22 only AR or standard with conversion?

K

kealil

New member
Hey all!

Thinkin bout getting into the AR game but not sure where to start. I was thinking about getting an m&p 15-22 but I`m not sure if ill get hooked and want a 556 or others. Then i started thinking about an affordable way to get into a full AR AND a conversion kit.

So long story short, should I go for a 22lr only AR to start and buy a full one if I'm hooked? Or should i just buy a full AR and a conversion kit?

I am not really looking forward to that second option because of sheer cost so that brings me to my last question,Is there a way to convert something like the m&p15-22 to 223 or 556?

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!

Edit: almost forgot,this is not a need. This will be a fun gun, thus the desparate want for 22lr. I may want to eventully participate in the local rifle competitions, thus the possible want for 556 or similar, thanks again.
 
Convert a 15-22 to .223? No...the lower is sized just a bit different than a 15-22. The upper is just that, a .22LR dedicated upper.

That being said, the 15-22 is a great little rifle for practice, etc. All the controls are in the right spot and work, except for the forward assist.
 
For a 22 lr the M&P 15-22 is plenty accurate and as a dedicated 22 lr semi auto, very reliable. It really does imitate the AR15 in .223/5.56 in function. You can even add lights, lasers, scopes and upgrade the buttstock, grip and sights just like the AR15. Sadly though, you can't just take a .223/5.56 upper on the lower receiver.

Your second option of getting a regular AR15 with a .22 lr conversion will work but I don't think it will be as good as the M&P 15-22 in accuracy as shooting a .22lr in a .223 barrel just does not work out quite as well. I guess you could buy a regular lower unit and a .22 lr upper but that's gonna add more to your cost.

My suggestion, buy the M&P 15-22 and M&P 15 Sport. Total cost for both, $1K. :D
 
+1.556!!

I bought the 15-22p, the MOE, and the PC. Skip the pistol and the PC versions, buy the MOE and also buy the M&P15 Sport. Life is GooD!:D

Hobie
 
Check out CMMG - tell them you want to start out with .22 AR, and will get a 5.56 upper later. They'll put you on the right track.
 
so here is the shakedown. 223 is slightly larger than a 22 so even though a 223 barrel will accommodate the slightly smaller 22 round a 22 barrel will not accommodate the slightly larger 223 round(in much the same way that a 357 and 38 are partially interchangeable). so if you have a 22 rifle you would now be able to convert without a whole new upper.

now it is much cheaper to get a 223 and spend $200 on a 22 bolt conversion and magazines than it would be to buy a 22lr and then buy a 223 so if you were to like it and expand the collection you would be off o an expensive start. also the 223 barrel twist is very poor for most 22lr rounds so accuracy would not be an impressive feature of the conversion.

your best option would be to go to a range and rent the full sized version and put a few rounds through it. if you like it then there is no reason to buy 2 guns since you already know what it's like. and if you later decide that you want a super cheap plinker then the 22 conversion is still on the table and easily switched out.
 
also the 223 barrel twist is very poor for most 22lr rounds so accuracy would not be an impressive feature of the conversion.
Click to expand...

For the reason above is why I would not do the action below.

and if you later decide that you want a super cheap plinker then the 22 conversion is still on the table and easily switched out
Click to expand...

However, you can buy a dedicated .22lr upper such as the one here.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=210789

It will shoot much better than a plain conversion that uses your .223 barrel with .22lr rounds. But it's going to cost you almost as much as a M&P15-22.
 
Another vote for an AR lower and a dedicated .22 upper. I'm the happy owner of a CMMG 16" upper. Between my two sons and I we put 5K rounds through it this summer alone. If you buy a nice lower with a two stage trigger, you should have a little tack driver in your hands. When finances allow, all you need to do is pop two pins and attach your "new" .223 upper.
 
Keep in mind the dedicated .22 upper and separate .223 upper will each have their own barrel and have proper twist rates for each respective boolitz :D
 
The problem with having two different uppers and only one lower is well, you only have one rifle. Pretty soon you will want another lower to make them two rifles. At least that's what I heard. :D
 
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