After trying some different AR pattern .22LR configurations and rifles, this video walks through the most reliable, easiest, best-functioning path to having a .22LR AR15 that works and feels like a regular 5.56 AR15.
Benefits:
Full functionality like your 5.56/.223 AR15.
Bolt hold open works on empty magazine every time.
The M&P15-22 magazines are easy to load.
The CMMG bolt conversion kit is reliable and just plain runs.
Use any standard AR15 part/accessory you want.
All you need:
An upper of your choosing (either your 5.56/.223 upper or a dedicated .22LR AR pattern upper such as one by CMMG or build your own):
A CMMG bolt conversion kit or similar (if you choose to use your 5.56/.223 upper or build your own .22lr dedicated upper):
The Better-Mag adapter:
S&W M&P15-22 magazines or ProMag M&P15-22 magazines (buy a lot, .22LR rifles are just plain fun!)
Optional:
TACCOM Pressure plug:
TACCOM Enhanced Firing Pin:
Shooting demo at the range:
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Great gun. Very good info but best of all you posted the links. Thanks
Darin, were you having malfunctions that the pressure plug resolved?
Wanting to build one. Is there a kit or parts list available ? Where do I start? john. j.a.graham@charter.net
Great video, thanks for telling me about the mag adapter. I'm thinking about the CMMG .22lr conversion kit and my buddy has lots of the 15-22 magazines so I plan on borrowing his for a while then buying some of my own because they are cheaper than the CMMG mags.($25.00 for the 10 or 25 round mags) I also heard that there is a pin in the 10 round CMMG mags that can be removed to make them 25 rounds in free states that allow that. Nice .22lr setup you have. One of the best .22lr AR15's I've seen anywhere. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge with the YT viewers!
Is that a doggy pad???
I have the cmmg drop in kit. I dedicated an old polymer lower that I had laying around and fitted it with the better mag adapter so that I could have the last round hold open and use the excellent 15-22 mags. I picked up a cheap Anderson 5.56 complete upper less BCG for $200. I found a used cmmg kit for $150. So I have about $100 in the better mag and the s&w mags. The complete polymer lower is worth about $100. Picked up some cheap plastic sights on amazon $20 and got a browning reflex sight for $50. I could have bought a S&W 15-22 for about the same and maybe a little less. Consider this though. I have a spare 5.56 rifle to use for parts or as a complete rifle. I ended up getting another 5.56 BCG $100. So how does it shoot? Way better than you would think. With the right ammo it will shoot sub 2 inch groups at 75 yards. I have a 10-22 target that barely does better. I have had no issues with reliability and its so much fun. The 5.56 shoots excellent as well and I have not any any real issues with carbon build up or fouling with federal or CCI. So for about $700 I have 2 rifles in one. The great thing is that it was fun putting it all together and it shoots pretty close to the same in both calibers. I set the reflex sight for 22lr and open sights for 5.56 and co-witness them.
Is the mag-well adapter necessary only if you wanted to run the M&P 15-22 mags? Would CMMG .22LR mags work with a standard 5.56 lower without having to purchase the mag. adapter ?
Taccom 22lr m4 steel barrels are on sale for $105. I couldn't resist. I hope it's a lot more accurate than my 1/7 twist 556 upper. By the way can I live without a pressure plug and ccmg charging handle?
One beautiful rifle man
Also after doing my homework, and talking to a lot of people at the 3 ranges I belong to. Went with JP 22R it's has the most realistic feel and handling of any AR platforms I have ever handled, also went with side charge and that makes a big big difference. Shoots great and has become my favorite new toy, the only ammo that doesn't work is the Winchester M22
I'm glad I found this. I'd like to use a 22lr AR to practice with and replicate my AR-15 as close as possible. I have a RRA flat top with two stage trigger, gas block mounted front flip up sight and flip up rear sight. I also have a red dot that is set so the flip up sights can be used even when the red dot is installed. Am I understanding this right, if I get the CMMG MK4LE OR 22lr upper and the mag well modification I will have what I need? Plus of course the 22lr mags, and 2nd set of flip up sights and red dot sight. Install it into my RRA lower and I'd be good to go. Pop the pins and I'm back to my original 223 AR-15? It's pricey, but sounds like exactly what I want. Thanks
Even better, run a dedicated 5.56 with a .22 conversion + these parts. I used to have the 15-22, sold it to get an AR-15. I got a heavy profile 1/9 RRA. The accuracy of that with the conversion was exactly the same as the 15-22 I had. I run an 18" SPR now with a Vortex 1-4 scope. It's fun to just click up 1.8 MRAD at 50 yards and now I have a zero'd AR-22. Plus i get a soft shooting rifle with my muzzle brake :P.
how much does the setup cost? pretty nice (bad link on the Bolt Conv Kit and firing pin btw)
Great video, but best of all you talk about parts etc. But you also include the links so we don't search aimlessly for the parts needed. Well done my friend. Shoot well, Shoot often, But most of all Shoot Safe. Two Thumbs Up !
Great video I have a mp 15/22 though nice not the same fell or accuracy
Or there are many, many solutions to any sort of situation we encounter in life. 🙂 Do what works best for your situation.
Rubber mat and a towel maybe?
Towels soak through. Spraying brake cleaner to blast away all the gunk is messy stuff.
Dude, towels work great too. Less pollution too.
Thanks for watching!
Hi, thanks for watching.
It was the upper with the A2 sight tower actually, and you are right, I just plain took it off.
Great video. I like the potential of this platform versus a MP15-22. My plan is to build a similar setup (free-float rail). In the video, i think you mentioned that you started out with a CMMG .22 LR AR upper. Was it the model with the receiver height railed gas block or the one with the low profile gas block? I'm guessing that it doesn't really matter if the gas block is non-functional and can be simply removed.
Should be yes to both.
Will the better Mag work on a DPMS oracle 5.56 with a CMMG conversion kit or any CMMG 22lr complete upper?
Fun is an understatement. I have a knights, 2 Daniel defense and a suppressed SBR AK…..but this is what I've been the most excited about in regards to rifles