Why would you get a .22 cal AR?

[DaveN]

What is the purpose of plunking down $1000 for an AR in .22LR? Don't get me wrong, I have some nice .22 cal rifles in semi automatic that are fun to shoot so I guess if you have the bucks it would be something to have for sure. In need of enlightenment.

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[browningautorifle]

No. I'd get the CMMG insert and give'er. I've had both dedicated uppers and just the inserts, (CMMG, Atchisson) and I think it's just fine to have the insert. More to the point. Less space required for storage.

[RCS]

I thought the 22 rim fire inserts work the best in 1X12 twist barrels ? unless you have a 1X14 barrel !

[Stevo]

What is the purpose of plunking down $1000 for an AR in .22LR? Don't get me wrong, I have some nice .22 cal rifles in semi automatic that are fun to shoot so I guess if you have the bucks it would be something to have for sure. In need of enlightenment.

For training or practice without the cost of .223.

A dedicated upper will have the proper twist barrel so it will most likely be more accurate that the drop-in kits.

[Amsdorf]

First, you don't need to spend $1000 to get a .22 AR.
Second, great for training.
Third, cheap ammo.

Next question?

[nhetzer]

I never understood "training" with a .22. Training for what? .223 and .22 are vastly different rounds that perform vastly different. If its just to understand the fundamentals of what happens when you squeeze the trigger then fine I guess. But I've always thought its a little like using a water ballon sling shot for mortar training. No offense all, to each their own.


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[jmoore]

I never understood "training" with a .22. Training for what? .223 and .22 are vastly different rounds that perform vastly different. If its just to understand the fundamentals of what happens when you squeeze the trigger then fine I guess.

And if you neglect the fundamentals the rest doesn't much matter then, does it? In actual fact, due to the low recoil of the 5,56, the .22lr experience isn't that much different. The rimfire's lower velocity means that follow through on each round is more important. Simulated distant targets are easy to fashion due to the faster drop of the rimfire, so learning hold overs or sight changes becomes more natural.

AND, if you run a suppressor, then the rimfire makes for even more realistic training. Put a fake can on the .22 rf to mimic the handling characteristics and noise signature of the suppressed "real" thing.

[browningautorifle]

I'm here to tell you people for a fact the myth about not being able to use your insert in 1/9, 1/7 twist barrels is just that. A proverication. I've personally used the CMMG insert in all these twists and it works fine. It doesn't need 1/12. Besides .22 is actually 1/16 twist isn't it? I don't use ultra fast ammo, whatever Walmart has on special, and it works fine with accuracy.

[Pak75]

I'm not sure what a dedicated .22lr AR goes for in Canada but $1000 is way to much here in the states. For around $550-650 you can get one of the top tier manufactured rifles. About the same price as building a standard AR here. You can get a upper only for $300-500 that will fit your existing lower and takes seconds to switch. I'm planning to get an upper for one of my guns and then build the dedcated lower for it.

Most of the dedicated rifles and upper receivers I've seen are in the 1/16 twist rate that works best for .22lr. The conversion kits originally designed for the early military rifles with the 1/12 twist rifling for the .55gr 5.56mm NATO. Not a lot of difference there. While the .22lr offerings will fire out of a .223 barrel of any twist rate they simply fly better and more accurately out of a dedicated .22lr barrel. If one twist rate worked for all .22 caliber barrels we wouldn't need 1/12, 1/9, 1/8, and 1/7 barrels for the different bullet weights of military 5.56 rifles.

Bottom line for me is that I can put 500 .22lr practice round downrange for the price of 50 rounds of 5.56mm and do it with a platform that is similar to my military rifle. It is also great for new shooters who like the coolness of the AR rifle and they can learn it without ever developing a flinch from the .22lr.

[Johnny Peppers]

I have plenty of places around me that I can fire .22 LR without any problem, but the places I can shoot .223 are very limited. That, plus I find the .22 LR very enjoyable.