So I ordered some new toys - a CMMG ARC-22 and some accessories - and I learned a few things in the process. If you're considering adding the 22 conversion to your AR 15, here's some things you might want to know.
First, the ARC-22 comes in several different flavors...
The base model is the Alpha. It comes with bolt hold open magazine(s), and has a one piece machined chamber insert, and can be had in a parkerized finish. The bolt hold open magazines hold the bolt open on the last shot, but allow the bolt to go forward as soon as you remove the mag. The mags require some minor sanding on two tabs on the back, and to me that's a good thing - it insures a nice snug fit. MSRP $189.95
The next rung up in the ARC-22 line is the Bravo model. The Bravo is stainless steel, and uses a removable brass bushing on the chamber insert. It also ships with the bolt hold open magazines. MSRP $219.95
One more notch up the price scale brings us to the Echo model. This kit adds the anti-jam charging handle, and forward assist adapter. MSRP $269.95
Which brings us to the Cadillac - the India kit. This kit adds the bolt hold open adapter (BHOA), a magazine loader, and the big one - a locking brass chamber lug that keeps the assembly from budging once installed. MSRP $319.95
And here's what I decided to do. One of my main reasons for buying the kit was to add 22lr capability to my AR at a reasonable price. I ordered a Bravo kit with three bolt hold open magazines. Shipped to me price was $214.30. But like every other firearm related thing I buy, I couldn't leave it alone. Had to add some accessories and functionality.
First addition was a BHOA. The BHOA is made out of polymer with a steel insert, and it allows your bolt release to function the same as it does when shooting 5.56. Shipped to me price was $21.89
For the BHOA device to work properly, magazines need to have BHOA followers and springs. The tip of the follower is spring loaded so it will move to the back when the last round ejects, catching the tab on the BHOA and holding the bolt to the rear. So I ordered three BHOA followers and springs at a shipped to me price of $25.21.
As I got reading up on these things the one thing I was seeing consistently was how dirty these conversions get. I think part of that is due to DI guns dumping nasty 22 lr discharge back into the receiver via the gas tube, and part may be due to gasses escaping around the insert and coming in through the chamber. I'm not worried about carbon being injected by the gas tube as my AR is piston driven (the kits work with piston driven rifles without the need to remove the piston, but you do need to shut off the gas). In order to keep any fouling coming out of the chamber to a minimum, I thought the locking lug would be a good addition. The locking lug replaces the smooth brass bushing on the Bravo model. You slide it in, and manually move the catch to the center from the bottom of the upper. The BHOA has a notch that the lever fits into so that it cannot rotate back out after installation. Locking lug shipped to me price was 29.70.
That brought my total expenditure to $291.60. You might think it would have been more cost effective to just bite the bullet on the India kit, but remember that the MSRP of $319.95 only includes one magazine, and the BHOA mags run about $25 ea. The forward assist adapter is kind of interesting, but hardly necessary for 22 lr. I'm not about to start banging on a forward assist to try and force a 22 into a chamber. It's nice with 5.56, but with 22 lr I'm thinkin' I'm better off without it. I also didn't see a need for a dedicated charging handle as the stock unit works fine. The dedicated charging handle creates a tighter fit with the top of the conversion and it's supposed to eliminate certain types of jams.
I'm expecting to have to do some fitting on the BHOA followers to get them to work smoothly, but I'll have to wait until they arrive before I'll know for sure. I'm going to wait until I've got all the parts installed before I take her to the range for a test run. In the mean time, I've got all this stuff and needed someplace to keep it. Another $17 got me a brand new East German surplus 4-mag pouch that works perfect. The mags take up three of the slots, and the BHOA and ARC-22 fit in the other pocket. Pretty sweet. Sweet enough that I'm going to order some more for my AR 15 magazines. Nice pouch - Unissued East German surplus 4 mag pouch
I'm sure some folks are going to say that it's nearly as cheap to just buy a dedicated 22, but I'll have to disagree strongly with that. You could buy the rifle, but when you consider optics, triggers, and the like it winds up being a lot more expensive - at least in my case. I can still use my existing flip up irons, red dot or 4-12X40, and my 3.5lb trigger goes along for the ride too. Not to mention hand guards, pistol grip, and trigger guard. To me this seems like a cost effective way to go, and the rifle has the same controls and goodies that were so painstakingly added to my AR.
Anyway, if you've been thinking about one of these conversions, that's the latest poop from group. I hope you find it helpful - or at least interesting.
First, the ARC-22 comes in several different flavors...
The base model is the Alpha. It comes with bolt hold open magazine(s), and has a one piece machined chamber insert, and can be had in a parkerized finish. The bolt hold open magazines hold the bolt open on the last shot, but allow the bolt to go forward as soon as you remove the mag. The mags require some minor sanding on two tabs on the back, and to me that's a good thing - it insures a nice snug fit. MSRP $189.95
The next rung up in the ARC-22 line is the Bravo model. The Bravo is stainless steel, and uses a removable brass bushing on the chamber insert. It also ships with the bolt hold open magazines. MSRP $219.95
One more notch up the price scale brings us to the Echo model. This kit adds the anti-jam charging handle, and forward assist adapter. MSRP $269.95
Which brings us to the Cadillac - the India kit. This kit adds the bolt hold open adapter (BHOA), a magazine loader, and the big one - a locking brass chamber lug that keeps the assembly from budging once installed. MSRP $319.95
And here's what I decided to do. One of my main reasons for buying the kit was to add 22lr capability to my AR at a reasonable price. I ordered a Bravo kit with three bolt hold open magazines. Shipped to me price was $214.30. But like every other firearm related thing I buy, I couldn't leave it alone. Had to add some accessories and functionality.
First addition was a BHOA. The BHOA is made out of polymer with a steel insert, and it allows your bolt release to function the same as it does when shooting 5.56. Shipped to me price was $21.89
For the BHOA device to work properly, magazines need to have BHOA followers and springs. The tip of the follower is spring loaded so it will move to the back when the last round ejects, catching the tab on the BHOA and holding the bolt to the rear. So I ordered three BHOA followers and springs at a shipped to me price of $25.21.
As I got reading up on these things the one thing I was seeing consistently was how dirty these conversions get. I think part of that is due to DI guns dumping nasty 22 lr discharge back into the receiver via the gas tube, and part may be due to gasses escaping around the insert and coming in through the chamber. I'm not worried about carbon being injected by the gas tube as my AR is piston driven (the kits work with piston driven rifles without the need to remove the piston, but you do need to shut off the gas). In order to keep any fouling coming out of the chamber to a minimum, I thought the locking lug would be a good addition. The locking lug replaces the smooth brass bushing on the Bravo model. You slide it in, and manually move the catch to the center from the bottom of the upper. The BHOA has a notch that the lever fits into so that it cannot rotate back out after installation. Locking lug shipped to me price was 29.70.
That brought my total expenditure to $291.60. You might think it would have been more cost effective to just bite the bullet on the India kit, but remember that the MSRP of $319.95 only includes one magazine, and the BHOA mags run about $25 ea. The forward assist adapter is kind of interesting, but hardly necessary for 22 lr. I'm not about to start banging on a forward assist to try and force a 22 into a chamber. It's nice with 5.56, but with 22 lr I'm thinkin' I'm better off without it. I also didn't see a need for a dedicated charging handle as the stock unit works fine. The dedicated charging handle creates a tighter fit with the top of the conversion and it's supposed to eliminate certain types of jams.
I'm expecting to have to do some fitting on the BHOA followers to get them to work smoothly, but I'll have to wait until they arrive before I'll know for sure. I'm going to wait until I've got all the parts installed before I take her to the range for a test run. In the mean time, I've got all this stuff and needed someplace to keep it. Another $17 got me a brand new East German surplus 4-mag pouch that works perfect. The mags take up three of the slots, and the BHOA and ARC-22 fit in the other pocket. Pretty sweet. Sweet enough that I'm going to order some more for my AR 15 magazines. Nice pouch - Unissued East German surplus 4 mag pouch
I'm sure some folks are going to say that it's nearly as cheap to just buy a dedicated 22, but I'll have to disagree strongly with that. You could buy the rifle, but when you consider optics, triggers, and the like it winds up being a lot more expensive - at least in my case. I can still use my existing flip up irons, red dot or 4-12X40, and my 3.5lb trigger goes along for the ride too. Not to mention hand guards, pistol grip, and trigger guard. To me this seems like a cost effective way to go, and the rifle has the same controls and goodies that were so painstakingly added to my AR.
Anyway, if you've been thinking about one of these conversions, that's the latest poop from group. I hope you find it helpful - or at least interesting.