dedicated upper or just buy the whole darn thing.

[thegrayham]

So I was at my local gun store a few weeks ago and saw the m&p 15-22 and the Sig 522 and decided I really wanted a tacti-cool 22. Now i didn't have the cash in my pocket that day so I went home to read online all about the various options. The next week when I went back, they had a deal on Ar stripped lowers. $89 a piece with a minimum of 2. Thinking I have always wanted to build an AR, I figured now is the time to get started. So I throw down and purchase 2 brand new JD machine lowers. Now while doing the 10 day wait thing i have been pricing out everything from stocks to lower parts kits. I have come up with the idea that i should build one of the two into a dedicated 22. Here is my dilemma: I cannot figure out how to build a decent dedicated 22 for less than 700 bucks. This seems crazy considering I can buy a complete 522 swat or M&P 15-22 for way less. but then again this will be all super nice. I just wanted to get peoples opinion on the dedicated 22 Ar vs buying one of the new tacti-cool 22s.

[ke6guj]

it may be cheaper to buy a M&P15-22 or other .22lr that looks like an AR, but it may be worth spending hte extra money for something that you can build up exactly how you want. Do you have an existing 5.56 AR? If not, then you can save money since you can use that one lower with 2 uppers.

[thatsteveguy]

CMMG is now selling a complete .22 cal AR rifle for about $550. You can use the lower receiver for a future centerfire upper too.

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/.22-Evolution-Quebec-A-Rifle-w-Low-Profile-FSB-1503

[thegrayham]

I do not have a 5.56 upper yet, that was the plan for the other lower. Maybe build twins as I get the funds together.

That CMMG complete rifle looks really tempting since thats the upper I planned on using anyway.

In the end I think I am just going to bite the bullet and spend way way too much building my dream, tacti-cool 22

[erratikmind]

When posed with the same question, I opted for the 15-22. For me, it was one of the best decisions, which I have made. However, be warned, my little 15-22 soon turned in to a $1k toy, which isn't all that bad when I consider that my just finished 5.56 cost some 3 times that amount.

Regardless of which option you choose, consider your current budget and your future needs.

[Arteel]

I prefer a real AR pattern rifle chambered in 22lr. This route allows more versatility and you get the solid feel of a real AR, since it is one.

With that said, I just finished my dedicated .22lr. I have a few topless lowers laying around, so I picked up a CMMG upper, rail, and BUIS for a great price. Total invested is just under $600 including the lower.

Note: I threw a 5.56 mag in there just for the photo. I have some BDM mags enroute.

[asme]

Buy or make the whole thing. Bulk packs of .22 really crud up the lower receiver in an AR-15 pattern rifle. Putting a .223 upper on a lower you're just fired .22 through is like putting on soiled underpants.

[wsmc27]

Buy or make the whole thing. Bulk packs of .22 really crud up the lower receiver in an AR-15 pattern rifle. Putting a .223 upper on a lower you're just fired .22 through is like putting on soiled underpants.

[usmcchet9296]

I have a complete Spikes AR22 and love it. I also have an older pre-ban Bushmaster and like the fact I have 2 complete rifles. If I were you id get a complete AR CCMG looks promising and definately less money than I spent on my Spike. My friend has a SIG and its great but Im an AR guy.

[thegrayham]

Arteel I must say that thing is a real beauty. I think with the fact that I plan on keeping this thing a while and shooting the crap out of it while learning how to handle a real AR.

[brassburnz]

I've been holding off on the CMMG until I get more feedback from owners. We need a range report as soon as the BMD's arrive. If it's going to take a while, let me know and I'll let you borrow mine.

I prefer a real AR pattern rifle chambered in 22lr. This route allows more versatility and you get the solid feel of a real AR, since it is one.

With that said, I just finished my dedicated .22lr. I have a few topless lowers laying around, so I picked up a CMMG upper, rail, and BUIS for a great price. Total invested is just under $600 including the lower.

Note: I threw a 5.56 mag in there just for the photo. I have some BDM mags enroute.

[SKSer]

not to de-rail the train or anything, but you could just build a regular centerfire and get the conversion kit. If I didnt have a real AR yet I would build that first. You mentioned you allready bought your lowers, you can put a centerfire together for another $465.00:

http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt101.htm

and then buy the conversion kit for another $175.00

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27008/Product/CMMG_AR_15_M16__22_LR_CONVERSION_KIT

So for $640.00 you could have 2 guns the REAL thing and a centerfire.

I have just the conversion kit and I use it in my AR with 1:9 twist barrel and it is still a blast. Some will say it is innacurate in a 1:9, but it just depends on what you are looking to get out of it. I find the accuracy just fine for plinking. at 25 yards it will shoot about 2" groups, at 50 its about 3-4" groups and at 100 yards its about 5-6" groups, for me it aint no different then a 10/22.

For me i dont think i would ever in a million years waste money on a .22-only AR, thats like buying a 4 cylinder camaro with racing stripes.

[IDPA4U]

I have a Spikes dedicated 22LR setup and a M&P 15-22. The Spikes shoots incredibly accurately, feels like a menacing piece of machinery,and was built to my exact specifications. I love it.
That being said, when I took both to the range last week, I put five times the amount of ammo down the M&P's barrel and found myself asking: did I really need to spend 3 times the money on the dedicated 22 AR? Should I sell this thing and buy a new toy?

For me I love that the M&P has the same controls as a centerfire AR15. To my knowledge most if not all dedicated uppers do not have a working bolt catch/release which makes reloading a little clunky vs the M&P 15's reloads which are lightening fast (way more fun IMHO especially when neutered with 10 round mags). With its match grade barrel it can keep 10 rounds in a dime at 25 yards and I've shot 1000s of rounds without a malfunction.
I'm seriously considering selling the 22 upper... just can't bring myself to do it yet. Its a thing of beauty.

[usmcchet9296]

not to de-rail the train or anything, but you could just build a regular centerfire and get the conversion kit. If I didnt have a real AR yet I would build that first. You mentioned you allready bought your lowers, you can put a centerfire together for another $465.00:

http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt101.htm

and then buy the conversion kit for another $175.00

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27008/Product/CMMG_AR_15_M16__22_LR_CONVERSION_KIT

So for $640.00 you could have 2 guns the REAL thing and a centerfire.

I have just the conversion kit and I use it in my AR with 1:9 twist barrel and it is still a blast. Some will say it is innacurate in a 1:9, but it just depends on what you are looking to get out of it. I find the accuracy just fine for plinking. at 25 yards it will shoot about 2" groups, at 50 its about 3-4" groups and at 100 yards its about 5-6" groups, for me it aint no different then a 10/22.

For me i dont think i would ever in a million years waste money on a .22-only AR, thats like buying a 4 cylinder camaro with racing stripes.

The rate of twist on a .223/5.56 barrel is not correct for a .22 and then consider that the bullet has to "jump" almost 2 inches through the conversion kit to hit rifleing I would go for a dedicated upper. If money is the issue get one lower and 2 uppers. Yeah its money in tight times but I shoot my AR22 every time I go to the range and my son thinks it Modern Warfare cool

[wsmc27]

<snip>

For me I love that the M&P has the same controls as a centerfire AR15. To my knowledge most if not all dedicated uppers do not have a working bolt catch/release which makes reloading a little clunky vs the M&P 15's reloads which are lightening fast (way more fun IMHO especially when neutered with 10 round mags). With its match grade barrel it can keep 10 rounds in a dime at 25 yards and I've shot 1000s of rounds without a malfunction.
<snip>