Ok by popular demand, I've been coerced into writing a review of my new SW M&P 15-22!
After rebuilding my Ruger 10-22 from a sporter into a full out range target rifle, I recognized I was in the market for a new plinker.
The first thing I considered was buying another Ruger 10-22. After all I have lots of magazines and spare aftermarket parts. Since cheap, used 10-22s are impossible to find, I started looking at new ones. I found that the new 10-22s unless you're buying a high end one, are kind of cheesy. I'm not sure why I think that exactly. Maybe it's the plywood stock or finish that I don't like. Something just bugs me about the new ones. Maybe it's just not the same as the one I've had since I was like 8.
So at that point I started looking at what was out there. The first thing I considered was the new Ruger 22R. After reading several magazine reviews and looking on the internet, the reviews on this were about 50/50. I was able to locate several at Cabelas in the ballpark of $540 (I think). Being the cheap bastard that I am, I decided to keep looking.
Well last weekend at the gun show, I found a new in box Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22. Since I didn't know anything about this interesting firearm, I passed on it and went home. I then proceeded to research it, much the same as I did the Ruger 22R. After several magazine articles, internet forum posts etc, the only bad comment I could find about it, was that someone had gotten a bum magazine (bad spring or something). Also I have had a SW 22A target pistol for many years and after several thousand rounds have never had a problem with it. Needless to say, the next day I went back to the gun show, and was able to pick her up for $480 including Uncle Sam's cut and FFL. Of course I had to purchase a folding fore-grip
New in box, I would give the finish 8/10. There are a few spots (hard to notice unless you're OCD like me) where the finish is a little thin or hazy. Other than that, the adjustable stock, rails, sights etc are 100%.
The basic design is much like a regular AR. The rifle disassembles in seconds. Trigger setup seems similar to an AR also however I have not really looked and compared it in detail. The handle does look to be interchangeable with aftermarket AR as well. I don't think the stock is removable as it seems to be built into the lower receiver.
All and all the rifle is very light (mostly composite material) but still sturdy. It felt like a high end, tactical composite AR not some cheesy piece of plastic. The balance and comfort were A+ also. The rifle definitely felt like a tool you could take into a battle. (even though it's only 22LR LOL.)
Since I'm not a big fan of the block iron sites that came with it, I removed them. This was super easy because they were built to unbolt from the standard AR rail system. This instantly converted the rifle into a flat top! I opted to go with an ATN Ultra Sight.
Ok so here is the part you've all been waiting for....How did it shoot?
WOW. I haven't been excited about shooting something in this long. It only took me 5 shots or so to get the ATN Ultra Sight to plinking accuracy. Holy crap. Although it's really not meant to be a range gun, I am now really curious to take it to the indoor range, throw it in a rest and see what kind of groups it shoots. I had no problem unloading 25 round clips of cheap Wal Mart ammo into soup cans at 25 yards. All rapid fire. The 15-22 was very easy to keep on target, and the Ultra ATN sight made it that much better.
I shot at least 300 rounds of cheap Wal Mart ammo and only had 1 jam. I suspect that it was my fault though not seating the round into the magazine properly. Other than that 1 jam, the gun was flawless even during rapid fire, double and triple taps. The trigger pull was better than what I was expecting but it's nothing special. Also there is no annoying spring sound like real AR's make. This was smooth action designed simular to that of the Ruger 10-22. Tiernan did comment that he though the charing handle should be longer.
The only two complaints are, I wish it came with a 200 round magazine! No really, the only complaint is that the sound is disappointing lol. It sounds like a typical 22. It's kind of a funny to whip out this badass looking battle rifle and for it to chirp like a little cricket.
That being said, this rifle is such an excellent shooter, I know I will enjoy it for many years to come. I would highly recommend it, even if you pay full retail, you won't be disapointed.
Here are the pics (Some of the picks the fore-grip is on backwards lol, it's already been fixed)
Chilling with my SW 22 A, what a sexy pair. Note the factory sights.
ATN Ultra Sight attached
Here's a pic of me blasting away! lol.
After rebuilding my Ruger 10-22 from a sporter into a full out range target rifle, I recognized I was in the market for a new plinker.
The first thing I considered was buying another Ruger 10-22. After all I have lots of magazines and spare aftermarket parts. Since cheap, used 10-22s are impossible to find, I started looking at new ones. I found that the new 10-22s unless you're buying a high end one, are kind of cheesy. I'm not sure why I think that exactly. Maybe it's the plywood stock or finish that I don't like. Something just bugs me about the new ones. Maybe it's just not the same as the one I've had since I was like 8.
So at that point I started looking at what was out there. The first thing I considered was the new Ruger 22R. After reading several magazine reviews and looking on the internet, the reviews on this were about 50/50. I was able to locate several at Cabelas in the ballpark of $540 (I think). Being the cheap bastard that I am, I decided to keep looking.
Well last weekend at the gun show, I found a new in box Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22. Since I didn't know anything about this interesting firearm, I passed on it and went home. I then proceeded to research it, much the same as I did the Ruger 22R. After several magazine articles, internet forum posts etc, the only bad comment I could find about it, was that someone had gotten a bum magazine (bad spring or something). Also I have had a SW 22A target pistol for many years and after several thousand rounds have never had a problem with it. Needless to say, the next day I went back to the gun show, and was able to pick her up for $480 including Uncle Sam's cut and FFL. Of course I had to purchase a folding fore-grip
New in box, I would give the finish 8/10. There are a few spots (hard to notice unless you're OCD like me) where the finish is a little thin or hazy. Other than that, the adjustable stock, rails, sights etc are 100%.
The basic design is much like a regular AR. The rifle disassembles in seconds. Trigger setup seems similar to an AR also however I have not really looked and compared it in detail. The handle does look to be interchangeable with aftermarket AR as well. I don't think the stock is removable as it seems to be built into the lower receiver.
All and all the rifle is very light (mostly composite material) but still sturdy. It felt like a high end, tactical composite AR not some cheesy piece of plastic. The balance and comfort were A+ also. The rifle definitely felt like a tool you could take into a battle. (even though it's only 22LR LOL.)
Since I'm not a big fan of the block iron sites that came with it, I removed them. This was super easy because they were built to unbolt from the standard AR rail system. This instantly converted the rifle into a flat top! I opted to go with an ATN Ultra Sight.
Ok so here is the part you've all been waiting for....How did it shoot?
WOW. I haven't been excited about shooting something in this long. It only took me 5 shots or so to get the ATN Ultra Sight to plinking accuracy. Holy crap. Although it's really not meant to be a range gun, I am now really curious to take it to the indoor range, throw it in a rest and see what kind of groups it shoots. I had no problem unloading 25 round clips of cheap Wal Mart ammo into soup cans at 25 yards. All rapid fire. The 15-22 was very easy to keep on target, and the Ultra ATN sight made it that much better.
I shot at least 300 rounds of cheap Wal Mart ammo and only had 1 jam. I suspect that it was my fault though not seating the round into the magazine properly. Other than that 1 jam, the gun was flawless even during rapid fire, double and triple taps. The trigger pull was better than what I was expecting but it's nothing special. Also there is no annoying spring sound like real AR's make. This was smooth action designed simular to that of the Ruger 10-22. Tiernan did comment that he though the charing handle should be longer.
The only two complaints are, I wish it came with a 200 round magazine! No really, the only complaint is that the sound is disappointing lol. It sounds like a typical 22. It's kind of a funny to whip out this badass looking battle rifle and for it to chirp like a little cricket.
That being said, this rifle is such an excellent shooter, I know I will enjoy it for many years to come. I would highly recommend it, even if you pay full retail, you won't be disapointed.
Here are the pics (Some of the picks the fore-grip is on backwards lol, it's already been fixed
)Chilling with my SW 22 A, what a sexy pair. Note the factory sights.
ATN Ultra Sight attached
Here's a pic of me blasting away! lol.
