Need a .22 rifle for a steel challenge match

[melissa5]

There's a club about 30 minutes from me that has .22 steel challenge matches and I will need a .22 rifle. I don't have one, but was thinking about getting an S&W M&P15-22 since I like the AR platform. Does anyone have one and what are your thoughts about it? Also, does anyone compete in steel challenge matches? For the handgun part, I was told that I could use my Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit for my Glock 17.

Edited to add that these aren't sanctioned matches and are just for fun.

[cesande]

LOVE my 15-22... it is a blast and same manual of arms as the AR of course.

Research the loading of the mags and if you get that right it will be a problem free fun plinker.

Never competed but have a red dot from primary arms on it and it really is a hoot and as accurate as I am... which may not say much ! LoL

[Scoundrel]

My 15/22 is my absolute favorite gun! The early models had some feeding issues, and you'll still read about that if you do a Google search, but those issues have long since been solved. Buy a new one and you'll be fine.

I saw the threads about making sure the rounds are staggered, and I did that at first, but then starting ignoring it, and never had a problem. I just make sure I only drop the follower down (using the buttons) far enough to load one round at a time, and they stack properly. If you drag the follower down a few inches and start dropping rounds in there a few at a time, they won't stack right and you'll have feed issues. It's really not a big issue at all.

Check out the Black Dog Machine LLC 50-round drum if you want to just shoot and shoot and shoot! (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MAG4141-1.html) Woohoo! I had a little trouble with waxed rounds through mine. Took apart the feed necks and dremeled them out a bit and they've been awesome since. They worked fine with the bulk Federal and Winchester (not waxed) before the dremel work. Now they work fine with the CCI 40-grain Sub-Sonic as well.

I have more than 3000 rounds through mine including the stock magazines and the 50-round drums. The majority of feeding issues have been related to the 50-round drum, which I have since resolved. I think I had three failures to feed out of 2000 rounds through the stock magazines. All three were the Winchester bulk, which has a big flat nose due to the size of the hollow point.

Oh, and you'll want an awesome carry case for it as well: http://www.amazon.com/UTG-Storage-Ad...0562464&sr=8-3
See my range report (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=8437) for a pic of my 15/22 stowed in the UTG case.

If you scroll down far enough there is a pic of the 50-round drum attached.

Can't go wrong with the 15/22. Fantastic gun!

[rholmes69]

Do you already have an AR? If so, buy a .22 AR upper or conversion. IF not, but an AR lower desiged to shoot .223/5.56 and then buy a .22 upper for it.

You can find complete AR uppers for .22 for about $350-400. A CMMG or similar conversion is about $150 for a standard .223/5.56 upper. Your lower can be built to suit, but a complete lower can be had built for not much over $200 if you search, $250 with Magpul furniture...

[Scoundrel]

No offense, rholmes69, but why spend that much money and turn an AR-15 into a .22, when you can get a complete 15/22 for $400, which is lighter, and optimized for its purpose? Plus, then you have two guns.

[edit: $400 is optimistic - with tax/ffl you're probably closer to $500 - still a good value]

[melissa5]

Thanks guys! The 15-22 sounds like a good choice then.

Cesande, I also have a Primary Arms red dot on my Kel-Tec Sub 2000 that I will try on the 15-22.

That's a great range report, Scoundrel.

I've got a Daniel Defense AR-15 and have used a conversion kit in it before. It was OK, but I think I would like a .22 upper or a whole .22 rifle.

[Scoundrel]

Thanks guys! The 15-22 sounds like a good choice then.

Cesande, I also have a Primary Arms red dot on my Kel-Tec Sub 2000 that I will try on the 15-22.

That's a great range report, Scoundrel.

You're most welcome, and thank you for reading my range report! I probably rambled on a bit much there, but I was excited.

When you get yours, please post your results, and if you remember, PM me so I don't miss it!

I try not to push my preferences on other people excessively, but I have a LOT of positive energy about the 15/22. I hope you like yours as much as I like mine.

[melissa5]

[edit: $400 is optimistic - with tax/ffl you're probably closer to $500 - still a good value]

My range is selling me one for $359 out the door.

[Scoundrel]

My range is selling me one for $359 out the door.

grumble grumble

[CJB]

I dunno the match, but... I'm stuck on the 10/22... got three of 'em. Got an AR-conversion (Colt), it shoots ok, dependable... but not accurate like the 10/22. The key with the conversion is the .223 vs .221 bore I suppose.