.22 M4 lookalike

[AR15Ndahowse]

Hi I'm trying to create a 22 rimfire M4. was hoping to get some feedback if anyone knows much about doing so. I am new to this and am starting from scratch with a registered lower receiver I got from J&R in livermore, ca. what upper receiver should i be looking to get? barrel? stocks? any info helps

[Mssr. Eleganté]

When you say "registered lower receiver" I'm assuming you just mean a standard unregistered off list AR lower like you can buy at a California gun shop.

I called up Spike's Tactical and ordered one of their dedicated .22LR uppers in M4 configuration. I had to do it by phone because their web site didn't allow me to choose all of the options I wanted. Get the standard A2 front sight and tell them you don't want any handguard at all. That way you can get your own KAC M4 RAS from off of the classified section of Calguns or AR15.com. Spike's took a few dollars off the price because I didn't want handguards. You can also probably find a Matech back up iron sight on the classifieds as well. Then just order any lower parts kit and an M4 style stock from a reputable vendor. Slap it all together and, voila!*



* also throw on that ACOG scope you have sitting in the drawer along with a 5,000 lumen tacticool flashlight in a DD offset mount.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

You can go two ways - either use a standard 5.56 upper receiver with a conversion bolt, or a dedicated .22LR upper. There will be proponents of both methods chiming in shortly, no doubt.

My take on it is this: If you are looking for the best accuracy that you can get, and don't care about or need to be able to convert your upper receiver back and forth between .22LR and 5.56mm, get a dedicated upper. Tactical Solutions, Spike's Tactical and CMMG all make quality uppers, you just have to decide which upper suits your price range. These units get the best accuracy because their barrels are manufactured with a rifling twist rate (1:12) suited for .22LR.

If you are building a rifle that you'd like to be able to convert between the two calibers quickly, don't want to buy two uppers for that purpose, and can be satisfied with less accuracy, consider buying a standard 5.56mm upper receiver and a conversion bolt group. Spike's Tactical and CMMG make this type of unit also, I don't believe that Tactical Solutions does. You will also find units made by Ciener, but you'd be well advised to buy them from a retailer such as Midway as Ciener doesn't know what "customer service" is. Since these units use a 5.56mm barrel, you have a choice of rifling twists. The slower the twist, the better the unit will perform with .22LR, but you'll be restricted to using lighter 5.56mm ammo. Generally, barrels with 1:9 rifling rates will perform reasonably well with both .22LR and 55 grain 5.56mm ammunition, but not so well with the heavier 5.56mm bullets.

Neither the dedicated .22LR uppers or the conversion bolt groups require the standard buffer or spring to be present at all. You can install them if you want, or just buy an M4 style collapsible stock and buffer tube. Obviously, if you intend to fire 5.56mm at any point, you'll want a buffer and spring.

[Hedge]

I just purchased a Franklin Armory 5.56 M4. I didnt want to be throwing away tons of money every time I went to the range so I also got their dedicated upper. Look at it this way, if you get a dedicated upper then you will only need to replace the upper when you want to go to a larger caliber. Yes its a bit more to spend now but it makes more sense in the long run. You really should look into the Franklin Armory upper, I was really impressed with their quality.

Hope this helps.

[shooterdude]

Hi I'm trying to create a 22 rimfire M4. was hoping to get some feedback if anyone knows much about doing so. I am new to this and am starting from scratch with a registered lower receiver I got from J&R in livermore, ca. what upper receiver should i be looking to get? barrel? stocks? any info helps

I did the same thing last year. check out my blog documenting the story.

[SOcal]

I have a Tactical Solutions M4 .22lr dedicated upper on order with Gunkings... I will be sure to do a little write up on it when I get it in! Can't wait!

[BroncoBob]

Here's my spikes

[Hedge]

BroncoBob

What did you use to color the markings on your lower?

[BroncoBob]

BroncoBob

What did you use to color the markings on your lower?

Red model paint and white out.

[Hedge]

Red model paint and white out.

Thanks for the info!

[donw]

i ordered the ST-22 M4 along with the LW 5.56 uppers from Spikes...

[LovingTheYear1911]

Why not just get a umerax colt m4 or a s&w mp 22?

[Hedge]

Why not just get a umerax colt m4 or a s&w mp 22?

The reason that I would shy away from getting one of the M&P's is because the lower is not metal. What happens in 2 years or so when want something different or you want to upgrade? Get something that you will just be able to put a 5.56 upper on and be good to go. Thats what I did with mine. I got a real lower and both a 5.56 and .22 dedicated upper.

I cant honestly say something about umerax as I do not know anything about it.

Just my cents....

[LovingTheYear1911]

I see what youre saying about the polymer S&W and thats one of the reasons why I didnt get it, but picked up the Colt M4 .22 and honestly its been a great gun. No problems and reliable so far. Also its pretty darn close to the real thing.

[Hedge]

I see what youre saying about the polymer S&W and thats one of the reasons why I didnt get it, but picked up the Colt M4 .22 and honestly its been a great gun. No problems and reliable so far. Also its pretty darn close to the real thing.

But can you change the upper and put on a .223 or 5.56? Not being a smartass, just wondering...