AR 22lr conversion or Marlin 795: My Dilemma

[WhoDares]

I want to get a 22lr long gun soon for cheap plinking. I have an AR15 in 5.56 already. My question: Should I get a Marlin 795 I've been eyeing, or a CMMG ar15 22lr Conversion kit?

Whatch'all think?

[speeedracerr]

I would definitely get a dedicated .22 rifle, but that is just my taste

[shadow65]

The conversion will work great. I would recommend the stainless.
A dedicated is better. Better accuracy, proper twist, don't have to be concerned with crud in the gas port, can be set up just like your 5.56 if you want.

Nothing wrong with the Marlin option.
It all comes down to what you want.

New rifle. Or the ability to transform your existing AR into a .22

[pennys dad]

I would go with both. The Marlin 795 is extremely accurate and fun to shoot. Best part is its super cheap $100, add some tech sights and you get serious accuracy for under $200.
Then buy a dedicated 22lr upper, you can get one for around $350. On the AR lower you may need to make some trigger mods, I have read of issues.

[shadow65]

The only thing you should have to do to a 5.56 lower is use a rounded hammer. I've run with notched but all in all, the rounded works better.

[SVT_Fox]

get the 795.

i cant stand tactacal 22s, they are kinda nerdy

[RaceDay]

I would also go with the dedicated 22lr rifle. Get the 795.

[shadow65]

Originally Posted by SVT_Fox

get the 795.

i cant stand tactacal 22s, they are kinda nerdy

I disagree. Especially if you already own an AR. You can use the upper with your existing lower, you can set the upper up like you 5.56, it's accurate and reliable. Unfortunately you guys in CA are limited to 10 round mags.

These started out as a training tool that cost less to run due to the cost of .22 vs. 5.56.
When ammo prices went through the roof, they caught on with the public.

The military has been using .22 conversions for years.

Nerdy would be to take a 10/22 and try to make it look like an AR.

[MaHoTex]

Originally Posted by SVT_Fox

get the 795.

i cant stand tactacal 22s, they are kinda nerdy

Uhm.. Ok then...

My 15-22 is the most fun shooting I have had is a long time. As an added bonus, I can spend all day at the range for under $20.

[Arteel]

skip the conversion. You can have a complete dedicated upper for 325. Its a no brainer.

[jdewolf]

I'd stick to the AR platform if I were you. There's something about having essentially a new gun simply by switching uppers or a few parts [in case of a .22 conversion].

[ohlone]

i have both, girls like the marlin for the light weight.... they hate my AR which has heavy barrel with metal railed handguard, LOL

[darqhelmet]

I would grab a Marlin or get a complete .22lr upper.

[nrakid88]

The marlin will be much more accurate than the .22 drop in. If you have the extra cash, a .22 upper will be pretty accurate, and give you a good trainer.

[BHPFan]

For the $200 price, get the Marlin. If you can afford it, get a dedicated .22 upper from the likes of TacSol or CMMG.

[MongooseV8]

I would get one of the dedicated 22 tactical rifles instead of either. But I already have a great shooting 22 rifle, and no AR. I know it would cost extra but its not that much more in the grand scheme of things really. Then you could have a nice AR and a fun 22 AR without having to break anything down.

[nemisis1400]

I wonder, is there a site that has the comparisons of 22lr uppers? I want something that can group well at 100 yards.

[shadow65]

Your barrel is going to determine groupings.
Spikes offers Lothar Walther barrels.
I had an 11.5" Lothar Walther AR .22 upper that would shoot 1/2" at 50 yards.

Tac Sol has some pretty accurate barrels.

CMMG is testing match barrels now. I can't disclose who from at this time but I know the barrels have amazing accuracy. Another guy I work with has a few builds using these barrels. I've seen his results. At 50 yards groups are close to 1/4-3/8" with Eley Match.
That's good from a semi auto.

[JSolie]

I'd go with the 795. Not being familiar with the AR, how hard would it be to switch out at the range if you decide to change from .223 to .22LR? Would there be any expensive or difficult to replace pieces that might decide to roll into a very good hiding place while switching?

[pennys dad]

If the rounded hammer is all the is needed then that would be awesome. the switch out of the upper is easy. One last thing that bugs me about using a 5.56 lower for a 22 upper is dicking around with the bullet button. Thats why for me personally I would stay away from the combo and go with a a complete 22lr from CMMG or Tacsol or ATI and still get the Marlin cause the Marlin and tech sight equals hardcore accuracy

[WhoDares]

For my purposes, which will be plinking, small game hunting, and introducing the wife to shooting, I think I'll go the Marlin route. 795 or 60...six of one, half dozen of the other. Heck, maybe even a 22lr bolt gun...
Just don't want to shell out much more than $175 OTD. Next up after that will be the dedicated 22lr upper for the AR. Or a Saiga .308.
Was mentioned a few posts previous, but which dedicated upper comes in at around $325? Is it the ATI?

[SVT_Fox]

I have a 795 my self and multiple ar pattern guns I would never convert to 22lr that's would be a wastefull move imo. You want to train your kid get a 795 and put a nice traditional wood stock on. Don't get some plastic fake assault rifle

[SVT_Fox]

Not to mention 795s are 100 dollar tack drivers and a ar conversion is like 250. Turn a real battle rifle into a 22 for more cash? That's loose loose with a side of nerdy

[BHP FAN]

let's see, I have a Romanian trainer in .22, a stock stainless Ruger 10/22 with a BSA red dot, a Norinco copy of a Anshutz, and a ''Colt M4'' .22 by Walther. They are all fun.

[jrara]

I would get the 795 just because having another rifle wouldn't hurt.

[Ergo the Qualmed]

Originally Posted by WhoDares

795 or 60...six of one, half dozen of the other. Heck, maybe even a 22lr bolt gun...

IIRC the 795 is essentially the 60 with the Tube replaced with a detach mag system. Unless someone proves me wrong haha

They even fit the same ATI aftermarket stocks and whatnot

[brassbent]

Originally Posted by MaHoTex

Uhm.. Ok then...

My 15-22 is the most fun shooting I have had is a long time. As an added bonus, I can spend all day at the range for under $20.

I would go with MaHoTex's example.

It's quite a bit more money than the 795 (around $420 at your loacal Big5) but
The Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 would be a natural choice if you already have an AR-15:

- You'll still get the savings of shooting 22lr
- The manual of arms is identical so you can still train for your main weapon
- Any extra tactical ninja crap that you have left over from the AR can be added to the M&P (Grips, Rails, Lights, Sights, Slings, etc.)
- And it's a completely separate firearm so you don't have to keep switching uppers. Plus you can take both out shooting (AR for you and the M&P for the girlfriend)

I've had mine for a few months and my friends all fight to use it when we go out shooting.

Good Luck in your Decision!
Brass