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.22 conversion kit or dedicated upper?
4/24/2012 9:36:53 AM
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
4/24/2012 9:38:34 AM
As long as you fire a few 5.56/.223 rounds about every 100 22lr you wont plug up the gas system on a conversion kit'd upper.
4/24/2012 9:46:42 AM
Originally Posted By The_Hammer:
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
The 22LR conversion runs off blow back.
I've never seen a REAL problem with leading of the gas system on a regular AR15 barrel. A couple shots of 5.56 blows things out nicely.
The bigger issue is accuracy. Especially with 1:7 twist 5.56 barrels, that's just too much twist for a soft lead unjacketed bullet and accuracy suffers. Plus the bore size for 5.56 is just a hair different, and there's that 2.5" jump for the 22LR bullet as it travels through the 5.56 chamber adapter before it engages the rifling.. these things impact accuracy.
Still, you might try off a simple Ciener or CMMG chamber insert conversion kit in the rig you're running, and upgrade to a dedicated upper (you can order them without the bolt/conversion and just swap out a barrel collar for the chamber insert) if you decide you want to switch to the dedicated upper route.
4/24/2012 10:02:02 AM
Originally Posted By NagOrzo15-1:
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
Thanks for clearing that up.
If you somehow managed to lead up the gas system would the only fix be to replace the gas tube and fsb?
4/24/2012 10:43:29 AM
I wouldn't worry about the leading too much. Just shoot some 5.56 after every range session and you'll be fine.
I use the copper washed bullets. They are supposed to help reduce the fouling.
I use the copper washed bullets. They are supposed to help reduce the fouling.
4/24/2012 12:01:13 PM
I've heard using a .22 conversion kit will decrease the life of your barrel, due to the jump before bullet engages the rifling as was already mentioned. I've got no experience, but it seems plausible.
4/24/2012 12:29:07 PM
I started with the CMMG kit. I was happy with it and it functioned fine. The accuracy was decent in my 1/9 twist barrel. The are two things I don't like about the kit:
1) The 22's are dirty and leave the upper a mess. It takes a while to get things cleaned up before I will put my regular bolt back in. This is probably just me being anal and might not be necessary.
2) I have to adjust my sights when going from 5.56 to 22lr and back. Not a big deal, but I don't like messing with my sights when I have them dialed in.
I ended up buying a dedicated upper as a result. Both of those issues I mentioned are minor and not a show stopper for the kit IMO.
I'm glad I started with the kit because I wasn't sure how much I would like shooting 22's out of an AR. After realizing how much fun it was, I went ahead and bought the dedicated upper. I will probably hold onto the kit so I can slap it in another AR when I can't pry the dedicated upper out of my GF's hands.
1) The 22's are dirty and leave the upper a mess. It takes a while to get things cleaned up before I will put my regular bolt back in. This is probably just me being anal and might not be necessary.
2) I have to adjust my sights when going from 5.56 to 22lr and back. Not a big deal, but I don't like messing with my sights when I have them dialed in.
I ended up buying a dedicated upper as a result. Both of those issues I mentioned are minor and not a show stopper for the kit IMO.
I'm glad I started with the kit because I wasn't sure how much I would like shooting 22's out of an AR. After realizing how much fun it was, I went ahead and bought the dedicated upper. I will probably hold onto the kit so I can slap it in another AR when I can't pry the dedicated upper out of my GF's hands.
4/25/2012 9:26:19 PM
Yep we started out with a CMMG dropin conversion and quickly decided to get the CMMG dedicated upper.We love it..If you can swing a dedicated financially you will be very happy.
4/26/2012 12:01:08 AM
Originally Posted By carbineone1964:
Yep we started out with a CMMG dropin conversion and quickly decided to get the CMMG dedicated upper.We love it..If you can swing a dedicated financially you will be very happy.
Yep we started out with a CMMG dropin conversion and quickly decided to get the CMMG dedicated upper.We love it..If you can swing a dedicated financially you will be very happy.
I have both. The dedicated is, of course, the better way to go. Its not that much more expensive actually as you can find them for $350 and up. The conversions work fine and they won't hurt you firearm. There are many here, myself included, who have run thousands of rounds through their conversions with no issues on their 5.56 rifles.
So, look at your wallet and decide what it can take. The .22 AR concept is a wonderful way to enjoy shooting at a reasonable price. Buy what you feel you can afford and just enjoy it without worry.
4/26/2012 9:43:19 AM
A dedicated upper is tempting, I just really like training with my current set up. Maybe I'm just being a 
about it.
about it.4/26/2012 12:34:01 PM
Originally Posted By The_Hammer:
A dedicated upper is tempting, I just really like training with my current set up. Maybe I'm just being a about it.
A dedicated upper is tempting, I just really like training with my current set up. Maybe I'm just being a
about it.If you get the kit and later decide to go dedicated upper, you can buy the upper minus the bolt.
Like I said before, I went through the same process and ended up with both. I guess I'm a true arfcommer now.
4/26/2012 1:01:08 PM
So the bolt that is used with the conversion kit can be used with the .22 upper?
4/26/2012 1:30:44 PM
You would need a collar to replace the chamber adapter for a dedicted upper
Dave N
Dave N
4/26/2012 1:45:44 PM
Sweet deal! I see a conversion in my near future!
4/26/2012 2:31:57 PM
You will start with a conversion then will realize that you don't like the amount of crap deposited in your upper and lower each time you use it. Everytime you shoot, dirty .22 gases and vaporized lead are blown back through the gas port and land in your receiver. You will also feel the crap blow out the back of the charging handle and into your face. You will also realize that the accuracy sucks ass. After a few months of that, you will realize that you can order a dedicated upper and still use your conversion kit - just swap out the chamber adapter for a collar. A couple months later you will realize that for under $200, you can build a complete lower for your dedicated .22 upper, thus ending up with a dedicated AR in .22LR.
That is what happens to most people who get a conversion and use it with any frequency. My recommendation is to just skip all the BS and get a dedicated rifle in .22LR. It is vastly more fun and practical than trying to make your AR in 5.56 do something it was never intended to do.
ETA - the amount of crud only gets worse if you are running a .22 suppressed.
That is what happens to most people who get a conversion and use it with any frequency. My recommendation is to just skip all the BS and get a dedicated rifle in .22LR. It is vastly more fun and practical than trying to make your AR in 5.56 do something it was never intended to do.
ETA - the amount of crud only gets worse if you are running a .22 suppressed.
4/26/2012 2:53:36 PM
Originally Posted By 1811guy:
You will start with a conversion then will realize that you don't like the amount of crap deposited in your upper and lower each time you use it. Everytime you shoot, dirty .22 gases and vaporized lead are blown back through the gas port and land in your receiver. You will also feel the crap blow out the back of the charging handle and into your face. You will also realize that the accuracy sucks ass. After a few months of that, you will realize that you can order a dedicated upper and still use your conversion kit - just swap out the chamber adapter for a collar. A couple months later you will realize that for under $200, you can build a complete lower for your dedicated .22 upper, thus ending up with a dedicated AR in .22LR.
That is what happens to most people who get a conversion and use it with any frequency. My recommendation is to just skip all the BS and get a dedicated rifle in .22LR. It is vastly more fun and practical than trying to make your AR in 5.56 do something it was never intended to do.
ETA - the amount of crud only gets worse if you are running a .22 suppressed.
You will start with a conversion then will realize that you don't like the amount of crap deposited in your upper and lower each time you use it. Everytime you shoot, dirty .22 gases and vaporized lead are blown back through the gas port and land in your receiver. You will also feel the crap blow out the back of the charging handle and into your face. You will also realize that the accuracy sucks ass. After a few months of that, you will realize that you can order a dedicated upper and still use your conversion kit - just swap out the chamber adapter for a collar. A couple months later you will realize that for under $200, you can build a complete lower for your dedicated .22 upper, thus ending up with a dedicated AR in .22LR.
That is what happens to most people who get a conversion and use it with any frequency. My recommendation is to just skip all the BS and get a dedicated rifle in .22LR. It is vastly more fun and practical than trying to make your AR in 5.56 do something it was never intended to do.
ETA - the amount of crud only gets worse if you are running a .22 suppressed.
Good point. My CMMG dedicated upper has a 1:16 twist, perfect for .22 plinking.
4/26/2012 3:21:12 PM
Originally Posted By 1811guy:
You will start with a conversion then will realize that you don't like the amount of crap deposited in your upper and lower each time you use it. Everytime you shoot, dirty .22 gases and vaporized lead are blown back through the gas port and land in your receiver. You will also feel the crap blow out the back of the charging handle and into your face. You will also realize that the accuracy sucks ass. After a few months of that, you will realize that you can order a dedicated upper and still use your conversion kit - just swap out the chamber adapter for a collar. A couple months later you will realize that for under $200, you can build a complete lower for your dedicated .22 upper, thus ending up with a dedicated AR in .22LR.
That is what happens to most people who get a conversion and use it with any frequency. My recommendation is to just skip all the BS and get a dedicated rifle in .22LR. It is vastly more fun and practical than trying to make your AR in 5.56 do something it was never intended to do.
ETA - the amount of crud only gets worse if you are running a .22 suppressed.
You will start with a conversion then will realize that you don't like the amount of crap deposited in your upper and lower each time you use it. Everytime you shoot, dirty .22 gases and vaporized lead are blown back through the gas port and land in your receiver. You will also feel the crap blow out the back of the charging handle and into your face. You will also realize that the accuracy sucks ass. After a few months of that, you will realize that you can order a dedicated upper and still use your conversion kit - just swap out the chamber adapter for a collar. A couple months later you will realize that for under $200, you can build a complete lower for your dedicated .22 upper, thus ending up with a dedicated AR in .22LR.
That is what happens to most people who get a conversion and use it with any frequency. My recommendation is to just skip all the BS and get a dedicated rifle in .22LR. It is vastly more fun and practical than trying to make your AR in 5.56 do something it was never intended to do.
ETA - the amount of crud only gets worse if you are running a .22 suppressed.
What he said. I ordered my lower yesterday.
4/26/2012 3:35:19 PM
You know what, just screw all of you people! 
Because of you I'm now planning a AR-22 build! 
Because of you I'm now planning a AR-22 build! 4/26/2012 4:09:02 PM
Some people hate the plastic lowers, but I'm using a NFA LW-15 for my dedicated 22 rig and it works great for that. Actually, it works great with my 5.56 uppers too.
4/29/2012 1:54:02 AM
Originally Posted By The_Hammer:
You know what, just screw all of you people! Because of you I'm now planning a AR-22 build!
You know what, just screw all of you people!
Because of you I'm now planning a AR-22 build! Oh yeah, well screw you too, and enjoy your new .22 AR. Be sure to post pics when it is built.
4/29/2012 6:32:32 AM
I went with the conversion kit first and now getting a dedicated upper from CMMG. Probably will get a stripped lower for it too! Enjoy ur build!
4/30/2012 9:16:45 AM
Thanks guys! It's going to be a minute before I get to build it but I'll be sure and post up when I do. I'm thinking the next lower I buy is going to be registered as a SPR and it's going to be wearing a 10.5" suppressed upper
5/2/2012 1:19:39 PM
Originally Posted By NagOrzo15-1:
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
The 22LR conversion runs off blow back.
I've never seen a REAL problem with leading of the gas system on a regular AR15 barrel. A couple shots of 5.56 blows things out nicely.
The bigger issue is accuracy. Especially with 1:7 twist 5.56 barrels, that's just too much twist for a soft lead unjacketed bullet and accuracy suffers. Plus the bore size for 5.56 is just a hair different, and there's that 2.5" jump for the 22LR bullet as it travels through the 5.56 chamber adapter before it engages the rifling.. these things impact accuracy.
Still, you might try off a simple Ciener or CMMG chamber insert conversion kit in the rig you're running, and upgrade to a dedicated upper (you can order them without the bolt/conversion and just swap out a barrel collar for the chamber insert) if you decide you want to switch to the dedicated upper route.
Originally Posted By The_Hammer:
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
The 22LR conversion runs off blow back.
I've never seen a REAL problem with leading of the gas system on a regular AR15 barrel. A couple shots of 5.56 blows things out nicely.
The bigger issue is accuracy. Especially with 1:7 twist 5.56 barrels, that's just too much twist for a soft lead unjacketed bullet and accuracy suffers. Plus the bore size for 5.56 is just a hair different, and there's that 2.5" jump for the 22LR bullet as it travels through the 5.56 chamber adapter before it engages the rifling.. these things impact accuracy.
Still, you might try off a simple Ciener or CMMG chamber insert conversion kit in the rig you're running, and upgrade to a dedicated upper (you can order them without the bolt/conversion and just swap out a barrel collar for the chamber insert) if you decide you want to switch to the dedicated upper route.
Has anyone ever just tack welded a conversion kit in an AR15 .223 upper and made it permanent (I assume the inaccuracy is from movement of the conversion chamber)? The gas tube getting plugeed would not matter in that case, or you could remove it.
I know that sounds extreme, but considering the cost of dedicated 22 LR upper and the fact I have extra inepxensive but functional AR15s in my safe, seems like a viable alternative.
5/2/2012 1:23:10 PM
What would be the purpose of tac welding it in? You have to be able to remove the bcg for cleaning.
Inaccuracy is more of a result from the wrong twist and bore size for a .22LR
Dave N
Inaccuracy is more of a result from the wrong twist and bore size for a .22LR
Dave N
5/2/2012 1:41:42 PM
Originally Posted By _DR:
Has anyone ever just tack welded a conversion kit in an AR15 .223 upper and made it permanent (I assume the inaccuracy is from movement of the conversion chamber)? The gas tube getting plugeed would not matter in that case, or you could remove it.
I know that sounds extreme, but considering the cost of dedicated 22 LR upper and the fact I have extra inepxensive but functional AR15s in my safe, seems like a viable alternative.
Originally Posted By NagOrzo15-1:
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
The 22LR conversion runs off blow back.
I've never seen a REAL problem with leading of the gas system on a regular AR15 barrel. A couple shots of 5.56 blows things out nicely.
The bigger issue is accuracy. Especially with 1:7 twist 5.56 barrels, that's just too much twist for a soft lead unjacketed bullet and accuracy suffers. Plus the bore size for 5.56 is just a hair different, and there's that 2.5" jump for the 22LR bullet as it travels through the 5.56 chamber adapter before it engages the rifling.. these things impact accuracy.
Still, you might try off a simple Ciener or CMMG chamber insert conversion kit in the rig you're running, and upgrade to a dedicated upper (you can order them without the bolt/conversion and just swap out a barrel collar for the chamber insert) if you decide you want to switch to the dedicated upper route.
Originally Posted By The_Hammer:
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
I've been researching .22 conversions kits and have heard about people plugging up the gas systems on their 5.56 uppers. Do the dedicated .22 uppers use a different gas system so you don't plug them up? If not wouldn't you eventually plug them up too? I'd like to be able to use a conversion kit over a dedicated upper so I can continue to build familiarity with my current rig and not go bankrupt lol.
Dedicated 22LR upper uses a barrel actually chambered for 22LR –– there is no gas port nor gas system.
The 22LR conversion runs off blow back.
I've never seen a REAL problem with leading of the gas system on a regular AR15 barrel. A couple shots of 5.56 blows things out nicely.
The bigger issue is accuracy. Especially with 1:7 twist 5.56 barrels, that's just too much twist for a soft lead unjacketed bullet and accuracy suffers. Plus the bore size for 5.56 is just a hair different, and there's that 2.5" jump for the 22LR bullet as it travels through the 5.56 chamber adapter before it engages the rifling.. these things impact accuracy.
Still, you might try off a simple Ciener or CMMG chamber insert conversion kit in the rig you're running, and upgrade to a dedicated upper (you can order them without the bolt/conversion and just swap out a barrel collar for the chamber insert) if you decide you want to switch to the dedicated upper route.
Has anyone ever just tack welded a conversion kit in an AR15 .223 upper and made it permanent (I assume the inaccuracy is from movement of the conversion chamber)? The gas tube getting plugeed would not matter in that case, or you could remove it.
I know that sounds extreme, but considering the cost of dedicated 22 LR upper and the fact I have extra inepxensive but functional AR15s in my safe, seems like a viable alternative.
If you are worried about the movement you can just use one of these: 22 bolt pusher
