Dedicated 22 upper suggestions....or even an M&P15-22

Bolivar

Bolivar

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I'm looking feed back on what is a good bet for a dedicated 22 upper.

I've been shooting a bunch in an internet based postal match competition and most of the targets have been suitable for rim fire. Since I am punching rounds in rim fire, I want to be doing it with an AR type platform since that is what I compete with the rest of the time.

I am leaning toward a dedicated upper so I can just just my current lower and be practicing with the same trigger and grip. What's good and what's crap? I want something that is reliable and decently accurate.

As far as I know there are three options here is Canada: CMMG, Chiappa and NEA. Anybody with real world experience with any of these?

Alternatively, I may consider something along the lines of an M&P15-22 if these are more reliable. Again, anybody with real world experience with the M&P15-22?
 
I have owned a S&W M&P 15-22, CMMG bolt conversion, and Tactical Solutions .22 upper in the past. I currently have a CMMG .22 upper.

I think it would be hard to beat the reliability of the 15-22, I only got rid of mine because of the 10 round magazine limit, plus I wanted a shorter barrel and there were no affordable options for a 15-22 short barrel. The 15-22 looks like an AR and disassembles like one (a very good feature) but being all plastic it does not feel like an AR (at least to me), however if light weight is important to you, this could be your best bet. The CMMG bolt conversion was also very reliable, although not terribly accurate, and tends to foul up the SR gas tube. The Tac Sol M4 upper was ok, but there was something about it that I did not care for, it was reasonably reliable and reasonably accurate, but I was not satisfied with it. The CMMG upper I have now is my favourite even though I have had a few break-in issues with mine. It still does not like the CMMG mags that work with the hold open adapter, but it works great with the Black Dog mags.

This is my CMMG .22 upper on my RRA lower:
IMG_6357_zpsab42218b.jpg
 
I have the 15-22 and as stated it runs flawlessly unlike conversions.
However since you have the lower, Id spend the money on a deticated 22 upper. This way you only need one upgraded trigger group, ami lever, bad lever and so on.
I love my 15-22 and are getting a 10" barrel made in the UK. Its the only source I could find legally.
Its too bad about the mag laws and 22lr still being restricted.
 
Cool. Yeah a conversion bolt does not interest me. My 1/7 twist barrel is all wrong for 22 LR and why screw around with the chance of fouling my gas tube.

I really like the idea of just an upper but whats is frustrating is that except for the Chiappa one, it seems all the uppers are more expensive than the M&P15-22

Does the M&P15-22 lock back on an empty mag and have a functionally bolt release? I currently have an ISSC Mk22 and the lack of bolt release really irks me since I use it on my AR all the time.
 
Yes, the bolt on the 15-22 locks back on an empty mag and the bolt release is functional. I have one and love it. Initially I had an issues with the ejector, but a quick google and 30 seconds with a screwdriver and the problem was solved. Thousands of rounds later I'm very happy. Mag capacity sucks, but the flip side is the mags are cheap, durable and tend to run flawlessly. IMO unless you've done a ton of stuff to your current lower it's pretty tough to justify just an upper when you can get a complete stand alone gun for the same price.
 
Bolivar said:
...Does the M&P15-22 lock back on an empty mag and have a functionally bolt release?...
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly (it has been a few years) the 15-22 locks open on an empty mag, but slams forward when the mag is removed, unless you manually engage the bolt release.

Bolivar said:
I really like the idea of just an upper but whats is frustrating is that except for the Chiappa one, it seems all the uppers are more expensive than the M&P15-22
Click to expand...
That's true, my CMMG upper cost significantly more than a new 15-22. If you want a full length barrel and don't mind the 10 round mags, I think the 15-22 it is your best bang for the buck.
 
gooch said:
...Mag capacity sucks, but the flip side is the mags are cheap, durable and tend to run flawlessly...
Click to expand...

I agree, many people consider the S&W mags to be the best .22 AR type mags available. In fact there is a company that makes an adapter to run S&W 15-22 mags in AR lowers. They will actually run in an AR without the adapter, but the are a very loose fit.
 
I ended up getting a Chiappa upper from SFRC when they had a sale. Ran fairly well in stock form, but the plastic upper receiver was crap. Super tight and it was difficult to get it to fit on the milspec lower.

Replaced the polymer upper with a generic cerro forged upper. Much better now. Eventually I ended up getting a Blue Line blemished lower during one of their sales and made it a dedicated build.
 
Good info on the M&P15-22.

The lower I would use is my Diemaco
Only change from stock is an MOE grip and Blackhawk trigger guard, so nothing special. No plans for a match trigger or anything do no reason I HAVE to use that lower.

I can always put an MOE on the M&P.

Maybe I will just go that route.
 
No. You can drop the mags and the bolt stays open. The 715t shuts if you pull the mag without locking it.
The 15-22 is a copy of the ar15. Just wider lower and fwik the akedown pins are in a different spot.
Great gun with a timney trigger.
Cant what for my 10" barrel!
 
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