Sweet! AR replicas in .22 LR

[xl_target]

A few years ago a company called Umarex USA released a H&K MP5 replica in .22 LR. It went over quite well. Recently two larger companies have put their names on a couple of AR replicas in .22 LR. One marked Colt is manufactured by Walther and distributed by Umarex and another is made and sold by Smith & Wesson. From the reviews that I have been reading, they both seem to be accurate and function well though they seem to be a little picky about their Ammunition. I read somewhere that the Walther barreled Colt has a match chamber and won't run Remington ammo. They both look pretty good except for the magazines. The Colt branded gun is Aluminium and the S&W M&P15-22 is a polymer gun. I went over to Gander Mountain and played with the Colt for a while today. I liked it but Gander is asking $699, which I think is pretty steep for a .22. Cabela's had the S&W for $450 on sale a few weeks ago. Please keep in mind that these are not actual AR uppers and lowers but dedicated .22LR rifles but they will accept .22 LR accessories like sights, lights, lasers, etc. They are also not scaled down but full size replicas. (Photos are from the respective manufacturers sites and if it helps make people aware of their products, I'm sure they would approve.)

The Colt M4 in .22
http://www.colt22rimfire.com


AND


The S&W M&P15-22


Reviews:
Colt:
Here
Here
Here

S&W:
Here
Here
Here

If you check Youtube, there are a number of videos posted featuring both guns.

[MoA]

I know that German Sport Guns is currently selling .22 versions of the MP5, M-16 and AK.
They are a little plastic when you handle them. I have shot the GSG 5 which actually feels nothing like an MP 5.

[HSharief]

I am thinking of getting a 22 upper for my AR. But dedicated 22 uppers are the same price as these new 22s from Colt and S&W so makes me wonder Maybe I'll start with a drop in 22 bolt conversion and build up from there. I'm sure those things are fun and with the price of ammo these days, 22s look more attractive.

[xl_target]

If I already had an AR, I would definitely look for a .22 upper for it. Besides, I have absolutely no use for a rifle chambered in 5.56. Too big for squirrel and too small for deer (I'll probably get some heat for this ). For home defense, I'd rather use a shotgun. The only use I would have for it would be punching paper. In 5.56 it would get expensive right now and I don't see ammo prices coming down anytime soon. However, I like the AR configuration. I know it is available in different calibers but it still won't be cheap to fire. In .22 LR though, it would be a blast. I thought about building one from AR parts but I can't justify the expense. One of these two rifles would be perfect.
One thing to remember about the drop in bolt kits is that the bore on an AR chambered in 5.56 is larger than that of a standard .22 rifle (.224 vs .223). The rifling rate of twist is incorrect for the .22 LR cartridge. The .22 LR bullet has to travel a certain before it engages the rifling in a 5.56 barrel. None of these will allow for good accuracy, probably not out past 50 yds.

[xl_target]

It looks like Ruger has joined the bandwagon, mating the ever reliable 10/22 with an AR-15 type of housing. It doesn't look as close to the real thing as the Colt and S&W offerings but there should be no questions about the reliability or accuracy of the firearm. MSRP is $625. A factory Ruger SR-556 / Mini-14 flash suppressor is installed.

The Ruger SR-22

image from the review at: The Firearm Blog

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]


Here are the specifications: http://www.ruger.com/SR22/pdf/SpecSheet.pdf

Of course one could purchase the "Archangel Advanced rimfire system for the 10/22" and do it yourself. ($189)
OR
the Nordic Components Ruger AR22 Receiver Stock Kit if you have an existing 10/22 ($224). This will allow the use of your choice of butt stock, free float forearm tube and hand grip. It's a little bit more expensive going this route.


Another review with a good video is here: http://www.downrange.tv/blog/?p=768

[chiranjeev singh]

is there anyone selling this in india plzzzz let me know through pm

[MoA]

My experience is limited to the GSG 5 and the M-16 from Colt.
They are fun. Accuracy.. minute of barn.
Ammo.. forget using .22LR Standard. You do need a MiniMag at the very least to cycle the bolt reliably. Unfortunately Minimag is 3x the price of std. And it is the reason that many of them are available on the market from owners who have shot maybe 1K rounds.. and realise you could shoot the real thing reloading youself cheaper.
Do I want one.. Yes. Will I buy one.. No. I refuse to pay about 120 euros for shooting 1 K rounds .22 when I could shoot about the same in 9 mm or .223 in the full blown versions.

[xl_target]

. I refuse to pay about 120 euros for shooting 1 K rounds .22 when I could shoot about the same in 9 mm or .223 in the full blown versions.

Wow! I didnt realize that .22 LR was so expensive in Europe.

Here in the US:
Currently Federal bulk .22 LR ammo is $15.50 for a 550 round carton. ($0.03 per round)
CCI Minimags were about $7.50 per 100 rounds, last time I checked. ($0.075 per round)
Federal Champion 9mm 115 gr FMJ is $9.85 per 50 round box. ($0.197 per round)
The cheapest online .223 that I found was $4.40 per 20 round box (not including shipping) ($0.22 per round)
So its still considerably cheaper to shoot .22 LR in the US, even if you have to use Minimags.


Don't know about the "Colt or the S&W but std .22 LR will function just fine in a 10/22 action which is what the SR22 is.

[dev]

is there anyone selling this in india plzzzz let me know through pm

Please read about the ban on imports and the rest of our gun laws. Semi-auto fall into the pb category.