Ruger 10/22 or m&p 15-22?

[Ditchdigger]

We are ages 37,13,12, and 10. I'm looking to pick up a fun shooting .22 for the boys and I and I'm not sure which one.
I have many questions on the differences in the m&p's, seems that there are many options from the factory that are still Greek to me. I'd like something that i can expand and build on, if I choose. Guess I'm looking for the 'lego' model not the 'duplo'.
Obviously I'm leaning toward the s&w just need a little talking into it to push me over the couple hundred dollar difference.

Any help and or suggested reading material would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Majorlk]

I have both. The 10/22 was bought in the mid-80s and has probably 40k through it. I've put over 15k through my 15-22 since December of 2011.

Both are great firearms; the 15-22 is far more fun.

 

[nomobux]

Sent you a PM

 

[shawnr5]

I traded a 10/22 for my 15/22 and have never even thought about picking up another 10/22. My 15-22 is more fun than anything else I've ever had. The 10/22 is a more accurate rifle, but that doesn't bother me in the least. If you like the tactical style and get the 10/22, you will spend a good amount on stuff to try and make it look like the 15/22 does to start with.

 

[Shooting Padre]

Have both. The 15-22 is the best .22 I have had the pleasure to own and shoot. Hands down, my choice. Better get one before they get banned as and "assault rifle". You will not regret this purchase.

 

[kbm6893]

10/22 all day long. Your kids are young and probably play Call of Duty so they're gonna want the 15/22. But the 10/22 is a better gun. Far more accurate. Endlessly customizable. And it doesn't feel like some plastic toy. I have an AR15 and like it, but when I feel like shooting a .22, the 10/22 comes out. At 50 yards, I shoot the erasers off of pencils with a Nikon 3X9 scope. No lie.

 

[cyphertext]

Your kids are young and probably play Call of Duty so they're gonna want the 15/22.

This is the most important thing. If you want the boys interested in shooting, then get the firearm that appeals to them. My son has no interest in shooting my 10/22. He will shoot his M&P 15-22 all day long though.

The other thing to consider is that the M&P is a great trainer for the AR-15, same manual of arms, breaks down in the same fashion, etc. The Ruger will never fill this role, if that is important to you. I have an M&P 15 Sport, and my son can slide over from his .22lr to my rifle without skipping a beat.

 

[Garman]

I can honestly say that my Glock and my MP15-22, both made from polymer, do not feel like toys to me. Matter of fact, I just put a polymer stock on the 10/22 and that does not make it feel like a "toy" either.

To each their own. I have both and I can tell you without hesitation that my 10 yr old son always goes for the MP 15-22 first. So do I.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Isn't this akin to asking about buying a Ford on a Chevy forum? Really.

 

[DesertFox]

There's plenty of good reason to have several of both.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Isn't this akin to asking about buying a Ford on a Chevy forum? Really.

Actually I think of it as the other way around....but we won't go there

As for the other responses so far they're all appreciated.

Changing direction a wee bit, what are factory options on the 15-22 to look for/avoid?

 

[cyphertext]

If allowed by law in your state, get the one with the threaded barrel and flash hider. If you want to put Magpul furniture on it, then get the Magpul version to start with.

My son has the standard M&P 15-22 and we replaced the sights with Magpul sights and put a Bushnell TRS-25 on it. He loves it.

 

[johnt111]

I have had both for years.
The Ruger is much more accurate, I have the match version.
It is harder to clean; the bolt does not hold open on the last shot.
It jams a lot, especially with the higher cap mags.
It is heavier.
The MP-15 is much more fun and I know only use my Ruger if I need the extra accuracy. I doubt that the regular Ruger's acccuary is better than the 15-22, but the match version definately is.

 

[Blockhead75]

For me, 10/22 hands down. It's a classic and was the first firearm I ever shot. Infinitely customizable and you can find parts for it anywhere. Still, you will need to get both eventually

 

[Kai Winters]

I too have both and they are great.
The 15-22 is easier to take down and clean.
The 10/22 is more accurate at 100 yds all things equal. That is comparing my guns against each other.

The 10/22 is more "conventional" and can be easily upgraded to a fine match grade run.
The 15-22 is much more tacticool and can handle more add ons, more easily.

I'd let them choose...it may be a gun they have for a lifetime and pass on to their kids...wouldn't that be cool.

 

[bobermo]

We are ages 37,13,12, and 10.

Sounds like you need both rifles for all of you! Both are great in their own way. The 10/22 is a classic, while the 15-22 is just pure FUN!

If funds are an issue, maybe start with the 10/22 to make sure the family enjoys shooting. You will not lose either way.

 

[JeffF64]

15-22 is a lot of fun, but also just recently found a bolt action that is a lot of fun as well, something to consider since your sons are still young.

 

[ballistictoyz]

i own both and like them equally,they both can be built any way you want to but i think the 10/22 is more versatile as it can be built as a stock rifle,a pretty good bench shooter and they make kits to make it into military clones and even a thompson machinegun(semi auto of coarse}it is also easy to do your own trigger work (got mine at 1lb pull)the m&p15-22 is a great rifle but the 10/22 can be changed into almost anything and the 15-22 will always be an ar type rifle--so just buy one of each lol

 

[megsxr750]

I have both and I don't see the 10/22 getting much use anymore. The kids will love the 15/22. I would say to get both at some point, but to start off it would be the 15/22. The fun factor is off the charts!!

 

[Majorlk]

I have five firearms with polymer frames and not one of them seems like a "toy".

 

[shawnfergie]

Do both. I just picked up a 10/22 for $220 out the door in Ohio.

 

[looseman]

15-22 pros- easy to clean, functions idenical to a acctual AR, adjustable stock for the younger ones. Infinitly cheaply customizable & lighter.

Cons - availability of mags, twice the price in stock form


10-22 pro's- a classic, more accurate.

Cons - hard to clean, high capacity mags are not very good, customizing is very expensive, no adjustable stock, heavier.

But in the end...ask the kids which they want.

 

[SlingLead]

I own a 15-22, but not a 10/22.

I think you should get a little input from your children to see what they would like more. I think when i was 10-13 years old the 15-22 would have made me more interested in shooting than a standard 10/22, just because of the looks. I don't know if any of your kids are into call of duty or any video games but if they are the 15-22 probably looks more fun to them, although both guns shoot the same round.

The 15-22 has plenty of space on the rails and every thing i have on mine can be removed/put on in the matter of minutes. I just recently bought mine and i actually thought about going with a 10/22 and just customizing it to look more like an AR, but i realized going with the 15-22 was the better, more economic choice.

Again, i think your kids should have a say. It sounds like you want something that all 4 of you can go to the range with and come home with a big smile on your face.


IMO, i think the 15-22 would be the better choice.

 

[Tenn2]

Of course this is the S&W forum so............... If I had the crew you have I think I would get 2 of the 10-22s or you are going to have trouble.

Maybe save for awhile then get the 15-22 for yourself. And that will not be yours for long once the kids shoot it.

Above all have fun with those kids, they are our future.

 

[shawnr5]

Any time I have been shooting with a group, everyone who tries the 15-22 gives it back with a big stupid grin on their face. Usually, at least one person in the group ends up buying one of their own. I still vote 15-22.

 

[Sid Nitzerglobin]

Both so one person can be shooting and one loading each rifle. If this isn't a possibility I think it comes down to which rifle draws you to it more.

15-22 seems more fun for freeform plinking and has a much more "tactical" feel out of the box but the 10/22 definitely has it on tightness and consistency of groups for me. 10/22 will be cheaper right out of the box, but it winds up a wash or worse if you're planning to give it the tacticool treatment.

I've had my 15-22 since the beginning of December 2012 and have put about 9000 rounds through it since then w/o a hiccup that wasn't directly ammo or aftermarket mag related. I've probably put 500-600 through my friend's 10/22. I've got a NIB 10/22 Takedown of my own on the way.

So far I have also had more all around fun shooting the 15-22 vs. my friend's 10/22, but in my hands it doesn't seem to fully scratch my occasional itch to have a rifle w/ 100 yard tack driving capabilities. The 18.5" barreled 10/22 seems to fit this bill.

 

[rjnear]

I have both, and the 10/22 is more accurate so this rifle is with scope and more longer range shooting and the M&P 15-22 is my close range shooting with iron sites and red dot. As far as fun factor the M&P 15-22 wins hands downI for see much more lead being pushed thru the barrel of the 15-22 that the 10/22.

If you can swing getting both then I would get both, other wise I think if I could only get one it would be the 15-22.

 

[Dezfan]

I own both. My Dad bought me my first 10-22 in the mid 70s (still own and fire it regularly).

I bought my son his first 22 (10-22) for Christmas. He's fired mine for a few years, so I figured it was time for one of his own. I shoot the 10-22 regularly and I still enjoy shooting the 10-22 as it's a timeless and well designed firearm.

That said, I now prefer to shoot my 15-22. It's just more enjoyable to shoot and I prefer the manual of arms that I have become accustomed to with my AR.

 

[mbliss57]

I am a S&W collector. But Ruger has the market on .22 rifles hands down.
If you want a good / great .22 semi auto buy a 10/22. The 15-22 by Smith is an very good .22. And if the difference in getting your boys interested lies in the "form" them buy the SW 15-22. But the 10/22 is far and away a better rifle.
I own over 50 S&W's. The only Ruger's I own are .22s....both pistols and rifles.
I also spent 6 years carrying a M16. 1976-1982. They never made me smile when I fired them (not in combat). The Mini-14 on the other hand like the M- 14 is a great rifle.
So again I own both revolvers and semi autos in S&W.. more than 50. They make by far the best handuns. BUT they do not make the best rifles compared to Ruger.
If you want the best .22 rifle buy a Ruger. Or .223 /5.56 as well... IMO which comes which experience.

 

[fyimo]

Well I bought the S&W 15-22 MOE and I'm just getting around to starting to add accessories and work out its final configuration. That said I have a Ruger Mini 14 223 and I love it and don't have any plans for getting an AR-15. What's funny is I'm a Vietnam combat veteran who carried an M-16 for half of my tour and then carried a M-14 sniper rifle until I left.
I never had a problem with the M-16 and it never failed me in a fire fight but it never endured itself to me either. In fact we called them Mattie Mattel toys when we were there.