What .22lr AR rifles use a standard lower?

[diverdman]

Originally Posted by tjNOVA

Hi! I'm new to ARs - I'd like to purchase a .22lr AR, and I was thinking it would be great and cost effective if I could buy a complete .22lr AR that I could later convert to .223/5.56, either with a new upper, or (even better) by replacing the BCG and magazines.

I shot a S&W M&P 15-22 yesterday and loved it, but I know these don't accept standard AR uppers. I would be using it as a .22 for cheap/fun plinking/range shooting, and to get my wife into shooting (she shoots my 9mm XD(m), but is a little intimidated by the recoil). My local range does not allow rifle calibers. I would use 5.56 for range shooting and 3gun. If I got the 5.56 and decided I loved it, I'd probably build a higher quality rifle in the future.

My questions:
Is there a complete rifle similar to the M&P 15-22 (hopefully in that price range) which I could later convert to .223/5.56 by replacing the BCG/magazine, similar to how you would convert a .223/5.56 to fire .22lr?

Is there a complete rifle similar to the M&P 15-22 (hopefully in that price range) that I could later convert to a .223/5.56 by replacing the upper/magazine?

Is this whole idea dumb? Would I be better off buying the .22 AR now, and a totally different .223/5.56 rifle later? If so, why?

Please be patient if I asked a completely ridiculous question (I'm really new to ARs)! Thank you for your help!

I know this is a late respond but a S&W M&P 15-22 cannot change upper recievers. Ive looked into it and it does not have a bolt buffer and the specs to change out the upper is to tight. Ive tried this at my work and it was a no go. SOrry bud

[diverdman]

Originally Posted by tjNOVA

Hi! I'm new to ARs - I'd like to purchase a .22lr AR, and I was thinking it would be great and cost effective if I could buy a complete .22lr AR that I could later convert to .223/5.56, either with a new upper, or (even better) by replacing the BCG and magazines.

I shot a S&W M&P 15-22 yesterday and loved it, but I know these don't accept standard AR uppers. I would be using it as a .22 for cheap/fun plinking/range shooting, and to get my wife into shooting (she shoots my 9mm XD(m), but is a little intimidated by the recoil). My local range does not allow rifle calibers. I would use 5.56 for range shooting and 3gun. If I got the 5.56 and decided I loved it, I'd probably build a higher quality rifle in the future.

My questions:
Is there a complete rifle similar to the M&P 15-22 (hopefully in that price range) which I could later convert to .223/5.56 by replacing the BCG/magazine, similar to how you would convert a .223/5.56 to fire .22lr?

Is there a complete rifle similar to the M&P 15-22 (hopefully in that price range) that I could later convert to a .223/5.56 by replacing the upper/magazine?

Is this whole idea dumb? Would I be better off buying the .22 AR now, and a totally different .223/5.56 rifle later? If so, why?

Please be patient if I asked a completely ridiculous question (I'm really new to ARs)! Thank you for your help!

The M&P 15-22 cannot change out to a new 5.56 receiver, the specs are to tight not allowing a new receiver for a 5.56. Plus the 15-22 doesnt have a recoil buffer installed. I know this cause i work at a gun store and tried to do put a 5.56 receiver on the 15-22 and it doesnt work. Sorry bud for the late respond

[diverdman]

sorry for the double post

[saluki6589]

^+1 on the New Frontier lower!

I have the New Frontier lower ($99 from Upstate Armory on GB) and got the CMMG dedicated Evolution upper ($376) from Primary Arms. I've run close 3000 rds of 22LR through the combination without a hiccup. The lower FCG doesn't show signs of excessive wear. I have also used the New Frontier with one of my 5.56 uppers for about 350 rds. Same results...no hicupps and no signs of excessive wear. I especially like the CMMG upper because it functions as close as you can get to and actual AR action. Cleans up really easy too!

[diverdman]

You could alwasy buy a cheap sport model (no forward assit and no dust cover) and take the bolt out and use a CMMG 5.56/.223 conversion kit that has a .22lr bolt and a .22lr magazine. Cost bout 180 for it depending on store.

[Verna317]

AR's as well, but i feel it would be easier to get a 5.56/.223 and buy the conversion kit for it, so it's just a simple bcg change. That's what I did atleast. Might also be less costly to go that route[img]http://www.afyo*******ht1.jpg[/img][img]http://www.afyo*******jh88.jpg[/img][img]http://www.afyo*******dh3.jpg[/img]

[TCS_XDM]

This 22LR rifle will hold a normal upper. Of course its extremely expensive.

JP Rifles

[Brickboy240]

If you do decide to go the M&P15-22 route...I can tell you from a year of heavily shooting mine that it is one great shooter. Reliable, trouble free and accurate.

-brickboy240

[HTOWN stunna]

my dad bought me a ciener kit back in 05-06 and i used it in all my ars, recently i decided to purchase a dedicated barrel from midway, 90$ with the barrel collar included. slapped my ciener on the collar and bought a cracked upper from a buddy of mine for 20 bucks. so now i have a dedicated upper and can take the ciener bolt and slap on the chamber adapter and still use it on my 5.56/223 uppers also.

[diverdman]

The thing is, unless a .22lr AR is designed to take a .223/5.56 upper receiver, the internals of the .22 lower receiver can be comprimised due to the fact of a 5.56/.223 round is a extreme higher pressure chamber. So unless the manufacturer says that a .22 AR can accept a .223/5.56 upper receiver dont try it.