Range report and pics: S&W MP15-22

[maximus83]

Got an MP15-22 from Grant, and today was the first trip to the range. I've been wanting a .22 AR for the longest time, but always held off because I kept seeing things I didn't like about the available options. But with the 15-22, it seemed like S&W have hit on something that strikes just the right balance between authentic AR-like operation and controls, affordability, and decent shooting performance.

Details on the Rifle
Seller: G&R Tactical
Price: $480
Model: MP15-22 A1-style Comp (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=760540&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15702&isFirearm=Y)
S&W SKU: 811033
Note: Has 2 features versus standard 15-22
- The A1-style FH
- Milspec threaded barrel

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-12.jpg


Range Summary
Before taking the rifle out, I did a detailed strip/clean/lube. At the range, the rifle performed perfectly. After I got it sighted in, the accuracy was surprising considering the cheap ammo I used (target below).

* Fired 200 rounds Winchester Wildcat .22LR, not a single FTE/FTF, bolt locked back correctly every time on mag empty.

***Note: I find it interesting that the MP15-22 owners manual (p 10), recommends several types of .22LR ammo that should be avoided: cheap Remington ammo, all sub-sonic ammo, and Winchester Wildcat. Needless to say, I read this AFTER my range session. :-) However, in spite of that, the Wildcat worked perfectly, and was even pretty accurate. If it keeps working like it did tonight, I'll probably just keep using it.

* Did 3 mag dumps of 15 to 25 rounds, and each time, the rifle fed and fired everything without a hitch.

* Sights: I love the sights on this little gun, they are high quality and 100% real AR. One of the best things about the 15-22.

* Trigger: not bad. Certainly feels in the range of a standard milspec trigger to me, which makes it good for training. You could feel it breaking in a bit with usage at the range, and mine is good enough that I may not even bother to do anything to it.

* Stock: Works great. It feels like a completely standard adjustable M4-style stock, even has a fairly hefty sling mount.

* Controls: The charging handle, safety selector, mag release, bolt release, all seemed to operate pretty normally to me. The charging handle feels a little lightweight and feels like it's made of plastic, but we'll see how it holds up. Overall, the realistic controls on this thing are what make it such a great buy for me. It's fun to shoot this thing because it's a real AR.



25 rounds Winchester Wildcat at 25 yards.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-1.jpg


The mags are extremely well built and have a hefty feel to them.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-11.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-9.jpg


The bolt group from several angles.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-2.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-3.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-4.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-5.jpg


The charging handle looks and works just like a real AR charging handle, but is about half the length, and feels made of plastic.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-6.jpg


Receiver: looking up into bottom of receiver toward the chamber.
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-7.jpg


Trigger group
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-8.jpg


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-19.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-13.jpg


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-18.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-17.jpg
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-14.jpg


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-15.jpg


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/husker_t/mp22-16.jpg

[Colo.TJ]

Picked up one for my wife ;) and can't wait to get it out to the range.

[maximus83]

Based on what I experienced, and what I've read from others, you'll improve your chances of a good first range experience if you clean/lube thoroughly first, and also if you avoid the ammo types (mostly Remington cheap stuff) that are listed in the manual, p. 10. Note I found one exception to their list of "ammo that doesn't perform consistently"; see the red text in my post.

[rickb210]

Maximus83, thank you for the range report. Nice gun & it's on my list to buy, just a few things ahead of it.

[Outlander Systems]

Thanks for the writeup.

I've been wanting to get one of these for as a training aid. Has anyone here run one in a course, or seen them used in one?

Something like this could open up the ability for me to take more classes. The price of ammo is the biggest inhibitor to my training frequency.

[UDT]

Thanks, nice RR, enjoy.

[Mark71]

Thanks for the pics and range report. The S&W is very high on my things to buy list.

[smithjd]

Bought it from Botach Defense on their sale. It doesn't have the threaded barrel or flash hider, which is no biggie for me and cost less, too. Pics otherwise would be duplicative of above. I did strip and clean it before firing. Interesting design inside, looks well thought out.

My trigger is creepy, gritty, and sux, much like a standard. I have a Rock River two stage that I may put in this gun.

I just went out in the driveway to zero it and check it out. Its about 12 degrees with the wind chill and blowing snow, so I didn't stay out long. First three shots were low and right. A couple clicks and I was pretty much right on.

Went prone at 25 yards and put 10 rounds in under 1.25", in what target shooters would consider rapid fire, right on one of the shoot-and-see repair dots. Used mag for a monopod. Federal bulk pack Walmart special ammo used.

Only shot a total of about 50 rounds. No malfunctions, shoots great. I'm bery happy and will probably be in competition with the boy to wear it out this summer.

[Heavy Metal]

I just took mine back out and shot it some more. I cleaned it last night. Apparently, the ejector tweaks I did yesterday were 100% sucessful!

I fired off eight mags of Federal bulk pack with zero malfs today. Very happy!

I can shoot a 5 shot grop standing at 15M on-demand that you can cover with a quarter.

It will do it's job now if I just do mine.



BTW, shooting on the move in deep snow is a lot like being kicked in the nuts without the obscene pain. It doesn't hurt but it really sucks.

[maximus83]

Glad to hear you have good luck with federal bulk. I recently bought 2K rounds of the bulk "510" stuff, which is some of the best-shooting cheap ammo I've ever tried. Hoping that works in the 15-22.

The thing that surprised me was how accurately and reliably the Win. Wildcat ammo worked, despite the fact that the owners manual lumps it in with the Remington cheap stuff as being unreliable.