AR15 22lr conversion kit or dedicated upper

[ggroovin]

I have searched and read some post on this forum about conversion kits and uppers but I was hoping to get some help to focus the discussion a little more.

I just bought a built up lower from a member of Calguns with intention of building an AR platform to shoot 22lr and would appreciate experience opinions regarding pros and con of conversion kits vs dedicated 22lr uppers. I am considering Spike Tactical unless there are opinions of better or equally good alternatives to consider.

I am planning to use the 22lr platform for occasional training instead of the 223 to save in ammo cost so reliability is my first priority, reasonable accuracy out to about 50yd second and cost delta between kit and dedicated upper is my last priority.

Thanks in advance

[Suvorov]

Just ordered a CMMG. Got a real good price off of GunBroker for the upper. I will get it next week. I posted the same thing about 2 weeks ago and only got one response so it seems people are keeping tight lipped about them?

I have a conversion kit and while it worked reasonably well, my main issue with it is the fact that it dirties the hell out of my AR. Accuracy and reliability was reasonable with it out to 50 yards (about 2 inch groups).

So I decided to go the dedicated upper route for a couple reasons:
1) not worry about potential damage to my centerfire rifles.
2) not worry about *** weapon laws in regards to the dedicated .22 rifle.
3) get better accuracy out to 100 yards.

[missiondude]

Go dedicated. Has proper twist rate for 22lr, wont fill your gas tube with dirty 22lr debris, sights will not have to be resighted back for 223 after you use the 22lr. I am sure there are other good reasons, but the difference in price between the kit and the upper will be forgotten after a few thousand rounds, which is why you are probably considering the 22lr in the first place...

Those GB deals on the CMMG are great. The seller will give you $20 off the price since he cant send the 30 round mag to Cali.

[Bigballaizm]

I have searched and read some post on this forum about conversion kits and uppers but I was hoping to get some help to focus the discussion a little more.

I just bought a built up lower from a member of Calguns with intention of building an AR platform to shoot 22lr and would appreciate experience opinions regarding pros and con of conversion kits vs dedicated 22lr uppers. I am considering Spike Tactical unless there are opinions of better or equally good alternatives to consider.

I am planning to use the 22lr platform for occasional training instead of the 223 to save in ammo cost so reliability is my first priority, reasonable accuracy out to about 50yd second and cost delta between kit and dedicated upper is my last priority.

Thanks in advance

So whats the cost of conversion kits vs dedicated 22lr uppers?

[sspen003]

Turners had 22lr AR 15's on sale for like 500 bucks. Might be an easy way to go. If I were you though i'd just buy a 10/22 and pimp it out

[dlouie87]

I was in the same boat.... and decided to just go with a dedicated upper.... @ arfcom group buy.

[vf111]

Go dedicated. Has proper twist rate for 22lr, wont fill your gas tube with dirty 22lr debris, sights will not have to be resighted back for 223 after you use the 22lr.

.

Exact reasons why I went w/ a dedicated instead of a conversion. And if you go w/ the Spike's M4 dedicated, their 16" barrels extend into the upper receiver slightly more than a 5.56 barrel and gives the upper a true 14.5" barreled M4 look.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Your parameters match my reasons for selling my Spike's upper and using a conversion kit.

I get the low ammo cost and 4" groups at 100 yards, wind permitting. In addition, I can convert the rifle back to 5.56 by switching bolt groups. The ".22 debris in the gas tube" is a non-issue. After firing several bulk packs through my conversion, I swapped bolt groups and the weapon functioned properly on the first shot.

[3GunFunShooter]

I went with a dedicate upper also, MODEL 1 Sales, and got a Spikes 22LR lower also. My favorite gun now.

[usmcchet9296]

Your parameters match my reasons for selling my Spike's upper and using a conversion kit.

I get the low ammo cost and 4" groups at 100 yards, wind permitting. In addition, I can convert the rifle back to 5.56 by switching bolt groups. The ".22 debris in the gas tube" is a non-issue. After firing several bulk packs through my conversion, I swapped bolt groups and the weapon functioned properly on the first shot.

It all depends on needs, wants, and money. Grumpy Cop has a point but then again of you have the funds I would go with a dedicated upper. Sure its more money, sure its not MOA rifle at distance but if you have the money get a complete upper. I have a Bushmaster AR and a complete Spike upper and lower because I could afford it I went that way.

[ggroovin]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I was leaning towards the dedicated upper but now I am convinced. Seems there are no real negatives to the dedicated upper in comparison to just a conversion kit (which also seems to be pretty good).

I will probably go with Spikes but will look at Gunbroker for the CMMG and compare specs and prices. Does anyone know if either Spike or CMMG dedicated upper include the one piece guide rod upgrades over the e-clip?

Also, does anyone sell California legal 10/30 mags made for 22lrs? I would like to use the same "form factor" i.e. 10/30 mags with this 22lr platform that I use with my .223.

I will order an upper tomorrow. When I get the 22lr platform together I will post pictures and a range report.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate the info.

[Wayneard3413]

I was looking into an upper until I saw Travis rocking a S&W .22 at class last weekend... Thing ran great and when I handled it the thing maybe weighed 4 pounds with an Aimpoint Micro mounted

His was setup as a SBR and he also had a can for it... Thing was scary quiet then

[Flying Bones]

I was looking into an upper until I saw Travis rocking a S&W .22 at class last weekend... Thing ran great and when I handled it the thing maybe weighed 4 pounds with an Aimpoint Micro mounted

His was setup as a SBR and he also had a can for it... Thing was scary quiet then

Where was this???

[spdrcr]

Also, does anyone sell California legal 10/30 mags made for 22lrs? I would like to use the same "form factor" i.e. 10/30 mags with this 22lr platform that I use with my .223.

Black Dog Machine does, or did. I actually just sold 5 of them to someone here on CalGuns.

[jchen76@gmail.com]

I have both. A dedicated .22lr upper and spike's conversion bolt on my ar pistol. The dedicated upper is very accurate, not as accurate as bolt .22, but for plinking at tin cans with a red dot, it can be accurate out to 40 yards.

With the conversion bolt, it's fun on my AR pistol, but not as accurate, maybe 2-3 inch groupings at 25 yards but it's on short upper.

Both run fine on Federal Bulk, tried other ammo, but had numerous FTE.