You probably don’t think about the .22 Long Rifle cartridge much when you’re thinking about AR platforms. Most of them are chambered in .223 or 5.56, or other cartridges like 7.62 Soviet or .300 BLK.
But there is a time and a place for a .22LR AR15, or, as you are about to read, several. The same goes for .22 AR pistols, too.
Here’s just about every reason to love a .22LR AR15.
Why a .22LR AR15?
Don’t listen to what the haters say about the .22LR. Unless you’re trying to use it to stop a charging bear or shooting long-range with it (in which case the haters would be right) it’s actually a pretty great cartridge.
Recoil, or Lack Thereof
Realistically, is there any commercially available cartridge that actually has any real-world applications that has lower felt recoil than .22LR? Skip .22 long and short.
Obviously, the answer is no. This is pretty much the lowest recoil cartridge out there, to the effect that you literally almost can’t feel it unless you are really paying attention.
What does it all mean? It means this is the cartridge for new shooters, as well as the smaller-framed, the young, and the recoil sensitive. It also means you can plink all day without so much as feeling a bit of recoil fatigue.
Low Report
Another great thing about .22LR, which makes a .22LR AR15 great is that it produces very little report. That is, it’s not nearly as loud as any centerfire rifle cartridge. Even with a muzzle brake, it’s not too overwhelming.
This makes it a lot less intimidating than other cartridges that compete with it. Sure, you won’t be able to take big game with a .22 AR pistol, or shoot long distance with a rifle, but it’s still a convenient little cartridge.
Availability
Back in 2015 this might have been another story, but today, it’s not that hard to find .22LR in any gun shop, and honestly, even though prices are bad, they’re not as inflated as they have been for other cartridges.
At any rate, even notwithstanding all of this, you can get .22LR at lots of places that aren’t even gun shops, like hardware stores, tackle shops, and convenience stores - at least in most areas of the country.
On that alone, it’s a great cartridge.
Convenience
The ammo you will feed a .22LR AR15 is both light and small. That means you can carry more of it, more conveniently, without weighing yourself down. There is a big difference between taking 1,000 rounds of .22LR to the range and 1,000 rounds of .223.
The other thing is that you can carry more ammo in the field without weighing yourself down, and it’ll take up less space, too. On top of that, .22LR mags are pretty compact, furthering the space savings.
Cost of Ammo
Ammo has gone up in price across the board, there’s no getting away from that. But at the end of the day, it’s still cheaper than pretty much any alternative.
There are no centerfire cartridges that compete with it and because of specialization and the cost of loading, other rimfire cartridges tend to be significantly more expensive. So take your pick, it should be an easy one.
Lifespan of Components
The .22LR produces pretty low chamber pressures, all things considered. For you, this means your BCG’s gas rings (if it is a gas-driven system) will last longer, and it also means less wear and tear on your recoil spring, too.
Versatility of a .22LR AR
The bottom line is there is a ton you can do with a .22LR AR or a .22 AR pistol. Here are some of the big ones:
- Drilling
- Training
- Competition shooting
- High volume target shooting
- Plinking
- Teaching new shooters
- Small game hunting
- Trapline dispatch
These are just a few of the good uses for a .22LR AR. Now, there are only a few things you can’t do with it. You won’t want it for self defense, for medium or big game hunting, or for long-range shooting. Beyond that, it’s a pretty awesome cartridge.
The Same Goes for a .22 AR Pistol
All in all, the benefits and versatility of a .22LR AR translate pretty well to a .22 AR pistol. They are exceptionally versatile and on top of that, the low recoil is a bonus with a pistol footprint, which makes it even more viable, especially if you’re just going to use it for plinking and don’t need the extra firepower of a true rifle cartridge.
Shop Complete Uppers and Parts Here
Whether you ultimately end up going with a .22LR AR15 or a .22 AR pistol, or some other caliber or build, we have what you need for the project. Shop assembled uppers and parts here and if you have any questions, get in touch with us at Sales@MCSGearup.com.