.22lr AR-15 questions

[taktiks]

Looking to pick up an AR in .22lr.

I have several lowers I can simply put a .22 upper on, but it seems as though the uppers are the same price, if not more than just getting a complete rifle. Just looking for suggestions from the community. It seems that most of the older threads on this deal with swapping out the BCG or are just too old to reflect current prices on items, but I want a dedicated barrel without the accuracy loss.

If I'm going with a complete rifle, any idea where in the SF/Bay Area carries them other than Big5 or WalMart?

If a complete upper, do any sites carry them for under 300? Seems crazy to pay that much for an upper when I can get a whole rifle for the same or less.

Thanks calguns!

[NATEWA]

I believe this is the upper my buddy picked up a year or two ago. It was on sale for $260. He picked up a couple of black dog mags, scope and bipod. It was accurate and reliable. It is heavy though.

http://grabagun.com/panther-arms-ba22-16-upper-22.html

On the expensive side, I traded a guy and got a tac sol lt upper. Very accurate and light. Black dog mags work well but I had to replace my hammer and not use two types of ammo.

I would use an ar15 lower and not buy a dedicated ar 15-22. You have to decide what you want - a varmit/range gun or ar15 trainer.

Good luck

[Paperchasin]

If you're on a budget, your best bet is to buy yourself an M&P 15-22 complete rifle.

I have built 2 AR-22 uppers and I was way over $300 when done, and that didn't include optics. Heck my rails costed $200 alone. But it always depends on your parts preference.

[CWDraco]

You are looking for a unicorn. You want an inexpensive and accurate .22lr AR15 made by people who make money selling centerfire AR15s.

Buy a conversion BCG system or pay more than $300. Even if you find a $300 complete .22lr upper, there is no way it is going to be noticeably more accurate then simply buying a conversion BCG.

[NATEWA]

A little over budget but all you need is a rear sight. No DROS either, so that will save time and a little $.

Maybe try and find a used one or wait for a sale?

https://grabagun.com/panther-arms-ba22-ap4-upper-22.html

[CWDraco]

A little over budget but all you need is a rear sight. No DROS either, so that will save time and a little $.

Maybe try and find a used one or wait for a sale?


https://grabagun.com/panther-arms-ba...-upper-22.html

There you go. That is as cheap as you are going to find. 16" 1/16 twist

[IPSICK]

Here's what I would consider a premium option.

http://www.taccom3g.com/ultralight-17--upper.html

$339.95 list, but supposedly they will have new pricing.

This is from the guy that designed the original Nordic Components .22lr upper. I have one of those uppers and I'm shooting under 1/2"@50yds with CCI Standard Velocity, SK Ammo, Wolf Match and under 1"@50yds with CCI Tactical or Blazer.

[CWDraco]

gunbroker...$290

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=556716914

[NATEWA]

You are looking for a unicorn. You want an inexpensive and accurate .22lr AR15 made by people who make money selling centerfire AR15s.

Buy a conversion BCG system or pay more than $300. Even if you find a $300 complete .22lr upper, there is no way it is going to be noticeably more accurate then simply buying a conversion BCG.

I've always wondered about the conversions. Anyone done a comparison between a conversion and dedicated upper?

Would come down to intended purpose - if it's a trainer, probably be fine with a conversion. Want an accurate range/varmit gun then pony up and get a dedicated upper.

[Jimi Jah]

I have a Colt .22LR M4, PITA to clean, not that accurate. It sits.

My shooter is an AR-15 fitted with a $140 Ciener conversion bolt. After trying out several uppers I found an older M4 1/9 non-chromed that shoots lights out. Dead on accurate, a older cheap upper was the ticket.

It will never shoot .223, it's too good at .22LR. The rest of my AR's shoot .22LR badly.

[milotrain]

The good dedicated uppers by Compass Lake Engineering and Keystone Accuracy are very accurate, but they are also quite expensive.

[NATEWA]

Here's what I would consider a premium option.

http://www.taccom3g.com/ultralight-17--upper.html

$339.95 list, but supposedly they will have new pricing.

This is from the guy that designed the original Nordic Components .22lr upper. I have one of those uppers and I'm shooting under 1/2"@50yds with CCI Standard Velocity, SK Ammo, Wolf Match and under 1"@50yds with CCI Tactical or Blazer.

Nice looking. Hopefully the new pricing means it's going down, not up, in price

[IPSICK]

Ultra premium options:

https://nordiccomp.com/categories/nc-22rb-upper/

Latest generation Nordic upper $499


or

http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPSM22-18L16

JP Barrel and Bolt kit $449 (need handguard and upper receiver still).

[IPSICK]

Nice looking. Hopefully the new pricing means it's going down, not up, in price

Yeah, good luck with that.

[taktiks]

You are looking for a unicorn. You want an inexpensive and accurate .22lr AR15 made by people who make money selling centerfire AR15s.

Buy a conversion BCG system or pay more than $300. Even if you find a $300 complete .22lr upper, there is no way it is going to be noticeably more accurate then simply buying a conversion BCG.

It doesn't have to be a tack driver, but the extra play that a 5.56 barrel gives a .22lr round isn't something I want. The main issue is upper vs. complete rifle. I'm pretty sure I can put together an upper with inexpensive parts and just add a .22 barrel and bolt, but in terms of time and effort, if it ends up costing just as much to get a decent complete upper or rifle, I would just rather do that.

Thanks for the suggestions all!