UK based shooters

[GhostMutt]

I'm Manchester based, so nice to see another northerner. I've a nice tricked out 1911 too, it's all Magic 9 parts but I'm just going to order a Frirefly as well to go with it. My justification to the wife is I need it for work purposes to make parts for it lol.

I fancied the firefly, but couldn't resist a fully cerkoted and CWAccessories aftermarket tricked out 1911. Luckily the wife agreed that the whole package of 3 extended mags and the aftermarket parts and paint job, for £100 less than a new one was a bargain to good to miss. Or maybe she just agreed to get me to shut up about it

So can you import ITAR controlled stuff? I am looking to get a swanky set of adjustable irons for it at some point and have my eye on the Kensight 'U' fully adjustable sight set....but ITAR has me struggling to find any this side of the pond. Just thought i'd ask.

It's nice to go to the gun safe and have such great fun guns to shoot...at the minute the 1911 is getting a lot more play time than the 15-22...must rectify that.

 

[3GN UK]

I fancied the firefly, but couldn't resist a fully cerkoted and CWAccessories aftermarket tricked out 1911. Luckily the wife agreed that the whole package of 3 extended mags and the aftermarket parts and paint job, for £100 less than a new one was a bargain to good to miss. Or maybe she just agreed to get me to shut up about it

So can you import ITAR controlled stuff? I am looking to get a swanky set of adjustable irons for it at some point and have my eye on the Kensight 'U' fully adjustable sight set....but ITAR has me struggling to find any this side of the pond. Just thought i'd ask.

It's nice to go to the gun safe and have such great fun guns to shoot...at the minute the 1911 is getting a lot more play time than the 15-22...must rectify that.

You struggle because it's about £20k for the licence work! Go through Canada they're not restricted by ITAR.

 

[Whizdom888]

Hi There my name is Gregory and i am based in Glossop just outside Manchester, i have just received my FAC and i am researching today which Smith & Wesson 15-22 model and scope to buy, i currently only shoot at the indoor range in marple, i was thinking of a performance center and a MTC Viper connect scope but open to all suggestions guys and gals.

 

[3GN UK]

Hi There my name is Gregory and i am based in Glossop just outside Manchester, i have just received my FAC and i am researching today which Smith & Wesson 15-22 model and scope to buy, i currently only shoot at the indoor range in marple, i was thinking of a performance center and a MTC Viper connect scope but open to all suggestions guys and gals.

Hi Gregory, I'm only near the Trafford Centre so not too far. My advice... Get the standard sport, the Gen1 was a good difference between the models, not so much with the Gen2. I'd put that extra money in to buying a Valquartzen extractor, & some other bits. Trust me spending the extra on the MOE or Performance Centre isn't worth it. For £60 you can have the standard cut down & have a competition crown put on it at a Cheshire Gun Room in Stockport (say Steve at 3GN UK sent you).
For the scope.. go Vortex, either a red dot like the Sparc AR or if you want a scope get the Strike Eagle but it's twice the price. MTC are not really an AR platform scope & if I'm not mistaken (could be but one of the MTC's is) the eye piece goes right up to your eye instead of giving you eye relief. It's a vermin or HFT scope really. Trust me go Vortex or really push the boat put & get a Trijicon but you'll need a mortgage first.
Then pop on several sites & purchase some bits before heading to mine & getting some off me. As your Manchester I'd happily meet you & save your postage just message me.

 

[GhostMutt]

Hi There my name is Gregory and i am based in Glossop just outside Manchester, i have just received my FAC and i am researching today which Smith & Wesson 15-22 model and scope to buy, i currently only shoot at the indoor range in marple, i was thinking of a performance center and a MTC Viper connect scope but open to all suggestions guys and gals.

Hi Gregory,

Having a Viper Connect on my 15-22 I can attest to the high quality of the glass, the crystal clear and crisp reticle (I went with the AMD, the SCB was way too busy)...The field of view on this scope is huge, way more than a normal scope which makes target acquisition a breeze, plus you can see the next target along, so you are not transitioning blind, the eye relief is short at about 1cm, which means that your head can only go to one place, which aids in perfect cheek weld and quick full sight picture, because the 15-22 has NO recoil you are in no danger of getting 'kissed' by the optic, just beware that it mounts pretty oddly, you have to double strap the front of the scope which leads to a rather large and obscure gap towards the rear of the scope (mine was filled with an angled RMR) The proprietary mount is for dovetail so will not work on the 15-22.

The clear winner with this scope is the ease of sight picture and massive field of view that it offers, love mine to bits and the glass easily competes with scopes twice the price.

Regarding the performance centre...I personally wouldn't bother. According to reviews on this and other forums from people who own them, you'd be better off getting a Standard or MOE and sink the savings on a new FCG...the CMC is available this side of the pond and is a great pairing with the 15-22. The fluted barrel on the PC is only fluted on the few inches out of the handguard...and from what I've heard the RRA 2 stage trigger is nothing better than the CMC which 15-22 owners rave about.

15-22's this side of the pond do not seem to suffer from the 'out of the box' failures, that seem to be more prevalent across the pond so you should not need to replace anything like a VQ extractor or other such things. What you will need is more magazines....and plenty of ammo, some more ammo and did I forget to mention...plenty more ammo

If you want any more info on the scope or pics of it, then shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to help.

 

[3GN UK]

I had to replace my extractor as has everyone I know due to the odd issue... I'm also in the trade so see it all the time. For the sake of £15 for a Volquartsen it's worth doing without a doubt & it's a do it yourself 10 minute job. But agree the PC isn't worth the extra & ive had S&W tell me that too! & without hesitation buy more mags, lots more as they start to split after a while being polymer. Not cheap here though so shop around, but Riflemags.co.uk seem to be the cheapest, otherwise get some in the US when you visit.
Distribution in the U.K. has just changed hands to so prices are going to be cheaper once everyone sells their current stock so hold out a little longer if you can & get a better deal, shops won't drop current stock prices as they paid more for them off the old distributor, & trust me margins on new guns in the U.K. are stupidly low.. We are talking single figure percentages.
MTC scopes are decent but made for Daystate who make air rifles (same company), as has been said the recoil is non-existent on a 15-22 so not an issue but that's their main audience air rifles, as that's what they're designed for. Honestly don't rule out Vortex, full lifetime warranty should you damage it & it's transferable too! So buying a used one isn't an issue. All you do is take it to a dealer who'll send it off for you where it gets replaced, no one else in this price point offers anything close.
Also look at Falcon if you want a 'scope' over a red dot, they do a really nice one called the S8-I http://www.falconoptics.com/s8i-1-8x24-riflescope it's tested up to .338 LM so you know it'll be fine on a rimfire. Or if you can get one a UTG scope would be a good option, cheap to buy when you can find one this side of the pond & more than capable of doing the job. In fact at Shot show next Jan I'll be chatting to UTG amoung others.
First mods you'll do is to take the end cap off & colour fill, then depending what you want out of it get a chop done & re-crown. Next up ambi safety, oversized mag release, magwell (I'm biased on that part though) change your trigger but to start you could again spend £15 & get some JP springs to start of with until you can dump £160 on a decent drop in unit. AFG grip, BAD style lever & that's pretty much it. Do all that & it'll be an all singing all dancing ready to go mini rifle set for competition.
At the end of the day non of those mentioned above are bad, but it's what you want out of it? Yes MTC have Daystate behind them so they're decent but you pay silly money like you would do for their air rifles, you pay Vortex money in fact but without the warranty! Had you said you had a bolt action rifle for vermin control or similar then I'd say yeh go for it but you've got a semi auto for the range & possibly mini rifle down the line when you get in to it more which is my background, practical & 3Gun. Horses for courses as we say over here.
Something to think about anyway.

 

[Whizdom888]

let me try again i keep writing a reply but it will not post and then deletes it so here i go again for the third time , 3GN and GhostMutt many thanks for taking the time to post your informative and lengthy reply's it is most appreciated, i am currently looking to start competition shooting when i have found a second club that specializes in this area with .22 semi's. i like the sound of buying the basic model and then having it modified to competition spec sounds a lot more fun than just going out and buying the most expensive model from SW. It is a learning curve that i look forward to trying. 3GN is it the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24 Riflescope you are referring to? i see they 4 different models in the eagle. pretty sure a chap pops into the club on Wednesdays called Bob who i think is from the Cheshire gun room will ask him on costings for the MODS you mentioned Steve and let him know you sent me over. I work in old trafford just across from the BBC so you sound that you are not to far from me and thanks for the offer on parts collection rather than post. i will put a shopping list together and post the spec before i get my wallet out, chaps again thanks for all of the advice here i am a newbie to this so not altogether sure what you are going on about sometimes but will make it a priority to understand it over the next few days.

 

[Whizdom888]

Hi Guys what drop in trigger would you use?

 

[GhostMutt]

You might also want to consider the Tippman arms or Kriss or Lantac variants of the AR- 22lr platform.

 

[GhostMutt]

Hi Guys what drop in trigger would you use?

Hiperfire 24C.....nuff said

 

[Rob1]

Hi Guys what drop in trigger would you use?

I am currently running the 24C, I can't in all honesty see me changing it out at this time as I am not seeing anything out here that can compare.

That said, it is at the upper end of the scary scale for price.
If you are running a different budget then there are perfectly good alternatives out there that are drop in cassette types.

I'll drop you a breakdown of some of the work I have done or had done once I get out of work on Tuesday.

Rob

 

[3GN UK]

You might also want to consider the Tippman arms or Kriss or Lantac variants of the AR- 22lr platform.

The Kriss needs slight work doing to it, Tillman I've not tried but hear good reports. The Lantac though is a different kettle of fish... I know Paul & Scott at Lantac very well with the latter being one of my best friends. However all more expensive than the mentioned 15-22.

 

[3GN UK]

let me try again i keep writing a reply but it will not post and then deletes it so here i go again for the third time , 3GN and GhostMutt many thanks for taking the time to post your informative and lengthy reply's it is most appreciated, i am currently looking to start competition shooting when i have found a second club that specializes in this area with .22 semi's. i like the sound of buying the basic model and then having it modified to competition spec sounds a lot more fun than just going out and buying the most expensive model from SW. It is a learning curve that i look forward to trying. 3GN is it the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24 Riflescope you are referring to? i see they 4 different models in the eagle. pretty sure a chap pops into the club on Wednesdays called Bob who i think is from the Cheshire gun room will ask him on costings for the MODS you mentioned Steve and let him know you sent me over. I work in old trafford just across from the BBC so you sound that you are not to far from me and thanks for the offer on parts collection rather than post. i will put a shopping list together and post the spec before i get my wallet out, chaps again thanks for all of the advice here i am a newbie to this so not altogether sure what you are going on about sometimes but will make it a priority to understand it over the next few days.

Ah ok, my wife is at Hilti the other end of the road near the old Sam Platts. Anyway... My Strike Eagle is the 1-6x24. I've also had the Sparc AR before. I may be changing to Trijicon but purely due to them sponsoring my team & as such I should represent them as well. Otherwise I'd be sticking with my Strike Eagle.
For clubs I know Bolton are about to start 3Gun & do currently have mini rifle, Rossendale (great club) run PSG but upgrading to mini rifle as well. There's Diggle ranges also but that's not cheap. Any questions pop on our site (address in my profile pic) & email me & I'll answer as best I can. Happy to help.
All the best.

 

[Mikethegun]

Hi

Hi, I'm From Scotland, had my 15-22 for about a week. Really liking it, apart from the trigger which is much heavier than I'm used to. My stalking rifles all have much lighter triggers. Spring kit ordered.

Straight Shooting

Mike

 

[Whizdom888]

I am currently running the 24C, I can't in all honesty see me changing it out at this time as I am not seeing anything out here that can compare.

That said, it is at the upper end of the scary scale for price.
If you are running a different budget then there are perfectly good alternatives out there that are drop in cassette types.

I'll drop you a breakdown of some of the work I have done or had done once I get out of work on Tuesday.

Rob

Thanks Rob1 look forward to hearing from you

 

[Rob1]

So Whizz,

In no particular order, here are the changes and mods I have made to my Smith over the last 18 months or so,

Troy Claymore muzzle device
Tacticool Barrel Nut
Chopped Barrel to 12.5inch. Recrowned. UK legal.
Troy Alpha 12.5inch HG with Squib grips
Tacticool Tbar charging Handle
NDZ etched Charging Handle Latch
Odin Works XMR
NDZ SBR
Hyper fire 24C trigger
KNS Anti Rotation pins. (15-22 specific)
ATI Scorpion Grip
BAD*** Ambi Safety
Accu wedge
Optics at the moment are Vortex Strike Eagle with Bobro cantilever mount with QR fitting.
Also have an ATEC sound mod.
Have also sat to one side AFG 2 (not decided yet if I want back on it) Eotech EXPS 3-0 with G33 and an ACOG with La Rue tactical RCO mount.
I switch between optics and RDS depending on what I'm doing with the Smith at the time.
About to start mini gun so likely back to the Eotech.
Have also done the colour fill. I used Matt model paints as i started with the MOE version in FDE and
10 mags...... with McFadden loader.

Pic is a little further up the thread. Check it out.
Hope that helps.

Rob1

 

[StueyT]

Greetings from Hampshire (UK) with a 'pre-enjoyed' 15/22.

 

[Blackstuff]

Hi Guys what drop in trigger would you use?

I had a CMC single stage 3.5lb trigger with curved blade in mine and its a lovely trigger. I've recently switched to the same trigger but with a flat blade and its amazing! All the flat blade ones have sold out on the Lantac website but they still have the curved for only £95!

 

[Whizdom888]

HI Rob and blackstuff thanks for the invaluable feedback, well i have learnt a lot and had just nailed down 3GN & GhostMutt's advice and now you have given me more to think about, i want to do mini gun and want the right setup from the start so back to the drawing board. Rob i love the setup green on black very nice. 24c is pricey so the CMC might be an option. Rob do you prefer the Squib grips on the Troy Alpha rather than a AFG?

 

[Rob1]

The Troy came with picatinny rail add ons but I didn't get round to putting them on to try the AFG2 yet.
The Troy HG fits very nice in hand as is but I will never say never cos things change like the wind.

Rob