Which one to get?

[retired]

I've been reading the threads in this forum for the last few months on the Colt, GSG5, S&W M&P 15-22 and the Sig 522. It seems like for every 10 posts about how good they are and how people love them, there are just as many from those reporting various problems with them.

Yes, I've read how there have been some fixes and how some of the companies take care of you really well (S&W for one).

With all of that, I have no idea which one to get. Even with the fixes, there are something inherent things I don't like about each.

The Colt: Difficult to clean and the bolt is fake (I think that's right).

GSG5: Made out of pot metal.

S&W: Mags are hard to obtain and even with the new blue spring, some are having feeding problems. Wish that it had the muzzle break on it. (I know a new one is supposed to, but don't know if it out and the cost.

Sig: Fugly and heavy IMO. Lack of sights, which IMO, is unacceptable at this price point. That said, I've read a lot of good things about it.

I will be working the Calgun booth at Raahauge's gun show this Sat. (June 5) and will also be seeing the show. I'm hoping these rifles will be on sale, but I really don't know which one to get. I know many of you have one or the other and some of you have a couple of them and some even all.

Any input would be appreciated before Sat. Thanks. (I don't want any other model, I have a new Marlin 795 for the grandkids, this will be for me).

[dakewlndn]

Look into the 15-22 MOE edition (thats what I would buy), Easy to clean, nice and light (which helps when you start adding accessories). You just have to flip a coin and see if you got a good or bad one (which I had) then after Smitty takes care of you BAM!! It will perform flawlessly.
Plus you can install AR15 Trigger upgrades for that will work in the 15-22. BTW all the newer 15-22 models have the Flash Hiders on them now.

COLTs 22lr is nice too,I almost bought it til I saw that it had a slightly more intense internals. A pain when cleaning compared to the MP 15-22. Bolt Catch also is a turn off but other than that I would have bought it.

Sig 522 is very nice rifle after you get past the Fugly part of the gun. By far the one with the least amount of problems. The Sig 522 SWAT seems to be a bit more easy on the eyes.

GSG is the one I wanna get so Im also looking into the pros and Cons

You should also look into the new 22lr SCAR thats coming out. We shall see if its also has problems that seem to be common in most Tacticool 22's

If I had the cash I would buy them all regardless of the downsides.
Im sure they all have Fun Factors that are fantastic.

Goodluck with your choice

Heres a Pic of my Talo 15-22 in LaRue's UDE clothing and a BELTFED Barrel Shroud.




BTW I love my 15-22 and no buyers remorse here!

[valkylrie]

I had the same problems. I settled on a 15-22 which I freed from Jail yesterday. I plan on going to the range this weekend and Ill let you know how that went. If your close to deciding perhaps this might help save some cash:

http://www.bloodydecks.com/big5promo/

[wsmc27]

<snip>

S&W: Mags are hard to obtain and even with the new blue spring, some are having feeding problems. Wish that it had the muzzle break on it. (I know a new one is supposed to, but don't know if it out and the cost.
<snip>

Some dealers at the gun show at Del Mar had the model with the a flash hider (don't think it was a brake for a .22?). Whichever, there was something on the end of the same 16" barrel. Their price was a little higher then my local gun shop where we got ours for $450 something with our member discount (ya plus tax n' dros). Like 525 or so iirc at the gun show, though I imagine they'd add tax and dros fees?

NO PROB getting mags, the gun show had several vendors with the 10/25 CA compliant ones at $17.99 (and Discount Gun Mart in Santee had them as well when I asked a few weeks ago). Anyway, there were piles n' piles of S&W mags available (the 10 round 25-look CA models).

We have had little to no prob with ours. Maybe 3 or 4 ejection failures in a 1000rds now.

We also like that the controls are the exact same location and function as on our AR, so when "junior" graduates to .223 he will be very very comfortable during operation. He loves the 15-22.

btw, it is the "bolt catch" that is fake/non-op on the Colt/Umarex .22 (not the bolt).

Before someone starts the flame wars which seem to go on in the rimfire section...I do think ALL those rifles are pretty cool. OP, Good questions for review, they all have their pros n' cons.

HAve FUN whatever you choose.

[Ladyfox]

If you decide to go with a 15-22 there are several things to keep in mind:

a. Ammo - There are some brands of ammo that this rifle absolutely WILL NOT function with. A lot of the OOB or FTE issues are due to this and the earlier manuals failing to state what brands to stay away from. If you want less picky in your rifle look to the others so we can avoid another "%&*# rifle will not shoot Remington?! POS I HATE S&W..." threads that pop up.

b. Reliability - There are quite a few Gen1 models out there on store shelves that have a good chance of experiencing either magazine related (read: orange magazines), extractor related, or both. HOWEVER, you will not know if your rifle suffers from this until you actually try so do not do what others have done and just package the rifle off without shooting it.

For identification you can tell the difference by looking at the color of the spring on the bottom of the bolt with Gen2 models showing blue-colored springs. So if you happen to get one of these and have issues do be patient with the person on the phone and know that sending it back for repair and updating will take about a week or two round-trip.

c. Accessories - If you're looking for 10/22 level of upgrades look elsewhere. No aftermarket barrels are available but grips, optics and mil-spec AR stocks will work normally. Magazine availability is quite good if you are willing to put some effort into it for the 10/25 magazines and they now offer 10/10 short magazines directly from S&W.

As long as you keep these limitations in mind, and do not expect CZ 452 accuracy, you will love your rifle as much as a lot of us current 15-22 owners do.

[cgseanp1]

The sig 522 Swat doesn't seem to look any worse than the other options. I agree, the "classic" isn't the best looking.

[Lex]

I just came back from an indoor range with my Sig522. Shooting at 25 yards I was able to group 1/2" MOA. I shot about 250 rounds and only ONE bullet didnt fire. I reload again with the same bullet and it fired the second time. It was the bullet issue. No ejection problem at all. I was using Federal Bulk 550. I was at the same crossroad few weeks ago. I like the S&W but it doesnt come with threaded barrel.

[wsmc27]

I just came back from an indoor range with my Sig522. Shooting at 25 yards I was able to group 1/2" MOA. I shot about 250 rounds and only ONE bullet didnt fire. I reload again with the same bullet and it fired the second time. It was the bullet issue. No ejection problem at all. I was using Federal Bulk 550. I was at the same cross few weeks ago. I like the S&W but it doesnt come with threaded barrel.

Nice!

[cgseanp1]

I've only put about 300 rounds through my 522, but I haven't had any misfires. I used Federal bulk, Winchester bulk and some Remington thunderbolts (I think that's what they are called).

[retired]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone, I appreciate it.

The reason I mentioned the problem with the mags is I had read some posts here they were backordered from S&W and they weren't taking any more until they filled those. These were the 10 round short mags.



Dakewindn, isn't that barrel shroud that thing that goes up?

Your rifle looks pretty cool btw.

[Ladyfox]

I like the S&W but it doesnt come with threaded barrel.

I don't mean to pick on you but where the heck is everyone getting this notion from? I've lost count of how many people I've had to set straight, with one I had to resort to showing him one in person at a local shop, over this.

The ONLY models that shipped threadless were the Gen1 models that went out at the very beginning and still found most often at Big 5 or other chain stores. However, you go to a dedicated shop and chances are you will see the model 811033 which sports the threaded barrel with A1 comp with a 10/25 magazine.

If you want a threaded 15-22 you have to be willing to look for one rather than saying they are nothing but unicorns.

Thanks for all of the replies everyone, I appreciate it.

The reason I mentioned the problem with the mags is I had read some posts here they were backordered from S&W and they weren't taking any more until they filled those. These were the 10 round short mags.

Those actually just went back into stock no more than a few days ago and are still available for order at S&W's website as of just a few minutes ago. How long they stay that way is anyone's guess but if you want 'em they are there.

[retired]

Thank you for that info Ladyfox.

[TNP'R]

i like the sig 522. after doing some research on it. it seems like its the one im going to go for instead of the colt m4/22, i dont think its fugly at all either. its cheaper than the colt and the m&p 15-22 and more reliable. btw what is it with all these mp 15-22 owners they are every where here

[dakewlndn]

Yup the 522 is nice
Try lookin at the SWAT Edition
Id get that version if you like rails and accesories
I was back in forth on the 522 and MP 15-22 also

[Gio]

Sig 522 hands down, does not use proprietary mags unlike the 15-22, it eats just about any .22 it is fed, easy to clean and in a little bit they will all come with the SWAT Rails