Great guest post today from a Vietnam Veteran, career firearms instructor, and friend. He makes the case for purchasing a .22lr AR-15. See what you think.
But before we get there, special thanks to BePreparedNow.net for their ad purchase. Visit them and use coupon code “shtf” for a 10% discount on your order.
– Ranger Man
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You’re prepared for the worst. You have a black rifle, several hundred rounds, spare magazines and an assault case. Possibly, you’ve bolted some accessories on to your AR-15 so all contingencies will be covered. But, here’s a thought: Can you actually shoot this thing?
Drilling cans at 20 yards is fun. Tiny groups shot from sand bags at 100 yards are fulfilling. But, how do these activities translate to the real reasoning behind your purchase? And, can you really afford to burn up several hundred rounds of .223 within a short period. Heck, do you even have access to a spot where that amount of noise will be tolerated? A friend recently bought 500 rounds of foreign, steel-cased .223 ammo. He “only” paid $120 for it. He’ll go through a few 20-round boxes now and then, being careful not to blast through his whole stash at once. Just about all of his shooting will be inside 100 yards and his targets won’t know how fast the bullets are going. The things he’ll be aiming at are likely to be bigger than aspirin tablets, which beg the question; couldn’t you do most this with a .22?
Well, as it turns out, you probably could – and for a whole lot less money. A Federal 525 Pack at Wally World will net you change from a $20 bill. Crunching some numbers and depending upon how often you shoot, a .22 rim-fire version of your Ninja rifle could conceivably pay for itself in short order. With some planning, we might even consider this extra shooting “training”. Worse case, it’ll be a whole bunch of fun. It’s possible to fire .22 Long Rifle ammunition through an AR-15, using several options.
Conversion units: The .224 diameter bore of a 5.56mm/.223 is awfully close to a .223-diameter .22 Long Rifle. Using replacement bolt assemblies it’s possible to quickly insert a .22 conversion unit simply by pulling the rear disassembly pin, separating the upper/ lower receivers and withdrawing your bolt. The rim-fire units will drop right in, feeding from a special magazine that locks into the center-fire well. It’s quick and simple, although accuracy may not be guilt-edge due to the slightly oversize barrel and quick rifling twist. Many 5.56mm barrels run 1×7 through 1×9, whereas a .22 normally has 1×16 rifling. Regardless, you’ll need to re-zero, too. Also, lots of shooting may foul your gas system, although plated bullets supposedly reduce lead accumulations to some extent. The big advantage is cost which should be south of $200.
Dedicated upper receivers: Pulling both disassembly pins, we can swap out upper receivers and shoot cheap ammo to our heart’s content, using a complete .22 LR assembly with its rim-fire magazine. Cost will be higher than a simple conversion kit, but leaded gas systems won’t be a concern and accuracy may be better. A few things to watch out for: Most designs won’t lock open on the last shot and function may be a problem with match triggers. On a positive note your rim-fire upper can have its own aiming system, so re-zeroing won’t be necessary. The same familiar lower can be used with either upper, too. Prices start above $300, running to S500 or beyond.
Complete rifles: I chose this route when S&W began selling .22 AR-15 clones. Cost isn’t a whole lot higher than a dedicated upper and function is identical to the real McCoy. Unlike other new toys, I was on auto-pilot during the first range session, thanks to similar controls and overall design. The S&W M&P 15-22 is mostly polymer but seems well thought out. You’ll get a quad-rail for accessories, flat-top receiver, QD sights, collapsible stock and the same easy push-pin disassembly. Cleaning is a snap thanks to a simplified bolt without a gas system. Two deleted items are the forward-assist and dust-cover. S&W designed the lower receiver so that it won’t accept any center-fire uppers; however pistol grips, triggers and after-market stocks will fit. In other words plenty of latitude is available for customization.
Actually, I’ve had two S&W M&P-22s. The first, pictured above, was an early specimen without a flash-cage. Accuracy was mediocre and I blew the extractor out while firing Winchester .22 Xperts. Retrieving a magnet I keep on the range for such purposes, I was somehow able to recover all 3 small parts, which were easily reassembled at the house. Some internet research revealed similar episodes with this load and, since then, I’ve talked to a few others who experienced a similar problem. The fired case was ruptured near its rim indicating some sort of out-of-battery discharge. That’s why we should always wear glasses when shooting.
A second M&P 15-22 MOE version replaced the first. It has a Magpul collapsible stock, Magpul pistol grip and an A-2 flash-cage. Its GI trigger is rough but accuracy is MUCH better. At 50 yards, Federal Gold Medal Target consistently cut 5-shot groups of around an inch. My first version shot groups nearly twice that size at half the distance. Both rifles functioned perfectly with inexpensive Federal 525-pack ammo, which are guaranteed to go downrange in quantity. Extra 25-shot magazines are affordable but somewhat fiddly to load. Shooting off sandbags proved difficult because of their length. They contact the bench, but a shorter 10-shot magazine solved that problem nicely. S&W uses a proprietary design and not the Black Dog Machine version employed by others.
Although originally procured as a trainer, my little .22 AR-15 assumed additional roles. A Safariland RLS light slid onto the left forend rail for easy mounting. A spare QD Rock River one-piece scope base clamped securely onto the receiver. It holds a Burris 1.75×5 scope and an inexpensive Walther dot-sight is a second aiming option. Lately, the dot sight gets the most use. I’ve employed it several times to repel four-legged invaders, including “Skunk-Zillah”, whose lawn destroying days are finally over. This episode didn’t help our subsequent July 4th cookout one bit, but you couldn’t pick a more efficient rig for emergency nocturnal critter countermeasures. I just leave the light on the forend with a 25-round magazine full of Federal HVHPs nearby. In fact the little S&W, with its familiar manual-of-arms, has turned into my “bump in the night” gun. Yeah, I know, it’s a .22 – but it holds 25 shots and I won’t be blind or deaf if I need to touch it off.
Pulling both receiver pins, the disassembled rifle will fit in a spotting scope case for compact transportation. Adding two bricks of ammo and a few magazines, you could have a very compact and portable subsistence package capable of discretely harvesting small game. With its threaded muzzle the S&W can accept 1/2x 28 suppressors. My IR illuminator and night-scope hook right on, raising some interesting possibilities for nocturnal varmint control.
Occasionally, I’ll bring a brick of .22s to the range and run through a 100-yard qual-course or some CQB drills. Steel reactive targets get peppered but not destroyed, and the shooting definitely transfers to 5.56. For this reason, I chose the S&W .22 with identical features, including last-shot lock-back. You can surf the net to see who else is making rim-fire ARs. The list is growing and it’s possible to spend a good chunk of money on a more substantially-built example from companies like DPMS, Olympic Arms, etc.
Run the numbers to decide whether a .22 AR-15 is worthwhile. You won’t stay sharp if you don’t shoot, and a rim-fire clone just might pay for itself if you do.
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BTW: this guy is looking for a pen name. Help him out. Which is best? Three choices:
A) The Professional
B) Old Soldier
C) Gunacologist
A Case for the Pipsqueak .22lr AR-15
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17 comments
definatley letter C
Encouraging newz as alway’s, I considered this at the end of last year, found the Sig Sauer 522 at Walmart, and straight out of the box I had two out of three rounds clover leafing nearly everytime I shot, talking with friends another bud got one and had the same results, so greedily I wanted another to put a rde dot on, with the same results, all that said to say I now practice more and feel comfortable with shooting while I move, a hard hard thing to do, almost to the point I most likely need an instructor, good luck with that in my neighborhood…. so yeah I am all for anyone who can to go 22lr, cheaper and easier to practice with…..
I hate thesethings. Here it is in a nutshell; for the cost of an ar 22 yo can almost buy a real AR it is really NOT cost evective nor is it a good choice for an all around survival gun(RE, weapon, tool self def item) Second, fr half the cost of a good ar22 you can buy a Ruger 10-22 which in my opiio is a much better 22 anyway and if you really wanted to shoot 22s on te ar platform, its more cost effective t buy the conversion, store it in a flare tube abd strap it to the side of your pack. No you have te best of both worlds for just a lil $$ and limited weight and space. For bug in purposes(hunting for food and last resort self D) I have a ruger 10-22 and a ruger 22-45 to go with it, but as an all around weapon/survival gun I have the AR. The 22 is a great tool for hunting etc. but that where I draw the line and the ovffset in cost make the AR 22 a poor choiuce when you weigh it out.
Aye that , its like buying a Ferrari body and then dropping a lawn mower two stroke engine to put in it . for the price , you could buy a few good weapons used and be far better off . Mosin – Nagant comes to mind , two world wars proven man dropper for $ 120 bucks or less , several good pistols and shotguns also come to mind . The AR look is cool , but people need to get over it already .
B, the other two are just too Hokey…
Definitely not A, makes me think of “The Transporter.” How about VintageRifleman? Lol
Opportunity to test fire the S&W15-22 was an eye opening, fun experience. Though it was an indoor 50′ range, the accuracy was ‘there’ and the manual of arms was as described: vintage. I’d recommend it as a useful rifle for anyone, not just as a trainer- which role it could fill admirably- but as a normal, every day .22 with bennies.
As to the name, how about Vintage Warrior? ‘The Professional’ just sounds like a trumpet; ‘Old Soldier’ rings of antiquity; and ‘Gunacologist’… well, I know a few ‘cologists’ and they’re always poking into holes…
letter C, but I think that vintage rifleman sounds pretty good too.
I’ve been planning on building a dedicated upper for my AR just because I also think it would be neat to use it as a backpacking/ hunting/ practice for the real AR. Then when I’m finished just clean, store, and swap the uppers! And if I where to decide that I want a dedicated AR-22, then I could just build another lower for the dedicated upper to stay on. Sounds like a lot of fun!
Im sure its a great rifle , I just cant justify the cost for a .22 , makes more sense for me to get a used Ruger 1022 or a Win . 190 . both are good guns and cheap .
C) Gunacologist for sure
Name suggestions: ARUReady, PunjiPete or 20 something ammo
I like option C name wise.
I’m not big on the AR stuff. But, I am big on cross platform compatibility, which is really easy to do with lever guns and revolvers. I like that S&W and Ruger have .22’s out for their M&P and SR lines of handguns.
If you absolutely have to have the “AR look” you’re gonna way overpay. Just waddle down to Wally-World and get a Ruger 10/22 it will be just as accurate as the ar15 wannabes. In my part of the world the blued model goes for $212 and the stainless model goes for $247. And by the way the stainless does stain….if y’all don’t keep it oiled…it will rust.
if you pay more than $120 for a 22 or a pellet gun , you paid too much . Be patient and go used .
Remington has an entry in this catagory in the 300-350 range. it comes in a camo finish. I have not got my hands on one yet but would like to try it out. As for the name thing, how could you not go for gunocologist?
It is always the sign of a good author when he draws out both agreeing views and opposing viewsd. Good stuff. I think, “The Graduate Shootist” works as it spells out that you’ve spent a lifetime learning and now it’s time to pass that knowledge and experience on.
See ya in June old freind.
Sarge (Domenick)
I went with the conversion unit to suit my needs.
1. Cost: Least expensive option. I already own .22LR rifles that are perfectly acceptable and cost a lot less than one that looks like an AR. Not to mention shooting a 10-22 doesn’t scare the sheeple like the EBR does. Conversion unit accuracy probably isn’t as good but the .22 is a short range cartridge.
2. Training: The conversion unit is primarily to reduce the cost of training and will pay for itself after 500 rounds. The trainee is using the same rifle they will use in ‘for real’ situations. It also reduces the problems of replacing 5.56 ammo that is getting harder to find.
3. Additional capability: If I ever have to bug out (shudder), the conversion unit along with some ammo and a mag or two will go into the backpack to provide a lower power option for … whatever. Some people suggest also carrying a takedown .22 rifle; this is a lower weight option for something that might not even be used in that situation.
Sort of off the subject – has anyone laid hands on the new takedown 10-22? I’ve seen a positive review but have no idea on cost. Wonder if it’s more solid that the Marlin Papoose?