Solid 10/22 AR-Style Receiver? (And Other Chassis Options)

pope_face

pope_face

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
Location
Hali, NS
Hey Guys,

So I recently started looking to replace my .30-06 with a .22LR so I can take it out to the range and plink with it. The big gun is now gone, and I've got the go-ahead from my other half to get whatever I want... So I want a 10/22. I'll spare you my life story, but suffice it to say that I'm looking to trick out my future 10/22 with some AR goodies. However, it seems like the only option is a chassis from either the Nordic Components, NEA, or Troy Industries. If I want to upgrade the receiver to a Dlask eventually, I'd still have to buy one and make sure it fits.

So, having said that: What I'd really like to see is a solid 10/22 receiver that'll accept AR parts. Not a chassis with the stock 10/22 receiver inside (like all the other kits), but a solid piece that's identical to the 10/22 internally, using the same bolt/trigger assembly/barrel, but resembles the AR and accepts the AR stocks, grips, handguards, and rails. It could probably be made much stronger, stiffer, and lighter than the receiver/chassis combinations, and you wouldn't have to worry about whether your sights are staying zeroed (I read a review on here that suggested the Troy may have issues with that). Given that a Dlask receiver and Nordic Components chassis would cost about $370 + taxes, it would be great if it cost less than that too. I know Dlask has the skill to make great 10/22 receivers, and I've heard that they beef up the upper part of the receiver to better handle bull barrels, so I'm wondering if they could modify the exterior of their receivers to accept the AR components without needing the additional external chassis.

Am I crazy for wanting something like this? Does this make sense to anyone else? I know I could get a real AR with a .22LR upper, but being a 10/22 receiver at heart, something like this might remain non-restricted. Plus, it might be cheaper to build a complete setup like this, rather than building an AR from scratch (although I've never priced out the latter).

Sorry if this has already been covered... I did a search and couldn't see anything, but it seems like a logical step given the popularity of the AR chassis kits for the 10/22.
 
Last edited:
I forget the name, but there is a 10/22 receiver that is modified to use an AR style charging handle, with a hole in the back for cleaning rod access. I think it was at shotshow last year. It would get you partways there.

Otherwise, I suppose it's worth asking dlask.
 
Yeah, I saw a couple different things during my search, including one that had a rear charging handle. Not sure if that's the same one you're talking about (it was a really quick search), but I think I have seen one with the hole in the back of the receiver as well. It's close, but what I really want is to be able to use the AR stock, grip, and handguard... Kind of like a 10/22 receiver in a NC or NEA chassis, but all one piece.
 
If your taking it to the range get a smith and wesson m&p15-22 or a ar with .22 conversion
When it comes to a ar the only thing thatll quench the thirst is a ar
 
skoal said:
If your taking it to the range get a smith and wesson m&p15-22 or a ar with .22 conversion
When it comes to a ar the only thing thatll quench the thirst is a ar
Click to expand...

True, but I kind of like the idea of having it non-restricted... I could take out to the woods when I visit friends out in the country, and my understanding is that the AR has limits on magazine capacity (even in a .22LR), whereas the 10/22 doesn't. I'm not saying that I don't want an AR, but it's nice to have options. Besides, given that we already have aftermarket receivers, and aftermarket AR-style chassis kits, it seems reasonable that someone would combine the two and make a standalone AR-style receiver.
 
If you are only concerned with the stock, grip and hand guard why dont you just buy a Ruger SR-22? I have one and they are great! I'll try to figure out how to post a pic of it.
 
I don't think anyone makes what youre after. The R&D, machining costs and limited market would make it a risky business move without first proving solid consumer interest at a reasonable price. That's why theres dress up kits, so guys can build it just how they want it including non-AR builds. None of the kits out there truly offer what I want and have strange deviations from what theyre trying to imitate: The AR. The SR-22 has the buttstock and rail mounted way higher than an AR so quad rails do not line up and mounting a gasblock FSB will not line up with a rail mounted rear sight. The NEA-22 solves this issue but mounts the buttstock so low you need a cheek riser for anything other than a TRS-25/Aimpoint micro. Theyre also out of production. The Archangel 556 doesnt give you any options for forend or pistol grip. The Troy T-22 has the monolithic HG and built in sights only. Theyre all pretty good but have unnecessary compromises that reduce their modularity. You know, the reason people buy them!
 
Haha, yeah, I agree... I like the NC kit, but like you said, the buttstock mounts too high. The NEA one would've been a good option, but I didn't realize they're out of production. The Troy was my favourite, until I realized that the handguard isn't interchangable. I'd be happy to buy it if I could swap out the handguard, but no luck. I really want a skeleton buttstock too, so I probably need the AR-style chassis, and personally I think all the other kits just look cheap.

KJF: Yeah, the SR-22 would be a good platform to start with, but I'm not convinced that it's the "cheapest" option, unless I sell off some of the components. I'll end up swapping some stuff, so I'll end up spending more anyway. Plus, as mentioned, the buttstock mounts quite high... I would've preferred the NEA, but supernova mentioned it's NLA...
 
I agree with KJF; at this point, the SR22 may be your easiest option, since when you start treading into AR territory you have to start paying more attention to the regs to keep it out of the restricted category.

I also have one, and although it's a bit costly up front I have a degree of modularity, I'm not completely denied access to AR (fixtures at least), I can still take it out to a farmer field and plink, and it's a tough and surprisingly accurate rifle

If you're blessed with unlimited time and similar resources, you could likely cobble together a "facsimile" of an AR with a 10/22 soul using components from a variety of companies. Then, you can show us photos of the first $5000. AR/10/22 (kidding, kidding!)
 
There's no such beast, pope_face. Yet, that is. Also, in addition to the charging system which mimics an AR, there's no mag release button or selector to mimic an AR. A lot of guys were hoping that the M&P15-22 would have fit the bill (and it does actually), but it's status was placed in the restricted camp, unfortunately. Despite all this, if you do obtain a chassis system for your 10/22, there's still a lot you can do to make it resemble an AR in looks and feel.

Here's a link to a good article that shows that a chassis system still has lots of merits, despite the failings:

http://demigodllc.com/articles/nordic-components-ar-22-lr-trainer/
 
Hey guys,

I appreciate all the replies, and I'm still considering the SR-22 (although I think I'll price out the Nordic Components chassis and everything separately first), but I suppose I should clarify... I'm not really after an AR clone using the 10/22 basis (I agree, that would be ridiculously expensive to design, and I may as well get an AR at that point), but just a receiver that will accept the AR stocks, grips, handguards, and rails (or that has a built-in rail), yet still retains the original 10/22 function (including the same trigger groups, safeties, bolt, bolt handle, magazines, magazine release, barrels, etc.). Basically, something like a Dlask receiver inside a Nordic Components chassis, but one solid piece.

I suppose the market wouldn't be that great, and it wouldn't exactly resemble the AR in terms of functionality, but given that Dlask can manage to make money on 10/22 receivers, and since there's a few companies that make the AR chassis for the 10/22 (Nordic Components, NEA, Troy, and I think Zimmerman did), then it would be nice for someone to just merge the two and make a standalone 10/22 receiver that'll accept some AR parts. Kind of like the SR-22 should be, from the factory.
 
SR-22 is by far the easiest way there. I tell you right now from experience, it IS the cheapest way in. Get a used one in the EE if you must save the taxes and some cost.
 
Slaymoar said:
SR-22 is by far the easiest way there. I tell you right now from experience, it IS the cheapest way in. Get a used one in the EE if you must save the taxes and some cost.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm considering that, but what I was thinking was:

- 10/22 Carbine: $250
- Nordic Components chassis: $170
- Skeleton stock, buffer tube, and AR grip: $150
- Handguard: $150

Total cost: About $720 + taxes/shipping, depending on cost of stock, handguard, etc... I tried being generous on those parts. There's still some small parts that I'd want in addition (extended magazine release, larger magazines, etc), but that gets me a customized SR-22 done up the way I want. If I started with the SR-22, I'd save a few bucks on the buffer tube, grip, and NC chassis, but I'd still swap out the stock (and probably handguard, eventually), and I'd probably only go that route if I sold off the stock SR-22 stuff (and who'd want to buy that?). Plus, I can spread the cost out over some time, and it gives me the option of getting an NEA chassis or something (if it becomes available or shows up on the EE).

But... I don't know. I'm still figuring it out, so I've got options.
 
I'm building what you're describing. NEA chassis, AR stock, Buffer tube and grip, and an airsoft hand guard (yeah I know, I cheaped out and it may come back to bit me later). I currently have the Archangel 556 kit on and I'm not really satisfied. It looks good, feels solid but a little heavy and you can't really customize it. So I'm hoping I'm a little happier with my new set up, just waiting for everything to come in. The Shooting Edge is still listing the NEA chassis as available, I got mine off the EE.
 
zeke1979 said:
The Shooting Edge is still listing the NEA chassis as available, I got mine off the EE.
Click to expand...

Shhh... Don't share that with the rest of the world. That'd be like telling everyone that Elwood Epps has a bunch of 10/22 Carbine and Compact models in stock... ;)

But yeah, I think I might go with the NEA chassis. I think the buffer tube position is a lot nicer, and I could build up something a little different than the average SR-22. Hopefully TSE still has them in stock when I'm actually after one, or I manage to find one on the EE. I was going to pick up a 10/22 from Elwood Epps, but my other half prefers the synthetic stock, and they don't have any. I'll just for them to show up locally... I've been given the green light to put a deposit down on one at the local shop, so I can be first in like when the next batch comes in. I'd love to see pictures of yours, if you've got any... Wouldn't mind seeing how the entire thing compares between the SR-22 and the Troy (I don't think I've ever seen a completed one with an NEA chassis).

Having said that: This thread has gotten somewhat off track into what I want to build... I originally started it to see if people would be interested in a 10/22 receiver that resembles the AR, yet uses all 10/22 internals. Does anyone have a good repertoire with Dlask and wants to "suggest" the idea to them? I'd do it myself, but I've never dealt with the guys. I'd be happy to throw down a few hundred bucks on a receiver like that though... Maybe if we got a few people interested we could actually get them to do a run. Anyone?
 
Last edited:
zeke1979 said:
No pics yet, everything is currently being shipped. I'll post some pics once I have it together.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, can't wait to see it.

However, on that note: I really wish Dlask would make a receiver that would work with AR grips, stocks, and handguards, and had an integrated rail. I've been researching the other options, and nothing really jives with me. Here's what I've gathered so far:

Nordic Components:
- Pros: Inexpensive, readily available, decent fit, and the upper doesn't need to be separated from the receiver for cleaning (and therefore no loss of zero for sights).
- Cons: Buffer tube mounts really high on the chassis, which means sights need to be mounted higher, and the rail won't line up well with most standard handguards.

NEA:
- Pros: Sleek look, lower buffer tube mounting position, integrated rail lines up well with AR handguards.
- Cons: Not as easy to find, requires modifications to allow indexing of AR stocks, stock mounting position looks like it might interfere with the grip (depending on stock used), upper needs to be separated from chassis for cleaning (unless modifications are performed), talk of poor fitment on some units.

Troy:
- Pros: Sleek, monolithic look, lightweight, nice placement of the buffer tube (looks like it's directly in-line with the barrel), includes stock and pistol grip.
- Cons: Pricey, handguard is not removable.

Specter Arms:
- Don't know much about this one, just saw it was available, although it appears to an entire receiver with the handguard built in.

Personally, I really liked the NEA one, but after reading some of the issues with it I'm starting to second guess that. I'm still not convinced on the NC kit either... I really don't like the position of the top rail or the buffer tube. I know there's also a bunch of cheaper ones (Archangel, Tapco, etc), but I really want to run a skeleton stock and handguard, and the cost of those modifications would probably cost about the same as buying the proper chassis and components in the first place. If Troy had a version with a separate handguard, I'd be all over it... Although at this point I'm seriously considering picking one up, cutting the original handrail off, and modifying the front of the chassis with a threaded section that'll accept standard AR handguards. I still need to look at how much disassembly is required for cleaning though, and whether I'll have to zero the sights after every cleaning.

Anybody have any other options I missed? At this point I think I may just email Dlask and see if they're capable of making a receiver that'll work with the AR parts...

Ugh, I haven't even started building the damn thing and it's already blowing my budget... :p
 
Yeah, but again the issue is that I can't use AR parts on those stocks... However, if push comes to shove, I may just get one of those stocks and modify it to work for me.

I did, however, just email Dlask to ask about the possibility of making a 10/22 receiver (like the DAR-22) that'll accept AR stocks, grips, and handguards... I'll see what they say and get back to you guys once I hear something.
 
I really like the idea of a 10/22 AR receiver... Too bad I already ordered all my components. Keep us posted on how this plays out, I think there would be a lot of interest in this.
And once I assemble mine I'll throw a few pics up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom