Convert your AR-15 to .22LR

Posted by on 2/2/2022 to

     Most AR-15s start off chambered for 5.56 NATO or ,223 REMINGTON, which are great cartridges with many upsides. These rounds have relatively low recoil, are accurate to 500+ meters, and do a good amount of damage when hitting their targets. Among their many other benefits, they are also relatively inexpensive. 223 is generally less expensive than 5.56 though there are times when it costs more. There is another caliber that many people are using in their AR-15s that is similar to those calibers yet even better in some regards, the 22LR. This is an even less expensive variation (its diameter is nearly identical), with many of its own upsides. It is an extremely rare time when you’ll find 22 LR to cost more than either of those. Due to this and other reasons many people have had the brilliant idea to do much of their target practice with the cheaper and lower recoil 22LR. The 22LR is great at pest control, small game hunting, plinking, training, target shooting, and self-defense. The reasons are likely obvious, small caliber for small game, you don’t need anything too big for pest control. Plinking, training and target shooting are all made more enjoyable by the light recoil. When it comes to self defense the bullet is enough to deter someone yet small enough to not need to worry about collateral damage. 
     Fortunately, it is not too difficult or expensive to make this transition. As long as you are willing to do it on an AR-15 that you already own, all that is required is a new magazine and a bolt carrier group. As long as your barrel is chambered for .223 or 5.56 then 22 LR should fit just fine as the bullet size for both is almost identical (22 hundredths of an inch). Many people make the point that training in the fundamentals with 22 rounds, whether with a handgun or a rifle, is a great idea, and more fun than dummy rounds. The lower recoil makes it more comfortable for new shooters and the lower price makes it a cost effective way to hone your accuracy before you start in with the real heavy duty, high kicking ammo. 
     One of the best things about converting your AR-15 to 22LR is the ease of doing so. The steps are simple and easy. Just: 

1. Start with a safe and clear Gun (i.e. Safety on, no Magazine, Bolt open, not loaded) 
2. Pull out the Take Down Pin 
3. Lift Upper Receiver on Pivot Pin 
4. Pull out the Charging Handle 
5. Remove the Bolt Carrier Group 
6. Put Conversion Bolt into the Upper Receiver 
7. Push the Upper Receiver down 
8. Push the Take Down Pins back in place 
9. Cycle the bolt a few times to ensure correct movement 
10. Insert loaded 22LR magazine 

     There are some recommendations that may help the conversion. First of all, clean your gun thoroughly. A dirty gun can lead to issues such as misfires, jams, and misloads. Ideally you should use a barrel with a slower twist rate than you would for 5.56 or 223 as the 22LR is slower and generally lighter. A longer barrel can certainly help the 22LR conversion to perform better as well. It is also recommended to have a rounded hammer as opposed to one with notches. There may need to be a break-in period where you fire up to a few hundred rounds before everything clicks into place. Don’t be afraid to use plenty of gun oil. The CMMG conversion Kit is top rated and really just the kit of choice for this type of conversion. It is made to last with stainless steel components.
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