Every so often a firearm catches your attention. The item does not have to be new, just something you are not expecting. No rhyme or reason. What am I rambling on about? I got a phone call from a friend, C.R. Newlin the owner of Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC) and Stonewall Arms my local FFL and Class 3 dealer. He had heard me mention an interest in a dainty little 22LR number that he had at shop, but sold, before I could claim it. He was calling to tell me he had just found another S&W M&P 15-22 braced pistol. As these can be hard to find, I gave the go ahead to place the order.
BACKGROUND
Smith & Wesson was reacting to powerful market forces in 2009 when the original M&P15-22 was introduced. Back then was different as reflected by lack of threaded barrel and a full-length quad forend with Picatinny rails. However, certain things in 2009 are still present today, the AR15, or MSR (Modern Sporting Rifle) in the latest lingo, is the bestselling rifle model in America. This stems from its capabilities and versatility then and now.
The idea of shooting a 22LR out of an AR is not a new concept; various kits have been on the market allowing users to substitute bolt carriers into their AR and benefit from firing the inexpensive 22LR in full-size ARs for training purposes without having to invest in a new rifle. While useful, these kits often suffer from poor reliability and substandard accuracy. Anytime you adapt something to work in another platform not originally designed for it reliability can suffer.
5.56MM/.223Rem barrels are slightly overbore for a 22LR which negatively impacts accuracy. Barrels designed for 22LR typically have a diameter of .220-.221 whereas a 5.56MM/.223Rem barrel feature .224. An adapted AR utilizing a 22LR needs to be cleaned thoroughly before resuming use in its original 5.56MM/223Rem role. This is due to lead build up in the barrel and gas tube. Other manufactures have gotten around this by introducing complete uppers chambered for 22LR that can fit on a shooters existing lower. Prices for these dedicated uppers often rival complete new rifles, which impacts popularity.
A BETTER MOUSE TRAP
S&W brought something original to the table in the form of the M&P15-22 by utilizing a polymer material upper, lower, and forend to achieve cost effectiveness in a design that began from the ground up to accommodate the 22LR in a frame simulating a full-size AR. Importantly, S&W kept AR controls such as safety, charging handle, magazine release, and bolt release levers in the same place as 5.56/223Rem chambered AR15 rifles. I bought a 16-inch M&P15-22 back in 2009. Still have it and plan on my grandkids learning to shoot with it.
With that said, my new favorite 22LR is the braced pistol variant of the M&P15-22. The threaded 8-inch barrel had a BANISH RF 22TI suppressor installed as soon as it got home. The current M-LOK rails make me wonder what in the world were we thinking with the full-length quad Pic rails? The buffer tube, synonymous with ARs, has a SB Tactical SBA3 adjustable arm brace slipped over it. An EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 compact optic with an EOTECH EFLX fitted on the side via offset mount was affixed to the M&P15-22’s flat top receiver. Optic over kill? Probably, but I like it.
The threaded 8-inch barrel has 1:15 twist and the M&P15-22 weighs approximately 3.35 pounds. The adjustable brace fully extended gives a length of 25.4-inches extended and 22.75-inches collapsed. The ability to adjust the brace’s length of pull handy for compact carry/storage and if younger or smaller stature shooters want to partake in the fun. The polymer construction in no way compromises the ability to mount accessories on flat top receiver or forend. S&W attention to detail in terms of this extends to the M&P15-22 magazine design. The 25-rd magazine is of similar dimensions to standard AR15 30-rd magazines. This further duplicates the similarity of handling and manual of arms between the 22LR and centerfire variants. The same web gear and magazine pouches utilized for AR15 magazines will work for the M&P15-22 magazine. The M-Lok forend allows a shooter to recreate their primary ARs set up on the M&P15-22 if so desired for training familiarity purposes. Many may not go this trouble and allow M&P15-22 to stand alone as a 22LR.
S&W equips the M&P15-22 with an AR-type of trigger that can be retrofitted with any of the aftermarket “drop in” types on the market. Again, this is a nod to the S&W design concept of replicating the AR platform feel in the 22LR offering. The M&P15-22 breaks down similar to the AR15 the only difference being the bolt assembly is a one-piece affair versus the bolt carrier group on a centerfire variant AR15.The M&P15-22 is a straight blow-back action and not gas operated The charging handle is made from polymer material similar to rifle’s construction.
GOOD VIBES
Range T&E consisted of normal firing from bench for accuracy assessment of Winchester, Federal, and CCI 22LR loads. The EOTECH’s 3-9x magnification proved handy. Groups at 25 yards were a jagged hole and 50 yards about an inch. This is more than accurate enough for a rifle meant to be shot from standing, kneeling, or similar shooting positions away from the bench. The offset EOTECH EFLX was zeroed in for 10 yards with the 3-9x Vudu for 50 yards. There are no excuses to miss 4-inch steel poppers 50 yards away. If you are missing it is time to slow down and re-evaluate. Here the advantage of being able to fire hundreds, even thousands of rounds of 22LR for significantly less than the cheapest centerfire surplus ammunition becomes evident.
Range visits further sealed the original good impression the M&P15-22 in its newer braced pistol form. The S&W M&P15-22 does everything a 22LR should. Providing solid accuracy and reliable semi-automatic shooting for enhancing marksmanship capabilities in shooters of all skill levels. S&W takes this one step further with the M&P15-22 due to being able to serve as an understudy to its centerfire AR15 brethren. The range of 22LR allows for effective target engagement out to 100 yards before the ballistic gods swat it out of the air. This is more than enough for users with open sights or non-magnified aiming devices to not feel handicapped in typical range scenarios. My target of choice is the dastardly clay pigeon.
SHHH!!!
Speed of sound varies depending on factors such as temperature, elevation and humidity etc. Ammunition needs to be below 1050 feet per second to perform reliably across a wide spectrum of conditions. The difference in noise produced from suppressed 22LR firing supersonic ammunition versus subsonic is striking. Trying different ammunition types is interesting to experiment with in order to realize the pros and cons of various types of ammunition.
The 8-inch M&P15-22 barrel length compared to a full 16 inch rifle barrel is beneficial; not a detriment as many may assume at first blush. The 16-inch barrel only increases likelihood of 22LR ammunition exceeding the sound barrier due to extra barrel length. Speaking in general terms there can be a 100 fps increase in the same load when fired from a 16-inch barrel compared to a 8-inch barrel. The M&P15-22 braced pistols goal when combined with BANISH RF22 TI suppressor is sound reduction.
An unsuppressed .22LR rifle produces approximately 142 decibels. For comparison’s sake an unsuppressed AR15 produces approximately 165 decibels, power mowers 95 decibels, and speaking ranges from 60-90 decibels. 140 decibels is considered the threshold of hearing loss if exposed to for extended periods without hearing protection.
Using 1/2×28 threads for direct attachment, the BANISH RF 22 TI is made of lightweight titanium, weighing just 4.1oz, is 1-inch in diameter, and only 5 ⅜-inches long. This means you’ll barely notice that the BANISH RF 22 TI is on the end of your gun. BANISH literature states the BANISH RF 22 TI brings the sound down to below120 decibels, making it barely louder than a BB-gun. Essentially, this is as close to “Hollywood quiet” as you can get.
OPTIONS
There is a myriad of velocity ranges available with 22LR ammunition. A user must pay attention to details. Subsonic 22LR is in the sub-1050 fps range. Standard and Match velocity 22LR velocities ranges from 1032 fps to 1250 fps. CCI Standard & AR Tactical 22LR was used with 40-grain bullets at 1070 fps to 1240 fps. Winchester Subsonic 42-grain bullet was also used as was Federal American Eagle 22LR 40-grain loads.
22LR ammunition can be erratic in terms of consistent performance with attention needed to acquiring ammunition from reputable manufacturers and then proofing in their specific 22LR weapon. CCI Subsonic and Suppressed loads were utilized for obvious reasons considering suppressed nature of the S&W M&P15-22 BANISH RF22 TI combo. CCI Sub-sonic 40-grain load clocked 970 fps as confirmed by Garmin chronograph from the S&W M&P15-22 braced pistol. Standard velocity loads from CCI, Winchester and Federal were also fired to confirm point of impact differences, accuracy along with verifying if any of the loads were subsonic from the 8-inch barreled M&P15-22.
One pleasant revelation discovered with the 22LR S&W M&P15-22 braced pistol was the relatively minimal ballistic flight path difference between subsonic 22LR and supersonic 22LR. This is understandable considering we are only taking about 200-300 fps difference. This is unlike centerfire rifles that switch from 2500-3000 fps supersonic ammunition to 1000 fps subsonic loads.
22LR ballistics are surprisingly flat out to 100 yards using a 50-yard zero. For example, a 50-yard zero with a 40 grain 1240 feet per second velocity 22LR load is 5.5 inches low at 100 yards. For comparison, 970 fps subsonic 22LR zeroed at 50-yards is 9 inches low at 100 yards. The MOA-based subtension hashmark reticle used in the EOTECH Vudu 3-9x made holdovers at 100 yards simple.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS
The M&P15-22 braced pistol falls in line with traditional 22LR role of introducing new shooters to the sport, albeit with “cool” aesthetics. Trigger control and steady hold can be perfected with the minimal recoil and blast the 22LR is known for. Proper sight alignment and trigger control is easy to self-diagnose with the 22LR. The BANISH RF22 TI is icing on the cake. The S&W M&P15-22 has the added benefit of training shooters of all skill levels in manipulation techniques of an AR. Range time with the S&W M&P15-22 is not only productive, but also described with the unscientific term of FUN!
SPECIFICATIONS: S&W M&P15-22 braced pistol
CALIBER: 22LR
BARREL: 8-inch threaded 1:15 RH twist
BARREL MATERIAL: 4140 steel
OA LENGTH: 25.4-inches
WEIGHT: 3.35 pounds
FRAME MATERIAL: polymer
ACTION: Blowback semi-auto
CAPACITY: 25-round detachableMSRP: $529
