Converting AR15 to 22LR

[igot105]

I'm thinking about converting one of my AR15s (chambered in 223/556) to shoot 22LR. I was wondering if I purchased a AR15 22LR conversion kit (22LR bolt and magazines), is my AR considered a rimfire rifle and therefore exempt from the pending AW regulations or is it still a 223/556 AR since that's the stamp on the barrel. My basic question is .... do I need to make it featureless or add a fixed magazine modification, e.g., AR maglock?

[seal20]

This has been talked about a few times. I'm of the belief that if in its current configuration it can only fire .22 rim fire it's a .22 rim fired rifle. A bunch of people will chime in with what's ifs and butts though...

[rustyx]

Well even if the barrel is chambered for 5.56 the bold still is a 22lr only bolt. I've heard of guys that block the buffer so a 5.56 bolt won't work. Or you could always buy a dedicated 22lr barrel with no gas block so even if you were to put a 5.56 bolt in it wouldn't work. Barrels I've seen run about $200

[jdl6mm]

Is this a question aimed at California regulations?

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[skyblue314]

"Well even if the barrel is chambered for 5.56 the bold still is a 22lr only bolt. I've heard of guys that block the buffer so a 5.56 bolt won't work. Or you could always buy a dedicated 22lr barrel with no gas block so even if you were to put a 5.56 bolt in it wouldn't work. Barrels I've seen run about $200"

But you'd still need to buy a 22lr bolt and magazines for another $200, no?

[rustyx]

"Well even if the barrel is chambered for 5.56 the bold still is a 22lr only bolt. I've heard of guys that block the buffer so a 5.56 bolt won't work. Or you could always buy a dedicated 22lr barrel with no gas block so even if you were to put a 5.56 bolt in it wouldn't work. Barrels I've seen run about $200"



But you'd still need to buy a 22lr bolt and magazines for another $200, no?

Yes you would. Was just saying barrels are made and available if you want to be double sure you're compliant.

[17+1]

Probably best idea is to get a dedicated 22LR upper like CMMG if you want to have evil features. Those drop in kits seem to be a bit of a gray area in my opinion with regard to AW laws.

I have a 22LR dedicated upper from CMMG with all the evil features. The upper needed a little stoning and polishing, but it runs great on federal automatch bulk ammo, shoots really well for the most part. I like it because I can still practice with the pistol grip and AR weight and controls.

[wurger]

Dedicated .22LR upper FTW. Drop-in's are a distant second choice.

[heyjerr]

I'm only one person, but my conversion (bolt replacement only, leaving .223 barrel in place) doesn't shoot anywhere near as accurate as a dedicated .22 barrel with proper twist rate. I believe 10/22 uses a 1:16 whereas most AR barrels are 1:7 to 1:9, which would only work for a really heavy .22 bullet.

[SonofWWIIDI]

If you're gonna go .22 conversion, go all the way. Bolt kit and barrel. It will be much more accurate IMO.

Deals can be had if patient. Some years back I got a great deal on a discontinued model from CMMG through midway.

Good luck!

[wpod]

I bought a complete, dedicated .22lr upper. Not a "kit".
Chambered for .22lr only. Every bit as accurate as my 10/22.
Here's the first 200 rounds at 15 yards off-hand:


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[Garand Hunter]

Except for AR Pistols, all AW's are CENTERFIRE, rimfire is not an AW in rifle form, read the regs again. Remove the centerfire BCG and store it no where near the upper and lower. My AR with a CMMG conversion works just great. Again read the statute and the published regs.

Psalm 1

[Jimi Jah]

Some AR barrels do very well with .22LR. Finding one, another story.

Mine is featureless because it could shoot centerfire. That also helps prevent questions.

[SmallShark]

Dedicated upper if you actually gonna shoot it.

[igot105]

BTT