AR Sponsor
Posted: 7/12/2012 5:46:04 AM EDT
|
Never had either, but I want to start shooting .22 from an AR.
Anyone have experience with both? What are the pros/cons of both? Are there function issues with either? |
Yes.
I built a dedicated .22LR AR, but I can also see the advantage of having a conversion around for use in my other rifles. My dedicated rimfire is as reliable as a ,22LR gets, and it seems the current generation of conversion kits is the same. If it were me, I'd look at what CMMG has. |
| We have had both. Started out with the drop in conversion for my Son. It was alright and it functioned just fine but accurracy was a little lacking in the 1 in 9 barrel we were using it in. We eventually bought a complete CMMG upper with the stainless bolt assembly. Definiltley get the stainless,its a little more money but runs smoother,stays cleaner abd is easier to clean. Though the drop in conversions functioned well for us we are so much happier now that he has the complete upper.. If you have a 1 in 7 twist barrel your accuracy will be even more challenged.. I would whole heartedly suggest a complete upper if financially possible. Goodluck and I am sure others will have further input for you... The mods will move it to the Rimfire section and you should get alot more responses there...Thanks and goodluck with whatever you decide.. You will like the ability to plink with cheap .22 ammo.. Its a hoot..You could also start out with a dropin and if you go the CMMG route you can later use the drop in bolt for a complete dedicated upper you buy or assemble as all you have to do is change the front collar and the bolt assembly can be used in a dedicated upper too. |
|
I've got a Ceiner conversion that I use in a plain A2 20" and it generally eats CCI Mini-mags the best. The bolt needs to be wiped down and hosed down with CLP every couple of hundred rounds or so to keep it running. It is an absolute joy to shoot. The cons are marginal accuracy past 50 yards, time spent finding ammo that will run it consistently, cleaning due to fouling from gas tube, my Ceiner needed to be broke in to wear-in bearing surfaces. I also have a TacSol dedicated upper and it eats CCI Standards or Winchester bulk equally well. It doesn't have a gas tube, so the bolt stays much cleaner than the conversion. The machining quality of the TacSol bolt is also much better than the Ceiner so the bearing surfaces are smoother and less energy is lost to bolt friction. The main draw for the dedicated upper for me was: no gas tube, correct barrel twist for .22LR, threaded end. The CMMG conversions have my eye currently due to their improvements on the Cenier design as well as their reputation for customer service. Edited: missed the pro/con request in OP. |
|
Personal opinion: If your budget allows a CMMG dedicated upper is probably the best path to follow. I considered conversions, .22 AR-type rifles, and the choice for me came back to a dedicated AR upper in .22 cal. This is the one I finally decided to purchase. http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/18-Government-Profile-22-Upper-wLow-Pro-Railed-Gas-Block-1744 I added all the available options to mine. |
|
Quoted:
I prefer the 22 conversion. The main reason is that I get to train with my actual AR and not another upper. I suppose I could update a 22 upper to be mostly identical to my AR upper but what would I gain, except a lighter wallet. That's what I did, but not just an upper - I built a complete caliber marked .22LR to match my main 5.56 midlength: 
Nothing wrong with a light wallet.
|
|
Big vote for a dedicated upper. Not only do 22 conversions dirty the shit out of your AR, but the twist rate in any 223/556 barreled AR is far less than ideal for a 22.
I frankly can't understand how anyone who has done much research would opt for a 22 conversion kit. Yes, I can understand that cash could be an issue, but with that said, I'd still rather wait a bit and save up the extra few hundred bucks to do it right. JMO |
|
I use a CMMG conversion kit. I don't want to spend twice as much buying two of everything to practice with (ie rail, BUIS, Aimpoint, trigger, ect..). I use mine for drills that go no further than 30yrds. If I was shooting longer distance then I would opt for a dedicated upper.
In the 1/9 twist it is more accurate. I run some 5.56 rounds through it at the end of the range sessions and will run a gas tube cleaner through mine once or twice a year. |
|
It is a judgement call only the shooter can make depending on his/her expectations
I run a old school Ceiner drop in in several different 1/9 bushmaster barrels,a old 1/12 colt chrome lined and a 1/8 stainless that is on my Rock River National match rifle. Against all logic the Bushmaster 1/9 barrels shoot just as accurate as the 1/12 and the most accurate is the RR The Gas tube fouling is just not an issue. I shoot lots and lots of rimfire and it has never caused any problems. My 1/12 upper was built as a semi dedicated rimfire gun with a regular Ceiner and I ran something like 2000 rounds of cheap dirty ammo through it before I ever owned a 5.56 bolt group. I finally tossed a centerfire bolt in it , tossed a single round in a mag and chambered it and let fly expecting the gun would only function in single shot mode untill I blew out the junk in the gas tube. I was surprised when the round ejected and the bolt locked open. Just not an issue . I would advise against putting anything into the gas tube in an effort to "clean it". If anyone is still nervous about this issue get a spare gas tube for your spare parts pile ($12?) but I doubt you are ever going to use it. OK next rumor––CCI plated Mini Mags are reliable and fairly accurate but hardly the only ammo possible.I use them in plate shoot competition because of the reliability factor but any ammo seems to work fine. Some of the conversion drop ins are a bit fussy when brand new but once broken in or polished up they shoot CCI STD or Wolf Target almost as reliable as Mini Mags. Like any other rimfire gun some ammo will shoot better in individual guns but generally standard velocity will be more accurate. Triggers- Rimfire ammo needs a heck of a wack to be reliable .Standard military triggers are fine but some of the match triggers like Jewell don't cut it. RRNM works pretty good and my Giessiel service rifle is also fine. If you are looking for accuracy a better than military grade trigger is a must, I don't run oil on my Ceiner type units, just seems to hold the dirt . After cleaning I hose the whole unit with spray silicone and let it air dry. All the rimfire setups are blowback and they will blast all sorts of crud into the bolt area and down into the trigger area . If you intend on shooting more than several hundred rounds in one range trip I would travel with my cleaning kit. I use Brake cleaner,silicone spray ,a box of Q-tips and a boresnake. I have said many times that anyone who has ARs and doesn't have a rimfire conversion is just not getting full use out of their guns |
AR Sponsor
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.