5.56 OR 22

[Mrblackis300]

Well I've been debating on getting an AR-15 for a bit. My question is for a gun that is mainly only going to be used as a range/hobby gun should I go 5.56 or 22? What are the pro and cons? Brands to look at?

Thanks,
John

[ex-LT]

.22
PROS - inexpensive, cheap ammo, ammo is easy to find
CONS - accuracy at 100 can be questionable, not a good choice for varmints (squirrels and rabbits are OK; coyotes and prairie dogs, not so much), cases aren't reloadable

5.56
PROS - giggle factor, accuracy, good varmint gun, excuse to get into reloading
CONS - CO$T (cheap ARs cost upwards of $500), ammo can be expensive at best and scarce at worst (hence the reason to get into reloading)

I'm sure others will chime in with other pros and cons for both....

[Belgiboy]

Well, I'll start stating a couple of obvious ones:

.22 is cheap. It's the perfect round for practicing marksmanship fundamentals. 100 yds is the maximum effective range and then only on quiet windfree days. The AR15 style .22s are fun and accurate but expensive compared to other 22s. If you ever wanted to participate in an Appleseed shoot, it is hard go wrong with one of these. Everybody should have one.

5..56 (.223) is not cheap but not unaffordable either. Reloading for the .223 is fairly straightforward, it's a great round to start off with. Depending on bullet choice, twist rate and marksman skill, the effective range can go beyond 300yds. A basic AR15 is an awesome tool, and as you gain experience, a whole world of aftermarket enhancements will open up to you. It's a viable choice for home defense and zombie extermination. The coolness coefficient is high. Everybody should have one.

[Mrblackis300]

Thanks guys for the info. Every bit helps . Also if anyone can recommend a brand that'll be great as well. I've been looking and Sig and M&P lately, but that's only cause they have them at Gander Mtn.

-John

[Bessy]

Thanks guys for the info. Every bit helps . Also if anyone can recommend a brand that'll be great as well. I've been looking and Sig and M&P lately, but that's only cause they have them at Gander Mtn.

-John

Also keep in mind...You can always by a .22 upper for an ar... or a 22 conversion kit, for a .223 upper. I have cmmg .22 conversion kit. It's great for practicing drills, and shooting at stuff 50 yards and unde.r. accuracy will suffer a little with the .22 conversion kit, as the .223 barrel is little larger, and the twist rate is too fast.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=133311

[Belgiboy]

Thanks guys for the info. Every bit helps . Also if anyone can recommend a brand that'll be great as well. I've been looking and Sig and M&P lately, but that's only cause they have them at Gander Mtn.

-John

Gander mountain would be the last place you want to buy any gun because of the insanely high price and their crappy customer service. This is one of the few things that we (on this board) almost universally agree on. Try Bills' in Robbinsdale. If you PM member Squib Joe or member Gunshop Guy, they will do their best to earn your business. I think they are your best bet for a AR-style 22 at this point. They have AR15s too and a range for you to try things out.

[Mrblackis300]

Gander mountain would be the last place you want to buy any gun because of the insanely high price and their crappy customer service. This is one of the few things that we (on this board) almost universally agree on. Try Bills' in Robbinsdale. If you PM member Squib Joe or member Gunshop Guy, they will do their best to earn your business. I think they are your best bet for a AR-style 22 at this point. They have AR15s too and a range for you to try things out.

Lol... Yeah, I know. I try not to buy too much at Gander Mtn. My first firearm purchase was from Thunderjohn.

I'm really leaning towards the 22, but as Bessy stated the conversion kits makes sense. If I buy a AR style 22 and later on decide I want a 5.56 I'd have to buy a whole new gun. The ony thing I'm really sure on is that my wife is going to kill me whenever I get it .

[Norsesmithy]

Don't be afraid to build your own AR-15 from parts. It's easy as legos, practically, and pretty cheap. My first AR was a Del Ton kit, and I'd never even seen the internals of an AR-15 until I was staring at this baggy of small parts and a lower.

It still works great.

A .22 conversion kit can be had for $150 right now, and I feel mine is just about the best $200 I've ever spent.

[GregM]

Get a 5.56 AND a 22.

[jgalt]

Buy or build a lower that will handle either a 22 or .223 / 5.56 upper, buy or build the upper of your choice ASAP, then another - and another, and another... - as funds allow.

[Cleanzx3]

I just shot my new s&w 15-22 on Saturday, and I loved it. Everybody at the range wanted one after they tried it. I barley even shot my new px4 storm subcompact, because the 15-22 was so fun. Perfect range gun.

[Fast Eddie]

Gander mountain would be the last place you want to buy any gun because of the insanely high price and their crappy customer service. This is one of the few things that we (on this board) almost universally agree on. Try Bills' in Robbinsdale. If you PM member Squib Joe or member Gunshop Guy, they will do their best to earn your business. I think they are your best bet for a AR-style 22 at this point. They have AR15s too and a range for you to try things out.

Lol... Yeah, I know. I try not to buy too much at Gander Mtn. My first firearm purchase was from Thunderjohn.

I'm really leaning towards the 22, but as Bessy stated the conversion kits makes sense. If I buy a AR style 22 and later on decide I want a 5.56 I'd have to buy a whole new gun. The ony thing I'm really sure on is that my wife is going to kill me whenever I get it .

Dude, if your wife is going to kill you for either purchase, then do it right. I'm just saying go big and go with the AR. If you buy the .22, then you will end up buying an AR at some point anyway. Just do it now and say you're sorry once.


Oh and buy her some flowers.


Good luck,
Ed

[Mrblackis300]

Lol... Yeah, I'm going to go AR-15 5.56 first then I'll figure where to go from there.