Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires AR styled .22 rifle opinions

Anyone care to comment or share opinions on AR looking 22 rifles. My yongest son really wants one for Christmas. I have no experience with them and am looking for recommendations. Mossberg, Colt, and SW are the brands I'm considering so far.

The S&W is the one to get. Manual of arms the same as a real AR (bolt locks to the rear). Mine is minute of squirrel accurate, has yet to malfunction. Most malfunctions I've read about were attributed to lazy loading, IE, not getting the cartridge rims properly stacked.

The Smith 1522 is the way to go. Only problem I can see is that he'll be bugging you for a "big brother" in a centerfire caliber for it in the future. I speak from personal experience....I bought the 1522 and six months later, I was looking for "real" black rifle. One cool thing about the 1522 is that it can use any small pin AR trigger.

lissen to these guys....

I was leaning the SW way based on limited internet research. Needed some opinions from those who have handled them. Thanks, looks like I'll be ordering the Smith Monday.

I prefer the 15-22 to the colt/umarex, ruger fake, or mossy wannabe..


They dress up good, too.....

I wish S&W would consider a model with a standard handguard instead of the current Picatinney setup. Everytime I pick one up, I'm reminded of a cheeze grater.

I suppose you can put covers on the rails, but then you increase the diameter to the point that many people may find it too big for comfort.

Other than that, the S&W is the way to go.

I forgot about that and I shouldn't have 'cause I put a JARD in mine. About 4.5# now. Also mine really likes Wolf Match.

My 11 year old was going to pick up a semi-auto with his money (had bolt guns for the last 7 years). We looked at the S&W, Colt, Rugers AR wannabe, and the Sig (the Mossberg wasn't out yet)...He liked the Sig most, but it was too heavy for him, liked the weight of the S&W but didn't care for the sharp edges of the forend, the Ruger is just a 10-22 in a different shell, the colt had several bad reviews over on rimfire central. Ended up getting a Ruger 10-22 compact, fits him perfect, no cheese grater forend and can alter it till his wallet is empty, 25 round magazines available...Loves it...I know, I know it's not an AR But it flies his kite...YMMV!

Jerry

I have the Colt/Umarex. were I to do it again, I'd buy the Smith. The Colt is extremely finicky with the ammo you feed it, has a light firing pin strike, and does not have the same manual of arms as the M4. It's also a pain to clean. But, it's accurate enough for squirrels at 50 yds.

I bought a Sig last year. So far have run about 1,200 rounds through it. Never cleaned it yet and have never suffered a failure to feed, eject or fire.
Decent trigger pull, decent accuracy, and just a hair over $400.
Good rifle, and the only AR type .22 I have tried.

I've been thinking about getting one of these 22's also. Am strongly leaning towards the S&W because it most closely copies the real deal and most of what you hear is positive.

I'm thinking about getting my 11yr old a S&W for Christmas also. The question I have, "is the threaded barrel worth the extra $$$?" I don't think he'll be needing a suppressor anytime soon but maybe in years to come. I've never used a suppressor and I know it's somewhat of a hassel to purchase one.

Mossberg has a Tactical 22. I paid $270 Canadian. Just got it as I picked up 2 for my nephews and decided to get one for me!!! My Xmas present to myself.

Alot of plastic, but for the looks and cheap fun, why not.

Get the threaded muzzle. I refused to buy one until they came out with it. Get yourself a little Gemtech Alpine to go with it down the road. Tons of fun and a very useful tool. I've killed dillas, eliminated birds harrasing nesting bluebirds, squirrels etc. Neighboors haven't a clue.

anouther S&W vote here

CCMG offers a complete 22lr rifle with the same lower they use for their 5.56mm rifles. Cost is around $550 without sights, but you have the option of adding/switching a center fire upper of your choice down the road.

I have two of the S&W 22 rifles and they are a blast to shoot!! I have had no problems with either of them and they are plenty accurate.Cant wait to get them out again with my son !

One more S&W vote. It might just be my absolute favorite firearm. Keep it clean and it will never fail. I have around 1500 rounds through mine, probably have 3-4k through it by spring. I love the fact that it functions and takes down just like an AR and the accuracy is good enough to consistently hit the 200 yd gong.

Is everyone shooting iron sights or scoped and what scope do recommend if any.