WHY? are 10 round magazines for M&P 15-22 so hard to find?

[205-10]

Does anyone know why the 10 round magazines for the M&P 15-22 are so hard to find? I can't seem to get a straight answer out of S&W.

A little background:
I recently purchased an M&P 15-22. While I was very happy with purchasing the product based on the online reviews, I had no idea from what I read that I would not be able to located 10 round magazines for this rifle.

Yes, I have gone right to the source and contacted S&W directly, ... a few times, ugh! I have actually contacted S&W every month or so for the last 5 months, since I made the purchase. Each time I am able to reach S&W, the rep answering the phone informs me that the items are 'on back order' and should be available for purchase in just a couple of weeks. Really? are we still going with that story? At this point, I would prefer that they just tell the truth.

I could really use some help from the S&W community in understanding WHY? these 10 rounders are so hard to find and maybe some suggestions on where I might locate some. I have not fired the rifle as of yet and am considering, just bringing the rifle back to the dealer and purchasing another 22LR rifle that is NOT a S&W.

Any help or guidance that you may be able to share with me on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading this post.
Be well & be safe.
205-10

 

[Rclark28]

I have the same questions. Being a new MP15-22 owner and love the 22LR. I have been able to purchase the FDE 25 rounders from CDNN and gunmagwarehouse but NO 10 rounders anywhere. Midway has black 25 rounders and I asked a Midway tech about the 10 rounders and he said to keep looking on their site for any updates. I signed up for alerts for the 10 rounders. I just like them for myself. Very curious WHY there is a shortage but like all things firearm related it is market driven. We can also thank the politicians for screwing things up too.

 

[CH4]

Probably not much of a demand.

 

[Ranger17]

I can see wanting/using a 10-round mag (assuming one doesnt live in a state already requiring them) if it is a short true 10 rnd as the shorter length is nice when bench shooting. I use some on my Sport 2.
But again unless required I wouldnt see a benefit to the 25 rounders that are pinned to hold just 10.
And i sure wouldnt use the lack of a smaller mag as keeping me from shooting a gun i purchased.
OP, there are many things hard to get right now, and some mags can be truly difficult. Is there a reason you csnt shoot the rifle with the mags it came with?

 

[davecfitz]

I'm a new 15-22 owner in MA experiencing the same problem. My wife bought one used a week before me and I liked it so much I bought my own. The real kicker is I had the option of buying the Tippmann M4-22 for another $80 but decided with the S&W name brand & known reliability that it wasn't necessary. I'm now questioning that decision considering I see MA compliant 10 round mags available for the Tippmann EVERYWHERE.

I also called Smith & Wesson directly and the rep literally said he had no idea when they would be available. Very frustrating to say the least.

 

[Sixgun_jjr]

I "suspect" both the magazines are made by another company
for S&W.

So, it then becomes an issue of priorities.

I would guess that the largest amount of demand is for the
25 rounders which only very recently started showing up.

If I had to guess, I'd think they are coming.

Personally, I am NOT in a state that requires the ONLY 10rd
capacity. BUT, I do want a couple myself... On my AR's I use
the small mags to simply act as a block to debris while those
rifles rest in their bags.

Once they are available >again< I plan to hold off getting a
couple until those in urgent need can get what they need.

 

[Sixgun_jjr]

Tippmann is a paint ball and air gun company originally.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, and good for them if they
produce a great product.

But for me, S&W has made firearms for a long time AND the 15-22 is a great rifle.

I'll give them a little slack...

And no, I don't have any stock in S&W, just a happy customer.

 

[davecfitz]

I would guess that the largest amount of demand is for the
25 rounders which only very recently started showing up.

If I had to guess, I'd think they are coming.

Having just purchased my 15-22, I had no idea that the 25 rounders were ever hard to find, so thank you for that bit of info. Gives me a little more hope that maybe we'll be seeing some 10 rounders soon.

 

[davecfitz]

But for me, S&W has made firearms for a long time AND the 15-22 is a great rifle.

I'll give them a little slack...

That's pretty much what sold me on the 15-22 over the Tippmann. Both rifles are getting great reviews and the Tippmann did feel a little more robust...but I felt drawn to the 15-22 after using my wife's and S&W has always been known for reliability.

I guess I just need to try and be a little more patient about this...and patience has never been my strong suit LOL!!

 

[Tim Tom]

If memory recalls, the magazines are made by magpul and with the re-introduction of the pistol 15-22 there was a made dash for magazines.

 

[Goblin]

I use 10 rounders more than 25s because they allow better bench shooting and because I would only shoot about 10 between breaks anyway. I rarely stand and empty a 25 round mag without a break. If there are more people like me, maybe that plays a role. Also, remember there are some states that only allow 10 round mags, so those shooters may want to take a boatload of them to the range.

 

[VaTom]

I use 10 rounders more than 25s because they allow better bench shooting and because I would only shoot about 10 between breaks anyway. I rarely stand and empty a 25 round mag without a break. If there are more people like me, maybe that plays a role. Also, remember there are some states that only allow 10 round mags, so those shooters may want to take a boatload of them to the range.

Same here. I use a bipod from a bench and twenty fives are too long. Have had my 15-22 for 7 years. Shortly after I bought it I bought 10 round mags. They were somewhat hard to find even then. Haven't used the 25s since. Wondered why they didn't make one in between the 10 & 25. Perhaps a straight 15 round??

 

[cyphertext]

I would agree with less demand for the 10 round magazine. To me, the 15-22 is not made to be a bench rest gun. It is the ultimate plinker. I'll take shooting at tin cans or clay targets from field positions over sitting at a bench any day!

 

[smoothshooter]

Very likely the magazines are contracted out to someone else.

 

[SmithNut]

Probably not much of a demand.

YET................

 

[205-10]

The reason for wanting the 10 round magazines.

Yes, the reason for wanting the 10 round mag's is a gun unfriendly state that has a 10 round max capacity for magazines.

The operational reason for wanting the 10 round 'short' magazines is that the short mag's do not interfere with bench shooting. Bench shooting is a safer and more effective way of how to start off beginners.

 

[Rclark28]

I have been surprised at the accuracy of this rifle so I too am looking for 10 rounders for the bench. Just having fun with this bench test out of the box it is very good. Not a problem to have FDE 25 rounders for the range. Love this rifle.

 

[Newhouse]

Earlier on also when the 10 rd magazines were hard to find, I cut one of my 25rd magazine and made a 15 rd magazine for use when shooting with a bipod.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I was going to suggest the same. If you were able to source a 25rounder, putting a magblock to reduce it to 10.

 

[Waynosnachos]

I'm a new 15-22 owner in MA experiencing the same problem. I had the option of buying the Tippmann M4-22 for another $80 but decided with the S&W name brand & known reliability.

Since when is a Tippmann M4-22 legal in MA?

 

[davecfitz]

Since when is a Tippmann M4-22 legal in MA?

For at least the last six months that I know of since being licensed to carry. Pretty easy to find on the north shore.

 

[silverstateS&W]

there are some 10 listed in the for sale section.

 

[Rclark28]

there are some 10 listed in the for sale section.

Thanks for the idea... My account has never allowed me to access the For Sale area!
*I can wait for 10 rounders but it is really unreal that S&W would not push to make them available period.
Have a great day!
Rick

 

[TexasJackKin]

Like I said in another tread, I'd like a few 10 rounders, to slow the grand-kids down. They can burn though a BUNCH of ammo, especially with the 25 rounders.....

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Sacrifice a 25 rd and cut it down to whatever works on your bench setup. I've cut greasegun mags down for my pcc's to use on the bench or were damaged. A piece of hardwood or aluminum for a baseplate works fine. I stamped the round count on my bases too. Not rocket surgery.

 

[Dan Carey]

Well, here's my two cents.
For some reason, the ten rounders have always been hard to get. Both my wife and I have 15-22's bought four years or so ago. I wanted 10 round mags so I could shoot from a bench without the long mag getting in the way. I rarely load more than five rounds anyway, a holdover from my bullseye shooting days. For over a year, I could find none...anywhere. Then, three years back, Midway USA had a special and I grabbed a couple...but they were the same size as a 25 round mag but with a blue follower and a pin installed internally to prevent loading more than ten rounds. To say I was upset was putting it mildly...
Maybe six months later, on Midway or CDNN Sports, one of the other online sites, I saw a sale on "shorty" ten round mags so I grabbed a half dozen. My home state was debating magazine capacity laws again...
I haven't seen any for sale since since!

 

[DANiMALxMD]

$30 at Midway USA right now:

Smith & Wesson Mag S&W M&P 15-22 22 Long Rifle 10-Round Short Body

 

[pakettle]

Received an e mail from Midway that they had more in stock I ordered 1 an less than 24 hours later they were sold out.
I suspect some clown got a bunch and will sell them on e bay for 75.00 bucks or more!

 

[Rclark28]

Received an e mail from Midway that they had more in stock I ordered 1 an less than 24 hours later they were sold out.
I suspect some clown got a bunch and will sell them on e bay for 75.00 bucks or more!

I ordered x2 of the 10 rnd mags and Midway sent me a notice that they are shipping them. The last I checked they still are stocked. Midway has ALWAYS been great to me.

 

[giants1]

Out of Stock; No Backorders

I ordered x2 of the 10 rnd mags and Midway sent me a notice that they are shipping them. The last I checked they still are stocked. Midway has ALWAYS been great to me.

I just checked Midway and they're out of stock and not taking backorders.

The lack of 10 round mags is one of three reasons I'm holding off on buying a 15-22 and looking at the Tippman. Another reason is that the 15-22 cost almost as much as the MP 15 that I own (I"m in the People's Republik of Kalifornia). Finally, it's my understanding that people who own both AR22s prefer the Tippman, weight of the Tippman closer to an AR15 and the mags having a large aftermarket (I think that the CMMGs will fit it). Anyone have a different opinion?