.
