.22lr drop in kits in AR platform

[kolbren]

Question for those who have experience with these drop in .22lr kits that CMMG/Stag arms/others make.

Do you need an operating gas system to cycle these kits or will just a plain barrel mounted (no gas blckk or tube) to an upper work?
Will these cycle with 7.5" pistol barrels?

Thanks in advance

[hotrodder636]

Why would you even be trying to run the setup without some form of gas block and tube?

[Onyx Z]

They are recoil operated, so technically, they will work with just about anything, gas tube/block or not. For as much as they cost, you can build a dedicated upper for not much more... waste of money if you ask me.

[kolbren]

I was going to build a .22 pistol upper on a budget. If I didn't need a gb and gt, it would save me a few bucks. I was never going to intend this build to fire 5.56/.223.

[GH41]

I was going to build a .22 pistol upper on a budget. If I didn't need a gb and gt, it would save me a few bucks. I was never going to intend this build to fire 5.56/.223.

What are you going to do with the gas port in the barrel?

[kolbren]

What are you going to do with the gas port in the barrel?

I didn't buy anything yet. I was planning on buying just a stripped barrel.

[hotrodder636]

Good luck...

[MegademiC]

I didn't buy anything yet. I was planning on buying just a stripped barrel.

There is usually still a gas port drilled out. You might be able to tap it, put in a screw to close it off, or maybe place a cheap gas block sideways to block it off.

[Dr Dues]

CMMG makes a "decent" dedicated 22LR barrel for the AR-15 platform.

I have one of their 4.5" barrels and use it with/without a suppressor. It's a fun upper to plink with and my sons have a blast.

I had a well used BCM upper and added the barrel and dedicated 22 unit that they sell. I have the occasional Failure to feed malfunctions with low-end ammo, but with Higher end ammo like WOLF Match Extra It runs very smooth.

I'm still partial to my Ruger 10/22, but this setup is fun!

[kolbren]

CMMG makes a "decent" dedicated 22LR barrel for the AR-15 platform.

I have one of their 4.5" barrels and use it with/without a suppressor. It's a fun upper to plink with and my sons have a blast.

I had a well used BCM upper and added the barrel and dedicated 22 unit that they sell. I have the occasional Failure to feed malfunctions with low-end ammo, but with Higher end ammo like WOLF Match Extra It runs very smooth.

I'm still partial to my Ruger 10/22, but this setup is fun!

I too have a 10/22 which I absolutely love. I was just looking for another fun plinker .22 in the form of a pistol. Didn't want to spend much. Going to look for a used pistol barrel for the build.

[GH41]

I didn't buy anything yet. I was planning on buying just a stripped barrel.

A stripped barrel??? What is a stripped barrel? Stripped of the gas port?

[Adrenaline_6]

Primary Arms just had the full CMMG .22 dedicated uppers on sale for $399. They all went but I managed to grab one before they did. Haven't had a chance to put it through its paces yet, but I picked up the Better Mag adapter so I can run the cheap and reliable 15-22 mags plus have reliable last round BHO and BHO after dropping the mag capability.

Check to see if someone else is having a sale on these.

[Leaveammoforme]

I shot a buddies' kit out of a 7.5 inch piston gun. It ran fine for the 10 shots I fired it. Accuracy sucked but you can't expect much from a .222 projectile running down a .224 bore. I had the piston gas shut off and Op rod removed. I then attempted to turn gas back on and the gas plug was frozen. Had to use pliers to remove the gas plug. My plug had a nice layer of lead on it which was locking it up/in.

Removed kit and will never try again.

[26 Inf]

I built a dedicated 22 training rifle for my daughters using a CMMG barrel, and a blemmed BCM upper. I had a conversion kit that I bought at a very good price - the only problem was that the conversion didn't come with the dedicated barrel collar you need for a dedicated 22 barrel. Another 50.00 and a week or so to get it. It worked fine.

If you are wanting to use a 5.56 barrel and do a pistol build, I'll bet this is the most inexpensive you'll find:

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m23-5-56mm-7-5-barrel-with-ext/ (7.5 inch for 99.95)

With this barrel you'll have to install a cheap gas block and install it sideways or upside down over the gas port to seal it. I found one for under 9.00 on amazon.

The CMMG conversion for this costs 167.00 at: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-CMMG22BA6E1

So if you have the other parts you'll be out 275.00.

CMMG sells a dedicated 22lr barrel with bolt for 299.00 (4.5 inch) or 339.00 (9.0 inch) and you would still need to buy at least one mag ($18.95 to $24.95) (the conversion kit comes with one)

The upside is you'll have a lot more accuracy for $50.00 to $90.00 more.

You'll also want to get an anti-jam charging handle $19.95 no matter which way you go.

[kolbren]

I built a dedicated 22 training rifle for my daughters using a CMMG barrel, and a blemmed BCM upper. I had a conversion kit that I bought at a very good price - the only problem was that the conversion didn't come with the dedicated barrel collar you need for a dedicated 22 barrel. Another 50.00 and a week or so to get it. It worked fine.

If you are wanting to use a 5.56 barrel and do a pistol build, I'll bet this is the most inexpensive you'll find:

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m23-5-56mm-7-5-barrel-with-ext/ (7.5 inch for 99.95)

With this barrel you'll have to install a cheap gas block and install it sideways or upside down over the gas port to seal it. I found one for under 9.00 on amazon.

The CMMG conversion for this costs 167.00 at: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/2-CMMG22BA6E1

So if you have the other parts you'll be out 275.00.

CMMG sells a dedicated 22lr barrel with bolt for 299.00 (4.5 inch) or 339.00 (9.0 inch) and you would still need to buy at least one mag ($18.95 to $24.95) (the conversion kit comes with one)

The upside is you'll have a lot more accuracy for $50.00 to $90.00 more.

You'll also want to get an anti-jam charging handle $19.95 no matter which way you go.

Thanks for the info. I'll be putiing together an upper slowly as funds allow. I figured accuracy wouldn't be the greatest but the fun factor would be. (I'm hoping) lol

[Chunky_Lover]

I have the old spikes tactical drop in 22lr kit
it came with a gas tube blocker thing, I dont even remember what it looks like I got it so long ago
I think you take off the tube, insert the blocker tube into the gas block, but then you cant ever use 223 after that unless you take out the block to me thats too much work

I just run it without the block on a 223 upper
ive found at least on my rifle if I had shot over 500 rounds switching back to 223 wouldnt cycle semi auto
I had to shoot 2-3 223 rounds before it blew out any blockage in the tube
and I had tried to clean the tube with sprays, even compressed air
but that would not clear it like 223 would

is this an issue, not for me
I make it a habit to shoot few rounds of 223 after many rounds of 22lr just to clean it out once in a while



I recently used that same conversion on my 7.5 pistol
works just the same, and just as accurate up to 50 yards
any further I notice some bullet drop, but since its just for messing around its not that critical if its off a little far away

just much cheaper to shoot steel or rocks with 22 then 223 and have fun blasting away and still keep the pistol feel of an ar pistol

[dmcutter]

I have an old, old CMMG kit-it must be close to 20 years old. I have an old A1 style upper I was using as a dedicated .22 upper but recently have been using it in my AR pistol with a dedicated red dot. Runs like a champ although it needs to be run fairly wet to avoid FTFs. Just yank out the bolt carrier group, stick in the CMMG and Black Dog 25 round mags and fire away. Accuracy is excellent to 25 yds which is all as far as I've shot it recently at the indoor range.

[Chunky_Lover]

thats why I like my spikes drop in
has that silver coating on it and barely needs any oil I just put a drop on the rails and thats it
wipes down clean with a rag, but the original spikes I had took a ton of work to make it function
then started to wear away from heavy use so they sent me a newer design few years ago that worked out of the box with no mods to it, totally reliable now

not sure if its that nickel boron coating like my 223 bolt carrier uses looks similar to that