Buy or Build .22 AR Platform?

[Kurgan]

Now that I have some actual standard capacity magazines, I'm needing a .22lr AR platform rifle. Have a spare lower but no upper.

Buy a dedicated upper or just go out and buy a rifle? If buying either, what brand of rifle or upper works for you? Going to put a red or green dot sight on it and just use it for fun.

What say you?

[CSACANNONEER]

I say build one because, it's just the matter of an upper. Most .22lr ARs that are commercially available use modified lowers instead of actual AR lowers.

[ARFrog]

Check out the PSA 22 cal upper. I too had a spare lower and added the PSA upper for a dedicated rifle. Very happy!

Several other threads on this, so check them out to see discussions of bolt hold open, buffer plug, which magazines to use, etc.

[The War Wagon]

Now that I have some actual standard capacity magazines, I'm needing a .22lr AR platform rifle. Have a spare lower but no upper.

Buy a dedicated upper or just go out and buy a rifle?

Dedicated upper. TacSol here - my .22 AR trainer




Shiite hits the fan, you pop 2 pins, swap uppers, and you're in the game with another REAL AR.

[johnk518]

Based on the question, what would you say the top 3 Uppers, Top 3 pre-builts, and top 3 sellers/makers?

Asking for a friend

[dscoduc]

Build it with the exact parts you want on the upper... Anything else and you will likely spend double money replacing those pre-built parts...

Installing a barrel onto an AR upper receiver is stupid simple and requires minimal tools...

Oh, and if you are in the North San Diego Coastal area I would be happy to help - I have all the necessary tools and knowledge.

[k1dude]

I recommend just buying a 22 upper. Palmetto State Armory has some good uppers for around $299. Nordic Components has a good one for around $399. You can get them for less if you wait for a sale.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I shot my nordic 22LR upper this weekend and put 10 shots in one ragged hole at 50 yrds with 4x scope and CCI std vel ammo. So I loaded the new 25 mag and tried again. Only 2 slight flyers in that string - other 23 made one ragged hole. No FTF or FTE with the Black Dog mags and subsonic ammo. That put a smile on my face.

[cokezero]

Build it.
I have an M&P 15-22, it's fun and reliable but everything is polymer and has a lot of proprietary parts.

[ghideon]

What type of mags do you have?

https://arcatch22.com/

I use that mag catch with SW 15-22 mags. Works great.

[Kurgan]

What type of mags do you have?

https://arcatch22.com/

I use that mag catch with SW 15-22 mags. Works great.

20 round Colt and 25 round CMMG.

[357manny]

ahh.. AR-22 is gonna be fun for you!
I already had an AR complete lower, and I bought the tacsol upper + 4 Blackdog mags from a member here. It's a fun plinker.

And the bonus is, my 50rd Blackdog drum just arrived today!



Was a little pricey, but hey, fun times

[LightsOut!]

super fun. either or, doesn't matter.

P.S. does anyone know if a vertical grip is legal for these rimfire rifles?

[Kurgan]

super fun. either or, doesn't matter.

P.S. does anyone know if a vertical grip is legal for these rimfire rifles?

Rimfire, so yes.

[Jimi Jah]

If you have a 5.56 upper you can use a conversion bolt. Those sell for $140. Results will vary. I got lucky with a 1/9 twist non-chrome that shoots .22LR very well.