.22LR practice for 5.56: AR-22 vs. other?

[marklbucla]

I'm a major proponent for the use of .22LR conversion kits to practice the trigger pull and sight picture. I shoot much better than I would without having had the benefit of throwing thousands of rounds through my Marvel and Kadet conversion kits.

Obviously, a .22LR conversion kit in the same platform (provided that it actually works ) would be better than shooting some other .22LR gun, but the question is, is how much better is it if I want practice for the AR platform?

Can a Marlin 60 or some other random .22LR rifle with similar optics on it help my accuracy on the 5.56 AR anywhere near the way an AR-22 would? I'm not really worried about manual of arms and doing malfunction drills, etc., just simply my ability to put the hole in the paper where I want it.

[JeePerz]

What do you want to practice!?

If it's proper form (trigger control, sight alignment, breathing ...) then go for a "random" .22 lr ...

If it's dynamic movement and ergonomics (how I can move, what can't I do, what will I need to do if it fails on me ...) then go for the AR-22 or any other AR-clone .22 lr ... Eventually you will be able to integrate all the skills relative to the "proper form" into it later once you figure out what/how to do things with the clone.

Regards,
JP

PS: Also think about developing "good" habits, like cycling the bolt back instead of banging on the side -bolt release- of your rifle ... so on so forth ...

[marklbucla]

If it's proper form (trigger control, sight alignment, breathing ...)

Yeah, pretty much. Everything from bottom up.

[pennys dad]

So an AR-22 will likely give you the best weight to weight ratio since you dedicated lower and upper will roughly weigh the same, but it will cost bucks. If weight like comparison isnt that important I would suggest an AR like tacticool rifle like the M&P 15-22 or the Colt 22lr. Just a thought

[fourXfour]

I would suggest the 15-22, the bolt release functions just like a standard AR (just in case you like to bang on it).

It's not just about accuracy. .22's let you work on your weapon manipulation skills. Speed reloads, tac reloads and malfunction drills can easily be duplicated.

[Hispeed1]

So an AR-22 will likely give you the best weight to weight ratio since you dedicated lower and upper will roughly weigh the same, but it will cost bucks. If weight like comparison isnt that important I would suggest an AR like tacticool rifle like the M&P 15-22 or the Colt 22lr. Just a thought

If you want AR-15 manual of arms, go with the S&W MP 15-22. The bolt catch works, etc. On the Walther/Colt M4-basically you just have a .22 shooter, the bolt catch doesn't work, etc.

[DavidRSA]

cycling the bolt?

What do you want to practice!?
PS: Also think about developing "good" habits, like cycling the bolt back instead of banging on the side -bolt release- of your rifle ... so on so forth ...

Can you please elaborate...what does this mean?

[JeePerz]

Some AR platform users will make abundant use of the bolt release "lever" which works fine ... until you get some sand, twig, gravel, clothing fibers ... whatever ... caught behind it. That's when -under stressful situations- you will see them banging the *censored* out of their rifles trying to make it work.

Foul language and wild movements generally accompany that ritual which makes for a target of opportunity by any standards.

However, if one develops the healthy -and life preserving- habit of just pulling back on the charging handle ... then you've just solved one major dysfunction.

That is just one of many deformities people tend to mold into while "casually" shooting at a range that can turn the table around in less-hospitable situations.

That being said I'm not the certified / recognized / super-super expert ... But I'm still alive so what I was thought works!

Regards,
JP

[caoboy]

The way you worded your post, I'd say you either need a dedicated .22 upper, with the same accessories/length as your 5.56 upper. That will give you the same weight/sights/problems as your more expensive lead throwing machine.

It'll cost the same as a clone, so why not?

Also, if you are just looking for trigger time, then any .22 will do, unless you are planning on training for the bigger gun, which you really need to have the same setup.