.22 upper or conversion kit for AR 15

bluesclues

bluesclues

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Alberta
I would like get plink more with my AR but, with the price of ammo... this is becoming less and less economically sound. Therefore, I am interested in getting either a .22 dedicated upper or .22 conversion kit for my AR.

My question is, well, which is the better value and why?

I like the idea of a dedicated upper but, it can cost 2 or 3 times that of a conversion kit, so I am seeking your advice.

Do you have either? Is one far better than the other? Why?

Thanks
 
x2!
Me too. I was thinking of a conversion kit so I can get used to the look and feel of mine. Any idea's?
 
I researched this before I made my decision. For me it was about cost of ammo and being able to shoot inside during the winter or plink at metal on the pistol range.

Esentially I wanted two completely different functions from my .22 upper. I wanted something that could be used as a CQB rifle for shooting metal on the pistol range and something that could be used as a precision AR inside.

The kits: Well they all use the AR barrel so the twist rate is wrong. This makes it an unlikely candidate for precision shooting.

The complete uppers: There's only one available in Canada right now. At least that I know about. But they are pricey. Like the kits I've heard rumors of dependability issues. This seems to have been sorted out though and often the after market trigger groups were the cause.

The upper I went with was the Tactical solutions .22 Flat top varmint one. Free floated handguard, and a bullbarrel specifically for shooting .22 LR. The quality is good and this configuration easily allows me to put on my Eotech 553 or my Falcon menace 4.5-18x 56mm IR scope (with quick release rings). It should also be noted that the barrel is threaded at the end so you could add a compensator if you wanted to for speed/competition it may be a consideration although not really necessary in a 22.

I've only shot this rifle once and that was for plinking with the Eotech. So I don't know what it's accuracy potential is at this point. I'll have to order some of the 15 round mags in order to properly bench rest the rifle. The 27 round black dog mags are too long.

With an Eotech it's a lot of fun ;). It's on my Stag lower right now. I have an Alberta Tactical one on order that will be dedicated for my .22 upper. Plus it gives me an excuse to keep the extra CTR stock I've been hording. :D

TacAR22-2.jpg
 
Epoxy7, there is only one complete upper available in Canada? Which one is that? Is that the one you are using? Looks pretty cool!

And you say pretty pricey... that is roughly how much?

Thanks for your information, and it would seem that I want one for exactly the same reasons as you.
 
bluesclues said:
Epoxy7, there is only one complete upper available in Canada? Which one is that? Is that the one you are using? Looks pretty cool!

And you say pretty pricey... that is roughly how much?

Thanks for your information, and it would seem that I want one for exactly the same reasons as you.
Click to expand...

The only one that I know of is the Tactical Sollutions. However someone may be bringing in the Spikes upper as well. I've heard rumors but haven't seen any around.

$750 when I bought mine, but now they are $850 I believe. I bought my tactical solutions upper from Questar. There were a few hickups during break in but after that it seems to work very well.
 
Thanks Epoxy7. I will say that $850 is pretty expensive though. That is why I am kinda leaning towards a conversion kit....

more research is needed me thinks
 
Check with Dlask ...
he is waiting on some .22 LR top ends coming in from Europe.

They should be a bit cheaper ...
IF THEY EVER GET HERE!!!
 
Go the complete upper.

With AR's using 'sub'cal adaptors - the .22lr bullet can gun up your gas port - giving you a really nice one shot 5.56mm
As well as mentioned the twist on most of the current AR's (1:9, 1:7) are not good for .22LR bullet length (nor the lead construction).

The TS upper sounds pretty good and while not 100% of the muscle memory as its full brother, it is pretty close and you can use the same mag pouches as your M4 mags.
 
Kevin, good points. So, now who has complete .22 uppers? I did see some on Questar's website awhile back but, no longer. Dlask is an option, just didn't know that he was going to be getting some.

Are complete .22 uppers for AR's hard to come by?
 
bluesclues said:
Kevin, good points. So, now who has complete .22 uppers? I did see some on Questar's website awhile back but, no longer. Dlask is an option, just didn't know that he was going to be getting some.

Are complete .22 uppers for AR's hard to come by?
Click to expand...

They are listed on our website (see the AR Deals page)...

http://www.questar.ca/deals/TacSol.htm

Both versions are in-stock.

Mark
 
I asked this in another thread, but it's probably more appropriate here.

Would there be any issue using the Tac Sol upper in a 9mm AR lower? Or should it work just as easily as in a .223 lower. It's really only the hammer and buffer that are different.
 
jsullivan said:
I asked this in another thread, but it's probably more appropriate here.

Would there be any issue using the Tac Sol upper in a 9mm AR lower? Or should it work just as easily as in a .223 lower. It's really only the hammer and buffer that are different.
Click to expand...

The buffer won't matter as the Tac Sol upper does NOT use the buffer at all.

The hammer I can't answer as I've never tried it... but I would guess it will work... since Full Auto hammers will work. The real issue is the hammer spring needs to be strong enough... otherwise you'll get trigger reset problems when using it with the Tac Sol upper.

Mark
 
For those that were looking for the 15 Round Black Dog Machine Short Profile magazines... we've received a small quantity and they're available now...

BD-AR22-SHORTB_1.jpg
 
I use a ciener kit with the 30 rnd mags

i use it in my colt m16a1 upper which has a 1/12 twist works real well for .22LR


kevinB
as for guming up my gas port ive run a whole box of federal (525rnds) with NO effect I allways fire a few rnds of .223 after the .22 to blow any crap out of the system
 
I have an atchisson 22LR kit for my 20" Colt Sporter (1:9 twist). I typically get a 4" spread at 25 m freestanding, nothing to get excited about, but it does what I want, so I'm happy I only had a spend <$200 for the kit.
 
I bought the TS AR-22 upper from Questar.

Threw it on my "junk" CQ311 lower, works fantastic, put about 1100 rounds through it on the first day at the range, the only problems I had were with Winchester '333' ammo (fail to extract/stovepipe about every 5 rounds).
 
I found only loading the mags to 20 rounds fixed the stove pipes/fail to extract issues. I was using American eagle 38 grain hollow points.
 
Epoxy7 said:
I found only loading the mags to 20 rounds fixed the stove pipes/fail to extract issues. I was using American eagle 38 grain hollow points.
Click to expand...
I had jams with ONLY that ammo type (out of the 5 varieties I've tested thus far), it could jam on the first round of 27, and it might jam on the last round.

Stuffing the magazines to the brim never caused an issue for me (yet?).
 
You're lucky then. I can't fit the full 27 into mine. The springs are too tight. If you force them in, you risk denting the side of the cartridge. After some use I'm sure the springs will loosen up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom