S&W M&P15-22: A .22 LR Tactical Rifle
The latest addition to the M&P15 family of AR-15 rifles is the M&P15-22. S&W have designed what they call “the ultimate .22LR platform”. From the press release:
“In designing the new M&P15-22, our engineers pulled out all of the stops to develop the ultimate .22LR platform,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson. “The rifle’s operating features, functionality and durability are exactly what you would expect from any of Smith & Wesson’s tactical rifles. By remaining true to the standard AR-15 design while offering all of the preferred features found on the M&P Rifle Series, the M&P15-22 is well suited for a variety of recreational shooting applications while also being an extremely viable training firearm for law enforcement and military personnel. Shooters will find the M&P15-22 to be a great firearm for multiple uses with the reduced recoil and economical .22LR caliber ammunition.”
The rifle features:
* A3 style flat top upper receiver
* A2 front post sight
* A2 rear sight
* M4 style collapsible stock
* Quad rail handguard
Specs:
Barrel length: 16″
Magazine capacity: 25 rounds
Barrel twist: 1:15
Upper Receiver: A3
Weight: 5 lbs (unloaded)
Length: 31″ (stock collapsed)
UPDATE: The MSRP is $499 (Matt from S&W PR confirms this),
S&W M&P15-22. Click to expand.
Murdoc has a photo of the rifle posted at GunPundit.
MSRP on the M&P15-22 should be $499. The $1375 price is off the M&P-15 MOE SKU.
Thank god, I was a bit pissed when I saw $1375. lol
Just what the world needs, a $1375 .22
Woops, I see the $499 amendment. Sorry. $500 seems pretty reasonable. Does it take Black Dog Machine mags?
Sweet! I wonder if the lower is modular like most of the other builds I’ve seen out here in California..
If so would be a cheap way to get into ARs and then later on if I want to pick up a 5.56MM upper, just throw it up there and swap the mags. Does it have a standard buffer?
The price doesn’t seem right. $500 for a complete rifle from what I understand. That’s way too low.
A standard AR15 lower with collapsible stock cost around $250 or more. That means the upper with quad rails, iron sight, .22lr barrel, and .22lr BCG will be price around $250 or less. That’s not going to happen.
Most .22lr upper price around $499 or higher.
.22lr conversion kit cost $170 or more.
jdun1911, do you think my original price is closer to what you would expect?
jdun1911, I will email the S&W PR guy and find out.
The $1375 is kind of high. I price the entire rifle at around $800.
I can see the upper be $500 alone but not with the lower. Unless it is not a true AR15 and is made out of cheap plastic, I can’t see the complete rifle going for $500.
The price is $499. Matt from S&W PR firm confirms this.
$500 for the whole rifle.
Is the lower a standard AR15 lower? Made out of metal? If so that’s a damn good deal.
Is this a “True” AR lower? Including a buffer tube/spring assembly? If so that is a hell of a deal.. I can get 5.56MM Uppers (Used of course, but otherwise in perfect working condition) for around $475-$600…
I’d be very excited about one of these if they released a “California” legal edition with a 10 round mag.
They dont’ even have to do a magazine lock for California if they release it as a .22LR rifle marked as such!
It’s a one-piece polymer lower receiver sort of similar to the CAV-15. It’s a dedicated .22 platform.
in what country (that I probably can’t spell) is this thing made?
I just placed my order today at the local dealer. They told me that it should be here by summer. I paid $429 dont go to gander mountain or cabelas there price was $550
not at all familiar with these types of weapons but have been searching for just this type of gun….looking at the other replies it seems there are certain things that will make or break it….like the lower being made of metal or polymer…i will be using for target shooting exclusively….really interested in owning one of these any info greatly appreciated.
thanks.
According to Murdoc, it is a dedicated22 platiform with a polymer lower.
Will it take any of the standard ar15 internal fire control components? I’m a nut for improving my triggers.
the dealer msrp is 500 so it will likely go for 1000 ti civilians the colt ar-15 in .22 has a very similar price tag
I pre-paid $450 through my local dealer and they said that they would cover anything above that (and have in the past). So…
Where are you coming from?
I want to know where they have it for $429….. damn
The 15-22 will be a simple blowback mechanism, not the overly coplex 5.56 AR.
S & W is not stupid enough to sell a $500 rifle that can be modified to make a $1500 rifle.
What about a release date on the 15-22. First I heard June 2009 and then it was pushed back to July. Any news?
This would be a really fun rifle to have. No real point to it for most people, but I bet it’s an absolute blast to take to the range.
Any word on if it is CA legal; 10rd mag? looks cool and would be fun for $500… Ill take two.
It is most definitely ca legal. .22Rimfires are exempt from the AW bullchit with regards to pistol grip and mag lock. Still have to get 10 round or less mags though.
I can see no reason for this rifle. If you are serious get yourself an AR and either a complete .22 upper or a drop-in .22 conversion kit. It’s going to cost you more up front but you will have the “best of both” in having the complete AR for training and the .22 to save you money shooting.
Unless, like me, my dad does not want to spend $100 in ammo on me and my sister shooting 3 or 4 days a week. Nor does he want to spend $1000+ on a DPMS and a conversion kit. If you don’t want it, don’t buy it… I’m glad my dad did.
From what I understand – you have to have a complete .22lr upper for an AR-15. Otherwise the rifling isn’t right to shoot .22lr. A .22lr upper costs more than a dedicated/complete .22lr rifle. Plus I don’t want the excess wear and lead build up on my AR-15. Furthermore, I can mount an optic/scope more suitable for .22lr to target shoot instead of shooting .22lr with an EOTech. I love the idea of not having to use my AR-15 to shoot .22lr.
Oh – by the way, anyone hear anything new about a release date for the M&P15-22???
(FYI) I got an email from a guy at S&W and he saya it is being sent to CA DOJ and is expected to pass. It should be for sale in Oct-Nov if all goes well. I like the gun, love the idea, but what about Colts .22 M4 carbine? Already for sale here (CA), $560 but not as many bells. Any idea if one is more accurate than the other?
Viper4507. It’s not a pistol, they don’t have to “approve” it. There is no roster for long guns. .22 Rimfire rifles are exempt from the AW ban and therefore as long as it is sold with a 10 round mag and meets the minimum Overall Length requirements it is golden. So therefore it is 100% legal for sale in California.
Anyone have a confirmed arrival date? My dealer keeps saying anyday now.
Have 2 Colts and they are nice guns, fun to shoot, accurte etc but theu are ammo sensitive. The chamber is match euro, Walther barrel so you can count on it being tight.
Can not wait to compare to S&W.
Tim
I got the opportunity to shoot one of these bad boys a couple weeks ago, and I was impressed! Here’s a link to my ‘review’:
http://evylrobot.com/?p=430
The gun handles and shoots nicely. Granted, I only got to try it with the CCI wonder ammo that will run in anything, but I was very pleased. I had my reservations about the polymer composition, but handling and shooting the thing in the flesh made me a believer! It is NOT an AR. It is an AR-style .22lr, and it is exactly what it should be for <$500. I may have to pick one of these up in time for Christmas!
Picked mine up today at our local gun store……..paid $419.95……..what a steal…..I was and still am very impressed with this little plinker…….The plastic is growing on me……I could have chose the Colt……..had them side by side……but apples to apples the Colt couldn’t hold up to the Smith. From the bolt catch to the safety positions to the way breech cleaning is possible. This little Smith has it all. I can’t wait to go blast round after round thru it.
Have shot mine a few times, will shoot most any ammo I feed it.
Not as accurate as Colt but way less fussy.
Easy to clean for sure, like the “sameness” as to AR.
Tim
I just picked on up over lunch break at Academy – $449, and they had several of them. I’ve been shooting a Spike’s Tactical conversion bolt in my High Standard AR, but like the idea of a dedicated .22, and I like having an alternate .22 to my GSG-5.
I just bought mine Weds and have had it to the range twice already! It is the sweetest shooting little 22 I’ve ever shot!! Called my dealer at Weds noon and he just had received 2 Weds morning from S&W and I bought one the other was sold before 3pm! It is aterrific toy for $449 + tx. I’ve shot 3 bricks (300 rnds) of CSI Greentag with no FTF’s or FTE’s! I am crazy about it!!
It’s great and all, but the magazine really gets me. It’s 22LR, and yet they limit it to 25 rounds. I would expect something high capacity.
I purchased this rifle last week and took it out for a “test drive” this week. The initial grouping was 4.5 inches low and dead on center (25 yards). With a minor adjustment, I was able to put 10 rounds in a .5 inch group. After feeding 100 rounds throught as fast as possible, I again got just under a .5 inch group. As much as I could try, I could not get any type of malfunction and loading the magazine was trouble free. I really like this gun and will have fun this fall with “tree rats”.
can this 22 be purchased in new york state ?
For what it’s worth, I’ve reviewed this one. IMO, it’s worth every penny if you’re looking for a perfect trainer and all around “fun” plinker. It’s construction is solid! It has a “Solid” barrel unlike the Colt/Umarex which has a thin walled barrel encased in a barrel shroud. Buy it, you’ll Love it!!!
I bought the first one my gun dealer got in a few weeks ago. I also had a Colt “AR-22″ which was nice and accurate, but picky on ammo, and non-compatible with simple things like AR operation, take-down, bolt release, selector switch, and simple options like pistol grips and drop-in trigger groups. The S&W M&P15-22 solves all of those issues for me, plus it is easier to take down for cleaning, just as accurate per my testing, has a smoother/lighter trigger pull, and feels more solid overall. At 30 rds, the Colt has a higher mag capacity, however.
What I found alarming was that several folks who have purchased the Colts have run into various quality problems, like short sights posts, mag catch failures, etc. To their credit, Colt/Umarex service has been quite responsive for most of those folks, with a few having to send their rifles back multiple times. Even so, I like my S&W so much now that I traded the Colt for a GSG-5. Both the S&W and the GSG-5 have been flawless after ~400 rds each so far. My favorite? The S&W M&P15-22!
Also, I just learned from S&W that spare mags are still back-ordered for another couple of weeks or so.
Hey i just ordered mine for $405.95 but idk when its gonna be here, are they shipping now or they stilll holding them?
They are shipping now have 2 love em.
Tim O
BTW good price I paid 489
Those of you who already own one, is the bolt one solid piece of steel (except for firing pin, extractor, etc)? I ask because I saw the bolt on the Colt (hey that rhymes) and it looked like it was made of several pieces/parts. Not sure, but it didn’t seem like it would be as durable over time.
Also, the pic at the top of this page shows a suppressor mounted. But in other pics i’ve seen w/o it, the barrel appears smooth — how does it mount to the barrel? Are there threads or something that I’m not seeing?
I picked one up today a cabela’s for $429.00. It is impressive. Compared to the GSG-5 and the Umarex, it is easy to see the difference in quality of design. The Smith operates like a real AR. It does not have action screws or assembly screws. Screws are the enemy of a robust design. It has no zinc that I can see and disassembly is just like a real AR. There are no areas of the bolt or reciever that can’t be cleaned with a towel.
The barrell is made by Thompson and it looks like a medium contour design unlike the BB gun barrells in the other competitors. The trigger breaks at 5lbs. with no creep. The sights, stock, and quad rail handguards appear to be geniune AR equipment. This is impressive for the price.
Looking for a muzzle break for my MP15-22. Where can I find one? Anybody add one to their MP15-22?
What are additional mags going to cost?
Mags cost $20.06 when ordered directly from S&W Parts & Accessories. They have 25-rd mags in stock, and they ship fairly quickly. 10-rd mags (good for bench-rest shooting range use) are still about 2-3 weeks out last I checked with S&W.
You can find mags for it here.
http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SWMP2225
They are $17.99 and they have them in stock.
They have one in stock for $429 at the following location:
discount firearms
3084 S Highland Dr
Las Vegas, NV 89109-1056
(702) 567-1158
i just recherd the gun and the price is right it is 500 dallars
I am currently buying one on layaway right now. I am about half way through paying it off. It retails for $499. but I had the guy at Sportsmans Warehouse (sort of a Sports Authority for outdoors gear up here in Idaho) tell me they would sell it for $450. However I went with a Mom & Pop gun store who charged me $499.
Both receivers are plastic and the bottom receiver doesn’t have a buffer tube so it is not compatible with .223 or any other upper receivers that you may want to upgrade to. It is incredibly light, which would really bug me if it wasn’t just a .22 but it feels right. when I was at the store I played around with the COLT version too and I definitely prefer the S&W as the COLT had certain items that were just for show like the bolt release ping pong paddle that didn’t really work. That made it feel more like an airsoft gun than the S&W even though the COLT was metal.
The S&W has the same functionality of parts as a real AR15/M4 even though some of them such as the cocking handle are scaled for the .22 operation. i.e. shorter draw. The only thing I remember the S&W lacking was a forward assist but that is not needed with a .22 anyways.
In case you don’t know the forward assist is that knob looking thing that sticks out behind the ejection ports on all M4/M16A2’s and newer. They installed it to deal with the malfunctions that the first version had in Nam, the button allows the operator to punch it after releasing the bolt forward to make sure the bolt seated correctly in the star chamber.
The picture above is the only time I have seen it with the suppressor. The ones at the store didn’t have it. It would be nice to get even though I am sure it is just for show, but it may be something you have to add yourself unless there is an option to get it with the suppresor that no one told me about.