Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

I know a few here have been wondering about this product. A few even gave opinions based on other reviews without actually trying one out.

First of all, this thing was beyond simple to install. The kit swaps out in place of your standard bolt. The main difference is that it does not rely on the buffer spring to cycle the rounds. It stays completely fixed in place and uses its own built in spring to advance the next round. This threw me off at first because the charging handle does not need to come back nearly as far when charging. Also, the forward assist will become useless to you while this kit is installed.

I had a few different brands of .22lr ammo with me today. I started with CCI Mini-Mags. These were decent (see paragraph below). Next, I tried out Centurion (Made in Mexico) that I picked up at a gun show. These are straight lead/non-jacketed. The seemed to work pretty well with no feeding/ejecting problems. The next thing I tried and had the best luck with was the bulk 550 box of Winchester I've had sitting around for years. I never had a single problem with this stuff. I went through 300 rounds (all I had left) without a hitch. I'm out of the Winchester now. I'll have to try some Remington bulk next time I'm out. I'm expecting similar results.

The biggest problem I had all day was with Piney Mountain tracer ammo. They are non-coated and about 1/16" shorter than the Winchester and CCI rounds. The feeder ramp didn't like these at all. Also, when I fired a round, it would eject the spent casing and advance the next round, but didn't reset the trigger. This was a real bummer for me. I had similar issues using CCI, but with far less occurance. I also noticed that this kit does not like to eject unspent rounds. So, if you have an issue with the trigger not resetting, you might wand to drop the mag, charge the handle, and reinsert the mag. Otherwise you get a logjam.

I only had one real mag problem the whole day. One time I had the feeder ramp tilt on me. I had to empty the mag and reload it. That only happened once.

As far as accuracy goes, it was pretty consistant with hits. Though, I wasn't about to adjust my sights to accomodate a plinking round only to have to sight it back in later for .223/5.56. Even then, the only thing I'd have to adjust is the elevation. I'm thinking about picking up a cheap sight just for plinking.

Anyway, here's a quick vid of me at the range today. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer the best I can.


Oh yeah, as an added bonus, here's me with a .22 derringer.....with tracer ammo! Hilarity at its finest bancha. Oddly enough, I was able to hit a man sized target at about 150 yeards with it :bear_w00t:. My second shot in this vid hit a tree at the top of the birm, lol. Whoops!

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

Ah, nice review. thanks



I just bought a Ceiner kit, with 3 black dog mags. I haven't shot mine yet since I just got it yesterday, but I've got 4 bricks of that Centurion. Fkn CCI Mini-mag is sold out everywhere around here!!

We're you using black dog mags or does cmmg supply their own?

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

I actually bought the kit at a gun show for $175 out the door and it came with a Black Dog mag. I ended up buying 2 extras for it online and am now looking at buying a speed loader. CCI is about all I can find at the local wally world. Everyone (mostly me) has bought out their Remington bulk. CCI is still cheaper than .223/5.56 :bear_thumb:.

I still haven't taken my gun apart to see how dirty it got. Once I do, I'll add an update to my review.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

Thanks for this thread Satyr. I am highly debating whether I want to get this conversion kit, or just get another Ruger 10/22 rifle. How much are the Black Dog mags for this kit? Anyone try using the Wal-Mart Federal bulk 22 lr ammo with this yet?

So many firearm wants, so few FRNs to spend on them.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

If you already have a Ruger 10/22, you may as well get this kit. That way you can still shoot your AR on the cheap. Extra mags will run you in the neighborhood of $35 each for the full profile ones. The slim ones will run you about $30 each (same basic thing, only they look a little funny sticking out of an AR15). Since I'm only going to use it for plinking and not self defense or SHTF, I'm only sticking with 3 mags. And you really only need one to have fun with this thing. My buddy was shooting with me that day and he also purchased one of these for his AR. I think he was shooting Federal bulk with no problems.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

I just noticed that AIM has the CMMG kit on their website:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/F..._Magazine.html

Spare mags are available for a modest $35 (cough, choke) through Brownells, or for a slightly more modest $22.50 from Brownells with a dealer discount. AIM says that they'll have spare mags "soon."

This does look like a nice little device, especially with the problems of price/availability of ammo.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

Had my eye on this.Tempting.Need to finish a build or two up first.Wonder how barrel wear is?

Nice review.Thanks

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

I took mine apart today to take a quick look at it. I didn't get a chance to clean it (hung over). It didn't look like the barrel was too fouled up. I won't know for sure until I actually clean it. As far as wear on the barrel, I can't imagine there would be any more than usual. It's made to fire a .223" round. A .22" round is .003" smaller give or take. It did get quite dirty on the inside all around the kit as you could probably imagine. But it didn't look like it fouled up the gas port at all. Which makes sense since this kit doesn't make use of it anyway.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

Thanks for the review and video.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

Does this use the same mags as the Kel Tec PLR and SU 22?

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

It would appear so. Read description here.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

This has me seriously considering an AR now....

FWIW Midwest Hunters Outler is where I ordered my Kel Tec PLR 22 mags and they shipped no problem.

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

Guys help me understand why I would want to bastardize an AR with this when I already have guns in 22 to go shoot if I want to do so on the cheap???

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

This is a question I keep asking myself, but I think I will still get this kit. Or to get another Ruger 10/22. Grrr...

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

you're guns in .22 aren't AR's, are they? So when you train with them you're not training with what is likely gonna be your main "battle rifle". The experience is really very similar to shooting with the 5.56 BCG in the gun, it's just not as loud.


Personally I love mine, I've already put almost 500 rounds through it. Cheap shitty mexican .22 since I can't find mini-nags anywhere :thumpdown

Re: Review: CMMG .22 Conversion for AR15
 

As far as adjusting the sites, why not just write down the settings for your normal (i.e. 5.56) zero, and then re-zero with the 22 adaptor and write them down too? Recording your battlesight zero (such as 4U, 3R, etc.) allows you to pick up any AR and set it to your zero.

I first zeroed an M-16 in 1981 and since then, every M-16 and every AR I have fired, including the one I had with a 16 inch barrel, could be set to "8 Up" and not require any more adjustments. Three shots to confirm zero and off we go...

This way you could easily be practicing with a properly zeroed rifle no matter which ammo you're shooting. And if you get another AR, setting it the same should get you within a click or two of zero as well.

JMHO